Which place is cheaper, Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
Chichibu-Tama-Kai
Located at the intersection of the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo Prefectures, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a national park in Japan webbed with hiking trails and many ancient shrines. Mount Mitake, Mount Mitsumine, and Mount Mito are just three of the eight peaks that tower above the park at over 2000 meters, while rivers sources flowing below include the Arakawa River, Shinano River, Tama River, and Fuefuki River (Fuji River).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesChichibu-Tama-Kai Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Chichibu-Tama-Kai $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Chichibu-Tama-Kai is $90. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kota Kinabalu and Chichibu-Tama-Kai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Chichibu-Tama-Kai $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Chichibu-Tama-Kai $70
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Chichibu-Tama-Kai
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Chichibu-Tama-Kai $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?
Prices for flights to both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Kota Kinabalu change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKota Kinabalu $30Chichibu-Tama-Kai $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Chichibu-Tama-Kai $7.39
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Island Hopping Tour From Kota Kinabalu (2 island): $90
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Chichibu-Tama-Kai $8.60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Chichibu-Tama-Kai, we can see that Chichibu-Tama-Kai is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Chichibu-Tama-Kai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chichibu-Tama-Kai than you might in Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?
Chichibu-Tama-Kai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kota Kinabalu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages at about 25°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Chichibu-Tama-Kai 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Autumn?
Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Chichibu-Tama-Kai 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Winter?
Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Kota Kinabalu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chichibu-Tama-Kai this time of year.
It's quite cold in Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the winter. Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Chichibu-Tama-Kai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Chichibu-Tama-Kai 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Chichibu-Tama-Kai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.