Which place is cheaper, Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki? 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 Nagasaki?
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.
Nagasaki
Set in a natural harbor on the northwest coast of Japan, Nagasaki is a Japanese city synonymous with a key moment during WWII after suffering an Allied nuclear attack in 1945. While the event is memorialized at the city's Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, the city in no way is defined by the event. Today it exists as a culturally and religiously diverse port town with a certain charm amongst the terraces of surrounding hills.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesNagasaki Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Nagasaki $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Nagasaki is $114. 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 Nagasaki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Nagasaki $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Nagasaki $98
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Nagasaki
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki? 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 and Nagasaki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Nagasaki $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagasaki
Also for Nagasaki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki Port: $117
- Nagasaki City to Nagasaki International Airport Private Departure Transfer: $196
- Nagasaki International Airport to Nagasaki City Private Arrival Transfer: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki?
Prices for flights to both Nagasaki 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 $30Nagasaki $50
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking with a Local Okaasan at Kominka in Ojika Island Nagasaki: $41
- Sunset Beach Dinner: $53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Nagasaki $23
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
Tours and Activities in Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Nagasaki GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $12
- Gunkanjima Digital Museum Attraction Ticket: $13
- Discover Stunning Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Nagasaki: $23
- Experience farming (rice cultivation) in terraced rice paddies: $38
- Private Fishing and Dining Experience in Ojika Japan: $45
- Traditional Kimono Experience in Nagasaki: $55
- Nagasaki Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $55
- Terraced Rice Paddy Restaurant and Rural Experience: $61
- Finding Local Cats and Hidden Alleys of Nagasaki Walking Tour: $62
- Mochitsuki Rice Cake Making Experience in Ojika Island: $78
- Nagasaki Gyoza&Soy Sauce Ramen Culinary Experience: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Nagasaki $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Nagasaki, we can see that Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Nagasaki. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Nagasaki, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki?
Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki in the Summer?
Both Nagasaki and Kota Kinabalu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Nagasaki in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagasaki. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 197 hours of full sun.
Nagasaki gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets less rain in July than Nagasaki. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Nagasaki 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Nagasaki. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Nagasaki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Nagasaki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 20°C (67°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagasaki during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Nagasaki. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Nagasaki 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Nagasaki. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Nagasaki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 112 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Nagasaki. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Nagasaki 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagasaki in the Spring?
Both Nagasaki and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nagasaki for the activities around the city during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Nagasaki in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Nagasaki during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Nagasaki 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Nagasaki and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Nagasaki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 334 mm (13.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.