Which place is cheaper, Okinawa 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 Okinawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Okinawa? 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 Okinawa?
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.
Okinawa
Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesOkinawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Okinawa $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $125. 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 Okinawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Okinawa $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Okinawa $150
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Okinawa
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Okinawa? 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 $25Okinawa $9.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- 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
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:
- Airport Transfer! Center of Naha to Naha Airport (OKA): $125
- Nakagusuku Cruise Port to Naha - Arrival Private Transfer: $138
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $200
- Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $200
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $220
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Okinawa?
Prices for flights to both Okinawa 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 $30Okinawa $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $29
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- 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 Okinawa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Okinawa.
- Naha: Airport Food Tour for a Delicious Start or Farewell: $166
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Okinawa $14
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
Tours and Activities in Okinawa
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:
- Okinawa World Admission Ticket: $14
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Okinawa: $23
- Okinawa World Admission Ticket | Japan: $23
- Official Street Go-Kart Tour - Okinawa Shop: $38
- Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $38
- Naha: Full-Day Snorkeling Experience in the Kerama Islands, Okinawa: $48
- Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Tour: $51
- Tropical Dream , Ryukyu Mura, Banta Cafe Bus Tour: $53
- Kintsugi Accessory Experience in Naha, Okinawa: $53
- Okinawa Hip-hop Bus A Course Tour｜Churaumi Aqualium,Kori Island: $54
- 60Min Gorilla Go-Kart Tour in Naha City: (NIGHT SLOTS AVAILABLE): $55
- Aquarium, Kouri Island, & American Village Bus Tour: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Okinawa $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa 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 Okinawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Okinawa 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 Okinawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Okinawa?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Okinawa. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Okinawa, 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 Okinawa?
Okinawa 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 Okinawa in the Summer?
Both Okinawa and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Okinawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Okinawa fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Okinawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Okinawa during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 258 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Okinawa 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Okinawa in the Autumn?
Both Okinawa and Kota Kinabalu during the autumn 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 hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Okinawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Okinawa averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 174 hours of full sun.
Okinawa 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 more rain in October than Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Okinawa 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Okinawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Okinawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Okinawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Okinawa. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Okinawa fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Okinawa during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.
Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Okinawa 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Okinawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Okinawa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Okinawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Okinawa fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 149 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets less rain in April than Okinawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Okinawa 22°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Okinawa and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Okinawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.