Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach? 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 Railay Beach?
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.
Railay Beach
If you're looking to scale great heights and add more achievements to your list during your vacation, consider a trip to the peninsula of Rai Leh, or more commonly Railay Bay or Railay Beach, in the Krabi region of Thailand. This swimming and rock climbing hotspot is known for its towering limestone peaks and gorgeous surrounding scenery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesRailay Beach Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Railay Beach $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $139. 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 Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Railay Beach $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Railay Beach $146
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach? 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 $25Railay Beach $29
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach 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 $30Railay Beach $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
Typical Food Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of dining costs in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.28
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Pizza$5.34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Railay Beach $26
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 Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Rock Climbing (for Two)$22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Railay Beach $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Beer$1.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach 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. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
Both Railay Beach 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach. August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Railay Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.