Which place is cheaper, Toronto 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 Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Toronto? 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesToronto Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Toronto $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $249. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Toronto $32
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$26
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $9.58
- Private Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $39
- Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $41
- Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotel & Air B&B Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport (YYZ): $43
- Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto: $43
- Transfer from Pearson Airport(YYZ) to Toronto City Center: $53
- Transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ): $53
- Sedan Departure Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ: $59
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Richmond Hill Black Car Service: $60
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $64
- Toronto Pearson Airport: Transfer to/from Niagara Falls: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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 $30Toronto $112
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 Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $46
- Great White North Food Tour: $54
- Great White North Toronto Food Tour: $55
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $61
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $66
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings: $71
- Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $72
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $73
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $78
- French Bistro Cooking Class in Toronto (Includes 3-Course Meal): $80
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Toronto $31
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.26
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.58
- Old Town Toronto Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
- City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.02
- Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour: $4.44
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.44
- Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.74
- Discover Toronto's Waterfront with a Smartphone Trivia Tour!: $8.12
- Historical Ghost Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Hamilton: $8.99
- Toronto Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Toronto by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $11
- Toronto Audio Tour:Maple Delights in Toronto Audio Tour Adventure: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Toronto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $20
- Nickel 9 Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District: $26
- Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $28
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $35
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $42
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $43
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $53
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia and Toronto is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
Toronto 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 Toronto in the Summer?
Both Toronto 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, most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Toronto. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Toronto in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Toronto. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.
It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto 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, many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Toronto. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.