Which place is cheaper, Yichang 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 Yichang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yichang? 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 Yichang?
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.
Yichang
Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.
Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesYichang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Yichang $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Yichang is $74. 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 Yichang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Yichang $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Yichang $50
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Yichang
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Yichang? 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 $25Yichang $14
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 Yichang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yichang:
- Yichang Airport Transfer Service, Yichang train station Pick up: $20
- Private transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie: $290
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Yichang?
Prices for flights to both Yichang 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 $30Yichang $38
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 $6.43Yichang $18
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
Tours and Activities in Yichang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:
- Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
- Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
- From 5-Day Yangtze River Cruise to Chongqing: $679
- Yichang - Chongqing Yangtze Miracle Luxury 5D4N Cruise: $720
- From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $993
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Yichang $14
When comparing the travel costs between Kota Kinabalu and Yichang, we can see that Yichang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Yichang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Yichang?
Yichang has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Yichang, 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 Yichang?
Yichang 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 Yichang in the Summer?
Both Yichang 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.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Yichang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Yichang averages at about 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in Yichang. 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 Yichang during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Yichang receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yichang. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Yichang. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Yichang 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yichang in the Autumn?
Both Yichang 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.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Yichang. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Yichang fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Yichang. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yichang receives 134 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Yichang. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Yichang 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yichang in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Yichang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Yichang in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Yichang fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Yichang during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Yichang receives 92 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Yichang. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Yichang 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yichang in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Yichang. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Yichang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Yichang averages at about 18°C (65°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 Yichang. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yichang receives 129 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Yichang. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Yichang 18°C (65°F)
Typical Weather for Yichang and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Yichang | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.