Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Santo Domingo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Santo Domingo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Santo Domingo?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.
Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Santo Domingo $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $99. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Santo Domingo $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Santo Domingo $80
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Santo Domingo? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21Santo Domingo $4.59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer KLIA1/KLIA2: $13
- Departure Transfer : Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport: $13
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer: $17
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer: $17
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer <> Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer (1-way): $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $155
- Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $50
- Transfer in Tesla from SDQ Airport to Santo Domingo: $68
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
- Santo Domingo to La Romana transfer: $177
- Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Uvero Alto - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer to Punta Cana: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29Santo Domingo $53
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $39
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $15Santo Domingo $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Genting Highlands: Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Entry Ticket: $6.37
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- Malaysia: KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.75
- Malaysia Genting Highlands Hoverland Entry Ticket : $9.15
- REXPERIENCE: Immersive Art Gallery at REXKL: $9.75
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Malaysia Cruise Tasik Putrajaya: $9.99
- KL Tower Observatory & Sky Terrace tickets | Malaysia : $9.99
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Guided City Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Selangor: Zoo Negara E-Ticket: $11
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:
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Snorkeling Tour$42
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- Discover Santo Domingo Gualey and Zona Colonial Private Tour: $115
- Santo Domingo A Historic Day Tour with Lunch from Punta Cana: $109
- 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Águilas Bay and the Bauxite Mine: $130
- Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
- Cultural VIP Private Tour From Santo Domingo: $150
- Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
- Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
- Full Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
- Full-Day Adventure Tour of Culture through Santo Domingo: $125
- Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
- Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Santo Domingo $7.54
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Santo Domingo, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Santo Domingo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santo Domingo than you might in Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Santo Domingo, 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.
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.