A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pushkar vs. Kota Kinabalu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pushkar or Kota Kinabalu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pushkar and Kota Kinabalu can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pushkar or Kota Kinabalu?

Pushkar

Pushkar is a city located in the state of Rajasthan, India. The city is considered a holy one; it's famous for its Brahma temple. It is also known for its ghats, its lake, and bazaar. Brahma is one part of the holy Hindu trinity and is known sit on a lotus flower (which is what 'Pushkar' translates to). In Hindu religion, Brahma is believed to be the creator of this world and Pushkar is the most important temple.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in India, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Pushkar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Pushkar Prices
    India Prices
    Kota Kinabalu Prices
    Malaysia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Pushkar $34
    Kota Kinabalu $68

The average daily cost (per person) in Pushkar is $34, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $68. 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 Pushkar and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pushkar $12
    Kota Kinabalu $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pushkar $24
    Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Pushkar and Kota Kinabalu

Looking for a hotel in Pushkar or Kota Kinabalu? 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.

Hotels in Pushkar


Hotels in Kota Kinabalu


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: Pushkar Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pushkar $4.70
    Kota Kinabalu $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pushkar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pushkar:

  • Private Transfer from Pushkar to Jaipur: $40
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jaipur In AC Vehicle: $45
  • Jodhpur :Private Transfer to Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Pushkar: $47
  • Private Transfers Pushkar To Udaipur Drop: $58
  • Jaipur: Private Transfer to Jodhpur with Pushkar tour: $62
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur In AC Vehicle: $71
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Udaipur In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Mount Abu In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To New Delhi In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Agra In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Ranthambore In AC Vehicle: $117

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 Pushkar or Kota Kinabalu?

Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Pushkar 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pushkar $17
    Kota Kinabalu $30
Typical Food Prices in Pushkar

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pushkar are as follows:


  • Lunch
    $2.27

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pushkar $7.80
    Kota Kinabalu $6.43

Tours and Activities in Pushkar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pushkar are as follows:

  • Walking Sightseeing Tour - The Shine Pushkar: $5.79
  • Spiritual City Walking Tour-THE Pushkar Route: $6.76
  • Temples Walk around 52 Ghats ( Spiritual Tour )-The Pushkar Route: $7.00
  • Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
  • Evening Walking tour with Fire Ceremony - The Pushkar Route : $8.00
  • Private Historical Walking Tour in Nasiyan Jain Temple: $9.25
  • Cultural Walk of Pushkar (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
  • Pushkar 2 Hour Walking Tour with Guide: $13
  • Experience Private Food And Culture Walk-The Pushkar Route: $15
  • Private Tour Guide Pushkar: $18
  • Pushkar Camel Safari Adventure: $22
  • Food Walk Tour Pushkar (2 hours guided food tasting walk): $23

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pushkar $6.34
    Kota Kinabalu $7.18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pushkar and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. And not only is Pushkar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pushkar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pushkar 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 Kota Kinabalu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kota Kinabalu than you might in Pushkar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pushkar Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pushkar or Kota Kinabalu?

Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pushkar. When comparing the sizes of Pushkar and Kota Kinabalu, 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.