Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Tartu?
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 Tartu or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Kota Kinabalu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tartu or Kota Kinabalu?
Tartu
Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Tartu Prices
Estonia PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTartu €132Kota Kinabalu €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €132, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is €57. 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 Tartu and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTartu €47Kota Kinabalu €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTartu €94Kota Kinabalu €34
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Tartu 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.
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: Tartu Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tartu €27Kota Kinabalu €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Tartu 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 dayTartu €65Kota Kinabalu €25
Typical Food Prices in Tartu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:
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Danishes€0.76
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Lunch for Two€4.93
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Ice Cream€1.27
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Cookies€0.51
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Coffee & Cake€3.47
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
- 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.Tartu €16Kota Kinabalu €5.46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu
For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Art Museum ticket€0.95
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Movie Ticket€3.47
Tours and Activities in Tartu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tartu.
- Around Viljandi bike tour: $30
- TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT: $141
- Charming Viljandi Private Walking Tour for Couples: $260
- Magical Tartu Romantic Private Walking Tour: $751
- Dazzling Tartu City Cultural Private Walking Tour: $751
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
- Dreamer Island Snorkeling Day Tour: $63
- 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
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTartu €16Kota Kinabalu €6.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tartu and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Tartu is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tartu is in Europe and Kota Kinabalu is in Asia, 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 Tartu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tartu 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 Tartu Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tartu or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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.
When is the best time to visit Tartu or Kota Kinabalu?
Tartu 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 Tartu or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
Tartu is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTartu 17°C (62°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tartu or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Kota Kinabalu. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTartu 6°C (43°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tartu or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Kota Kinabalu. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
Tartu can be very cold during winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTartu -7°C (19°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Tartu or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Tartu is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTartu 5°C (41°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Tartu
| Tartu | Kota Kinabalu | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -7°C (19°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | -6°C (20°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (29°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 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.