Kota Kinabalu travel guide
Kota Kinabalu Tourism | Kota Kinabalu Guide
You're Going to Love Kota Kinabalu
With a population of 457 326, Kota Kinabalu is the largest city in Sabah, Malaysia by the number of inhabitants. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in Kota Kinabalu to see all of its attractions.
When to visit Kota Kinabalu
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Kota Kinabalu in April, when the average temperature is 27 °C, and the highest can go up to 31 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 22 °C, with an average temperature of 26 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in October, when precipitation is around 351 mm. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Kota Kinabalu, with an average rainfall of 60 mm.
How to Get to Kota Kinabalu
Plane
When flying to Kota Kinabalu, you’ll arrive at Kota Kinabalu (BKI), which is located 6 km from the city centre. Airlines that fly from Malaysia to Kota Kinabalu include MAI, AirAsia and AirAsia X. The shortest domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu departs from Sandakan and takes around 45m.
Car
Another option to get to Kota Kinabalu is to pick up a car hire from Miri, which is about 287 km from Kota Kinabalu. You’ll find branches of Avis and Hertz, among others, in Miri.
Airlines serving Kota Kinabalu
Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu
From 5-star hotels such as the Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa to great affordable options like the Sky Hotel Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around RM 141 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to RM 342 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include KK Times Square Hotel and Kk Waterfront Hotel.
Where to stay in popular areas of Kota Kinabalu
Most booked hotels in Kota Kinabalu
Hiring a car in Kota Kinabalu
Hiring a car in Kota Kinabalu costs RM 189 per day, on average.
You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 16% more expensive than at Kota Kinabalu.
Expect to pay RM 2.04 per litre in Kota Kinabalu (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between RM 24.45 and RM 32.60. Intermediate (Class Intermediate SUV or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Kota Kinabalu, while also 44% cheaper than other types, on average.