The 10 best hostels in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia | Booking.com
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Hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Find the hostels that appeal to you the most

The best hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Some of the best backpacker spots in Kota Kinabalu

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Signel Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Set in Kota Kinabalu and with Filipino Market Sabah reachable within 500 metres, Signel Hostel offers a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace.

C
Cristina Miron
From
Spain
Great hostel with good location, very cozy and clean. And lots of thanks to Jeff, Michelle and Delsey for being so nice and friendly, and making me feel like home!!! Terimah kasih and see you soon!!!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 356 reviews
Price from
US$18.93
1 night, 2 adults

Vibrant Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Located in Kota Kinabalu, 1.7 km from Filipino Market Sabah, Vibrant Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge.

V
Virginia
From
Bulgaria
The hostel is super clean and tidy, the staff helps you with everything you need.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 451 reviews
Price from
US$24.44
1 night, 2 adults

Space Cap Hotel

Kota Kinabalu

Situated in Kota Kinabalu and within 400 metres of Filipino Market Sabah, Space Cap Hotel has a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi.

E
Egan zhuang yong
From
Brunei Darussalam
Surrounding and how easy to get to places
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 241 reviews
Price from
US$18.22
1 night, 2 adults

Borneo Gaya Lodge

Kota Kinabalu

Situated within less than 1 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 3.1 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, Borneo Gaya Lodge features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Kota...

D
Derek
From
Ireland
Walter is brilliant. Very nice guy and always quick with helpful answers and info.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 134 reviews
Price from
US$22.04
1 night, 2 adults

Jiran Hostel Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

Set in Kota Kinabalu and within 1.3 km of Filipino Market Sabah, Jiran Hostel Kota Kinabalu has a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi.

A
Anna
From
Australia
Jiran hostel was wonderful. The ladies running it are so friendly and kind. They helped me book my onward travel to kinabatangan river and even shared some local fruits and dishes with me. The hostel itself is perfectly located near the jetty and gaya street in town. The hostel is clean and secure. They provide a light breakfast and drinking water. I would love to stay here again
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 65 reviews
Price from
US$27.45
1 night, 2 adults

Capsule Inn

Kota Kinabalu

Capsule Inn is located in Kota Kinabalu, 3.6 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 4.7 km from North Borneo Railway.

M
Minsu
From
Argentina
Everything was just perfect. Quite, peaceful bedroom with kindly staffs. Location was not that bad as I expected. Restaurants, small supermarkets and all places needed for the stay are located in the building.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 223 reviews
Price from
US$12.08
1 night, 2 adults

Escape Backpackers KK

Kota Kinabalu

Located in Kota Kinabalu, 400 metres from Filipino Market Sabah, Escape Backpackers KK provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge.

T
Thomas
From
United Kingdom
Breakfast provided was really tasty. Staff were great and allowed us to stay there until our flight the following evening. Rooms comfy and private, WiFi was excellent.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 408 reviews
Price from
US$10.52
1 night, 2 adults

Oikos Poshtel

Kota Kinabalu

Located in Kota Kinabalu and with Filipino Market Sabah reachable within 1.6 km, Oikos Poshtel provides a tour desk, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi and a restaurant.

I
ItsYu
From
Singapore
The place less than 5mins walk away from Imago mall
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
Good - What previous guests thought, 149 reviews
Price from
US$30.76
1 night, 2 adults

H2 Segama Backpacker

Kota Kinabalu

H2 Segama Backpacker in Kota Kinabalu provides adults-only accommodation with a garden and a shared lounge.

M
Martina
From
Czech Republic
Amazing stay. Very friendly and helpful staff. Worth it!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 212 reviews
Price from
US$11.50
1 night, 2 adults

Warisan Homestay 18pax Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

Located within 400 metres of Filipino Market Sabah and 3.7 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, Warisan Homestay 18pax Kota Kinabalu provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom...

A
Amir
From
Malaysia
A good place for solo travellers..
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.3
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 29 reviews
Price from
US$60.10
1 night, 2 adults
All hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travellers know that there is no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a bit more.

Most booked hostels in Kota Kinabalu and surroundings in the past month

See all
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 134 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
    Good - What previous guests thought, 149 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 241 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 98 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
    Good - What previous guests thought, 408 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 356 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 495 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 451 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.7
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 411 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,247 reviews

No credit card needed to book these hostels in Kota Kinabalu and nearby

  • Capsule Inn

    Kota Kinabalu
    No credit card needed
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
    Good - What previous guests thought, 223 reviews

    Capsule Inn is located in Kota Kinabalu, 3.6 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 4.7 km from North Borneo Railway.

  • Situated within 3.4 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 5 km of Likas City Mosque, Capsule inn CI enterprise offers rooms in Kota Kinabalu.

  • Dazzle Home Aeropod

    Tanjong Aru
    No credit card needed
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
    Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 16 reviews

    Located within 5.6 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 400 metres of North Borneo Railway, Dazzle Home Aeropod provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Tanjong Aru.

Save money on hostels in Kota Kinabalu and nearby – budget options available

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.3
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 29 reviews

    Located within 400 metres of Filipino Market Sabah and 3.7 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, Warisan Homestay 18pax Kota Kinabalu provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom...

    From US$64.91 per night

Great access to the city centre. Check these hostels in Kota Kinabalu and nearby

  • Capsule Inn

    Kota Kinabalu
    Central location

    Situated within less than 1 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 3.1 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, Capsule Inn features rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kota Kinabalu.

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.7
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 411 reviews

    Nusantara Mattwaddien Hostel is situated in Kota Kinabalu, within 11 km of International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC and 2.9 km of Signal Hill Observatory.

    From US$11.81 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.0
    Good - What previous guests thought, 58 reviews

    Situated within 9.3 km of International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC and 11 km of Likas City Mosque, Aeropod Hostel Economy Deluxe King Room offers rooms in Kota Kinabalu.

    From US$40.89 per night

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

See all
  • Avg. price/night: US$22.48
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 495 reviews
    The full team is wonderful and they help you with everything they can. The hostel is pretty, clean and very well organized. The common areas are very cozy. This has been for me the best hostel in all Malaysia 🙂🙃🙂
    Guest review by
    Sonne_HD
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: US$24.85
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 356 reviews
    Modern furnishing and each pod feels very private which is nice. The area immediately outside the hostel doesn’t feel like the most inviting but is perfectly safe, and probably quite insightful. Very central (although not sure that really makes a difference- not huge amounts to do in the city)
    Guest review by
    Christopher
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: US$24.28
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,247 reviews
    Amazing culture, stunning sunsets from the hostel panorama window and very clean! Definitely one of the very best hostels I’ve been in so far. Special thanks to Jenny of the hostel staff for integrating new people into the amazing social culture!
    Guest review by
    Ralf Johannes
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: US$24.28
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,247 reviews
    This was without a doubt the best hostel I ever stayed in so far. It’s clean, safe, good facilities, nice rooms, nice kitchen and living room, super friendly people who work there,… I definitely go back!
    Guest review by
    Delphine
    Solo traveller