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.

S
Sofiane
From
France
thanks very much for this nice stay ! the decoration and the confort of the room are excellente, I really like the concept of the hotel with a mix option for a luxurious hostel or more high standing room ! we really appreciate our stay and want to thank Perez and Gii, the staff was really helpful and nice to us.
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.

J
JenCheng
From
Taiwan
Fantastic place! friendly and helpful staff. On the way back from semporna then I still choose here for my last two days stay in KK.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 450 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.

T
Tass
From
Slovenia
Very friendly staff. Clean. Drinking water available. Nice view.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 243 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...

A
Andrea
From
New Zealand
Central location, plenty of life
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 132 reviews
Price from
US$22.05
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.

E
Edmund
From
United Kingdom
Jiran was great - comfortable bed, quiet room. Privacy curtains on each bunk which I always appreciate.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 62 reviews
Price from
US$27.46
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.

B
Bram
From
Netherlands
The location is smack in the middle of KK, walking distance from pretty much anywhere you could conceivably want to go. Capsules are nice, standard-issue but well maintained and as such serve their purpose. While capsule hostels usually don't really lend themselves to a sociable athmosphere, the included breakfast, large communal space and endlessly helpful staff created ample opportunity for socialising. Seriously, especially the owner will go through insane lengths to make sure you're having a great stay.
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.

M
Mariia
From
Finland
Homelike, owner is lovely and helped with everything, great staff.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 409 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$30.77
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.

S
Stefano
From
Italy
Nice place in a very good location, comfortable bed and very clean enviroment. Breakfast served every morning and water refill available h24. The manager is a very kind and lovely person always available to answer your questions. I highly recommend this place !
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 215 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 6.2
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 28 reviews
Price from
US$60.12
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

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  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 215 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 8.1
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 132 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 97 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
    Good - What previous guests thought, 409 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 497 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 450 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 9.0
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,246 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

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

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

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.2
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 28 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$81.80 per night
  • Capsule Inn

    Kota Kinabalu
    Budget options available
    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
    Budget options available
    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.

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.

    From US$8.04 per night
  • 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$40.90 per night

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

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  • Avg. price/night: US$22.49
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 497 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$23.01
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,246 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$23.01
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,246 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