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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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Homy Seafront Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Homy Seafront Hostel is situated in Kota Kinabalu, within 3.6 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 5.4 km of North Borneo Railway.

R
Rowa
From
Denmark
Everything. This is probably one of the best hostels, I’ve ever stayed in. It felt a bit like home. The staff were amazing. The hostel is central, clean, and comfy. Not to mention it’s a perfect place to meet other solo travellers.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,246 reviews
Price from
US$19.52
1 night, 2 adults

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.

I
Ian
From
United States
Super friendly staff. Arrived early and they let me store my bag. They also let me keep my bag there after checking out. The front desk also answered my questions about the city. The bed was comfortable and everything was clean. Great location.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 361 reviews
Price from
US$19.28
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.

A
Alice
From
Malaysia
My favourite place to stay in kk!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 436 reviews
Price from
US$24.89
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.

A
Adam
From
United Kingdom
Nancy was very helpful and the location was perfect
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 231 reviews
Price from
US$18.55
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...

M
Marta
From
Netherlands
Located in the city centre, clean and comfortable. Shops and restaurants nearby. Recommended.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 139 reviews
Price from
US$22.45
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 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 65 reviews
Price from
US$27.95
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.

J
Jan
From
Germany
This is a great place! The staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is almost familiar. It is quite special to sleep in a capsule, but they are more spacious than one might think and super comfortable with an AC, mirror, sockets etc. The "living room" is also great and especially good for socializing.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 223 reviews
Price from
US$12.30
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
Miglina
From
France
It was my greatest dormitory experience ! People were amazing. each day was different from the other one. It was really the big family feeling for me ! My stay was filled of laughs, stories and alcohol !!! Auntie Fay, Judith and Valerie were so kind, amazing and patient<3. Every other guest had something different to bring and to offer in every conversation. The hostel offers some good deals for activities. You will Got a lot of stuff to do : you will be able to get lost in the jungle, battle with a jellyfish under the water, get drunk with an old uncle , chasing sunsets in Kota Kinabalu with a japanese oppa and a crazy girl, sharing some chips with an old Yakuza member (haha he wasn't in Yakuza for real... Too bad) etc.... There is also one crazy cat and one lazy cat to pet. A lot of memories in a so little tiny time. I didn't want to go back. Kota Kinabalu forever in my heart because of theses amazing people.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 403 reviews
Price from
US$10.71
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.

M
M Redzuan
From
Malaysia
Room especially the bed are great and super comfy. Walking distance to Imago. There's also washer and dryer in the unit.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.3
Good - What previous guests thought, 149 reviews
Price from
US$31.33
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.

N
NinjaRYO
From
Japan
Staff guy was really nice and l felt hospitality there. Price is also affordable.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 201 reviews
Price from
US$11.71
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 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 65 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 201 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 231 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 100 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 491 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 436 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 361 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 403 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.8
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 410 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

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$9.63 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.8
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 410 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$12.02 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$41.64 per night

Capsule Inn

Kota Kinabalu
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
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.

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.2
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$66.10 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 1.0
Bad - What previous guests thought, 1 review

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.

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

Dazzle Home Aeropod

Tanjong Aru
No credit card needed
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Superb - What previous guests thought, 20 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.

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

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Avg. price/night: US$22.89
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 491 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$25.30
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 361 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$23.42
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$23.42
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