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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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.

L
Lars
From
Belgium
Bathroom was super clean and modern. The common area is also kept clean really well since you have to take off your shoes. Staff was super friendly, welcoming and helpful. Especially Jenny who is a delight to hang out with. Really feels like home after a while.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,246 reviews
Location 9.5
Price from
US$14.98
1 night, 2 adults

Faloe Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Faloe Hostel is set in Kota Kinabalu, within 1.8 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 4.1 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village.

I
Isabella
From
Peru
Very clean, well distributed, great location and incredible helpful staff. From the moment you arrived you feel welcomed and cozy. There’s also a washing machine and dryer available with an extra fee. They help you organise day trips with their partnerships and they have good deals. Online check In is also very well explained.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 495 reviews
Location 9.3
Price from
US$22.58
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.

C
Cornelia Travels
From
Norway
I enjoyed my stay a lot at Signel Hostel. Everything was perfect: friendly staff, clean room and bathrooms, quiet, comfortable, air conditioned room, slippers for all guests, lockers provided.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 353 reviews
Location 8.9
Price from
US$19.02
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
javkovsky
From
Czech Republic
I loved this hostel, it is clean, common areas are nice. They have the most comfortable beds!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 463 reviews
Location 9.1
Price from
US$24.55
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...

D
David
From
United Kingdom
Simple room but had everything we needed. Warm shower, mirror in the bedroom, plug sockets and a very powerful and quiet air conditioning. Additional toilet roll/towels felt available at all times. The staff were always on hand via WhatsApp. Location is great, directly above a 24 shop, a great bakery and a very popular restaurant.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 136 reviews
Location 9.5
Price from
US$22.14
1 night, 2 adults

Akinabalu Youth Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Akinabalu Youth Hostel provides air-conditioned accommodation in Kota Kinabalu. The accommodation features a shared kitchen, a shared lounge and organising tours for guests.

M
Mierlyiesangiela
From
Malaysia
Near to the gaya street market
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.9
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 12 reviews
Location 10.0
Price from
US$22.82
1 night, 2 adults

Concrete Jungle Cabin

Kota Kinabalu

Concrete Jungle Cabin is set in Kota Kinabalu, within 4.1 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 5.2 km of Likas City Mosque.

B
Basil
From
Australia
Really cool vibe. Met some awesome people here from other western countries and played many games of pool. The staff are awesome too, the owner stopped by for a bit and bought beers for us to enjoy.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 93 reviews
Location 9.5
Price from
US$21.39
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.

S
SOPHIE
From
France
Amazing staff ! Kind and helpful Great location, very close to the Jetty Everything was clean and the beds are comfortable
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 61 reviews
Location 9.3
Price from
US$27.57
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.

C
CarolinaMarie
From
Austria
The staff was really nice and helped a lot with planning what to do and how to get around in the city. After climbing Mt. Kinabalu they even changed my upper bed to one down so I can rest better.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
Good - What previous guests thought, 411 reviews
Location 9.1
Price from
US$10.57
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 7.4
Good - What previous guests thought, 158 reviews
Location 8.7
Price from
US$30.90
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 7.4
    Good - What previous guests thought, 158 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 223 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 136 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 93 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
    Good - What previous guests thought, 411 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 463 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 8.4
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 353 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 6.8
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 410 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$8.07 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.4
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 27 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$65.21 per night
  • Located within 1.1 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 3.8 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, Borneo Forest Hotel provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Kota Kinabalu.

    From US$34.66 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$41.07 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
    Good - What previous guests thought, 411 reviews

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

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

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  • Avg. price/night: US$22.58
    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$24.96
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 353 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$23.10
    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$23.10
    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