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.

C
Chadaphon
From
Canada
Everything was perfect! Generally I avoid staying at hostel due to the cleanliness issue but here everything was sparkling clean. It's even cleaner than most hotels I used to stay! Staffs (shout out to Cindy) was super friendly and helpful. I arrived at Kota Kinabalu with no plan in mind but they help me arrange the tours and suggest me what I can do. The place is very well designed & it really felt like home. Plus the ocean view is just incredible. I miss staying there already 🥹
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,247 reviews
Price from
US$19.24
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.

P
Pedro
From
Portugal
Stell was awesome. Super helpful!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 495 reviews
Price from
US$22.56
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
Price from
US$19
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.

E
Ennawawi
From
Brunei Darussalam
All is decent. Excellent value for money
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 463 reviews
Price from
US$24.53
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...

S
Suhartini Haron
From
Singapore
Everything is clean and perfect for solo traveller like me.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 137 reviews
Price from
US$22.12
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
Price from
US$22.80
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.

S
Shukri O
From
United Kingdom
We were very apprehensive of booking a stay with a shared bathroom whilst travelling with kids but I'm so glad our first time was here. The hotel is new, clean and everyone was so lovely. They provided breakfast (plus free water, coffee and tea throughout the day) which was a lovely addition and the location was PERFECT. You're right in the midst of the city and a lot of things are walking distance like the Jetty to the islands and Suria shopping mall. If you're looking for a good stay in KK, you've found your spot.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 94 reviews
Price from
US$21.38
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 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 61 reviews
Price from
US$28.03
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 7.4
Good - What previous guests thought, 410 reviews
Price from
US$10.56
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.

A
Anonymous39
From
Brunei Darussalam
Very strategic location, the place is clean, all facilities are provided too. It's quiet too.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
Good - What previous guests thought, 159 reviews
Price from
US$30.88
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, 159 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 219 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 137 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 94 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
    Good - What previous guests thought, 410 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, 1,247 reviews
  • Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

    Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.8
    Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 408 reviews

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

  • 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$82.08 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.

    From US$9.49 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$34.63 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$41.05 per night

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

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  • Avg. price/night: US$22.56
    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$24.94
    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$23.09
    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$23.09
    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