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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.

K
Kit LAI_HK
From
Hong Kong
The lounge is so comfy and homy and a great place to relax and chat with other travellers. Wonderful public space with a sea viewing Amazing views!!! clean, comfy beds and pillows. Due to the flight delay, we arrived late at night, and the staff was very understanding, and allocated a room immediately, allowing us to enter the room and rest as soon as possible. Thank you very much. There are 15 of us in total, and one of them happened to have a birthday. Thanks especially to Cindy, helping us buy cakes and flowers, and creating an unforgettable birthday party. The staff are amazingly helpful. They help connect you with very helpful people who can assist you in booking any activities, will definitely stay again!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,250 reviews
Price from
US$19.60
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$19.36
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.

K
Kim
From
South Korea
The staffs are very nice, kind, and helpful. We extended our stay so we stayed for 7nights and We have no complaints at all. They clean the facilities everyday so all the common areas are always clean. Affordable price, nice location very close to the Imago shopping mall.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 434 reviews
Price from
US$24.99
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.

P
Portia
From
Philippines
Keep up the good work amazing staff
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 228 reviews
Price from
US$18.63
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, 139 reviews
Price from
US$22.54
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$28.07
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.

T
Tobias
From
Switzerland
All in all an amazing place to stay! The hosts and all the staff were very welcoming and helpful in all our needs, stayed up late for a late night check-in, ... Great place to meet other travellers. Located just in the city centre. House-own bar with special deals. Kitchen for use. Capsules provide lots of privacy.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 223 reviews
Price from
US$12.35
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.

R
River
From
United States
Great folks here and an excellent location.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 405 reviews
Price from
US$12.83
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 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 150 reviews
Price from
US$31.46
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, 195 reviews
Price from
US$11.76
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 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 150 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 195 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 228 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 490 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 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 361 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 434 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 405 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.8
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 406 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,250 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 7.5
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 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.

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.

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

Capsule Inn

Kota Kinabalu
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 1.0
Bad - What previous guests thought, 1 review

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$9.67 per night
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...

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.8
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 406 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$14.49 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$41.81 per night

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

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Avg. price/night: US$22.99
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 490 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$25.41
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$23.52
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,250 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$23.52
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,250 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