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The 10 Best Hostels in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Some of the best backpacker spots in Kota Kinabalu

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Superb: 9+ Very good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
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Set within 2.9 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 2.3 km of Oceanus Waterfront Mall, Faloe Hostel offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kota Kinabalu. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a shuttle service, while a car rental service is also available.

The girl receptionist is so beautiful and very nice.

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9.2
Superb
274 reviews
Price from
£8
per night

Capsule Inn is located in Kota Kinabalu, 4.7 km from North Borneo Railway and 6.4 km from Likas City Mosque. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC is 11 km from the hostel and Atkinson Clock Tower is 1.3 km away.

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.

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8.5
Very good
188 reviews
Price from
£7
per night

Located in Kota Kinabalu, 400 metres from Filipino Market Sabah, Escape Backpackers KK provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge. The property is around 3.1 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, 5 km from North Borneo Railway and 5.9 km from Likas City Mosque. International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC is 11 km away and Sabah State Mosque is 2.9 km from the hostel.

They are so nice, and the rooms are good also, the temperature is better since KK is hot, they also have free breakfast and the staff are very nice people. I love staying here, and will definitely go back.

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8.1
Very good
278 reviews
Price from
£6
per night

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. The property is around 3.5 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, 5.8 km from North Borneo Railway and 6.3 km from Likas City Mosque. International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC is 11 km from the hostel and Sabah State Mosque is 3.7 km away.

The place was amazing, clean and well organised, I felt welcomed with friendly staff and Jeff is very kind and helpful. I Deffinitely recommend to stay there :)

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8.7
Fabulous
217 reviews
Price from
£11
per night

Located in Kota Kinabalu, 1.7 km from Filipino Market Sabah, Vibrant Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge. The property is around 4.1 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, 5.6 km from North Borneo Railway and 8.2 km from Likas City Mosque. The accommodation features a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests.

All is decent. Excellent value for money

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8.9
Fabulous
493 reviews
Price from
£9
per night

Situated within 11 km of International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC and 1.7 km of Signal Hill Observatory, Homy Seafront Hostel offers rooms in Kota Kinabalu. The property is around 3.6 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, 5.4 km from North Borneo Railway and 6.3 km from Likas City Mosque. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests.

Everything! It was one of the best places I’ve stayed. The common area makes it easier to meet new people. They also promote social activities such as game night. The staff is incredibly friendly and very helpful. Although I stayed in a mixed dorm, the bathroom area is separated, which gives the ladies more privacy while showering. The internet is very good for people that are working while travelling. The view from the living room is stunning. Even from my bed was amazing. I recommend staying here if you plan to visit Kota Kinabalu.

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8.9
Fabulous
971 reviews
Price from
£9
per night

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. The property is set 3.6 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, 5.4 km from North Borneo Railway and 6.3 km from Likas City Mosque. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests.

The shared bathroom is fitted with a bidet, a hairdryer and slippers. The rooms at the hostel have air conditioning and a desk.

Very friendly staff. Clean. Drinking water available. Nice view.

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8.2
Very good
344 reviews
Price from
£11
per night

Situated in Kota Kinabalu, less than 1 km from Filipino Market Sabah, Borneo Gaya Lodge features air-conditioned accommodation and a shared lounge. The property is around 3.1 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, 5.1 km from Likas City Mosque and 5.8 km from North Borneo Railway. The hostel also offers free WiFi as well as a paid airport shuttle service.

Everything is clean and perfect for solo traveller like me.

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8.1
Very good
90 reviews
Price from
£18
per night

All units at the hostel are equipped with a seating area. Each room is fitted with a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer, while selected rooms are equipped with a kitchenette fitted with a fridge. Guest rooms at Oikos Poshtel include air conditioning and a desk.

The place less than 5mins walk away from Imago mall

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7.5
Good
174 reviews
Price from
£29
per night

Nusantara Mattwaddien Hostel is set in Kota Kinabalu, 3.8 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 5.3 km from North Borneo Railway. The property is situated 6.5 km from Likas City Mosque, 11 km from International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC and 1.9 km from Signal Hill Observatory. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests.

staf friendly, easy access with restaurant, laundry and others

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6.9
Review score
322 reviews
Price from
£8
per night

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.
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Most booked hostels in Kota Kinabalu this month

Great access to the city centre! Check these hostels in Kota Kinabalu

  • Warisan Homestay 18pax Kota Kinabalu
    9.3
    Scored 9.3
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 3 reviews

    Warisan Homestay 18pax Kota Kinabalu is located in Kota Kinabalu, 3.7 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 5.2 km from North Borneo Railway.

  • Vibrant Hostel
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 493 reviews

    Located in Kota Kinabalu, 1.7 km from Filipino Market Sabah, Vibrant Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge.

    very good, room very clean and staff very friendly

  • Signel Hostel
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 215 reviews

    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.

    Clean. Felt like home eventho its a public resident.

  • Space Cap Hotel
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 344 reviews

    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.

    Nancy was very helpful and the location was perfect

  • Borneo Gaya Lodge
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 91 reviews

    Situated in Kota Kinabalu, less than 1 km from Filipino Market Sabah, Borneo Gaya Lodge features air-conditioned accommodation and a shared lounge.

    De gastvrijheid en behulpzaamheid van de gastheer.

  • Xplorer Backpacker
    7.8
    Scored 7.8
    Good
    Rated good
     · 12 reviews

    Set in Kota Kinabalu, 800 metres from Filipino Market Sabah, Xplorer Backpacker offers air-conditioned accommodation and a shared lounge.

  • Oikos Poshtel
    7.5
    Scored 7.5
    Good
    Rated good
     · 175 reviews

    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.

    The place less than 5mins walk away from Imago mall

  • Nusantara Mattwaddien Hostel
    6.9
    Scored 6.9
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 322 reviews

    Nusantara Mattwaddien Hostel is set in Kota Kinabalu, 3.8 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 5.3 km from North Borneo Railway.

    staf friendly, easy access with restaurant, laundry and others

  • H2 Premium Backpackers
    6.0
    Scored 6.0
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 1 review

    Less than 1 km from Filipino Market Sabah, H2 Premium Backpackers is situated in Kota Kinabalu and provides air-conditioned rooms.

  • Aeropod Hostel Economy Deluxe King Room
    5.4
    Scored 5.4
    Average
    Rated passable
     · 18 reviews

    Set within 5.4 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 700 metres of North Borneo Railway, Aeropod Hostel Economy Deluxe King Room offers rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Kota Kinabalu.

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu









Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

  • Avg. price/night: £35.71
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,450 reviews
    Best hostel I've ever stayed in east Malaysia. Located at the heart of the KK town. Easy access to several tourist spots and local food spots. Stayed 3 quality nights at mixed bed dorm and it gives me sweet dream everyday.
    wayne weng
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £32.65
    8.3
    Scored 8.3
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 989 reviews
    great location right in the heart of town. rooms were clean and comfortable. they provided coffee and tea for a budget hotel which is unexpected. having a water cooler at the lobby was a nice touch as it was very hot during our stay. So to have ice cold water to cool you down was a plus.
    Bob
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £17.23
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 971 reviews
    Great location, close to night market, KK sentral station and jetty terminal. Very friendly staff, great views from the hostel. Simple and tasty breakfast.
    Nicol
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £10.68
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 108 reviews
    This place has such an amazing vibe..amazing staff, bar downstairs, chill out rooms on every floor. One of the only places I've stayed in kk that feels like a real backpackers hostel. Great location for markets and waterfront. Good dorm size, comfy beds, basic facilities sure but absolutely amazing for the price. Highly recommended :))
    Abigail
    Solo traveller
  • 9.2
    Scored 9.2
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 274 reviews
    The friendly staff, the trips to the night market together with the staff and guests, the room and toilets are clean, we can book tours directly from the hostel, power outlet and reading light at each bed, towel and blanket are provided too. We could do our laundry inhouse at a really cheap cost too.
    Liyena
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £17.23
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 971 reviews
    The Hostel was kept really clean and safe. The staff were really nice and every time we asked for more towels, umbrellas, etc., they gave it to us.
    Jiwon
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £55.51
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 100 reviews
    We stayed for one night and the experience was good. The host is very friendly and helpful. The location is good as well, just the opposite of Marriott Hotel, and you can find the restaurants easily around the hostel. Overall, it is a good choice for a group people looking for a comfortable place with a budget price.
    SK
    People with friends
  • Avg. price/night: £17.23
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 971 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!
    Delphine
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £35.19
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 141 reviews
    Contactless check in. The cheapest room in town! Comfortable room with hot shower and wifi makes you feel lazy to go out 😂Efficient staff. Great location !ATM, supermarket, cafe and clinic are few steps away! I like the hostel environment with pleasant background music at the lobi..less scary when you came back late at night 🤣
    melissa
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £17.23
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 971 reviews
    It is a just small hostel with a reasonable price and good service for backpackers or someone who travels on budget. The staffs are very friendly. Room is small and simple, but very clean. They also have a small cozy common area where you can watch Netflix for free at night or enjoy a beautiful sea view through a big window in early morning.
    Andieln
    Solo traveller

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