Skip to main content

The 10 Best Hostels in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Some of the best backpacker spots in Kota Kinabalu

Filter by:


Review Score

Wonderful: 9+ Very Good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
Our top picks Lowest Price First Star rating and price Top reviewed

See the latest prices and deals by choosing your dates.

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.

The hostel is super clean and tidy, the staff helps you with everything you need.

Show more Show less
9
Wonderful
494 reviews
Price from
$9
per night

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.

I had a lovely stay at Faloe hostel. I had one of the warmest hospitality here from Sarah, Syah and Stella. They are really caring and always willing to hear you out and help, plus they’re super fun:D I had zero issues with the facility, everything seems to be new, perfect and runs uninterruptedly. Additional thanks to Syah for his home cooked meals and showing around the city during his off time. love you guys and sending warmest hugs from Kazakhstan

Show more Show less
9.2
Wonderful
276 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.

The location is smack in the middle of KK, walking distance from pretty much anywhere you could conceivably want to go. Capsules are nice, standard-issue but well maintained and as such serve their purpose. While capsule hostels usually don't really lend themselves to a sociable athmosphere, the included breakfast, large communal space and endlessly helpful staff created ample opportunity for socialising. Seriously, especially the owner will go through insane lengths to make sure you're having a great stay.

Show more Show less
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.

Show more Show less
8.1
Very Good
283 reviews
Price from
$5
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 stuff was great and kindness.

Show more Show less
8.7
Excellent
219 reviews
Price from
$12
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.

I loved the place, I had a beautiful experience there. Beds are comfortable, the curtains are great. I asked for different kind of help from the staff and they were all very helpful. Thanks so much!

Show more Show less
8.9
Excellent
978 reviews
Price from
$8
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.

Access door with password Washing machine

Show more Show less
8.2
Very Good
345 reviews
Price from
$10
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.

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.

Show more Show less
8.1
Very Good
90 reviews
Price from
$20
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.

Very strategic location, the place is clean, all facilities are provided too. It's quiet too.

Show more Show less
7.5
Good
174 reviews
Price from
$27
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.

The staffs are really kind and accommodating to our inquiries about Kota and even helped us.

Show more Show less
6.8
Review score
322 reviews
Price from
$8
per night

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travelers know there's 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 little more.
Search hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Most booked hostels in Kota Kinabalu this month

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

  • Warisan Homestay 18pax Kota Kinabalu
    9.3
    Scored 9.3
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 3 reviews

    Warisan Homestay 18pax Kota Kinabalu is located in Kota Kinabalu, 2.3 miles from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 3.2 miles from North Borneo Railway.

  • Vibrant Hostel
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 494 reviews

    1.1 miles from Filipino Market Sabah, Vibrant Hostel is located in Kota Kinabalu and provides air-conditioned rooms.

    very good, room very clean and staff very friendly

  • Homy Seafront Hostel
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 978 reviews

    Located within 6.9 miles of International Technology & Commercial Center Penampang - ITCC and 1.1 miles of Signal Hill Observatory, Homy Seafront Hostel provides rooms in Kota Kinabalu.

    Super frinedly staff, quiet, clean, magnificent view

  • Signel Hostel
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 219 reviews

    Located in Kota Kinabalu and with Filipino Market Sabah reachable within a 6-minute walk, Signel Hostel has 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
     · 345 reviews

    Located in Kota Kinabalu and within a 5-minute walk 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
     · 90 reviews

    Located in Kota Kinabalu, a 10-minute walk from Filipino Market Sabah, Borneo Gaya Lodge has air-conditioned accommodations and a shared lounge.

    De gastvrijheid en behulpzaamheid van de gastheer.

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

    Located in Kota Kinabalu, a 9-minute walk from Filipino Market Sabah, Xplorer Backpacker has air-conditioned accommodations and a shared lounge.

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

    Located in Kota Kinabalu and with Filipino Market Sabah reachable within a 18-minute walk, 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
    6.8
    Scored 6.8
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 322 reviews

    Nusantara Mattwaddien Hostel is located in Kota Kinabalu, 2.4 miles from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 3.3 miles 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

    A 10-minute walk from Filipino Market Sabah, H2 Premium Backpackers is located in Kota Kinabalu and has air-conditioned rooms.

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

    Located within 3.4 miles of Filipino Market Sabah and a 8-minute walk of North Borneo Railway, Aeropod Hostel Economy Deluxe King Room provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in...

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu









Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

  • Avg. price/night: $41.20
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 1,454 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $40.69
    8.3
    Scored 8.3
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 992 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: $21.48
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 978 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $13.31
    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 traveler
  • 9.2
    Scored 9.2
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 276 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $21.48
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 978 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: $55.34
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 102 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
    Travelers with friends
  • Avg. price/night: $21.48
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 978 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $43.86
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 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: $21.48
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 978 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 traveler

Research, refine, and make plans for your whole trip