The 10 best hostels in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia | Booking.com
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Hostels in Kota Kinabalu

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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 located in Kota Kinabalu, within 2.2 miles of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 3.3 miles of North Borneo Railway.

P
Paolo
From
Philippines
Would never compare other hostels to Homy Seafront so I won't be disappointed, because by far homy is the best hostel in terms of everything. Would want to commend your staff for beinh friendly and professional.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,257 reviews
Location 9.5
Price from
$16.64
1 night, 2 adults

Faloe Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Faloe Hostel is located in Kota Kinabalu, within 1.1 miles of Filipino Market Sabah and 2.6 miles of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village.

J
Julius
From
Austria
Everything. Clean, well taken care of. Staff super friendly and helpful.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 502 reviews
Location 9.3
Price from
$22.51
1 night, 2 adults

Signel Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

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.

P
Pierre
From
Switzerland
Excellent and friendly service Perfect location Quiet Clean Comfortable beds with separation so that we don't hear much from the neighbors
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 350 reviews
Location 9.0
Price from
$18.96
1 night, 2 adults

Vibrant Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Located in Kota Kinabalu, 1.1 miles from Filipino Market Sabah, Vibrant Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge.

J
Josie
From
United Kingdom
Everything! Staff were wonderful and really helpful providing help to arrange trips and information on taxis. Room was clean, AC worked amazingly well and although bathrooms were shared they were modern, clean and worked really well with shampoo and soap provided. Seating area was a great addition with free coffee, kitchen utensils provided as well as some games and TV with sofa to watch latest films/series. We loved it here so much we stayed again after our trip to Sandakan before heading on to Mulu. Also only a cheap Grab drive from the airport which only took 20 minutes.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 469 reviews
Location 9.1
Price from
$24.48
1 night, 2 adults

Borneo Gaya Lodge

Kota Kinabalu

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

V
Valda Rudzisa
From
Latvia
I was happy to be there. Good location. Quiet place. Good WiFi. Very friendly and helpful owner. Thank you so much for your hospitality!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 133 reviews
Location 9.4
Price from
$22.08
1 night, 2 adults

Akinabalu Youth Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

Akinabalu Youth Hostel provides air-conditioned accommodations in Kota Kinabalu. The property has a shared kitchen, a shared lounge and organizing tours for guests.

B
Batin
From
Malaysia
The price, the location and the cleanliness.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.9
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 10 reviews
Location 10.0
Price from
$22.75
1 night, 2 adults

Concrete Jungle Cabin

Kota Kinabalu

Concrete Jungle Cabin is located in Kota Kinabalu, within 2.5 miles of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 3.2 miles of Likas City Mosque.

S
Sherlynee Raera
From
Malaysia
I loved how comfy the bed is. The showers and toilets were separated and kept clean by the care takers. Though I have to keep quite all the time as the dorm was also occupied with other travellers. I checked in quite late and stayed only for 6 hours and prior to my late arrival, as the reception is only available for 12 hours, the management sent me a message on Booking for self check-in which was so convenient and great especially for a late check-in. Thank you for the auntie who was there to help me out as well. Loved her vibe! Place is situated at the heart of Gaya Street, right in front of Jesselton Hotel and quite close to Wisma Merdeka (which was my main purpose to go there). I'm grateful for the locker underneath. Got to store my luggage inside safely, whilst I roam around the street. Affordable? Definitely Location? Yes Clean and comfortable? Yes Would I book here again? Yes
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 88 reviews
Location 9.5
Price from
$21.33
1 night, 2 adults

Jiran Hostel Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

Located in Kota Kinabalu and within a 15-minute walk of Filipino Market Sabah, Jiran Hostel Kota Kinabalu has a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi.

M
Matheus
From
Brazil
Facilities are nice, the location is great.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 60 reviews
Location 9.3
Price from
$27.97
1 night, 2 adults

Escape Backpackers KK

Kota Kinabalu

Located in Kota Kinabalu, a 4-minute walk from Filipino Market Sabah, Escape Backpackers KK provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge.

A
Alex-Mark
From
United Kingdom
The owner was fantastic! It felt like a home away from home. She looked after my during my stay here and helped me more than I could ask for. She cooked (a free!) breakfast every morning and would always check in on you to make sure you’re doing okay, along with telling you all about thing such as bus time tables, events happening close by and food recommendations. A great place, very homely, but made incredible by the owner. Thank you so much!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 412 reviews
Location 9.1
Price from
$11.35
1 night, 2 adults

Oikos Poshtel

Kota Kinabalu

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.

K
Khalid
From
Singapore
Rohan was really helpful with my inquiries. The room clean, bed comfortable. Near the core of KK
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.3
Good - What previous guests thought, 161 reviews
Location 8.8
Price from
$30.81
1 night, 2 adults
All hostels in Kota Kinabalu

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.

Most booked hostels in Kota Kinabalu and surrounding area in the past month

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

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.0
    Good - What previous guests thought, 58 reviews

    Aeropod Hostel Economy Deluxe King Room is offering accommodations in Kota Kinabalu.

    From $40.95 per night

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

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  • Avg. price/night: $22.51
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
    Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 503 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $24.88
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
    Very Good - What previous guests thought, 350 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $24.32
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
    Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,257 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $24.32
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
    Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,257 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 traveler
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