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The best hostels in Kota Kinabalu

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.

I had a wonderful experience staying at this hostel. It reminds me that one of the best things about traveling is meeting people. The hostel owners and staff are really helpful and friendly. The hostel also has a great location. Very close to the shopping mall and convenient stores. I recommend it to all travelers.

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9.2
Superb
286 reviews
Price from
BGN 18
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 is just great, homy as it’s name. Perfect central location, super friendly staff, always helping us( info about tours, booking extra nights, taking care of our bags for a couple of days while we travel to sandakan). The hostel has a beautiful view from the breakfast area, breakfast available all day long :) Comfy beds and super clean hostel. Theres also filtered Water available .

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8.9
Fabulous
1,013 reviews
Price from
BGN 22
per night

Located in Kota Kinabalu, less than 1 km from Filipino Market Sabah, H2 Worldpackers, The Social Hotel provides accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The property is around 5.1 km from North Borneo Railway, 5.9 km from Likas City Mosque and 10 km from International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC. The property is non-smoking and is situated 2.4 km from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village.

With a private bathroom equipped with a shower, rooms at the hostel also offer free WiFi, while selected rooms are equipped with a city view.

Apsolutley loved this place , perfectly located to catch a shared van to Kudat (tip of Borneo) Staff unbelievably friendly but not necessarily very knowledgeable about local area.

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8.4
Very good
118 reviews
Price from
BGN 13
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.

Outstanding hosts, lots of positive energy. Capsules offer privacy. I am 1m 92cm and just fit into one. USB charging ports, plug charging as well. Mirror, internal lighting within pod. Great showers and toilets, wash room facilities. You have access to free water, hot and cold for drinks. You are able to cook your own food. Beautifully furnished communal area. Amazing value for money. ***** 5 star rating

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8.5
Very good
192 reviews
Price from
BGN 17
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.

I could stay there forever. Stayed a few weeks. The staff went out of their way to accomadate any question. Breakfast was the best i have had from a hostel. Could not be happier♥️.

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8.1
Very good
292 reviews
Price from
BGN 14
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.

Nice location. Friendly staff. Clean n comportable wiith affordable price :)

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8.7
Fabulous
222 reviews
Price from
BGN 25
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.

Cleanliness, friendly staff, value for money and great location!!!

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8.9
Fabulous
505 reviews
Price from
BGN 21
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

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8.2
Very good
349 reviews
Price from
BGN 25
per night

Conveniently situated on Gaya Street, Akinabalu Youth Hostel provides basic accommodation in Kota Kinabalu. Free WiFi is available in the common areas and there is a 24-hour front desk on-site.

Akinabalu Youth Hostel is 130 metres from Atkinson Clock Tower and 800 metres to Handicraft Market as well as Suria Sabah shopping mall. Kota Kinabalu International Airport is 10 km from the hostel.

Located right on Gaya street, you can take food from the night market and eat it very chill at the hostel. It has an awesome super comfy common area and their TV offers netflix. It is walking distance to a bus stop that takes you to Kinabalu park, also to the Jesselton port to go to the islands and to everywhere else in the center.

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8.3
Very good
184 reviews
Price from
BGN 23
per night

Set within 1.3 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 3.5 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, Jiran Hostel Kota Kinabalu offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kota Kinabalu. Located around 6.2 km from North Borneo Railway, the hostel with free WiFi is also 11 km away from International Technology & Commercial Centre Penampang - ITCC. The property is non-smoking and is located 5.4 km from Likas City Mosque.

The loveliest 10-day stay, an exceptional experience and facility with a 5-minute walk to the mall, night market, and cafes... made a lot of friends from across the globe, including our lovely Miss Ann..

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8
Very good
7 reviews
Price from
BGN 25
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.
Search hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Most booked hostels in Kota Kinabalu this month

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

  • Homy Seafront Hostel
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,013 reviews

    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.

    Super frinedly staff, quiet, clean, magnificent view

  • Vibrant Hostel
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 505 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
     · 222 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.

  • H2 Worldpackers , The Social Hotel
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 118 reviews

    Located in Kota Kinabalu, less than 1 km from Filipino Market Sabah, H2 Worldpackers, The Social Hotel provides accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar.

    The property is in the middle of KK and very strategic place

  • Borneo Gaya Lodge
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 95 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
    7.6
    Scored 7.6
    Good
    Rated good
     · 173 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
     · 329 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

    Situated within less than 1 km of Filipino Market Sabah and 2.8 km of Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, H2 Premium Backpackers provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kota...

  • 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: BGN 60.11
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 112 reviews
    Met up with Joshua ...really a nice n helpful chap. Very friendly n committed to Margo guests. Rooms are very clean n new. Only alittle tied on space. Security to access rooms is well thought out n gd ...gives us a sense of safety esp for gals for a budget hotel....so thank you mgmt. Location is gd n near eateries n big shopping mall Imago ...walking distance. Will return again for sure ....thank you Joshua for making our stay extra special.... 🤗
    Jessie
    People with friends
  • Avg. price/night: BGN 36.47
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 95 reviews
    The place was in a great location, near night markets and lots of coffee shops and restaurants for during the day. The staff were really helpful, leaving keys in a safe box for us to check in in the early hours. The room was comfortable and had everything we needed - great value for money and would recommend a stay here in KK!
    Felicity
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: BGN 84.48
    9.5
    Scored 9.5
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 365 reviews
    Cheap and cheerful stay in the city. The room is very central, walking distance or short grab ride to the main malls and ferry port to get to the islands. Any issues we raised via whatsapp were resolved immediately. The owner is friendly via whatsapp and provided clear instructions for finding the place. There's a laundromat in the same block which is handy although there is no drying line in the room. Overall, I'd recommend if on a budget.
    Lorna
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: BGN 81.60
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,456 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: BGN 74.62
    8.3
    Scored 8.3
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 1,016 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: BGN 39.38
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,013 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: BGN 24.41
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 118 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
  • Avg. price/night: BGN 39.38
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,013 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: BGN 80.43
    8.6
    Scored 8.6
    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: BGN 39.38
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,013 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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