Tired of trying to find cheap places to stay in Kota Kinabalu? This guide brings you the cheapest hostels in Kota Kinabalu, with real prices and real savings. No fluff, no BS—just the tools you need to stretch your budget further. We’re Hostelz, the only site where you can compare all hostels in Kota Kinabalu to see prices and availability from Hostelworld, Booking.com, and more—side by side.
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Kota Kinabalu is a destination in Malaysia's Sabah region, known for its tropical island and mountain landscapes, stunning beaches, and abundant wildlife. With its warm Mediterranean climate, Kota Kinabalu is a great city to explore, the perfect place to relax, and the top destination for budget-minded travelers.
If you're looking for a luxurious stay or the cheapest hostel in Kota Kinabalu, the city offers an amazing variety of accommodations to choose from. The cheapest hostels in Kota Kinabalu are equipped with the necessary amenities to ensure you have a pleasant stay while you explore the city.
Sorted by Price: The Cheapest Hostels in Kota Kinabalu
Escape Backpackers KK is found in Kota Kinabalu, 400 metres away from the Filipino Market Sabah. Guests of the hostel have access to a range of nearby attractions, such as Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village, North Borneo Railway and Likas City Mosque. KK Esplanade, Atkinson Clock Tower and Signal Hill Observatory are also located relatively near.
Escape Backpackers KK provides double and twin rooms, all air-conditioned and equipped with coffee machines and bed linen. There is a shared lounge and a buffet, American or Asian breakfast is served daily.
The nearest airport is Kota Kinabalu International Airport, 4 km from Escape Backpackers KK.
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H2 Segama Backpacker provides budget and valuable accommodation for travelers in the city of Kota Kinabalu. It is Capsules Style with curtains to provide guests more personal space.
The facilities provided include free breakfast, Wi-Fi and internet access, laundry, dorm lockers, centralised air conditional, individual universal power sockets and reading light.
H2 Segama Backpacker is centrally located with numerous amenities within walking distance, such as banks, government offices, tourist agencies, food outlets, evening hawker stalls, shopping complexes, supermarkets, entertainment outlets, waterfront and jetty to island.
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Homy Seafront Hostel is the ideal accommodation choice for a variety of travelers. Located in the centre heart of Kota Kinabalu city, it provides many amenities and contemporary elements that will make guest's stay enjoyable, as well as convenient access to many nearby attractions.
Homy Seafront Hostel offers a variety of room types, all of which boast comfortable beds with privacy and personal space, and air conditioning. The bathroom facilities are fully equipped with free towels and shampoo and the open space area comes with lockers.
There is a great dinning area and a common area with a TV, to meet new people from all over the world. Guests will be able to appreciate the beautiful sea views and sunsets from their windows and feel the hominess of the space.
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Signel Hostel is situated in the heart of the city, a 20-minute drive away from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. As the first place to offer a sustainable and Go Green approach in the city, they have taken it a step further by dedicating Fridays for Go Green days with free fruits on offer.
Signel Hostel private and dorm beds are available, both with individual reading lights and curtains for privacy, air conditioning, and shared bathrooms. There is also a comfortable lounge with a TV and board games for guest entertainment, as well as Nintendo Wii on request. Female travelers can also take advantage of the exclusive female-only dorm.
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Akinabalu Youth Hostel offers a special rate of tour packages to their in-house guests. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with room accommodations that are spacious and comfortable.
Each room is supplied with amenities to ensure a pleasant stay. Furthermore, the hostel is located in Gaya Street, the heart of the city, making it easy for guests to access other parts of the city. The weekly bazaar nearby is a great way for guests to experience the city.
The staff of Akinabalu Youth Hostel are dedicated to providing the best amenities and service for their guests. All in all, Akinabalu Youth Hostel is prepared to make each guest's experience in Borneo a memorable one.
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H2 CAPSULE INN BACKPACKERS is a backpacker's dream, situated in the middle of the city center. All essentials are within walking distance, and the hostel itself offers various complimentary services, such as free breakfast, wifi, a hot shower, and a free drink at the bar.
Not to mention the various local attractions accessible from this bus station or convenience store, including supermarkets, shopping malls, gyms, night markets, or cultural markets. Suitable for a private and introspective experience, or for travelers in search of meeting new people, H2 CAPSULE INN BACKPACKERS is composed of capsule beds.
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At the heart of Kota Kinabalu, Jiran Hostel promises budget-friendly accommodation with a social vibe. Positioned conveniently, guests can easily wander to local attractions like the Sabah State Museum and the lively Gaya Street. The strategic locale is essential for explorers wanting a blend of culture, adventure, and accessibility without breaking the bank.
Jiran Hostel offers essential amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay for every traveler. With clean, basic rooms and communal areas, it encourages interaction among guests, fostering a sense of community. Its no-frills approach aligns perfectly with the needs of backpackers prioritizing experience and exploration over luxury, making it an optimal choice for genuine travelers.
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Situated in a prime location, Vibrant Hostel is located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu and is within a short walking distance from the Imago Shopping Mall and Riverson Kota Kinabalu.
Hosting a range of attractions including Gaya Street (Sunday Market), Filipino Market, Atkinson Clock Tower, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, Oceanus Mall, Waterfront (Bar, Restaurant & Night Life), Jesselton Point, Signal Hill and many more, Vibrant Hostel is also just 8 km away from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
This 96-bed accommodation comes with four 8 persons mixed dormitory rooms, fourteen 4 persons dormitory rooms and four private rooms with a queen-sized bed which are ideal for two people. All rooms are air-conditioned, with personal lockers for safety, reading lamps and universal sockets.
Guests are also welcome to enjoy free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, tea and coffee (all day) and free toiletries with shared bathrooms. Aspiring to make the stay comfortable and affordable, the hostel offers its guests a warm welcome.
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Faloe Hostel provides a comfortable home with all the amenities one may require. The hostel offers FREE towels and drinking water, Netflix, lockers (by the bed) and shared PCs, linens, pillows, blankets and daily house keeping. It has two mixed gender and one female only dorms, all of them air conditioned.
Private spaces with a locker, cupboard, international power plugs and a reading light are available at each bed. Furthermore, it hosts a great dining area for meeting people, a TV lounge for relaxing, and highly equipped bathrooms. There is also a smoking area and laundry service.
Located in an ideal spot, Faloe Hostel is a 5-10 minutes drive from the International Airport (KKIA), Sunday Market (Gaya Street), Jesselton Point (Jetty to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park), Signal Hill Observatory Tower, Waterfront Seafood Night Market, Central Local Market, Philipino Night Market, Waterfront Bars and Bistros, local café and other attractions. It is a 5 minutes walk to the IMAGO shopping mall, 24-hour convenient stores, local and international cuisine food stalls or restaurants, dive and tour centres, and Anjung Senja Night Market.
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Signel Poshtel is nestled in the bustling cityscape of Gaya Street, just a stone's throw away from the iconic Atkinson Clock Tower. Signel Poshtel offers affordable luxury with its 13 ensuite bedrooms and 9 rooms with shared bathrooms as well as 28 bunk beds, giving visitors a unique blend of hostel and hotel experience.
Signel Poshtel are replete with parisian-inspired details, perfect for a romantic getaway or a family outing. Travelers can unwind and take in the sights and nearby landmarks as they enjoy the poshtel's local, design-led experiences. Signel Poshtel is the perfect place to make lasting memories for your travel!
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Concrete Jungle Cabin is located just a single step away from the famous Sunday market on Gaya Street. It's also within close proximity to the bank, various convenient stores, Sabah Tourism Board, the shopping mall, Atkinson Clock Tower, the Ferry Terminal, and Signal Hill Observatory, allowing visitors to explore the attractions of Kota Kinabalu.
With a three-minute walk to the convenience store and Sabah Tourism Board and a five-minute walk to the shopping mall and Atkinson Clock Tower, the Ferry Terminal is just over a 10-minute walk away and the Signal Hill Observatory, providing spectacular views of Kota Kinabalu, is within 20 minutes of walking from Concrete Jungle Cabin. A special rebate for Island transfer is also offered.
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We've got your back when it comes to finding a great hostel location in Kota Kinabalu. We've gone ahead and mapped out all the hostels for you so you can get a good idea of where they're all at. This map will make your life so much easier!
Let's talk about hostel prices in Kota Kinabalu. This graph shows you typical, average prices for a bed in a dorm and for a private room. Simply mouse-over to see rates for each month.
Prices can vary a lot, especially on high-season, weekends, and special holidays such as New Years Eve.
Average Dorm Price per Month in Kota Kinabalu
Average Private Room Price per Month in Kota Kinabalu
When to book a hostel in Kota Kinabalu?
Let us have a closer look on some statistics and graphics.
The cheapest months to travel to Kota Kinabalu is November. Hostels in Kota Kinabalu cost $10 in November.
The most expensive month is July with $14.
Total number of hostels in Kota Kinabalu: 18
Total number of Party Hostels in Kota Kinabalu: 4
Total number of hostels in Kota Kinabalu with a +8.5 top-rating: 10
Most hostels are located in the neighborhoods of Kampung Air.
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I'm Nomadic Nina, a curious and adventurous traveler who has spent most of my life exploring the world. From the deserts of Africa to the jungles of South America, I've traveled to dozens of countries on multiple continents, immersing myself in local cultures and learning about the world firsthand. Through my travels, I've gained a deep appreciation for the diversity and richness of the world's cultures, and I'm passionate about sharing my experiences with others through my travel blog.
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