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Hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Find the hostels that appeal to you the most

August 2026

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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, 1,203 reviews
Price from
$28.42
1 night, 2 adults

Faloe Hostel

Kota Kinabalu

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

K
Katarina
From
Sweden
I like the design and how the rooms are. Good common area as well as generous storage. Clean and modern.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 520 reviews
Price from
$22.03
1 night, 2 adults

Concrete Jungle Cabin

Kota Kinabalu

Located in Kota Kinabalu, a 11-minute walk from Filipino Market Sabah, Concrete Jungle Cabin provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge.

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, 160 reviews
Price from
$17.18
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 express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi throughout the...

A
Alicia
From
France
Amazing hostel, beds are really comfortable and huge. Staff is super welcome and the bathrooms are really clean. Location is also great
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 339 reviews
Price from
$17.90
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.

F
Fa
From
Malaysia
customer service 100/10 , good privacy for cust . love it !!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 342 reviews
Price from
$22.47
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 8.1
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 148 reviews
Price from
$22.80
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 8.4
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 16 reviews
Price from
$26.92
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.

A
Abahan
From
Philippines
Its consistently clean and you can always have a good rest or sleep.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 72 reviews
Price from
$23.99
1 night, 2 adults

Escape Backpackers KK

Kota Kinabalu

Escape Backpackers KK is located in Kota Kinabalu, within 6.7 miles of International Technology & Commercial Center Penampang - ITCC and a 18-minute walk of Signal Hill Observatory.

C
Christian Jaylord
From
Philippines
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.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 356 reviews
Price from
$9.21
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.

H
Hadizah
From
Brunei
Jam 8-9 malam sudah sepi. Tidur aman, very comfortable. Service bagus. Perkerja disana juga very friendly & baik sangat sangat.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 126 reviews
Price from
$39.16
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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Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,203 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.5
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 390 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 356 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 520 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 339 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 342 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 160 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.3
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 176 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 148 reviews

FAQ about hostels in Kota Kinabalu

Hostels that guests love in Kota Kinabalu

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Avg. price/night: $22.03
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 520 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 bySonne_HD
Solo traveler
Avg. price/night: $23.25
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 339 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 byChristopher
Solo traveler
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,203 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 byRalf Johannes
Solo traveler