Getting there
Credit: EJ Yao on Unsplash
Getting to Kota Kinabalu is easy thanks to the increasing number of direct flights to this Malaysian state. Whether you’re departing from Malaysia or Singapore, here’s how to get there.
From Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu
- Take a 2 hour 45 minute flight from KLIA or KLIA2 to Kota Kinabalu International Airport
- Some of the airlines that fly directly to Kota Kinabalu include AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Malindo Air.
- The average price is between RM300 and RM400 for a return flight
- Take a 2 hour 25 minute flight from Changi Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport
- Some of the airlines that fly directly to Kota Kinabalu include Scoot, AirAsia, and Malaysia Airlines
- The average price is between SGD100 and SGD280 for a return flight
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Credit: Michael Rehfeldt on Flickr
- Take a taxi or book a Grab ride from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to your hotel. The fare varies depending on where you’re staying. The estimated Grab fare from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to the city centre (around Gaya Street) is between RM17 and RM20.
- While public transport and Grab are available in major areas in Kota Kinabalu, driving is one of the best ways to get around and most attractions and nature spots are within driving distance. In the city, the road conditions are good but may be congested during peak hours. Do note you might come across tight bends along the way to nearby nature attractions.
- To drive in Malaysia, international travellers are required to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in their home country. The JPJ office (Malaysia’s Road Transport Department) can only process the IDP for driving license issued by your home country.
- There are many car rental companies in Kota Kinabalu including NH Travel Rent A Car and AFS Car Rental & Tours. The car rental fee varies depending on the type of car and rental duration. At NH Travel Rent A Car, the estimated fee for a Perodua Myvi (fits 5 people) is RM130 per day and an Avanza (fits 7 people) is RM220 per day.
Credit: Hilton Kota Kinabalu on Facebook
- There are many hotels in Kota Kinabalu that are suitable for every traveller’s budget. Here are some of our recommendations:
- Hilton Kota Kinabalu Address: Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Asia City, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Rate: Starts at RM350 per night on Agoda
- Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu Address: 12, Lorong Api - Api 2, Api-api Centre, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Rate: Starts at RM230 per night on Agoda
- The Klagan Hotel Address: Unit 25-28, Ground Floor, Block D, Warisan Square, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Rate: Starts at RM150 per night on Agoda
Credit: Pein Lee/Sabah Tourism
- The best way to experience the city life of Kota Kinabalu is by exploring the streets, visiting the shops and eating at local restaurants.
- Perfect for first-timers to Sabah’s capital city, join the free walking tour that is held every Tuesday and Thursday. Meet your guide at Sabah Tourism Board building in Gaya Street, and you’ll explore at least 10 places of interests in this 2-hour tour. Make sure to register your slot in advance as the group is limited to 15 people per tour.
- If you prefer to explore at your own pace, there are many other things to do in Kota Kinabalu.
Credit: Mewot/Sabah Tourism
- Formerly known as Filipino Market, Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market is perfect for a shopping spree! The market is known for its variety of handicrafts, local souvenirs, dried food, and snacks.
- Since it’s a tourist-friendly market, bargaining is encouraged to get a good deal at this bustling market
- #HHWT Tip: Look out for Kuih Cincin, a crunchy traditional snack that is also known as Ring Crackers. Made from rice flour and brown sugar, it’ll make a great souvenir for your loved ones back home.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 9AM-10PM
- Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu
- First established in 1965, the Sabah State Museum was originally situated in the shop houses at Gaya Street before it moved to its current location in 1984.
- Just a 10-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market, this museum has a range of galleries that are dedicated to Islamic civilisation, archaeology, natural history, and traditional ceramics.
- The best part about this museum is the Heritage Village where visitors can see replicas of traditional houses belonging to the ethnic groups in Sabah including a Bajau House, a Murut longhouse, and a Chinese farmhouse.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 9AM-5PM
- Address: Jalan Muzium, 88300 Kota Kinabalu
- Admission rate: RM2 per person (Malaysian adult or child), RM15 per person (Non-Malaysian adult or child)
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
Credit: Wong Thai Siung/Sabah Tourism
- Take a 10-minute Grab ride to the Signal Hill Observatory Platform, a popular sunset spot in Kota Kinabalu.
- This is a good spot to see the evening horizon amidst the city landscape.
- Be sure to arrive at the platform before 6PM to catch the sunset. If you’re hungry, you can find a small cafe selling drinks and ice cream near the platform.
- #HHWT Tip: If you’re driving to Signal Hill, there are very limited parking spaces and we recommend arriving early.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 9AM-11PM
- Address: 78, Jalan Asrama, Signal Hills, 88400 Kota Kinabalu
- Admission rate: Free
Credit: Laily Hassan/Sabah Tourism
- You can also catch the sunset after you perform your prayers at Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, the second main mosque after the Sabah State Mosque in Sembulan. It’s only a 15-minute drive from the Sabah State Museum.
- Known as the floating mosque, it sits on a man-made lagoon so you can capture the reflection of its beautiful minarets and Islamic architecture.
- Opening hours : Mon-Fri; 8AM-5PM, Sat; 8AM-12.30PM (Closed on Sun)
- Address: Jalan Pasir, Jalan Teluk Likas, Kampung Likas, 88400 Kota Kinabalu
Credit: Thien Thien Seafood Restaurant on Facebook
If you're craving for fresh seafood in Sabah, look no further than Thien Thien Seafood Restaurant. Just a 15-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, this halal-certified Chinese restaurant serves various dishes including steamed oysters, curry prawns in fresh coconut, Canton-style scallops, steamed pomfret and more.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening hours: Wed-Mon; 10.30am-2PM, 5.30PM-10PM (Closed on Tue)
Address: Jalan Tanjung Aru, Pekan Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact : +6088 211 537 Shop at Imago Shopping Mall
- Take a 15-minute drive to Imago Shopping Mall, one of the most popular shopping spots in Kota Kinabalu.
- It’s a one-stop centre selling anything from apparels, bags, toys, accessories and more. Don’t forget to buy a packet of Sabah Tea at Everrise Departmental Store.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 10AM-10PM
- Address: KK Times Square, Phase 2, Off Coastal Highway, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
- Website | Facebook
Day 2: Offshore Islands
Time to explore the beautiful islandsCredit: Jason Thien on Flickr
- Take the ferry at Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu, which offers island transfer service to the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. It takes about 20-30 minutes to reach your destination at Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, Sulug or Gaya Island.
- For ferry schedules and boat service operators, click this link. If you’re planning to visit during the weekends, we suggest taking the last boat ride at 3PM, instead of 4.15PM to avoid the crowd.
- #HHWT Tip : For snorkelling, diving, island-hopping, and other water-based activities, it’s best to book your tours in advance. There are many local tour operators around Jesselton Point including Diverse Borneo, Sunny Reef Divers, and Scuba Junkie KK. Since the package prices and reviews vary, we recommend researching online before confirming your booking. It’s also cheaper to book your tours directly with the local operators.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 8.30AM-4.15PM (boat service), Open daily; 8AM-6PM (counter operation)
- Address: 4th Floor, Wisma Perkasa, Jalan Gaya, 88200 Kota Kinabalu
- Contact: +6088 235 787
- Fee: RM23 per adult (boat fare – return), RM18 per child below 11 years (boat fare – return)
Credit: John Kong/Sabah Tourism
- When you arrive at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, visitors are required to pay a conservation fee of RM3 per person (Malaysians) or RM10 per person (non-Malaysians).
- Depending on your tour, you will be taken to different islands for snorkelling, diving, island-hopping and other water-based activities. In this itinerary, we’ll be sharing the general activities you can do on each island and some activities you shouldn’t miss!
- Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park consists of five beautiful islands: Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug Islands. A standard day tour can cover about 2-3 islands in a day, so get ready for an afternoon of sun, sand and sea!
- #HHWT Tip : Avoid visiting Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park between November and February due to the rough sea conditions.
Credit: Borneo Divers/Sabah Tourism
Gaya Island
- Gaya Island is the largest island in the park, and the name originates from the word ‘Gayo’, which means ‘big’ in the Bajau language.
- The best ways to appreciate your time on the island are by swimming at Police Beach and diving to see the fish and coral gardens around the island.
- Thanks to its clear and calm water, snorkelling and diving at Gaya Island are suitable for beginners except during the wet season between November and February.
- If you’re planning to stay overnight, check out Gaya Island Resort and Bunga Raya Island Resort.
- Manukan Island is the second-largest island in the park, and the country’s first marine national park.
- Famous for its beautiful white sandy beach, it’s no surprise to see families and couples swimming in the crystal-clear water.
- It’s also a popular snorkelling site to see parrotfish, butterflyfish, and sergeant major fish. It’s advisable to wear a life jacket while snorkelling, and you can rent a life jacket on the island. Children’s sizes are available but in limited quantities.
- P.S. You can stay overnight at the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Manukan Island to make the most of your time here.
Credit: G Woolley/Sabah Tourism
Sapi Island
- Sapi Island is widely frequented by adventure seekers thanks to the popularity of the Coral Flyer, the world’s longest island-to-island zipline.
- Connecting Sapi Island to Gaya Island, visitors can cross the 250-meter zipline above the clear turquoise water for an island experience unlike any other.
- The fee is RM64 per person (Malaysian) and RM86 per person (non-Malaysians). Children below 120KG need to sign up for a tandem zipline (accompanied by an adult) with an additional fee of RM30 per person.
Credit: Daniel Douglas Bin Mohamad Douglas/Sabah Tourism
Mamutik Island
- Mamutik Island is the smallest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. It’s also less touristy, which is perfect for anyone who enjoys some quiet time by the beach.
- It’s safe to snorkel at Mamutik Island, but the water condition is rougher here as compared to the other islands. We recommend only experienced divers or snorkelers here and do adhere to safety precautions at all times.
- When swimming along the sandy beach, do note that the water gets deep at approximately 10 meters from the shore (don’t worry, just look out for the markers!). If you’re not a good swimmer, be sure not to swim too far.
- Sulug Island is also a great choice to escape the beach crowd as it’s the furthest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
- Since it has the least number of tourists (almost none!), you won’t find facilities or food stalls here. Instead, you’ll be treated to a view of the sea complete with seashells and corals lining along the beaches.
- #HHWT Tip: Since it’s the least frequented island, most boat operators would likely turn down anyone who is visiting alone as the boat transfer service is expensive. We recommend coming in a group if you’re interested to visit.
Credit: Borenos Fried Chicken on Facebook
There’s a reason why Borenos Fried Chicken is a local’s favourite. With two outlets in Kota Kinabalu (the other one at Star City Mall), this Sabahan fast-food chain specialises in deep-fried and juicy spring chicken. Complete your dining experience by enjoying it with criss cut fries, mashed potatoes, and Coke.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price of main dishes: RM14
Opening hours : Open daily; 9.30AM-9.30PM
Address: L9-B1, Basement Floor, Jalan Centre Point, 88000 Kota Kinabalu
Contact: +6018 963 2280
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Day 3: Kundasang
Take a road trip to KundasangCredit: Ryan ‘O’ Niel on Unsplash
- Take a 2-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang, a scenic town located in Ranau that is famous for its mesmerising mountainous landscape.
- Besides planning a Kundasang trip, take the chance to explore Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring, which are only a short drive away.
- If you’re not planning to drive, there are many travel agents in Kota Kinabalu that offer a day tour to Kinabalu Park, Kundasang and Poring Hot Spring. Depending on your travel agent, the estimated tour price is between RM180 and RM220 per person.
Credit: Mewot/Sabah Tourism
- Kinabalu Park is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site and home to the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the country’s highest peak. It’s less than 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu.
- If you’re not planning to climb Mount Kinabalu during this trip, Kinabalu Park is a great place for nature lovers to experience the lush rainforest minus the hike!
- For first-time jungle trekkers, the Silau Silau Trail is popular among beginners as this 3KM trail has flat terrains and many exit points. Another one is the Mempening Trail, an easy 2.5KM trail that’ll lead you to the Silau Silau stream.
Credit: Sabah Tourism
- While jungle trekking, try to spot a Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world.
- Known for its reddish-brown colour, Rafflesia is a five-petaled flower with vertical spikes in the middle.
- You can tell if there’s a Rafflesia nearby due to the repugnant smell, similar to rotting meat. The scent is said to attract flies, so it can help to pollinate the flower.
Credit: Siti Nadzirah/Sabah Tourism Board
Visit Desa Cattle Dairy Farm
- Take a half an hour drive to Desa Cattle Dairy Farm in Kundasang, known as the New Zealand of Sabah.
- Situated at the foothill of Mount Kinabalu, spot the Friesian cattle, a breed of dairy cattle, backed by the picturesque mountain view. You won’t find scenery like this anywhere else in Malaysia!
- You can also feed the cows with bottled milk or watch how the milk is processed at the farm for an additional fee.
- Before you leave, don’t forget to buy the farm’s homemade fresh milk, yoghurt and gelato too! We’ve checked with the farm and all ingredients used are sourced from halal-certified suppliers.
- #HHWT Tip: The temperature in Kundasang can go as low as 21 degrees Celsius, and we recommend wearing a sweater when you’re here.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM-5PM
- Address: off Jalan Cinta Mata Mesilou, 89308 Kundasang, Sabah
- Admission fee: RM5 per adult, RM4 per child (7-12 years old), Free (children aged 6 and below)
Credit: Shankar S. on Flickr
- Before you leave, make your way to Poring Hot Spring located in Ranau, Sabah, which is a 45-minute drive from Restoran Syah Adilah.
- If you’ve paid an entrance fee for Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring, you can enter using the same entrance ticket. Otherwise, the admission fee is RM3 per person (Malaysians) or RM15 per person (non-Malaysians).
- Packed with outdoor pools of mineral-rich hot spring water, it’s a lovely place to soak your feet after a long day. It is said that the hot spring water helps to improve blood circulation.
- There are many pool options to choose from, ranging from public outdoor hot spring pools to the private indoor bathtubs (with additional charge). The outdoor pools have low barriers between the pool and the indoor bathtubs are located in private rooms.
- To adjust the temperature, each open-air pool has 2 taps, one for the hot water from the natural hot spring and the other for the cold water from the waterfall.
- Changing rooms and toilets are also available at this hot spring.
Credit: amrufm on Flickr
- Explore the canopy walk to get a closer look at the nature and biodiversity of Poring Hot Spring. There’s a separate admission fee for the canopy walk, which is RM3 per adult (Malaysians) and RM5 per adult (non-Malaysians)
- You can complete the entire canopy walk in 30 minutes, but the bridge may be nerve-wracking for small children or anyone who’s afraid of heights.
- Do note that the canopy walk closes at 4PM, so be sure to arrive latest by 3.30PM.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM-6PM
- Address: Jalan Poring, 89300 Ranau, Sabah
Credit: Liau Fung Min/Sabah Tourism
- It takes about 2 hour 30 minutes to drive back from Poring Hot Spring to Kota Kinabalu, and we recommend driving before it gets dark.
- Once you’ve arrived in Kota Kinabalu, it’s time to experience the evening landscape of Kota Kinabalu.
Credit: Sabah Tourism
- Head over to Night Food Market on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens to experience the bustling nightlife of Kota Kinabalu.
- Visit every stall to choose from a variety of street food including grilled and deep-fried seafood as well as barbecued meats. Do check with the stall owners if the meats and ingredients used are sourced from halal-certified suppliers.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 5.30PM-11PM
- Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Day 4: Kinabatangan
Take a flight to Sandakan- Time to explore Kinabatangan River, the second-longest river in Malaysia!
- From Kota Kinabalu International Airport, take a 50-minute flight to Sandakan. The average flight fare is between RM120 and RM220 for a return flight.
- Some of the flights that fly directly to Sandakan are AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Firefly.
- If you’re a first-timer to Sandakan, make the most of your Kinabatangan River adventure by joining a tour. It’ll be tricky to get there on your own, so we recommend signing up for a tour for this part of your trip.
- There are many resorts and travel agents in Kinabatangan that offer 2D1N or 3D2N packages, which include multiple river cruises along the Kinabatangan River. The tours usually cover accommodation, transportation, and food (unless stated).
- In this itinerary, we’ll cover where to stay and things to do at the Kinabatangan River in 2D1N. The experience differs according to your tour package.
Credit: Clement Liew Ket Hin/Sabah Tourism
- Start your adventure at Bilit where Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, Nature Lodge Kinabatangan and Bilit Rainforest Lodge are among the accommodations located along the river. If you have a specific budget, there are other affordable riverside resorts and lodges to choose from.
- Situated along Kinabatangan River, here’s where you can catch a first glimpse of Sabah’s rich ecosystem and wildlife.
- Home to Borneo’s famous primates, the orangutan and proboscis monkey, you might chance upon them during your river cruises too.
Credit: Christopher Michel on Flickr
- Known as the second-longest river in Malaysia, the Kinabatangan River (Sungai Kinabatangan) has a length of 560KM that flows from the mountains of southwest Sabah to the Sulu Sea.
- Most tours will offer 2-3 Kinabatangan river cruises, which provides plenty of opportunities to spot the diverse wildlife along Kinabatangan River. For a 2D1N package, you’ll go on two river cruises on the first day and the final cruise on the second day.
Credit: Bernard Dupont on Flickr
- If you arrive at noon, you can join the evening cruise at 4PM where you can spot proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaque, hornbills, flying lemur and kingfishers along the river. Be sure to bring your binoculars!
- Alternatively, you can hop on the night cruise that starts at 7PM. You will spot fewer animals during this time, but this is your chance to see nocturnal creatures like saltwater crocodiles or birds such as kingfishers and hornbills sleeping on the branches. If the weather is good, you may even spot some fireflies too.
- Since you’ll be spending time outdoors, it’s best to wear insect repellent, sunblock, walking shoes, leech socks and comfortable t-shirt and long pants. Remember to bring a raincoat during the wet season between November and February.
- After a fun-filled day, head over to your accommodation and enjoy a restful evening amidst the sounds of nature.
Day 5: See you again, Sabah!
Morning river cruise at Kinabatangan RiverCredit: Mike on Flickr
- Time to enjoy your early morning river cruise at Kinabatangan River that kicks off at 6AM
- This is the calmest time of the day and there’s a high chance that you’ll spot animals exploring along the river for a drink.
Credit: Soo Wen Yi/Sabah Tourism
- If you didn’t get to spot proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and eagles in your previous cruises, you might be able to spot a few animals in this morning cruise.
- Some visitors have been very lucky to see pygmy elephants, the world’s smallest elephants, drinking water or enjoying a refreshing dip in the Kinabatangan river.
- Once you’ve completed the morning river cruise, you will be transported to Sandakan Airport or other accommodations in Sandakan after lunch.
Credit: Heinz Rickers/Sabah Tourism
- If you have an extra day to spend in Sandakan, we suggest visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- Located at Sepilok, the centre takes great care of young orangutans that are orphaned or injured due to illegal logging, deforestation and hunting.
- The tour begins with a video presentation before you explore the platform to see orangutans swinging from tree to tree.
- To catch the feeding times at 10AM or 3PM, come early at 8.45AM or 1.45PM, so that you’ll have time for the presentation and platform walk.
- #HHWT Tips: Visitors are not allowed to have hands-on contact with the orangutans as the primates are very susceptible and vulnerable to human diseases. Therefore, human contact is kept to a minimum at this centre.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 9AM-11AM, 2PM-3PM
- Address: Sabah Wildlife Department, W.D.T. 200, Sandakan, Jalan Sepilok, Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan
- Admission rate : RM5 per person (Malaysians), RM30 per person (non-Malaysians)
- Website
Credit: Clement Liew Ket Hin/Sabah Tourism
- Just a 2-minute walk from Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to the world’s smallest bear!
- The centre focuses on raising conservation awareness and providing rehabilitation of the Malayan sun bear, which is currently listed as Vulnerable (to extinction) in the IUCN Red List.
- Living in tropical lowland forests, the Malayan sun bear can only be found in Southeast Asia and here’s a good opportunity to see it up close!
- During feeding, these bears are known for its very long tongue that helps them to extract honey from beehives. That’s why, the sun bear is also called the ‘honey bear’ in Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Opening hours: Open daily; 9AM-3.30PM
- Address: PPM 219, Elopura, 90000 Sandakan
- Admission fee: RM5 per adult (Malaysians) and RM30 per adult (non-Malaysians)
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
- Take a 50-minute flight from Sandakan Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
- From Kota Kinabalu, you can take another direct flight back to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
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