Getting there and choosing your base
- Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI): Scheduled flights use Terminal 1, off Jalan Kepayan; Terminal 2, on the Tanjung Aru side of the runway, handles charters and cargo. Taxis are paid for with a ticket from a counter in arrivals, and Grab also picks up.
- Jesselton Point jetty: Speedboats leave from here for Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi and Gaya islands. Staying in the city centre lets you walk to the jetty for an early boat.
- Inanam (North) bus terminal: Long-distance buses to Mount Kinabalu, Sandakan, Semporna and Tawau use this terminal outside the centre, so book a taxi or Grab the night before an early departure.
Areas to consider
City centre (Gaya Street and the waterfront)
Suits travellers without a car who want the Sunday market, seafood stalls and the island jetty on foot. Older budget hotels here often have internal rooms without windows; check the room description before paying for it.
Tanjung Aru
Suits sunset beach walks and a quick run to the airport, about 8 km south of the centre. The beach resorts run their own island boats for guests; ask whether marine-park transfers are included or charged separately.
Sutera Harbour
Suits a self-contained resort stay with golf and a marina, between the centre and Tanjung Aru. Most meals outside the resort mean a taxi, so look at the resort's restaurant prices before booking several nights.
Karambunai and Dalit Bay
Suits a beach-resort stay north of the city, with a lagoon, river estuaries and golf. Evenings in town need transport planning; check whether the resort runs a shuttle to KK and when the last one returns.
When to go
KK is hot and humid all year. The north-east monsoon, roughly October to February, brings the wettest weather to Borneo. Domestic travel peaks around Chinese New Year and Hari Raya, and Sabah's Kaamatan harvest festival runs from late May into June, with the last two days of May a state holiday.
Before choosing a room
- Foreign guests pay Malaysia's tourism tax per room, per night; it is often left out of the advertised price and collected at check-in.
- If you are climbing Mount Kinabalu, ask whether the hotel will store luggage while you spend a night on the mountain.
- Island boats leave from Jesselton Point in the city centre, so add the road transfer to the cost when comparing Tanjung Aru or Dalit Bay with a central hotel.
Sources and planning resources
Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.