Travel advisory · MalaysiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Malaysia.The warnings cover only these areas: Eastern Sabah islands and dive sites, Malaysia–Thailand land border.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Eastern Sabah islands and dive sites · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand, UK
Malaysia–Thailand land border · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand

Also named by one government: Northern and eastern Sabah islands and surrounding waters (France), Sandakan (France), Semporna (France), Sulu Archipelago and intervening sea (Germany), Tawau (France), East coast of Sabah (Germany), North and east coasts of Sabah (France)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions	Feb 22, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Take normal security precautions	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	Oct 16, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise normal safety and security precautions overall (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

green trees on mountain under white clouds during daytime

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is Sabah's state capital on Borneo's northwest coast, and the base for island snorkeling, Tanjung Aru sunsets and trips to Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest peak.

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Kota Kinabalu, often called KK, is the state capital of Sabah, on Borneo's northwest coast, facing the South China Sea. It is the main gateway to Sabah and Borneo, and the flight from Kuala Lumpur takes about three hours. About 500,000 people live on a narrow coastal plain between the Crocker Range and the sea. Many of the best-known spots are close to town: the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park for snorkeling, the sunset at Tanjung Aru beach, and the views from Signal Hill.

The city suits a trip that mixes city and nature. Use it as a base for island day trips, or add Kinabalu Park, about 90 km away and roughly a two-hour drive, where Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest peak, rises. The climate is tropical all year, with average temperatures of 26 to 28 °C. February and March are usually the driest months, and rain peaks around October. Plan two or three days for the city and islands, and one or two more for the mountain.

Kota Kinabalu in five

Get into town from the airportKota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA: BKI) is about 7 km from the city. Taxis operate across the city, so the ride into town is short.Getting around
Set up data before you landFree KK City WiFi, announced in 2017, gives each user 10GB a day, but the first phase covered only the Tun Fuad Stephens Road to Pantai Road area. Get an eSIM before you fly so you have maps outside that area.Phones and eSIM
Plan Kinabalu Park as its own tripMount Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest peak, is in Kinabalu Park about 90 km from the city, roughly a two-hour drive. Give it a full day or more.Sabah
Take the boat to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park from Jesselton PointBoats for the park islands of Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Sulug and Mamutik leave from the city ferry terminal at Jesselton Point. Gaya is the largest of them and has about 8,000 residents, so choose the island that fits your plan.
Pack for heat, humidity and rainAverage temperatures are 26 to 28 °C all year, and annual rainfall is about 2,400 mm. The Northeast Monsoon runs from November to March, so bring a rain jacket and quick-dry clothes.Clothing

Things to do in Kota Kinabalu

See all attractions in Kota Kinabalu

Viewpoint · Kota KinabaluSignal Hill Observatory Tower

Market · Kota KinabaluGaya Street MarketArrive around 8 to 9 am, before the heat and the largest crowds.

Market · Kota KinabaluNight Food Market

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Kota KinabaluPut the places you like in Kota Kinabalu on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Ringgit (MYR)
Entry: Entry rules depend on your passport; file the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you arrive Read more
Emergency: 999 police, fire and ambulance
Tipping: Not expected; some restaurants add a service charge
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet, monsoon
FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Driest month
MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, warm
AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, humid
MayRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, monsoon starts
JuneRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Southwest monsoon
JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Southwest monsoon
AugustRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Merdeka Day
SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Monsoon, easing
OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rain peak
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Monsoon starts
DecemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°F2 race, wet season

Average daily high and low in Kota Kinabalu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kota Kinabalu

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Kota Kinabalu

04:41 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today30°23°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed31°23°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu31°24°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri31°24°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat31°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun31°23°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 01:50 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR

Amount

Converted to

MYR · Malaysian Ringgit

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Kota Kinabalu

eSIM for SabahMaps for the city and island boatsRead the guide

Travel insurance for SabahCover for Kinabalu Park and island tripsRead the guide

Ringgit and cards in SabahCash for markets and small stallsRead the guide

Stays in Kota KinabaluHotels by neighborhood and budgetRead the guide

Rules for Kota Kinabalu, checked

Check entry rules for your passport on the Immigration Department of Malaysia site, and file the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you arrive.Source
Cover shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes, when you enter mosques such as the Sabah State Mosque.

Plan around Kota Kinabalu

All of Malaysia

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Malaysia trip

Read the guide Sabah

The state around Kota Kinabalu, with the parks and islands beyond the city

Read the guide Getting around

Flights, buses, taxis and car hire for the city and the wider state

Read the guide Where to stay

Hotels and guesthouses by neighborhood and budget

Read the guide Money and costs

Typical prices for a day in the city and on the islands

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules and the arrival card to file before you fly

Read the guide

Kota Kinabalu FAQ

Is Kota Kinabalu worth visiting?

Yes, if your trip includes Sabah. It is the main gateway to Sabah and Borneo, and to the islands, parks and rainforest reached from here. As a city alone it has few sights, so plan a day or two for it and spend the rest of the trip outside it.

How do you get to Kota Kinabalu?

Fly into Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), about three hours from Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and MASwings all have hubs there, and international flights serve Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul and Perth, among other cities.

Is Kota Kinabalu far from the rest of Malaysia?

Yes. It is about 1,624 km from Kuala Lumpur and about 804 km from Kuching, so most trips start with a flight.

How do you get around Kota Kinabalu?

Scheduled buses run within the city and to other towns, minibuses and vans are also used, and taxis operate across the city. The Pan Borneo Highway links the city with Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau.

When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu?

February and March are usually the driest months, while rain peaks around October. April and May are the hottest months, and the Southwest Monsoon runs from May to September.

What language do people speak in Kota Kinabalu?

Malay is the main language, with a distinct Sabahan creole. Most residents speak English, especially younger people, and Hakka, Mandarin and Cantonese are widely spoken among Chinese residents.