Why go
- State capital city and district capital in Sabah, Malaysia.
- Served by Ranau Airport (RNU).
History
Kota Kinabalu, colloquially referred to as KK, is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is also the capital of the Kota Kinabalu District as well as the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies to its west and Mount Kinabalu, which gave the city its name, is located to its east. Kota Kinabalu has a population of 452,058 according to the 2010 census; when the adjacent Penampang and Tuaran districts are included, the metro area has a combined population of 628,725. The 2020 Census revealed an increase in the municipal population to 500,421, while the wider area including the Penampang and Putatan districts had a population of 731,406.
Restaurants & places to go
292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 18 airlines, 30 direct destinations
- Malaysia Airlines MH (737-800, ATR 72, A320, DHT, A319, 734) · 21 routes: Bandar Seri Begawan, Bintulu*, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Kudat*, Labuan, Lahad Datu*, Lawas*, Miri*, Mulu, Perth, Puerto Princesa, Sandakan, Seoul*, Shanghai, Sibu*, Singapore*, Taipei, Tawau, Tokyo
- AirAsia AK (A320) · 15 routes: Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johor Bahru, Kota Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Miri, Penang, Sandakan, Shenzhen, Singapore, Taipei, Tawau
- Asiana Airlines OZ (A321) · 1 route: Seoul
- Cathay Pacific CX (A320, A321) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Cebu Pacific 5J (A320) · 1 route: Manila
- China Southern Airlines CZ (A321) · 1 route: Shenzhen
- China SSS 9C (A320) · 1 route: Shanghai
- Dragonair KA (A320, A321) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Eastar Jet ZE (737-800) · 1 route: Seoul
- Hong Kong Express Airways UO (A320) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Indonesia AirAsia QZ (A320) · 1 route: Denpasar
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (737-800) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Korean Air KE (73J) · 1 route: Seoul
- Malindo Air OD (737-900) · 1 route: Kuala Lumpur
- Royal Brunei Airlines BI (A320) · 1 route: Bandar Seri Begawan
- SilkAir MI (A319, A320) · 1 route: Singapore
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (A319, A320) · 1 route: Singapore*
- Zest Air Z2 (A320) · 1 route: Manila
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Ranau Airport (RNU); 7 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: BKI has direct flights to 30 destinations on 18 airlines (incl. Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Seri Begawan…). By water: 3 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Water Taxi and Boat Transport, 3.4 km); routes include Jesselton Point (Kota Kinabalu) To Gaya Island, Jesselton Point (Kota Kinabalu) To Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu To Labuan.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kota Kinabalu. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.