Kota Kinabalu City, Borneo (East Malaysia)
Kota Kinabalu Quick Guide
Curious about Borneo? Consider Kota Kinabalu as your first option as this is probably the most scenic city in Malaysia. With more tourist's arrival on an annual basis, this city is thriving; evidently, holiday resorts and island activities have sprung throughout the neighbourhood in recent years. This city serves as the capital of Sabah, situated in the north-west coast of Borneo facing South China Sea. It’s also a famous getaway among the locals and foreigners
Getting to Kota Kinabalu
This city itself is the transfer hub of most islands in Sabah, Kota Kinabalu International Airport serve as busiest airport in Borneo, East Malaysia, it's the gateway to these amazing islands.
Flight to Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
The most convenient airport located in Kota Kinabalu, pick up from airport can be arranged. This international airport can connect flight from:
Connecting flight to BKI Airport
From Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Flight journey: 3 hours
Airlines: Airasia, Malindo Air & Malaysia Airlines.
From Senai International Airport
Flight journey: 2.5 hours
Airlines: Airasia
From Penang International Airport
Flight journey: 3 hours
Airlines: Airasia
Main jetty
Jesselton Point is the jetty access to Sapi Island, Mamutik Island, Manukan Island & Gaya Island for sea activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, island hopping and the famous coral flyer zipline in between 2 islands!
Season
It’s open all year round. In fact, stay in Kota Kinabalu is just happening, shops and restaurants around the corner, try out the local cuisine is a MUST. Pay a visit to Sunday Morning Market in Gaya Street (originally named Bond Street) which offering variety of local food and souvenir, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Signal Hill Observatory Platform, North Borneo Railway also the places to hangout.
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park Fee
It is made up of five islands; Gaya Island, Manukan Island, Sapi Island, Mamutik Island and Sulug Island, gazetted since year 1974 as Sabah second national park.
Tun Sakaran Marine Park Conservation Fee effective 1 January 2018
Visitor with disability (OKU) is free of charge (FOC)
Malaysian
Adult: RM 5
Child (age below 18): RM 3
Child (age below 6): FOC
Senior (age 60 and above): RM 3
Non-Malaysian
Adult: RM 20
Child (age below 18): RM 15
Child (age below 6): RM 10
Senior (age 60 and above): RM 15
Kota Kinabalu recommendation
If you just want to chill, relax, and enjoy the city in a different way, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is one place you can look into; rain forest exploration is also another relaxing option. The friendly locals are well versed in these relaxing yet exotic wildlife adventures. This city has plenty to offer and should be a serious option to island travelers beyond the shores of Kota Kinabalu. It’s the Land Beneath the Wind, they said. Be sure to make a proper stopover before you hop on to those islands out there.