Kota Kinabalu car hire

The Malaysian city of Kota Kinabalu is a sight to behold. The drone of mopeds is the backing track to haggling voices around the hectic markets. It’s a whirl of activity encircled by tranquil countryside and mountains. If you rent a car, Kota Kinabalu and all its wonders are at your feet.

Language: Malay | Currency: Malaysian ringgit | Avg. Flight time: 16 hrs

With car rental, Kota Kinabalu becomes your own adventure wonderland. Get behind the wheel and journey deep into the real Malaysia...

Once known as Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu (KK to locals) is the capital city of Sabah state in East Malaysia. Its consistent warm temperatures throughout the year and its location in Borneo, beside the South China Sea coast, Mount Kinabalu and the five islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, make it a popular tourist destination.

It's always a good time to visit KK, with a consistently warm tropical climate. There are some events worth attending if your visit coincides. The KK Jazz Festival, for instance, is one of the finest. Tanjung Aru beach is one of the most popular attractions. The sunsets from this vantage point are majestic. Visitors find that in Kota Kinabalu, car hire is one of the most efficient and pleasurable ways to see the area.

You can rent a car in advance and pick it up at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), making the start of your holiday simple and convenient before you even reach your hotel. The city has a well maintained road network, linking the areas of the city and the surrounding area, with dual carriageways and a ring road helping traffic to flow effectively; handy in such a large city! Since the area is so large, driving really is the best, most time efficient way to get around.

TravelSupermarket can find the best deal for you on Kota Kinabalu car hire. Simply compare prices using our search tool and make your booking. Arranging car hire in advance will save you money – and the hassle of sorting it out once you arrive in Malaysia.

From the endless hypnotic whirl of the city, to the calm of beaches and jungle-crusted mountains, there’s a vast menu of visual delights...

While you're in town take a drive to the Atkinson Clock Tower, the oldest standing structure in the city, built in the early 1900s, and visit the Sabah Museum and art gallery. The site is extensive, with a zoo, botanical gardens and a heritage village, as well as the museum and art galleries dedicated to the history and culture of the region. The best views of the city and all the way out to the islands are to be found at Signal Hill Observatory, for which you will need a car as it's far off the bus route.

Car hire in Kota Kinabalu is a great way to see the wider area, too. Get out of town for the day to explore the mountains, tropical rainforests and islands. Mount Kinabalu has several routes up to the various peaks, some of which require expertise and equipment and others that only require moderate health and good boots! The scenery is marvellous. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, made up of five islands, is also a must, as is Tar National Park.

The biggest island, Gaya Island, is a forest reserve, with hiking trails stretching 12 miles. The second largest, Manukan, has beautiful beaches and is popular with locals and visitors alike for bathing, snorkelling and diving among the coral reefs.

Kokol Hill is the best spot for paragliding.

To the south of KK is Brunei, a sovereign state within Borneo. The nearby state of Sarawak is full of interesting places to visit too, as well as being the home of the Rainforest World Music Festival in Miri, which attracts 20,000 fans to each event.

The famed – and threatened – orang-utans of Borneo can be seen at selected places in East Malaysia. The most renowned spot is Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, though it’s a five-hour drive here from Kota Kinabalu. Much closer to KK is the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, which is just 25 minutes by road to the south of the city.

You can find the best prices for car hire in Kota Kinabalu by using TravelSupermarket's search tool.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.