3 Days In Kota Kinabalu Itinerary- Planning The Perfect Trip

Not many people have heard about the island Borneo. Fewer still have heard about the city Kota Kinabalu. I have to confess that we were a part of that subset of people.

Luckily for us, life had other plans as we were destined to spend two and a half weeks in the city. Two blissful weeks in a city that was located in what can only be termed as paradise.

The more I looked at it the more I realized that I should put my experiences into words and draw up a few itineraries that people can use. This involves real on the ground experiences, loads of mistakes (& advice) and tips on what to so when you are there.

I’ve tried to keep this 3 days in Kota Kinabalu itinerary as diverse as possible so that you cover as many highlights in and around the city. There is so much to do, see and take in that I found our days there packed with activity.

I hope you find it useful. As usual, feel free to drop us feedback or tips that you feel should be a part of the guide.

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Kota Kinabalu

Let’s talk about the city of Kota Kinabalu. Why should you head there? Is it worth seeing? How long should you spend in the city and much more. We will also cover a bit about safety, dressing and stuff you should know before you head to the city.

So, first things first, Kota Kinabalu is an oil town that is located on the coast of a really intriguing island called Borneo. As I mentioned before, my geography was really bad (and still is in parts) so I had not heard of the island before my first visit.

It quickly became quite the contrary as Borneo is one of the islands that I have spent the most time on in this half of the world. (A whopping four months and I think I will head back!) Kota Kinabalu was our first introduction to the island and to be honest I did not expect much. The city however took me by storm! It is packed with alot of culture and history plus it has a stunning coastline with some mesmerizing islands.

How Do You Get To Kota Kinabalu?

Kota Kinabalu has its own airport with flights that the fly in from different locations. The cheapest flights are from Brunei, Miri, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Kuching.

As you can see, it is well connected with the capital city of Malaysia and the other parts of the Malaysian Borneo. It’s close proximity to Singapore means that you can fly in from there as well. I have heard that there is also a way to cross over by ferry, but it isn’t something that I have explored.

Why Kota Kinabalu?

I think that one question I have been asked time and time again is Why Kota Kinabalu? Why visit a small town in the middle of nowhere? I like to think that the question has the answer hidden within itself. It is because KK (As people affectionately call Kota Kinabalu!) makes the middle of nowhere so much more accessible.

It has access to a gorgeous national park which houses some of the most diverse corals and marine life that I have seen. Kota Kinabalu is also close to the mountain that gave the city its name.

Mount Kinabalu, is the tallest peak on the island and one that many people head out to visit every year. In fact, it is so popular, you have to pre-book your trek or you may not have a chance to climb!

As you can see, the city makes a great base to explore the area. There are loads of spots around to see and most of them are just a day trip away. The city also has a variety of different cuisines and I cannot stop telling everyone that Kota Kinabalu is a foodie’s paradise. One of the main reasons that I would go back is for the food.

How Long Should You Spend In Kota Kinabalu? 

Kota Kinabalu is a pretty laid-back city. I guess how long you stay there would depend a lot on your itinerary and what you are looking for. You could spend days enjoying one of the luxurious resorts that occupy the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Or you could choose to take the three day hike up the mountain. But if you just want to see the highlights of the area, then I would say anywhere between three to five days is perfect.

A lot of it would depend on how fast paced you want to be though. So plan your Kota Kinabalu itinerary around that. In general if you want to see the highlights, 3 days in Kota Kinabalu should suffice.

Safety In Kota Kinabalu 

This is a question that I get asked a lot. How safe is Kota Kinabalu? I would say that the city is relatively safe. The streets do get deserted as the night falls and you have to be on your guard in the street markets but that is something that you should be doing no matter which part in the world you head to.

While we were there, we did have one worrisome experience. This was when someone attempted to pickpocket Shawn. Luckily he knew when it was happening and nothing much came off the incident.

Wondering Where To Stay? 

Before we start off talking about where you should go and what you should do on your Kota Kinabalu itinerary, let’s take a look at the availability of accommodation in the city.

Despite being on the island of Borneo which many travellers consider pretty remote, Kota Kinabalu is an oil town and while it isn’t quite as sleepy as Miri in Sarawak, it isn’t very active either.

Luckily it does have a wide range of different types of accommodation to choose from and this can range from luxury to backpacker hostels. We chose to stay at the Masada Backpacker for a few nights before shifting to the Le Meridien. That way we experienced both ends of the spectrum.

What did we prefer? It is hard to say because we loved the social nature of Masada Backpacker (and the price) but one can never say that indulging in the luxury at the Le Meridien wasn’t welcome either.

This though I will say, the Le Meridien has a phenomenal view from their rooms. I guess it depends on your Kota Kinabalu itinerary and the kind of budget you are on at the end of the day.

Transport In Kota Kinabalu

One of the things that you really need to think about when planning your Kota Kinabalu itinerary is transport. Borneo is a relatively remote corner of the world but the infrastructure in the area is remarkably well developed all things considered.

There are different ways of moving around the city and its surroundings depending on your preference. We’ve tried most of them during our extended stay so I’m going to list the pros and cons of them alongside the options available.

The ideal way is to mix and match depending on the location you want to head to.

• Walk: So most of the city can be explored on foot. There are pavements almost everywhere and it is relatively safe. The downside is that it gets incredibly hot and the distances can seem endless with the Bornean sun beating down on you.
• Cycle: There are a number of cycle rentals around the city and they are great if you want to cycle within the city. Larger distances are possible but note that there are long stretches of road that can be rather deserted and not all highways have cycle routes.
• Rent a motorbike/car: This is ideal for your Kota Kinabalu if you want to head outside the city and explore the surroundings. You will use it even if you head to Lok kawi park. Motorbikes are cheaper and cars are more expensive as expected but rent depending on the number of people and your comfort.
• Hire a cab: There are different options when it comes to cabs. You can hire a local driver to take you around or like most of the locals take a Grab. This is probably the most expensive option unless it is just for transfer from point to point in the city. Tip: Check for offers running on Grab at the time. You will reduce the cost you spend drastically.

3 Days In Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

DAY 1: Island Hopping And The Night Market

The quiet calm of the Borneo islands is another activity you should add to your three day itinerary in Kota Kinabalu

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Your Kota Kinabalu itinerary should definitely start by heading out to the numerous islands that make up Tunku Abdul Rahman park. The best way to get there is by heading over to Jesselton point.

As you enter you will see a huge building which resembles a warehouse on your right. Enter in and a number of tour companies have their stands. Take your pick on the islands that you want to visit. Hop on to a boat and enjoy a day of snorkeling and relaxing on the beach.

While we did not do this on our first day, we did it on one of the days that we were there. Our choice was to visit two islands: Sapi and Manukan. If you are looking for a more peaceful place and don’t mind spending a bit extra, then head out to Gaya island.

If you chose to go to Gaya island you will probably reach a bit earlier. Needless to say you will probably be exhausted just like we were.

A quick trip to wherever you are staying will give you a chance to relax before it is time to head out again. Just make sure that you plan the timings properly when planning your Kota Kinabalu itinerary or you may miss the boat.

The night market usually starts getting active around 6-6:30 in the evening and definitely deserves an add to your Kota Kinabalu itinerary. The night market is located on the ocean front. That’s why it offers a good view of the setting sun.

If you aren’t too tired to make it before the sunset, I suggest picking a stall that is next to the lapping waves and bobbing boats. That way you can catch a bite to eat while enjoying one of Borneo’s famous sunsets.

QUICK TIP: You can bargain at the stalls that offer you food. The prices are not fixed unless they give you a menu with everything written on them. There were times that some on the stalls quote double and triple the amount that we paid at other stalls. So be forewarned.

I would suggest turning in early because the next day’s Kota Kinabalu itinerary has a lot of activity and you need to leave really easy. Where are we going? To the place where the city got it’s name!

DAY 2: Road Trip To Kinabalu National Park

A glimpse at Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu is where the city derived its name. The word ‘kota’ means ‘city’ and hence Kota Kinabalu is quite literally named after the mountain. The Kinabalu National Park is a UNESCO heritage site and Mount Kinabalu is situated in it.

A number of people come to Kota Kinabalu to challenge the highest mountain in Malaysia. If you have only three days to spend in Kota Kinabalu then you probably won’t have time to do that unless climbing the mountain is all you do. The Kinabalu National park offers a great alternative.

FIRST STOP: Kinabalu National Park

Exploring the trails in Kinabalu National park definitely should factor in your three day in Kota Kinabalu itinerary

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Getting to the Kinabalu National park however means a long drive. You can book a tour with one of the tour groups, hop on a bus or rent a vehicle and drive/ride there.

We were lucky enough to have a friend who drove us there. The drive took nearly 2 hours. That is why you would want to leave early in the morning. We left Kota Kinabalu at around 7 am and we made good time.

I half felt like I was going to bump into an elf or a pixie… Hahaha… That’s usually my hyperactive imagination! All things said and done, I would suggest adding this to your Kota Kinabalu itinerary if you love nature and the thrill of adventure.

SECOND STOP: The Botanical Gardens

Carnivorous plants never fail to amaze me! Our Kota Kinabalu itinerary took us into the forest where we were lucky enough to see some.

Once you are done trekking don’t forget to visit the Botanical gardens that are housed near the park. I found them really interesting because the species were labeled and there was information about them provided.

For a lay person like me that made the whole walk through very interesting. The best part about the garden however was the pitcher plants! It was the first time we had ever seen a carnivorous plant!

THIRD STOP: Desa Farm

DESA farm was great stop in our three days in Kota Kinabalu itinerary.

The storm clouds threatened to burst open while we were in the Kinabalu National park so we decided to catch a bite to eat while we tided over the storm. Our friend Tham suggested heading over to Desa farm since we were in the area.

The Desa farm is a famous pit stop for those on a road trip to the National Park. While I don’t think I would particularly head out to the farm just to see it, I loved visiting it after our trek through the forest.

They have the most delicious gelato ice cream that I have tasted! The part that I loved the best was the views. It was almost as if I was back in Europe all over again. It was a change in pace to our usual Kota Kinabalu itinerary plans.

A number of people also stop at the hot springs along the way. We were way too tired and with a storm coming up it was time to head back to the city.

We caught a bite to eat at a Korean restaurant called Bab’s. It was there that we bumped into a number of friends there and our first Korean meal turned out to be a social one just the way it’s supposed to be.

DAY 3: Culture, Animals And More 

I always believe that to truly experience a city, you need to know about its history, culture, food and the wildlife. That’s why if you are planning a three day in Kota Kinabalu itinerary one day needs to be dedicated to taking it in the essence of the city.

FIRST STOP: Lok Kawi Wildlife Park 

I finally got to see an orangutan during our 3 day itinerary in Kota Kinabalu. Unfortunately it was in captivity.

I would rather see animals in the wild but if you can’t go wandering on one of the tours (which can get quite expensive) then the Lok Kawi Wildlife park is a great way to see the animals.

I really wanted to see an orangutan and that is how I landed up at the park. You can head to the park by catching a bus or hiring a taxi to take you there. It is a 20 minutes drive out of the city.

We chose to rent a bike for that day. You can make your choice depending on your budget and how long your Kota Kinabalu itinerary is.

SECOND STOP: The Sabah Museum

One of the heritage villages in the Sabah museum which was a highlight of our 3 day in Kota Kinabalu itinerary..

For people who want to learn about the culture of the city, the Sabah museum is a great place to stop at. After you get back from Lok Kawi wildlife park, you can make a stop at the museum.

It tells you about the wildlife, the cultural practices and even has different heritage villages which exhibit different kinds of houses. I personally loved all that the Sabah museum had to offer that’s why I emphasize on the need to make it a part of your three day in Kota Kinabalu itinerary.

The Mari Mari Cultural Village

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There is one that leaves at around 5 pm and comes back late at night. Celebrating Borneo in the heart of a village would definitely be a great way to end your trip. For me I’ve chronicled that for the next time I head to Kota Kinabalu.

Writing a three day in Kota Kinabalu itinerary is like a short synopsis of the time we spent in the city. It’s a little sliver of paradise. While the city may not be paradise itself, it is located close to many locations that can be called paradise.

The islands, the forests, the food and the people welcome you with open arms and make it a perfect place to spend a vacation in.

Three Day In Kota Kinabalu FAQ

Is Kota Kinabalu Really Worth Visiting?

Kota Kinabalu is such a small city in the Malaysian part of Borneo. It is however a hub for a lot of different activities in the area which include the zoo, scuba diving, island hopping hiking and much more. The city also has some amazing places to eat! Trust me, for such a small city, it sure has a lot of different cuisines.

Another reason why it is worth visiting is because Kota Kinabalu is cheap and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. You can live it up, stay for long and enjoy life here!

How Many Days Are Enough For Kota Kinabalu?

Ideally I would say anything between 3-5 days is enough to cover all the sights in Kota Kinabalu and around it. If you want to spend some time just chilling and enjoying the seaside town, then by all means do because it is totally worth it!

What Is Kota Kinabalu Known For?

Kota Kinabalu is known as the gateway to the tallest mountain in Borneo aka Mount Kinabalu. It is also known for the gorgeous islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Island national park which is just off its coast, amazing luxury hotels and great food.

It really doesn’t matter how short or long it is. In fact there are enough things to do for a three day in Kota Kinabalu itinerary and longer.

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