Asia > Malaysia > Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
The Car or no Car advice for Kota Kinabalu can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Kota Kinabalu ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Kota Kinabalu ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Kota Kinabalu?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Kota Kinabalu without a car 🚶♂️🚕
For short stays, you can manage without renting a car. The city centre is compact and easy to walk, especially around the waterfront, markets, and Jesselton Point. Many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators sit close together.
Taxis and ride-hailing services such as Grab are widely used and affordable. They work well for trips within the city and to nearby attractions. Boat transfers from Jesselton Point make island-hopping to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park simple, and you do not need a car for this at all.
Public buses exist, but they are limited for visitors and not especially convenient. Most travellers rely on taxis instead.
Easy trips without driving 🚤🏝️
Some of Kota Kinabalu’s highlights are naturally car-free. Island visits, snorkelling trips, and sunset cruises all depart from the city. Guided tours also run to places such as Kinabalu Park and Mount Kinabalu, which allows you to visit one of Borneo’s most famous landscapes without self-driving.
If your plan focuses on islands, food, and organised excursions, a car is unnecessary.
When a rental car becomes useful 🚗🌿
A rental car starts to make sense once you want independence. Beaches outside the city, rural villages, waterfalls, and scenic coastal drives are far easier by car. Sabah is large, distances are deceptive, and public transport outside urban areas is limited.
Driving standards are generally reasonable, roads are improving, and rental prices are fair by regional standards.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Kota Kinabalu?
For city stays and island trips, no. For exploring Sabah beyond Kota Kinabalu, yes. A car is optional at first, but very useful once you leave the city limits.
