Kota Kinabalu Travel Forum

Hi,

We are planning to go to KK this August for 3 days. I would like to get some suggestions on the following :

(1) The best hostel / budget hotel in the City (preferably with a near catholic church)
(2) Places to visit
(3) Food to try
(4) How much should I budget for each day (USD)

THanks !! Your inputs are appreciated !!

Are there any clubs (with DJ) where you can dance your heart out? plays top40, house, rap, etc.... we love to dance....

Can someone give some information on MASwings airline - is it any good,luggage limit and general service. How does it compare to Air Asia?

I am deciding between AirAsia and MASwings for KL to KK. Given the negative expereinces of people on AA I am persuaded by MASwings as its part of Malaysian Airlines - What do you think?

Has anyone from the UK used Air Asia? I could not find any email addresses for customer support.
Can you tell me if Air Asia is good interms of service, luggage etc, as I am thinking of booking flights with them from KL to Kota kinabalu.

Thanks

Due to work, I had to reschedule my trip to KK, which will be 17 - 20 May '08. Because of this, I couldn't secure my room that I had booked earlier. Both Kinabalu Pine Resort & Mount Kinabalu Heritage Resort & Spa (Perkasa) are full on that weekend.

Is there any other suggestion? I'll be travelling alone, so, I would like some safe place.

Thanks.

Dear all,

We will be visiting kota kinabalu in June (From china) we are from uk. I will be taking our 4 year old twins and mother in law, wife. We are looking for advice on.

1. Recommended places to snorkle - our kids can now swim and really want to see fish. But it must be easy snorkling
2. Best way to see the organtangs. I hear its a costly fight from kota or a long road trip. Are there other options? nearer ?
3. Is there anywhere you can see turtles - i heard that was possible?
4. Any other things we should see..

Hi People

I will be visting Kota Kinabalu in september 2008 as part of my medical degree at Queen Elizabeth hospital.

I'd appreciate if you could tell me

1.The best place to change money?
2.The cheapest/best prepaied sim card?
3.Do I need to show ID to get sim card?
4.Places of interest and/or things to do within the area?
5.Would visiting Petronas Towers and sight seeing KL be a straight forward thing to do?
6.if so? could you recommend good value for money place to stay and eat?

feel free to give any other tips

Thanks in advance

May I know
a) how long time (or how far) the walk take?
b) the walk is in Kinabalu Park HQ or need transfer to Timpohon Gate?
c) can we walk by own if do not join the Guided Walk?

Are there other short and easy trails we can walk without hiring guide?

Thank you.

Is there mountain view if stay at Rock Hostel, Grace Hostel and Hill Lodge in Kinabalu Park?
Thank you.

I'll be travelling to KK on the 1st May '08, but will be staying in Kundasang from the 2nd till 4th May '08.

Questions:
1. I'll be arriving in KK abt 2pm. Thought I'll check out the island (most likely Manukan). Where can I get a boat to the island? How much would it cost me? Whats the last boat ride from the island back to KK?

2. Will be staying at the Radius. Plan to travel to Kundasang early morning of the 2/5. Where do I get a transport to take me there? In Kundasang, I'll be staying at the Mount Kinabalu Heritage Resort (used to be Perkasa Hotel). Does the public transport pass the resort or should I hire a cab from the city? How much would it cost?

3. Since I have about 1 and half day up in Kundasang, I plan to just visit the mountain garden at the National Park and War Memorial. Depending on time, might travel to Poring. How do I arrange for my transportation within Kundasang? For the walk at the mountain garden or trek, do I need to check in at the State Park office?

Cheers.

hi all..

i'm heading over to kota kinabalu this coming thursday. i am lacking a headlight for my twilight climb! is it easy to get one in kk town? can anyone recommend some place?? thanks =)

We're planning to take our children (3 sons), age 12, 11, 9 to Kinabalu on June and will stay there for 5 nights. This is our first visit. Could anyone kindly help us planning our visit? We don't have big budget and love nature alot. Thanks.

Any lady VT members can advise me where to buy genuine and cheap pearls neclace & earrings ? What is a strand of pearl necklace (short), round shape, white or cream colour will cost ? Thanks

Hi guys! Any suggestions/recommendations at all about KK would be hugely appreciated :) My better half and I are off there for 5 days in June for our anniversary! Can't wait!

So far, thinking of staying at the Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort. Anyone who has been there - is this a good idea? Or are there slightly cheaper, still beautiful hotels in the same central location?

We are active people who enjoy getting out and about and experiencing the activities and culture.

Thanks heaps
Shen

Hi there,

We have booked our accommodation at Laban Rata. Is there anything else that we need to book prior to arrival - guides / permits or can that be done when you arrive at Mt Kinabalu.

If we are doing the summit walk for sunrise (wake up at 2am)- would we have enough time after descent to visit Poring Hot Springs and Canopy Walk, before heading back to KK in the evening.

What is the best way to get to Mt Kinabalu from KK - then onto Poring and Canopy Walk and then back to KK again?

Pls inform where the address is and how to get there, tks.

alexandra_chan@hotmail.com

I will spend 4d3n at KK staying at Promenade Hotel.

1) What is the lowest car rental rate per day ?
2) Is foothill of Kinabalu Park worth visiting ? I'm traveling with my elderly parents and not going to overnight there. Prefer walking nature trails, viewing flora & fauna.
3) What are the must eats & where ?
4) What are the best buys ?

Thank you.

I have enjoyed reading this site, and all the advise on things to do, it's great, I have already learned so much. Our main interest this long awaited break is some rest and relaxation. We would also like to do some shopping, markets, swimming, diving, perhaps visit one of the islands and a little sight seeing. We are looking forward to the food, our last visit to Malaysia (Penang) was in 2003. Accomodation has been booked for us at Magellan Sutera.
So any advise and must do's are welcome.
(Thanks for the prompt to post - Rrajah)
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Shaz

hi all in KK
my name is steve and live in perth WA. My family and i recently visited KK staying at the Shangri La Tajung Resort, absoluetly marvellous. Anyway when we got back all anyone was interested in was my headhunter T-shirt i'd bought at Gaya St Sunday market, so on behalf of my friends i am looking for someone who would be willing to purchase and post about 3 or 4 to me in perth West Australia.
Please advise if you'd be interested.
Many Regards
Steve

I'm headed to KK in March and wanted to know the availability of cash machines and how much would i spend on average each day...any suggestions?

What's the easiest way - does the airport bus pass by this hotel or is it relatively cheap to get a taxi?

Is it possible to hire a small boat without a driver so that my partner and I can drve to visit the nearby islands at our own lesure???

I am planning a 3D2N trip to KK, and I hope to cover:
1) Kinabalu Park (not going up to Mt KK)
2) Nexus Karambunai (first night)
3) Sutera Harbour (second night)

Would anyone know how much will a taxi cost from Kinabalu Park to Nexus? The distance looks nearer than Kinabalu Park-Airport on the map, but the travel time is still 45 minutes according to my research.

If it's too far maybe I'll forget about Nexus - is it REALLY worth going all the way there?

Thanks heaps.

Hi...

Can anybody help me getting the cheapest rented car (maybe kancil or kelisa). I planned to rent the car for 1 day only, this 26 Jan 2008.

Tq in advance

I read on a previous post that there were no cash machines at Terminal 2. Is that still the case? Thanks again for your help

From Kota Kinabalu airport to city centre, are there any airport bus shuttles or do i have to depend only on taxis?
Incase there are airport bus shuttles, any idea which one goes nearer to Shangri-La hotel( not the resort one but the one located in the city centre)?What will be the approximate taxi and bus fares?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Hello all!

It would be my family's first time to travel to KK. The OC that I am, I'd like to do a LOT of research in advance...and I guess it's also because I'm very much excited already :)

Anyway, has anyone tried booking with AirAsia and availed of their airfare + hotel package? Is it better to get that or to book with the hotel separately?

Also other things I need your help on:
1. How many days is adviseable to stay in KK?
2. Which is better to stay at: STAR or Shangri-La Rasa Ria?
3. Food - anything we shouldn't miss?
4. Nightlife
5. Tours - what to try when you're staying for 4d/4n only? Also, where can we get a tour package for 7-8pax that's not too expensive?
6. Shopping
7. Budget - how much should we bring per pax?

Thank you in advance!
Sansan

Is there any contact number for the rafting at Sungai Padas? I would like to go for the cheap in prices.

Will be flying in to KK on 29 December and arriving late morning and we want to proceed straight up to Mount Kinabalu where we have already booked our hotel. I notice that the public vans normally leave early in the morning. Is there any that leave after lunch? If not,how much would it cost to take a taxi up?

Many thanks.

Hi, me and my family will be traveling to KK for the first time in January. We will be staying at Sutera Harbour and would like to know how we can get to Sepilok Orang Utan sanctuary. Is it too far away for a drive? Are there boat trips to the sanctuary?

Please advise.