Kota Kinabalu car rentals
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Cheap car rentals in Kota Kinabalu
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Kota Kinabalu
- With the rolling out of electric cars to promote a green circular economy and fight against adverse climate change, some Kota Kinabalu car hire companies provide electric cars for hire. To support this initiative, Kota Kinabalu has set up EV car charging stations like the BMW Regas Premium Sabah EV charging station. Alternatively, you can book your stay in a hotel that has an onsite EV car charger, like Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel and Hyatt Regency Kinabalu. Most of these locations have either an AC or DC type 1 charger with charging output ranging from 3.1kW – 22kW, charging your hire car in approximately 4-8 hours.
- For you to get a hire car in Kota Kinabalu, you need to be at least 21 years old and not older than 65 years. However, most hire companies only allow drivers 23 years and older to hire a car. To obtain cheap car hire in Kota Kinabalu, you need to have a current and valid driver’s licence. Foreign nationals who hold a valid driving licence and passport in English can drive in Malaysia for a maximum of 3 months. Note that probational licence holders aren’t accepted in Kota Kinabalu. You are required to provide a credit card under the driver’s name, to make the payment and hold a deposit.
- Explore all the attractions of Kota Kinabalu conveniently, in the city or further out, using cheap car hire in Kota Kinabalu. Among the attractions, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (only about a 30min drive from Downtown Kota Kinabalu) is a biodiversity hotspot both below and above water. Roughly 18 km northeast of Kota Kinabalu, you can drive your hire car to Mari Mari Cultural Village, to learn about the rich history and culture of the state of Sabah’s many indigenous groups.
- Car hire in Kota Kinabalu comes with a lot of advantages. Although the bus system in the city is quite good and many locations are walkable, nothing can give you the same freedom and independence as a car, especially if you intend to take trips out of the city to visit neighbouring areas. There are many things to see and do in Sabah state that will prove a hassle without a car, and hiring a vehicle gives you the freedom to make your own itineraries and timetables.
- Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, K K Rent-A-Car, Thrifty, Hawk, Green Matrix and Sixt all offer car hire in Kota Kinabalu from the airport. Kota Kinabalu car hire agencies operate in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2 of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). It is generally cheaper to book your car online before arrival rather than at the airport, and Hertz, Europcar, Green Matrix, Thrifty and Hawk all operate shuttle services or provide drivers to meet you at the airport and take you to the agency to finalise the details and pick up your car.
- Like in Australia and Britain, Malaysia drives on the left-hand side, and driving is mostly straightforward and orderly; although, the roads can often get congested. Traffic rules are strictly enforced, so be sure to obey the rules of the road. Australians and other Commonwealth citizens can drive in Malaysia on their normal driving licence and do not need to get an international driver’s permit.
- The main problem involved with driving in Kota Kinabalu is traffic jams. The population of the city has been increasing over the years and private car use has gone up with it. Rush hour can begin as early as 05:00 in some areas and continues until 08:00 or 9:00, while evening rush hour can stretch from 16:00 till 20:00, depending on where you are in the city. There are few real hazards to be concerned with, however. Traffic may sometimes be slow but it is generally orderly. Be aware that road signs are generally only in Malay and not in English. Many of these signs will be self-explanatory, but it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with some of the common Malay terms, such as ‘stop’, ‘speed limit’, ‘closed road’ etc.
- Book your rental car in Kota Kinabalu at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Full-size rental cars in Kota Kinabalu are around 44% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Kota Kinabalu
What type of car is recommended for driving in Kota Kinabalu?
For car hire in Kota Kinabalu, it often makes sense to choose a smaller rather than larger vehicle, for ease of parking and greater flexibility in traffic. Choosing a car with good fuel economy is also a good idea if you intend to do a lot of driving. Roads are generally good and well-maintained, so you shouldn’t need special terrain vehicles, even when exploring the countryside; but you may consider it if you decide to visit villages or other places off the beaten path.
What’s the speed limit in Kota Kinabalu?
The speed limit on federal roads in Kota Kinabalu is 90 km/h. On expressways, the limit is increased to 110 km/h. Breaking the speed limit can result in heavy fines, so be careful to adhere to the rules at all times. Many roads are equipped with speed cameras.
Where are the best places to park in Kota Kinabalu?
Parking can be a problem in Kota Kinabalu. There are few on-road parking options, but shopping centre car parks are a good option. These offer hourly and 3h parking rates with top-up costs for each additional hour. There are also several multi-level car parks around the city offering similar rates.
How much is gas price in Kota Kinabalu?
The average gas price in Kota Kinabalu is ₪7.13 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between ₪86 and ₪114, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Kota Kinabalu?
Full-size (Perodua Bezza or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Kota Kinabalu.
How can I find car rentals near me in Kota Kinabalu?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does a Full Size car rental cost in Kota Kinabalu?
A Full Size car rental in Kota Kinabalu costs ₪121 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Kota Kinabalu?
A Compact car rental in Kota Kinabalu costs ₪118 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Kota Kinabalu?
A Standard car rental in Kota Kinabalu costs ₪247 per day, on average.
What road trips can I take from Kota Kinabalu?
If you are a hiking enthusiast, you can travel for about 4 hours to Mount Kinabalu. This mountain has some of the highest trekkable peaks in the world and makes for a thrilling climb for any adventurer. About 2h 30min from the city, you will find the Kundasang waterfall, which is accessible and captivating.
What is the child seat rule in Kota Kinabalu?
In Kota Kinabalu, children younger than 12 years, shorter than 136 cm or weighing under 36 kg, are required to be in an appropriate car seat when travelling in private cars. However, only car seats certified under United Nations Regulation UN R129 and UN R44 are legal.
Kota Kinabalu car rental reviews and directory All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car rental booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Europcar
7.6
Good
Read 2 reviewsCleanliness
8.4
Comfort
8.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
8.4
2 locations in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Ground Floor Oceanus Waterfront Mal
+60 16 354 2178
No L1l02 C16
+60 16 354 2178
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Fatih, May 2022
6.0 Okay
Vincent, May 2022
Suria Car Rental
7.3
Good
Read 1 reviewCleanliness
6.6
Comfort
6.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.6
Value for money
7.3
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Bangunan Terminal, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
+60 12 569 9758
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2022
KK Rent A Car
10.0
Wonderful
Cleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
31 locations in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
1 Sutera Harbour
+60 8823 4607
1, Lorong Likas Square
+60 8823 4607
36, Jln Hj Saman
+60 8823 4607
5 Jln Padang
+60 8823 4607
63, Jalan Gaya
+60 8823 4607
75, Bandaran Berjaya
+60 8823 4607
Blk A, Lot 6, Grd Flr
+60 8823 4607
Borneo Trails Travel&tours Sdn Bhd L1l14,level1(landside),arv Hall,t1
+60 168 309 136
Jln Pantai
+60 8823 4607
Jln Tun Fuad
+60 8823 4607
Level 7, Blk D
+60 8823 4607
Lorong Api-Api 2
+60 8823 4607
Lorong Ming Garden
+60 8823 4607
Lot 21, 1st Flr
+60 8823 4607
Lot 3.3, 3rd Flr, Asia City
+60 8823 4607
Lot 3/4, Blk 9
+60 8823 4607
Lot 48, Grd Flr, 2nd Flr
+60 8823 4607
Lot 60-64, Lorong Ikan
+60 8823 4607
Lot 7, Blk A, 1st Floor
+60 8823 4607
No.1, Jln Singgah
+60 8823 4607
Resort & Spa
+60 8823 4607
Tanjung Aru
+60 8823 4607
Unit 25-28 Grd Flr
+60 8823 4607
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No reviews available
Agtran
8.0
Very good
Cleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
8.0
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Beg Berkunci No 134, Aras 5, Bangunan Terminal, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
+60 18 989 0800
Filters
No reviews available
Avis
8.0
Very good
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Lot No. L1L02 (C4) Lev 1
+60 88 204 460
Filters
No reviews available
keddy by Europcar
6.7
Okay
3 locations in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, Oceanus Waterfront Mall
+60 163 542 178
Kota Kinabalu Int'L Airport
+60 16 354 2178
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No reviews available
2 locations in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International
+60 12 346 1769
Lot No L1L02(C2) Level 1
+60 8841 3520
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No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Blok A Ruang Ridgeview 1 Seri Kepayan Commercial Centre
+60 14 663 8283
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No reviews available
3 locations in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Arrival Hall, Terminal 1 L1l01 (c4), Public Concourse
+60 129 214 242
Kota Kinabalu Terminal 2
+60 129 214 242
Lot F-G-3, Block G, G. Floor Plaza Tanjong Aru, Jalan Mat Salleh
+60 129 214 242
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No reviews available
3 locations in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Hawk / Extra Rent A Car, Sabah Oriental Hotel
+60 8821 8160
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No reviews available
3 locations in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Borneo Trails Travel&tours Sdn Bhd L1l14,level1(landside),arv Hall,t1
+60 8824 2990
Kota Kinabalu Terminal 2
+60 8824 2990
Lot A-1-7, 1st Floor, Block A, Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jalan Mat Salleh
+60 8824 2990
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No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
T1 New Wing
+60 88 413 326
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No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Lot No. L1L04, Level 1, Arrival Landside (Terminal 1, ETB, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah）
+60 16 830 9136
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No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah airport
+60 8870 1899
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No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Meet & Greet Service
+60 198 228 283
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No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
L1l14,level1(landside),arv Hall,t1
+86 10 6064 1387
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Kota Kinabalu
Locations in Kota Kinabalu
T1 New Wing
+60 3 7966 7000
Filters
No reviews available
Car rental locations in or near Kota Kinabalu
Good to know
Most popular car type | Full-size |
|---|
When to book a rental car in Kota Kinabalu
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Kota Kinabalu
Car rental at airports serving Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu car rental information
| Pick-up location | Kota Kinabalu |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Rental locations | 58 |
| Airport locations | 21 |