The capital city of Sabah, nested on the Island of Borneo, Kota Kinabalu has become an increasingly popular resort destination sporting tropical weather all year round. With ample to do on the adventure and history front, considering being a colonial British settlement located in the heart of forest growth and mountains, not to mention the beachside relaxation on its coasts, Kota Kinabalu is a complete package waiting to be tapped for international tourism in Malaysia.
No, as of right now, there are no direct flights from any airport in the UK to Kota Kinabalu. The passengers to the tropical destination, however, have a preferred route. The cheapest and quickest way to Kota Kinabalu is via a Pacific Asian flight like China Southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines or Royal Brunei Airlines. You can take a direct flight from London to Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur or Brunei Darussalam and then hop on to a connecting flight to the airport in Kota Kinabalu.
The cheapest time to come to Kota Kinabalu is in early summer when the city, instigated by the rainforest in the surroundings, receives rainfall. Coming to Kota Kinabalu in the rainy season has its own rules and benefits. Not only can you get cheaper accommodations right on the beach front, but air travel is also affordable as the demand decreases. However, do come to Kota Kinabalu or KK, as it is affectionately called by the locals, with an umbrella as it will rain almost half of the time of your stay. The rainy season may make a few puddles on the road, but it would not bore holes in your pocket, at least that much is guaranteed.
The international airport serving Kota Kinabalu is named after the city. Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) has seen a significant increase in air traffic as more and more tourists find Malaysian Borneo an exciting place to visit. Kota Kinabalu is essentially a strip of land between the Crocker Ranger in the south-west and the South China Sea in the north-east. The airport is located on the southern half of the city, but the most densely populated and historical half of the town is in the north –which is seen as the city centre. Taking the Jalan Coastal Highway, you can reach the city centre, close to the Jesselton Point, in about fifteen minutes after covering 9 kilometres from the airport.
From December to March is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu since it is the driest time of the year in the city. Kota Kinabalu is on the island of Borneo, which is famous for the last remaining Asian rainforests in the world. Apart from cleansing the air, a rainforest produces its own rain. However, from December to March the showers get blown inland, leaving the coastal city of Kota Kinabalu dry and fresh. This period is also the busiest time of the year for tourists, and one can expect to see the prices of the hotels and the air tickets rise. To be on the safe side, plan your visit well in advance to get an edge and grab cheaper tickets and accommodations.
Kota Kinabalu is located in western Malaysia, ideal for people who want to get away from their lives and enjoy some downtime. The jungle and the sea squeeze the city from either side, making a cul de sac for vacationers and tourist to rejuvenate in supreme nature.
Kota Kinabalu, as mentioned above, is on a narrow strip of land between the Crocker Range and the Sea. You can walk from one side of downtown to the other in about 30 minutes. If you are an athletic person who likes to walk, then you can always move between the airport in the south to your hotel in the north on foot in just an hour or two. There is still Uber and Grab -a Malaysian variant of a call-in taxi service. Most foreigners use these mobile applications to move around because they are safe, cheap and reliable. A bus is also an excellent option for a trip around Kota Kinabalu. The bus stations dot along the Tun Razak Road. Sometimes they are not as clearly designated, but you can ask around for the nearest bus station. Usually, bus tickets do not cost more than half a Malaysian Ringgit. When planning a visit to Mount Kinabalu, please acquire the services of certified climbers, who would guide you through the living UNESCO World Heritage site.
The sunsets are incredible on Kota Kinabalu especially when you view them from a balcony of a five-star hotel on the right on the coast, surrounded with palm trees. Here are a couple of options; choose your pick!