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In this article we will tell you everything that you need to know about car rental in Kota Kinabalu in 2026. We will recommend a few great cheap companies. We will also answer some very important questions. Renting a car in Kota Kinabalu was a great option for us to explore the area with kids. You can depart when you want and stop when you want (which is quite often when your kids need toilet breaks every 30 minutes!) Car rental really is a great way to explore this intrepid and wild destination.
Should you get a car rental in Kota Kinabalu? What’s the best way to arrange a car rental in Kota Kinabalu? How much should it cost? How do you get the best deal? What things do you need to watch out for? There are some very important things that you need to know before you rent a car in Kota Kinabalu so please read this article carefully.
Don’t miss our step by step Kota Kinabalu itinerary – the BEST way to see the BEST things in the area!
What are the advantages of a car rental in Kota Kinabalu?
Here are some of the advantages of taking a car rental in Kota Kinabalu:
- Convenient and fast
- Keep your car packed up with bags
- No need to rely on taxis or buy bus tickets
- Faster than long distance buses – stop when and where you want
- Great for families with kids
- Freedom to explore at your own pace
Option 1: Contact car rental companies directly
The cheapest way to find a car rental in Kota Kinabalu is to contact companies directly to negotiate a price. Prices depend on the company, season and availability. It is always worth bartering and shopping around.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Kota Kinabalu?
- Typical prices for a small economy car (e.g. Perodua Axia 1.0)
- RM90 – RM130 per day.
- Typical Prices for an SUV (e.g. Toyota Innova)
- RM200 – RM300 per day.
Here are a few car rental companies in Kota Kinabalu:
We can recommend the following car rental companies. Both companies should be able to hook you up with a good deal and may be willing to negotiate on price.
- MFJ Car Rental Kota Kinabalu: +60 10 944 4271 (they are on Whatsapp)
- LD Top Motor: +60 16 861 3388 and +60 11-6486 8073 (they are also on Whatsapp)
The main disadvantage of contacting a car rental company directly is that you do not have the same level of assurance, accountability and consumer rights. Personally we always contact car rental companies directly and we have not had any problems with this. We have found car rental companies to be friendly, supportive and helpful. But if you just need the assurance of arranging your car rental online then read on.
Option 2: Book your car rental in advance online
The other way to arrange a car rental in Kota Kinabalu is to book it online in advance. You will need to find a reputable booking platform. We would recommend booking your Kota Kinabalu Car Rental on KLOOK – they offer competitive prices with rentals starting for around RM100 per day and you can easily customise your booking. Booking on a reputable platform also gives you security & peace of mind (compared to making an informal deal directly with a car rental company).
Is it worth getting a car rental in Kota Kinabalu?
If you are planning to travel around Sabah we recommend that you find a car rental in Kota Kinabalu. Car rental is a fast and convenient way to travel around.
Sabah does have some long-distance buses between the main cities. However public transport to smaller local destinations is quite limited in Sabah (or non-existent). So in many cases it is a choice between taxis or car rental. The best way to get taxis is to use the Grab Taxi App.
If you are trying to work out a budget option for getting around you need to consider the cost of a car rental against the cost of taxis. The better financial option will depend on your specific itinerary in Sabah.
What is the cheapest way to travel around in Sabah?
As a rough guide: Long distance buses are very cheap. Expect to pay around RM20 – RM40 for most long distance bus journeys in Sabah. A very short taxi journey in Kota Kinabalu is likely to cost around RM5. If you are planning to take a day trip to somewhere further afield this may cost you RM50 – RM100. We do not recommend using taxis to travel long distance between cities.
Car rental in Sabah is likely to cost in the range of RM100 – RM150 per day. Petrol is very cheap, costing only RM3 – RM4 per litre.
If you are planning to do a lot of travel around Kota Kinabalu and Sabah, then the more economical and convenient option may be to get a car rental. However, if you are only planning to do a few Journeys then it may be more economical to use buses and taxis. In Malaysia the most common way to get taxis is to use the Grab taxi.
Things to know before you take a car rental in Kota Kinabalu
If you are planning to get a car rental in Kota Kinabalu we recommend that you consider the following things.
- Check what deposit is required for your car rental. Some companies Only require a relatively small cash deposit. Other companies may ask for a credit card or a larger cash deposit.
- Check what identification is needed for your car rental. Most companies will ask to see a driver’s license or international driver’s license and your passport or identification card.
- Discuss pick-up and drop-off locations and times. Most good car rental companies in Kota Kinabalu will be willing to bring the rental car to your hotel or guest house.
- Discuss what feed if any will be applied if the car is returned late
- Check whether your car rental company includes sufficient insurance and what the excess is on the insurance policy in the event of an accident.
- Before you take the car we recommend that you inspect the car carefully for any damage and take photographs. Check all of the paint work on the outside of the car and also check inside the car.
- Check the fuel level when you get the car. You will probably be required to return the car with the fuel at the same level.
- Check what situations you will need to pay for. Most car rental companies we’ll ask you to cover the cost of a puncture if a tire has been damaged by a sharp object. On the other hand, if the tire is flat due to wear and tare then the car rental company should accept responsibility.
- Check how far you are allowed to take the vehicle and make sure this is consistent with your itinerary (if you take the car further than your terms of rental allow and then you have an incident you may be liable).
Can you take flights around Sabah?
Long distance bus journeys around Sabah typically take between 6 – 10 hours. Buses may be cheap but they can be a real endurance.
Another way to travel around Sabah is to take a cheap domestic flight. You can find cheap flights connecting the main cities in Sabah and also flying to other destinations around Malaysia and abroad.
The main cities with airports are Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau. We also recommend Skyscanner to find great deals on flights around Sabah.
Looking for more inspiration?
You might be interested in our FULL guide on the BEST things to do in Sabah
