Getting a taxi in Kota Kinabalu
When it comes to traveling around this exciting city or getting to and from your hotel, the easiest way to travel is by taking a Kota Kinabalu taxi. You can easily hail one of the Kota Kinabalu taxis in the street, call one of the local taxi companies, or for the best taxi service in Kota Kinabalu, you can book your rides in advance.
You can easily hail a Kota Kinabalu taxi in the street, walk to one of the many taxi ranks, phone a radio taxi, or pre-book your taxi in Kota Kinabalu with a trusted provider. Official taxis have a “TAXI” sign on top and are typically all white (although black and silver taxis do exist).
Metered taxis are available 24/7 and are easier to hail from major transportation hubs like the train station and Kota Kinabalu Airport (CAG).
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN | 6.50 € | 6.50 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM BUS TERMINAL TO MASJID BANDARAYA MOSQUE | 4 € | 4 € | 10 MIN |
| FROM HOTELS TO CITY MALL SHOPPING CENTER | 3.40 € | 3.40 € | 7 MIN |
How much is a taxi in Kota Kinabalu?
Although most Kota Kinabalu taxis are fitted with taximeters, local taxi drivers rarely use them. Usually, your driver will simply give you a fixed rate based on where you’re traveling to in the city. However, if you take a Kota Kinabalu taxi from the airport, this journey will have a fixed rate cost of €6.50 (RM 30), this isn’t left up to the discretion of your driver.
Although this should be used as a loose guideline, if your driver does use their taximeter, the Kota Kinabalu taxi fare will be calculated as follows:
Base fare (including first 3 km): €2.10 (10 RM)
Price per 100 m: €0.03 (0.12 RM)
That said, these are just estimates. You are welcome to ask the taxi driver for a rough quote before your taxi ride begins. However, if you call a local Kota Kinabalu taxi service, you’ll likely pay a dispatch fee on top of your fare.
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How to get a Kota Kinabalu Taxi
The easiest way to get a Kota Kinabalu taxi is by hailing one in the street or asking your hotel to book a ride for you. On the other hand, if you’re shopping at one of the large malls or visiting one of the top tourist attractions, you may also find a small taxi rank with local drivers waiting outside.
How to get a taxi from Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI)
Kota Kinabalu Airport taxis are easy to find outside of the main terminal building. As you leave the Arrivals Hall from the exit doors, turn right and you’ll see the taxi rank by the curbside. Typically, it should take less than 10 minutes to get an available taxi. However, there may be a longer wait during the busy summer season.
You can expect a taxi ride from Kota Kinabalu Airport to the city center to cost around €25.
How to get a taxi from KK Sentral Bus Terminal
There is an active taxi stand directly outside of Kota Kinabalu Train Station that has available taxis throughout the day and night. As you walk out the front entrance, you’ll see the line of white vehicles. There can be a longer wait for a taxi during the morning and evening rush hours, in which case you may prefer to book a transfer in advance.
How to get a taxi from Imago Shopping Mall
There is a taxi stand on Via le Regina Margherita, just off of the Piazza Costituzione, outside of the famous landmark, Bastione di Saint Remy. This is a small taxi rank so there may be a long wait for a cab during busy times. You can also hail a passing cab on the street or call a local Kota Kinabalu taxi number.
Most popular Kota Kinabalu taxi apps
If you’d rather order your taxi via a Kota Kinabalu taxi app, you have a few options. While Uber, Bolt, and Lyft are not available in Kota Kinabalu, Taxi Maxim, and Grab Taxi are the most popular apps in the area.
You can also book your Kota Kinabalu taxi service in advance with a top-rated, international company like Welcome Pickups. That way, you’ll get a consistent service and guaranteed on-time pickups.
Useful Kota Kinabalu taxi numbers
If you’re traveling late at night or during bad weather and don’t want to wait in the street, you can also book the best taxi service in Kota Kinabalu in advance, or call one of the following phone dispatch Kota Kinabalu taxi companies:
Kota Kinabalu Sabah Teksi: +60 12 867 0238
Luen Thung Tanjung: +60 88 269 500
Teksi Cab KK: +60 11 3128 2927
Benefits of booking a Kota Kinabalu taxi in advance
As the local Kota Kinabalu taxis aren’t very well regulated, the level of service you will receive and the taxi fare in Kota Kinabalu is not always reliable. If you’d prefer to take a taxi in Kota Kinabalu you know you can rely on, we suggest booking with Welcome Pickups in advance. We guarantee that our drivers will always be on time and fluent in English to avoid any miscommunication. At Welcome Pickups, we also offer competitive fixed-rate fares and 24/7 customer service for your comfort and convenience.
Kota Kinabalu taxi tips
- Most Kota Kinabalu taxi drivers don’t use a taximeter, be sure to agree on your fare in advance.
- Standard Kota Kinabalu taxis can take up to 4 passengers.
- The journey from the airport to the city has a set fare of €6.50 (RM 30).
- If you call a radio taxi, a € 4 surcharge will be added to your final fare.
- We recommend bringing exact change as drivers rarely carry change smaller than €20.
- Kota Kinabalu taxi drivers don’t expect tips but always appreciate them. You can add 10% to your fare or round up to the nearest euro.
- Local Kota Kinabalu taxi drivers don't include baby seats and child boosters as standard, but you can use your own free of charge.
- Note there is a surcharge of €0.50 for every large item of luggage over 10kg.
- If you require a wheelchair-compatible vehicle, it’s best to contact a specialized service in advance.
- Language barriers can be an issue as not all drivers speak English fluently. To help aid communication, we recommend writing down your destination’s address to show your driver.
- It’s free of charge to carry a pushchair in the trunk.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Kota Kinabalu
Unfortunately, the local Kota Kinabalu taxis aren’t equipped to handle the transportation of wheelchair users. If you require a vehicle that is fitted with a ramp or hydraulic lift, you will need to book with a specialist wheelchair-accessible company in advance.
Kota Kinabalu taxi safety and complaints
The Kota Kinabalu taxi services are governed by the LPKP Sabah Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board. However, for many years, this board hasn’t been able to fully regulate taxi fares in Kota Kinabalu or control the levels of customer service. Because of this, if you have any issues during your Kota Kinabalu taxi journey, whether it’s an unfair charge or unprofessional behavior, you can report your driver and the company you used by calling +60 88 238 244 or via sending an email with your complaint.