Most visitors to Kota Kinabalu spend their days on the waterfront and their evenings at the night market — and then wonder why the trip felt somehow incomplete. The answer is almost always the same: they never rented a car and drove inland. The highland corridor from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Kundasang is one of Sabah's most rewarding self-drive routes, winding through the foothills of Borneo's interior, past Kadazandusun longhouses and durian orchards, and arriving eventually at the foot of Southeast Asia's highest peak. This is not a journey you can replicate on a tour bus — the freedom of your own wheels is what makes it real.
Start Here: Picking Up at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA)
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the top-priority pickup location in the KK region on MT Car Rentals — and with good reason. It is where almost every Sabah trip begins, and collecting your rental car the moment you land means zero downtime. Operators offering meet-and-greet service directly at KKIA include MMB Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, TRI-ALFA CAR RENTAL, Indah Mekar Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd, FAMILY CAR RENTAL, GREAT Z & A SERVICES, ANR BITARA ENTERPRISE, RIZHAM ENTERPRISE, KD RIZKI RESOURCES, GRC Logistics & Transports Services Sdn Bhd, Bumiputra Glowbal Group, Arus Maju Enterprise, and The Mighty Biz. You walk out of arrivals, collect your keys, load your bags, and you are on the road within minutes.
If you would rather collect in the city, operators also service locations including Cyber Perdana Commercial Centre, Lorong Cyber Perdana 1, Kota Kinabalu Hotel, Putatan, and Taamparuli. All of these fall within the same Kota Kinabalu area under MT Car Rentals' area-based model — meaning you can pick up at KKIA on arrival day and return the car to a city-centre location on your last day without any surcharge or complication.
Which Car Is Right for the Highland Drive?
The route from KK to Kundasang is sealed for its entire length, but it climbs continuously for roughly 90 kilometres through the Crocker Range before descending into the Ranau valley. A small city car will make the journey, but it will be working hard on the inclines and the constant gear changes through the switchbacks become fatiguing over a full day. The vehicles that handle this highland run most comfortably are those with stronger torque and a higher driving position. Here is a practical breakdown based on real rates available in the KK region:
- Budget compacts (city loops and flat coastal roads) — Perodua Axia or Proton Saga from RM120/day; Perodua Bezza or Perodua Myvi from RM130/day. These are perfectly adequate for KK city sightseeing and coastal drives, but can feel underpowered on the mountain climb with a full load of passengers and luggage.
- Best all-rounders for the highland route — Toyota Veloz from RM250/day, Honda BR-V from RM250/day, Proton X50 from RM330/day, Proton X70 or Nissan X-Trail from RM350/day. Any of these handle the Kundasang climb confidently, offering comfortable ride height, strong engines, and enough space for four adults with luggage.
- 4WD and off-road capable — Toyota Hilux from RM350/day. If your itinerary ventures beyond sealed roads — into plantation tracks or rural kampung areas — a pickup truck gives you the clearance and traction that a standard SUV cannot match.
- Best for groups of 6–8 — Toyota Innova from RM280/day, Toyota Hiace from RM250/day, or Hyundai Starex from RM450/day. The Innova in particular handles highland roads exceptionally well for a people-carrier its size. For larger groups needing maximum luggage capacity, the Nissan Urvan is available from RM310/day.
- Premium and occasion travel — Toyota Fortuner from RM630/day, Toyota Vellfire from RM700/day, Toyota Alphard from RM750/day. If you are travelling for a special occasion or simply want the best possible comfort on long mountain stretches, the Alphard and Vellfire deliver a premium cabin experience that makes hours of driving genuinely pleasant.
The Highland Route: KK to Kundasang and Mount Kinabalu
The drive from KKIA to Kundasang takes approximately two to two-and-a-half hours under normal conditions. The road climbs steadily once you clear the KK suburbs, passing through Tambunan and the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve before the landscape opens up into the cool highland plateau around Kundasang. At around 1,500 to 1,800 metres above sea level, Kundasang is famous for its vegetable farms, the Sabah War Memorial, and — on a clear morning — a jaw-dropping view of Mount Kinabalu's jagged granite summit rising above the treeline.
Mount Kinabalu itself (the park entrance is managed by Sabah Parks in Ranau, roughly 10 kilometres from Kundasang town) is Southeast Asia's highest peak at 4,095 metres. You do not need to be a climber to enjoy it. Day visitors can enter the park to walk the lowland trails, visit the Mountain Garden, and — if the skies cooperate — take in one of the most striking mountain panoramas in the entire region. Sunrise from Kundasang on a clear day is the kind of view that justifies the entire road trip.
Mari Mari Cultural Village: A Must-Stop on Your Return Leg
Located about 25 minutes from KK city (roughly 18 km from KKIA along the Jalan Tuaran highway), Mari Mari Cultural Village is one of Sabah's most visited cultural attractions and makes an ideal half-day stop on your return from the highlands. The village recreates traditional longhouses of Sabah's five main indigenous groups — Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, Murut, Lundayeh, and Rungus — and includes live demonstrations of traditional food preparation, rice wine brewing, fire-starting, and blowpipe use.
Having a rental car makes Mari Mari Cultural Village far more accessible than it would be by taxi or tour transfer. You can time your visit independently, arrive at the opening rather than at peak group-tour hours, and leave when you are ready rather than when a shared shuttle departs. The village is located along the KK–Tuaran highway and is well-signposted — a straightforward drive from both the city and the airport.
Other Highlights Worth the Drive from KK
Self-driving in the KK region opens up a range of destinations that are difficult or expensive to reach by public transport or taxi. Consider adding these to your itinerary:
- Lok Kawi Wildlife Park — 25 km south of KK, home to Sabah's only pygmy elephants in captivity, orangutans, and Sumatran rhinoceros. About 30 minutes from the airport.
- Tuaran Crocodile Farm & Zoo — a straightforward day trip north of KK, easily combined with a stop at Tuaran town for the famous mee Tuaran.
- Kota Belud Tamu (Sunday Market) — Sabah's most famous weekly market, held every Sunday morning, roughly 75 km north of KK. A fascinating early start with local produce, livestock, and Bajau handicrafts.
- Mengkabong Water Village — a traditional Bajau stilt village near Tuaran, accessible via a short walkway from the roadside parking. Free to visit and genuinely atmospheric.
Practical Tips for Driving in Kota Kinabalu
KK city traffic can be slow during morning and evening peak hours, particularly on Jalan Tuaran, Jalan Mat Salleh, and around the Suria Sabah and Warisan Square area. If your goal is to reach Kundasang for sunrise or early morning mist, aim to leave no later than 5:30 AM — the mountain views typically clear before 8:00 AM and cloud over again by late morning. Petrol stations are plentiful in KK, in Tambunan, and in Ranau town; fill up in Ranau before returning as prices are competitive and the next reliable station back towards KK is some distance.
All driving licences from ASEAN countries are accepted on MT Car Rentals without an International Driving Permit. Non-ASEAN licences (including British, Australian, and Chinese licences) require a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original licence. Security deposits vary by listing and are collected by the operator at pickup — cash is always accepted as it is legal tender, regardless of what payment methods are listed online.
Book Your KK Rental Car Today
Sabah rewards those who explore beyond the city, and the best way to do that is at your own pace, in your own vehicle. Whether you are chasing the sunrise over Mount Kinabalu, wandering through a Kadazandusun longhouse at Mari Mari, or simply cruising the coastal highway with no particular schedule, a rental car from KK makes it all possible. Browse available cars for pickup at Kota Kinabalu International Airport on MT Car Rentals and book the vehicle that suits your group and itinerary.
