Major city · Malaysia
Ranau
Spend 1–2 days in Ranau as a base for Kinabalu, tea garden and nearby war memorial; arrive by road from Kota Kinabalu (≈2 h).
Ranau is a small town in Sabah, Borneo, about 2 h by car from Kota Kinabalu. It offers easy access to Mount Kinabalu Park, the Sabah Tea Garden, and the Ranau War Memorial. A short stay lets you see the main sights and use it as a launch point for nearby attractions.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MYR
- Best months
- Mar–Oct (dry season, cooler temps)
- avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain, landslides)
- Airport
- BKI
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ranau999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ranau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia-wide
- SIM or eSIMCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.Malaysia-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.Malaysia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.Malaysia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malaysia-wide
- SafetyRanau is generally safe; stay alert on wet roads and keep valuables secure in crowded market areas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.Malaysia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police / ambulance · 994 fire · 112 Medical (mobile)
- Sundays & holidayscheckKelantan, Terengganu and Kedah have Friday–Saturday weekends; Johor Saturday–Sunday since 2025 — check…Malaysia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBKI Kota Kinabalu International Airport (≈2 h by road to Ranau; bus or taxi from the airport).
- Getting aroundLocal buses run every 20–30 min to Kundasang and Poring; taxis and ride‑hailing are available from the bus stop.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealLocal meal (stall)RM5–RM12
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))RM15–RM20
- Budget bedHomestay or guesthouse, a night, per personRM50
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RM70 · Mid RM120 · High RM200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BKI Kota Kinabalu International Airport (≈2 h by road to Ranau; bus or taxi from the airport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Mar–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ranau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
6 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses run every 20–30 min to Kundasang and Poring; taxis and ride‑hailing are available from the bus stop. Walkable town centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Kinabalu Park
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Bus or taxi from Ranau (≈20 km (12 mi), 30 min)Bus or taxi from Ranau (≈12 mi (20 km), 30 min)
Entry fee and guide required for summit treks; day‑hike to lowland trails possible.
Sabah Tea Garden
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Walk or short taxi from town centre (≈5 min)
Open 07:00‑20:00 daily; tours of factory and garden, light meals available.Open 7:00 AM‑8:00 PM daily; tours of factory and garden, light meals available.
Kundasang War Memorial
goDoor to door: ≈20 min
Local bus or taxi (≈10 min)
Small memorial near the market; good for quick photo.
Poring Hot Spring
goDoor to door: ≈35 min
Bus or taxi (≈20 min)
Hot springs, canopy walk and butterfly garden; entry fee applies.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Slagon Homestay
Family‑run B&B near town, garden setting; transfers to Kinabalu available.
Various guesthouses along main road
Budget options within walking distance of bus stop and market.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- RM70–RM120 excl. bed
- Mid
- RM120–RM200 excl. bed
- High
- RM200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Homestay or guesthouse2 × 1 night × RM80 | RM160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × RM120 | RM240 |
| Local bus to Kinabalu (round‑trip)2 × RM30 · check | RM60 |
| Sabah Tea Garden tour2 × RM25 · check | RM50 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × RM40 · check | RM80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RM59 |
| Trip total≈ RM325 per person per day, bed included | RM649≈ US$160 |
2026 estimate in MYR; flights and long‑distance coach tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Local meal (stall) | RM5–RM12 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | RM1–RM2 |
| Tea at Sabah Tea Garden | RM8–RM15 |
| Taxi (5 km) | RM15–RM20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be slippery during monsoon; allow extra travel time.
- Ranau War Memorial is not well signposted; ask locals for directions.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance
- 999
- Fire
- 994
- Medical (mobile)
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RanauRanau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance999
- Fire994
Embassy
US consulate in Kota Kinabalu (check address); other nations have consulates in Kuala Lumpur.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kota Kinabalu → Ranau (bus): ≈ RM30, 2 h (check)
- Ranau → Kinabalu Park (taxi): ≈ RM20–RM30, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harga? — How much? (buh-rah-pah har-gah)
- Kurangkan gula — Can I have it less sweet? (koo-rang-kan goo-lah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ranau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Oct (dry season, cooler temps) · avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain, landslides) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Kinabalu for summit attempt.
- Combine tea garden visit with a day‑trip to Kundasang market.
Sources
Ask about Ranau
Loading…
Was this useful?