# Best Time to Visit Sabah by Car: Weather, Holidays and When to Book

> When is the best time to self-drive in Sabah? The weather through the year, festivals and public holidays, Mount Kinabalu climbing permits, and when to book your rental car early.

Language: en
Published: 2026-11-11 (November 11, 2026), 4 min read
Source: https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-by-car/

Sabah is warm all year, and you can drive in every month. What changes is the rain, the crowds and how early you need to book. Here is how to choose your dates.

## Weather through the year

Showers can come in any month, usually in the afternoon. The drier stretch is often around February to April. Heavier rain is more common from around October to January. Weather changes from year to year, so check the forecast for your dates. If you travel in the wetter months, read our [tips for driving in the rain](https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-in-the-rain/).

![Perodua Ativa Turbo 1.0](https://northborneorental.com/cars/ativa-640.webp)

*Perodua Ativa Turbo 1.0, RM230 a day*

## Mount Kinabalu

If you want to climb the mountain, sort this out first. Climbing permits are limited and sold through licensed operators, so book months ahead, then arrange your car around your climb date. If you only want the views, mornings are usually clearer, and the drive is covered in our [Kinabalu Park and Kundasang guide](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kinabalu-park-kundasang-day-trip-by-car/).

## Festivals and public holidays

These are good for culture and bad for last-minute bookings:

- **Kaamatan (30 and 31 May):** see our [Kaamatan driving guide](https://northborneorental.com/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car/).
- **Chinese New Year** (January or February, the date changes each year).
- **Christmas and New Year.**
- **School holidays** in Malaysia, and long holiday weeks in China, Japan and Korea.

In these weeks, book your car as early as you can, and book your hotel too.

## Pick by what you want

- **Islands, beaches and coast roads:** aim for the drier months.
- **Mountains and highlands:** go early in the day, whatever the month.
- **Quieter roads and calmer prices:** avoid the holiday weeks above.

## Which car, in any season

A small car is fine for the city and the coast. For the highlands, an SUV such as the Perodua Ativa Turbo 1.0 gives a more relaxed drive. Compare all cars on the [fleet and prices](https://northborneorental.com/fleet/) page, or read our [car guide](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-rental-car-kota-kinabalu/).

Tell us your dates and we will say how busy they are and suggest a car, with a [free itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/free-itinerary-with-every-booking/).

[Check my dates on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/60168400017)

## Read next

- [Rent a Car in Kota Kinabalu: Which Car Should You Hire?](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-rental-car-kota-kinabalu.md)
- [Free Itinerary with Every Kota Kinabalu Car Rental](https://northborneorental.com/blog/free-itinerary-with-every-booking.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang by Car: Kinabalu Park Day Trip](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kinabalu-park-kundasang-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [Corporate and Long-Term Car Rental in Kota Kinabalu](https://northborneorental.com/blog/corporate-long-term-car-rental-kota-kinabalu.md)
- [Driving in Sabah as a Tourist: Licence, Roads and Car Hire Tips](https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-tourist-guide.md)
- [3 Days in Kota Kinabalu by Car: A Self-Drive Itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-3-day-self-drive-itinerary.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Kudat and the Tip of Borneo: a 2-Day Drive](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kudat-tip-of-borneo-2-day-drive.md)
- [Kota Belud and Tuaran Day Trip by Car from Kota Kinabalu](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and Sepilok by Car: a 3-Day Route](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-to-sandakan-sepilok-by-car.md)
- [Pesta Kaamatan in Sabah: Getting Around by Car During the Harvest Festival](https://northborneorental.com/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car.md)
- [Driving in Sabah in the Rain: Safe Tips for Tourists](https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-in-the-rain.md)

## Other languages

- [English](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-by-car.md)
- [简体中文](https://northborneorental.com/zh/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-by-car.md)
- [日本語](https://northborneorental.com/ja/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-by-car.md)
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## Contact

North Borneo Rental Car, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

- WhatsApp (bookings): [+60168400017](https://wa.me/60168400017)
- Email: northborneorental@gmail.com
- Website: https://northborneorental.com/