# Kota Belud and Tuaran Day Trip by Car from Kota Kinabalu

> A relaxed day trip by car from Kota Kinabalu to Tuaran and Kota Belud: Tuaran noodles, a stilt village, rice fields with mountain views and a Sunday market. Drive times and car tips.

Language: en
Published: 2026-11-11 (November 11, 2026), 3 min read
Source: https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car/

If Kinabalu Park is too big a day, Tuaran and Kota Belud are the gentle answer. The drive is short, the roads are straightforward and the stops are local: noodles, markets and open countryside.

## At a glance

- **Tuaran:** about 35 km from Kota Kinabalu, around 45 minutes.
- **Kota Belud:** about 75 km from Kota Kinabalu, around 1.5 hours.
- **Plan:** Tuaran in the morning, Kota Belud at midday, back in the evening.

## Morning: Tuaran

Start with breakfast. Tuaran is known for its egg noodles, called Tuaran mee, so ask for them at a local coffee shop. Nearby, the water village at Mengkabong has houses on stilts, and you can see it from the road and the bridge. Local markets (tamu) run on set days, often on Sunday, so check the day before you go.

## Midday: Kota Belud

Kota Belud sits on a wide plain of rice fields, with the mountains behind it. On a clear day the view is the reason to come. The town is also known for its Bajau horsemen, usually seen at festivals and special events rather than every day. If you are here on a market day, expect busy streets and crowded parking.

## Afternoon: head back

Leave Kota Belud by mid-afternoon to be back in Kota Kinabalu before the evening traffic. You can also carry on north to Kudat, as in our [Tip of Borneo 2-day drive](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kudat-tip-of-borneo-2-day-drive/).

## Which car

Any car handles this route. The Perodua Myvi 1.5 (RM160 a day) is easy to park at busy markets, and the Perodua Bezza 1.3 (RM160 a day) has a closed boot for what you buy. Travelling as a family? The Perodua Alza 1.5 (RM270 a day) seats seven. See all cars on the [fleet and prices](https://northborneorental.com/fleet/) page.

![Perodua Myvi 1.5](https://northborneorental.com/cars/myvi-640.webp)

*Perodua Myvi 1.5, RM160 a day*

## Tips

- Go early. Markets and roads are quieter in the morning.
- Bring cash for food and small purchases.
- Pack a hat and water. Rice-field stops have little shade.

This trip fits well on the last day of our [3-day self-drive itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-3-day-self-drive-itinerary/).

[Book a car 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 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)
- [Best Time to Visit Sabah by Car: Weather, Holidays and When to Book](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-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/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [简体中文](https://northborneorental.com/zh/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [日本語](https://northborneorental.com/ja/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [한국어](https://northborneorental.com/ko/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [Bahasa Melayu](https://northborneorental.com/ms/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)

## Contact

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

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