Transportation Services

Getting around in Sabah is easy. Depending on the destinations that you wish to visit, different modes of transport are available such as:-

CAR RENTALS

Car rentals are easily available in Kota Kinabalu City, and in major towns. The best point to hire a car is from Kota Kinabalu. Types of vehicles available range broadly from basic sub compact sedans to vans and coaches depending on your  travel needs. To find out more on car rentals rates and availability, click here.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

There are two types of public transport. One is the 'normal short distance' within the city limits AND capital limits and the other is the 'long distance' with taxis and busses/coaches. The city limits only covers areas within the city area, the capital limits covers buses to as far as Sepanggar Bay, Tuaran, Doggongon and Kinarut. The long distance coaches are available at the new location, located near Inanam Township area which requires a taxi or bus ride to Inanam Township. There are also a few located at the Main Capital Terminal which still serves Labuan and Kuala Penyu charters.  To travel by public transport is the most economical way to get to your destination in Sabah. The journey might take longer than by private transport, but you will be compensated by the scenic surrounding environment on the journey, and by the fact that you can mingle with the locals. To find out more about long distance taxi and bus stations in major towns and in the city, please click on the following links. You will be taken to a city map of the town, from where you can look up the taxi and bus stations in the legend section of the map.  PDF maps can be downloaded if you wish to have a detailed map of the city and towns below.

Kota Kinabalu map  l  Sandakan map  l  Labuan map   l   Kota Kinabalu PDF map  l  Sandakan PDF map  l  Labuan PDF map

RAILWAY

There is only one railway which connects Kota Kinabalu with Tenom on the west coast of Sabah. As a matter of fact, it is the only railway in the whole of Borneo! Train services are still very basic in Sabah and are still confined to trains that were in service since the colonial period. This gives travelers an additional touch of nostalgia when taking the West Coast tours of Sabah, where you could stop by small towns and enjoy the scenic environment at your own pace. The towns along the west coast, like Membakut, Papar, Bongawan, Beaufort and Tenom, have retained much of their rural charm ever since the colonial period. The journey by train from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom takes between five and six hours. There are two daily departures. Unfortunately as of year 2009, the rail services has stopped for renovation until further notice.

The route from Beaufort to Tenom is especially exciting as the train travels through a tunnel of forests and along the Padas Gorge cutting through the Crocker Range. This is a standard journey for travellers taking the white water rafting adventure tour on the Padas River. Let yourself be inspired by that journey and read our feature.

The ultimate nostalgic train experience is the North Borneo Railway, which has recently been revamped and now operates a 90-ton Mid-Century steam train: "The Vulcan" takes now again visitors along the west from Kota Kinabalu to Papar, and back. This train, which leaves on schedule every Wednesday and Saturday, is very popular amongst tourists.

Unfortunately as of year 2009, the rail services has stopped for renovation until further notice.

BOATS AND FERRIES

Island destinations such as Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TAR), Turtle Island Park, Sipadan, Langkayan, Kapalai, Mabul, Pulau Tiga, and Labuan are accessible by ferry services. To find out more please click on the maps above for exact location of the ferry terminals. Some destinations require pre arrangements for ferry services. This includes islands such as Pulau Tiga (from Kuala Penyu), Turtle Islands from Sandakan Town, Mengalum and Mantanani.  Layang-Layang Island is only accessible via air. Labuan Island is also accessible by ferry from Kota Kinabalu city and from Menumbok town near Kuala Penyu and the Klias region. From Kota Kinabalu, there are two ferry departures to Labuan daily. The journey takes 3 hrs and costs around US$25 for a return trip.  

Ferries to TAR leave from the newly upgraded Kota Kinabalu City Ferry Terminal near the Sabah Ports Authority and the Marine Police Jetty - Jesselton Point. There is no schedule and you can hop on and off anytime you like. Fares ranges from US$5.00 to US$20.00 per person and you can bargain. At the City Ferry Terminal you have to pay a port tax. Ferry operators will be happy to assist you, but please ensure that you only board licensed boats with proper insurance, and make sure you wear a life vest as it is required by the Marine Department (licensed boat operators have life vests and will require that you wear them). The exact location of the ferry terminal is B1 on the KK City Map.

MARINAS

For seafarers and sailors, there are marinas available around Sabah. The most prestigious is the Sutera Harbour Marina, located in the Sutera Harbour Resort complex in the south of the city. Other places to berth at Kota Kinabalu include the Tanjung Aru Marina, located at the Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort, and the Kota Kinabalu Yacht Club. Many sailors just berth in front of the city near the Waterfront Esplanade. 

More marinas around Sabah: Sandakan: Sandakan Yacht Club; Tawau: Tawau Yacht Club; Kudat: Kudat Marina & Golf Club. Labuan Island has another world class marina at the Labuan Waterfront Hotel. For major repairs, three boat yards are available in Kuala Penyu, Labuan and Kudat. 

AIR

Most major towns in Sabah have airports for domestic travel. Heli-charter is available from Sabah Air in Kota Kinabalu to some destinations on the islands, and also to Kundasang at the foot of Mt Kinabalu. Helicopter sightseeing is getting more popular, and are reasonably priced. The Layang-Layang Island is only accessible by air. Planes to this haven for divers depart from the Old Airport Terminal, much like the direct flights to Mulu National Park in Sarawak. Please refer to the Kota Kinabalu city map for exact location of the old airport.