Kota Kinabalu - getting there

By Air

- Malaysia Airlines

For online booking and payment ,log into www.malaysia-airlines.com . Malaysia Airline flights leave from KLIA (KL International Airport ) where the Klexpress train feeds into from KLSentral station and takes only 38mins travel time. Malaysia Airlines also flies direct to Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan flies from Kuala Lumpur . There are direct flights as well as transit flights via Bangkok , Brunei , Hong Kong , Taipeh, Kaoshiung, Manila , Cebu , Seoul , Singapore and Tokyo

Other cities that Malaysia Airlines connect Sabah with :

  • Brunei ,
  • Guangzhou & Shanghai - Mainland China
  • Hong Kong - Greater China
  • Taipei , Kaoshiung - Taiwan Region, Greater China
  • Tokyo & Osaka - Japan
  • Cebu & Manila - Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Seoul - South Korea
  • Flies from Australia via Kuala Lumpur

- Air Asia (no frills airline..like Ryan Air).

For online booking and payment ,log into www.airasia.com . Airasia flights leave from LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) about 15mins drive away from KLIA . passengers can take the klexpress train to KLIA and take a shuttle transfer to LCCT OR passengers can take a shuttle bus, called http://www.skybus.com.my/ from KLSentral station (basement level) which takes 1hr15min travel time straight to LCCT for only RM9 per person per way. Flies directly to Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan

Other cities outside of Malaysia which Air Asia flies from:

•  Clark Airport (just outside Manila ), Philippines

•  Bangkok , Thailand

 

- Asiana

flies from Seoul - South Korea

For flight schedule,log into http://us.flyasiana.com/

 

- Dragonair

flies from Hong Kong

For flight schedule,log into http://www.dragonair.com/

 

- Silk Air

flies from Singapore

For flight schedule,log into http://www.silkair.com/

Those flying in from singapore may want to have a look at a possible cheaper alternative. You can travel from Singapore to Senai airport in Johor Baru, across the causeway into Malaysia. From here take the Air Asia to KK. But as Air Asia is a budget airlines

- Royal Brunei Airline

flies from Brunei and from Australia via Brunei

For flight schedule,log into http://www.bruneiair.com/

 

From within Sabah

- Mas Wings flies routes within Sabah and also from Sabah to Sarawak like to Bintulu , Sibu, Limbang and Mulu National Park .

- Mas Wings connects Sabah and Sarawak with flights from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu

- Sabah Air provides air services for private charters including Oil Support Service, Aerial Survey and Photography Filming, Search & Rescue Missions (SAR), Executive Charter, Flying Doctor Service (FDS)

By Rail

- Down South to Tenom

Take the train from Tanjung Aru Train Station to Tenom, travel time is about 4-5hours and train charges are RM 7.50 for adults ( 13 years and above ) and RM 3.75 for children ( 3-13 years ) - economy fare.

If you are rushing, take the earliest Railcar service From Beaufort at 6.30 am and reach Tenom by 8.30 am (only if you are already based in Beaufort the night before or leaving to Beaufort early in the morning). The Railcar fare is RM8.05 one way. The railcar through the Padas River gorge to Tenom is particularly interesting.

http://www.sabah.gov.my/railway/

- North Borneo Railway

An old steam train leaving and carrying mostly tourists from Tanjung Aru Train Station to Beaufort and Papar before turning round and back to Tanjung Aru again.

http://www.northborneorailway.com.my

By Car/Taxi/Vans

- Down South to Tenom

Hired taxi or bus is available at the Bus Terminal near the Padang Merdeka in the city. The taxis or buses depart daily from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom between 6.00 am to 5.00 pm but if you're taking a van bus, you may have to wait until the van is full before leaving.

Transportation Type

Fare

Taxi

RM25.00 per person (4 person),
charter will be a different price - do negotiate with the driver

Van

RM 20.00 per person

Bus (Nui Luk Bus)

RM 16.00 per person

 

- To Kudat and up north

The Kota Kinabalu Bus Terminal is located 10KM from the city centre and leaves for towns in the north and north east of Sabah. For those taking the 4WD or van taxis, then they will be stationed at the Padang Merdeka taxi stands. If you intend to take a 4WD taxi to the Rungus longhouse in Kudat area..it costs about RM25 per person and leaves at about 7am but will wait till the taxi fills up before leaving

- To Kinabalu Park and towards the Eastern side ie Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu

The Kota Kinabalu Bus Terminal is located 10KM from the city centre and leaves for towns in the north and north east of Sabah. Local buses run once a day to Ranau from the bus terminal and can drop passengers off at Kinabalu park, enroute to Ranau . The buses leave KK at around 7.00am reaching the Kinabalu park HQ at about 10.00am. It cost about RM15 to RM20 per person

For other buses to Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu - it's possibly the same bus as the one dropping passengers off at the kinabalu park. It will be the same road to the east. But if you're not good with travelling long distances , take some motion sickness tablets with you. it's a winding road up the mountain ridges.

 

Accommodation & Packages for Kota Kinabalu & Tanjung Aru and beaches on the outskirts

Budget stay ~ Akinabalu Youth Hostel | Borneo Adventure Centre & Lodge | Borneo Backpackers | Borneo Global Backpackers | Buddy Backpackers Home | Lucy's Homestay | Lyn's Lodge Bed and Breakfast | North Borneo Cabin | Planet Kinabalu | Trekker's Lodge | Xplorer's Backpackers | Motels ~ D'Borneo Hotel | First Century Hotel | 3 star ~ Kinabalu Daya Hotel | Hotel Shangri-La | Tang Dynasty | 4 star ~ Beverly Hotel | Jesselton Hotel | Promenade Hotel | 5 star ~ LeMeridien Hotel | Hyatt Regency | Tanjung Aru ~ Shangri La's Tanjung Aru Resort | Apartments ~ Promenade Apartments | Marina Court Resort Condominium | Colonnades Condominium | Beach Resort ~ Beringgis Beach Resort | Sutera Harbour Resort - Magellan Sutera | Sutera Harbour Resort - Pacific Sutera | Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort | Nexus Karambunai Resort | Tuaran Beach Resort |

Kota Kinabalu & Outskirts Day Trips ~ | Kota Kinabalu City Tour | Kota Kinabalu Sunset Tour | Kota Kinabalu Cultural Show | TAR Park Island with BBQ Lunch | Tropical Island Explorer | The North Borneo Railway | Sabah Museum Ethnobotanic Garden | Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary |Kinabalu Park & Poring Hotsprings | Rafflesia Forest Reserve | Rungus Longhouse Tour/Bavanggazo| White Water Rafting Day Trips |

 

 

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Peninsula Malaysia Cities and Towns

Alor Setar | Chukai | Dungun | Ipoh | Kuala Kangsar | Kemaman | Kijal | Klang | Kota Bahru | Kuala Lipis | Kuala Lumpur | Kuala Pilah | Kuala Selangor | Kuala Terengganu | Lumut | Lukut | Melaka | Mersing | Paka | Seremban | Taiping |

Sabah and Sarawak Towns & Cities

Sarawak ~ Kuching |

Sabah ~ Sandakan | Kota Kinabalu | Tawau |