Getting Here and Around

Air Transit

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is the second busiest airport in Malaysia with 98% of visitor arrivals into Sabah is by air. As the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu (KK) is the main entry point to Sabah, and several budget airlines have selected KK as one of their destinations. Most of the major towns in Sabah (Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau) have airports for domestic flights.

Infographic image taken from http://be.sabahtourism.com

North Bus Terminal Inanam

The main station for long-distance bus (a.k.a. Express Bus), located in Inanam (10 KM away from KK) and operates between 6:30am to 8:30pm. These air-conditioned big buses can bring you to key cities on the East Coast such as Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna and Lahad Datu daily.

Padang Merdeka (Merdeka Square)

Located in KK city centre, take buses to most city/towns on the West Coast and Interior of Sabah. e.g. Keningau, Tenom, Kudat, Kota Belud, Ranau. There is a long-distance taxi station located next to the terminal.

Wawasan Bus Terminal
(Temporarily in-front of Marina Court Apartment)

For all outstation mini busses from Papar, Kinarut, Penampang, etc.

City Bus Service

Located in front of Hotel Shangrila, the buses commute within Kota Kinabalu city center and nearby town like Tuaran, Likas, Sepanggar, Inanam and etc.

City Park Bus Terminal

Located opposite of KK High Court building, this bus terminal offers transport to Southern Sabah (Sipitang), Sarawak (Lawas) and Brunei. Please bring your passport if you plan to travel across the border.

If you want to reach a destination fast or move between a few remote places of interest in the shortest time, hiring a taxi will be your best option. You can always find taxi stand next to major hotels, shopping malls and bus terminals. To identify a taxi, keep a lookout for the word “Teksi”, “Teksi Bermeter” or “Kereta Sewa”. Hotels could also arrange taxis for their guests upon request.

Taxi services are available at Sabah airports. Upon arrival, purchase a taxi coupon at the booking counter at the airport and proceed to the taxi rank to be taken to your desired location.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: Taxi, waiting next to Centre Point Mall for passengers (photo taken in Lorong Center Point) ~ Source: wikimedia.org

The larger boats and ferries opposite side of Jesselton Point. ~ Source: visitmalaysia.info

Kota Kinabalu (KK)

Jesselton Point is the most popular boat terminal for tourists who are planning to visit islands (Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Gaya) off KK. Adjacent to Suria Sabah shopping mall and next to Royal Customs Department in Kota Kinabalu city, Jesselton Point opens from 6am to 4pm. You would be able to arrange for island-hopping trips as well. There are other ports operated by hotels such as Sutera Harbour of Pacific Sutera Hotel and Star Marina of Shangri La Tanjung Aru Resort.