How to Get From Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan (or Sepilok): My Travel Guide 2025

Last Updated on June 21, 2025 by Oliver

Getting from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan is one of those classic Borneo travel routes most people end up doing at some point, especially if you’re here for the orangutans. I did the same. I flew into Kota Kinabalu without realizing I could’ve flown straight into Sandakan (rookie mistake), and then had to make my way across the island.

In this quick little guide, I’ll walk you through the different options you’ve got to get from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan or Sepilok and which one I’d personally go for.

Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan – My Experience

Alright so I pretty much just got back from Borneo as I’m writing this, so this whole journey is still fresh. I did the trip one-way from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan by bus and then flew out of Sandakan at the end of my trip, so I never had to do it the other way around.

We ended up taking the bus, which kind of took all day. It wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but definitely not the best either. It took about 9–10 hours door to door. The bus itself was comfortable enough and super cheap, but the roads were insanely windy, so Carae had to take motion sickness meds before we got on (thank god she did).

We did try to book a flight at first, but we left it too late and the next-day flights were already pricey. If you book early though, you can sometimes get them for as low as $16, which is wild. So yeah, if you want to skip 8+ hours of twisting mountain roads, I’d 100% recommend booking that flight ahead of time.

1. Fly From Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan – This is What I Recommend Doing

Flying from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan is for sure the best option, no doubt. The flight only takes about 45 minutes and can be as cheap as $16 with AirAsia, so it’s barely more expensive than the bus. 

And honestly, the airport was probably even closer to where I stayed (near the waterfront) than the actual bus terminal. So yeah, this is definitely the quickest, easiest, and most comfortable way to get there. Just book it in advance and you’re good to go.

2. Take the Bus From Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan (or Sepilok) – This is What I Did

We took the bus from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and honestly, it was fine. Not amazing, not terrible. We grabbed a cheap taxi from our hotel to Inanam Terminal in KK, then hopped on the coach which took about 8 hours total. It stopped once at a service station halfway for about 30 minutes so we could grab lunch. The bus had AC and decent seats, but the roads were super windy, so not ideal if you’ve got a sensitive stomach.

We booked our tickets through EasyBook.com, which was what the owner of our hostel recommended, and it worked perfectly. It cost us around $10 each, plus the Grab rides to and from the terminals.

It’s a decent and cheap option if you’re avoiding flights for environmental reasons or just can’t get a cheap one last minute.

3. Book a Sightseeing Daytrip

River Junkie is one of the main tour operators in Borneo, and they actually offer a pretty cool option if you don’t want to just sit on a bus for 8 hours. It’s a sightseeing shuttle that goes from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan (or Sepilok), but instead of doing the journey in one go, they break it up with stops at Kinabalu National Park, Poring Hot Springs, and the Sabah Tea Gardens.

So you’re basically still doing the same trip, but with some actual experiences and views along the way. I didn’t personally do this, but I met a few people who did and they loved it, especially since it saves you from wasting a whole day just on the road. Definitely a good option if you’ve got one day to spare and want to get a bit more out of the trip.

👉 Check the River Junkie sightseeing shuttle here

4. Join a Group Tour in Borneo

Ok, so if you’re reading all of this and thinking, “Actually… I don’t want to deal with any of it, booking buses, sorting out domestic flights, figuring out logistics,” then you might want to just go for a full Borneo group tour. 

There are some great companies like G Adventures that take care of everything, your accommodation, transport, activities, the whole thing. They usually offer 8 to 12-day tours that cover the best of Borneo’s wildlife and nature, and it’s a super easy way to just show up and enjoy the trip without stressing.

👉 Book Here: 8-Day Borneo Fully Guided Tour

Where to Stay in Sandakan or Sepilok

Sepilok Nature Lodge in Sepilok

Sepilok Nature Lodge is definitely one of the most beautiful places to stay in the area. It’s a proper jungle-style lodge right by a little lake and just around the corner from the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Sanctuary, which is exactly why I recommend staying here. Sandakan might be more affordable, but there’s really not much to do or see in town. Sepilok Nature Lodge gives you a more full-on wildlife safari feeling and it’s 100% where I’d stay again.

Book Here: Sepilok Nature Lodge

Sabah Hotel in Sandakan

If you do want to stay in Sandakan itself, then Sabah Hotel is probably your best option. It’s a bit more affordable and still a great hotel. The rooms are spacious, there’s a pool, and overall it’s comfortable. But just keep in mind, Sandakan isn’t super touristy, so hotel options are a bit more limited. If you’re here for the wildlife, I’d still say staying near Sepilok is the better call.

Book Here: Sabah Hotel Sandakan

Where to Stay in Kota Kinabalu

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Hyatt Regency is definitely one of the better hotels in Kota Kinabalu. There’s a lot of serviced apartments and hostels around, but if you’re looking for a proper hotel stay then I’d go with the Hyatt. It offers the usual Hyatt standard, spacious, modern, and well-decorated rooms, some with beautiful ocean views. They also have a really nice outdoor swimming pool, which is perfect to relax at after exploring the city.

Book Here: Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Faloe Hostel

Faloe Hostel is honestly one of the best hostels I’ve stayed at in a long time. We booked a double bed in a dorm, but it felt more like a private pod, it was super spacious, with room to keep your stuff, a little shelf, a window, and it actually felt like our own mini room. The location is great too, close to the waterfront, and the staff was super helpful. If you’re on a budget, I’d 100% recommend this place.

Book Here: Faloe Hostel

FAQs About How to Get from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan

Can you go from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan by car?

Yeah, you definitely can drive. I know some people rent a car in Borneo and explore on their own, and that’s totally doable. But honestly, unless you’re really into road tripping, I’d just stick to flying or taking the bus.

How to get from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

It’s the exact same options as going the other way. I’d still recommend flying, just book your ticket early for the best price. If not, buses run regularly between Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu every day, so that’s your backup.

Should I stay in Sepilok or Sandakan?

Sepilok, for sure. Sandakan just doesn’t have much going on. The city isn’t nice, and there’s nothing to really see there. I only went to the area for the attractions in Sepilok, so it made way more sense to stay there directly.

Is Kota Kinabalu worth visiting?

Honestly, no. The city itself doesn’t offer much. The floating mosque is cool and the islands nearby are beautiful, plus Mount Kinabalu is close, but KK as a city? I wouldn’t spend too much time there. It’s more of a base than a destination.

Final Thoughts on Getting Around in Borneo

To be honest, flying is the way to go. Flights can be super cheap if you book early, and at just 45 minutes, it’s a no-brainer compared to sitting on a bus for 8 hours. I always travel with hand luggage only, so I would never worry about extra baggage fees, but even if you pay a little more, I still think it’s worth flying.

That said, I did take the bus, and it wasn’t the worst thing in the world, classic backpacker experience really. So if you’re on a tight budget or just want to save money, it’s doable. But if you’re on holiday and not backpacking then definitely go with the flight.

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