4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest coaches from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
Cheapest price on 06 Sept
£12
Average ticket price on 06 Sept
£12
Fastest journey on 06 Sept
5 h 30 m
Average journey duration on 06 Sept
5 h 30 m
Buses on 06 Sept
1
Distance
222 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan will cost around £12 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £12.
On Sun 06 Sept, we found 1 buses from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 222 km distance in an average of 5 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 30 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
Economy(2+2)20:005h30Kota Kinabalu1:30Sandakan£121One-way0 changes
- Economy(2+2)20:005h30Kota Kinabalu1:30Sandakan£121One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and flight for Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £11 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 2h 46m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £11, while a flight costs an average of £30.
Distance: 222 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£11 Average Price Cheapest | £30 Average Price | £12 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 1m Average total duration 6h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 46m Average total duration Fastest 46m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan:
A coach is £19 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan costing on average £30.
Other travel options to Sandakan take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 31m.
You'll arrive about 5m sooner (6h 31m by bus vs 6h 36m by car) and save roughly £1 compared to fuel and tolls (£11 vs £12). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Sida Express, Sri Mutiara Luxury Express.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Live departures
Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan bus times
The table below shows live departures for Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan coaches for today, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 Kota Kinabalu | 5h30 | 17:30 Sandakan | 0 changesdirect | |
 | 23:30 Kota Kinabalu | 5h45 | 5:15 Sandakan | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan by coach or flight
Compare coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
06 Sept
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Why should you book Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs TungMa Nai Luk?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for TungMa Nai Luk, but also compare tickets for the likes of Sida Express, Amin Jaya or Sri Mutiara Luxury Express to find the best option for your trip from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare TungMa Nai Luk with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
Why book with Omio over Checkmybus or Busbud?
- Official reseller: TungMa Nai Luk tickets can only be bought on Omio or TungMa Nai Luk's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for TungMa Nai Luk tickets. Checkmybus or Busbud do not sell TungMa Nai Luk tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
MalaysiaMalaysia
Buses from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan run on average 5 times per day, taking around 6h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £9 if you book in advance.
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:01, the last at 20:00. The fastest coach covers the 222 km distance in 5h 30m.
Distance 222 km |
Average bus duration 6h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £9 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 5h 30m |
First bus 0:01 |
Last bus 20:00 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Bus providers: TungMa Nai Luk, Sida Express, Amin Jaya, Sri Mutiara Luxury Express from Kota Kinabalu to SandakanYou can travel by bus between Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan with TungMa Nai Luk, Sida Express, Amin Jaya, Sri Mutiara Luxury Express for as low as £9. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Sida Express
Amin Jaya
Sri Mutiara Luxury Express
TungMa Nai Luk
Why book with Omio
Omio simplifies your travel planning across Southeast Asia by bringing together over 1,000 trusted travel companies on one comprehensive platform. Whether you're booking local trains, long-distance buses, or ferry tickets, Omio lets you compare options, prices, and schedules instantly to find the perfect journey for your needs. With convenient mobile tickets delivered straight to your phone and real-time travel updates keeping you informed every step of the way, you can travel with confidence knowing that dedicated customer support is always available when you need it. From discovering trending destinations to seamlessly connecting different modes of transport, Omio transforms complex multi-leg journeys into simple, stress-free bookings that let you focus on exploring incredible destinations in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Pros and cons of taking bus from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
Pros: The bus journey from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan offers excellent value at approximately RM40-50 per ticket for the 5-6 hour journey. Most operators provide generous luggage allowances without additional fees. Buses typically feature air conditioning, reclining seats, and some even offer Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. Services run from early morning (around 7:30 AM) until late afternoon (4:00 PM), with terminals conveniently located in both city centers.
Cons: The mountainous route can extend journey times, particularly during adverse weather conditions. Delays are common during peak holiday periods and weekends. Service quality varies significantly between operators, with some buses having dated interiors and limited legroom. The infrequent departures (typically 3-4 daily) require advance booking, especially during high season, and the lack of evening departures limits flexibility for travelers.
Things to do in Sandakan
Sandakan offers visitors a diverse range of attractions centered around its rich wildlife and cultural heritage. Travelers can observe orangutans at the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre or visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre nearby. Nature enthusiasts should explore the Kinabatangan River for wildlife cruises showcasing proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and exotic birds. The city's historical significance is preserved at the Sandakan Memorial Park, commemorating WWII prisoners of war. Culinary adventurers can sample fresh seafood at the waterfront or experience local flavors at the central market. Agnes Keith House provides insight into colonial history, while the vibrant Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple offers panoramic views of Sandakan Bay.
FAQs: Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Sandakan, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- Amin Jaya
- Cancellation policies vary by ticket type and time before departure.
- Sri Mutiara Luxury Express
- Cancellation policies vary
- please refer to your ticket terms and conditions.
- TungMa Nai Luk
- Luggage included in fare
- specific size/type not provided.
- Amin Jaya
- One piece of standard luggage is included.
- Sri Mutiara Luxury Express
- One standard piece of luggage is included per passenger.
- Amin Jaya
- Additional luggage may be allowed for an extra fee.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan
Most Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan buses use the Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) to Sandakan station pair. Use this guide to compare Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Which Kota Kinabalu station do buses to Sandakan leave from?
Getting to Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) from Kota Kinabalu city centre
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) is 4 km from Kota Kinabalu city centre. Public transport options include:
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) bus station facilities and services
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Food stalls and small restaurants available within terminal
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi available. ATMs are aTM machines available in terminal.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Wheelchair accessible.
Which Sandakan station do buses from Kota Kinabalu arrive at?
Getting to Sandakan from Sandakan city centre
Sandakan is 2 km from Sandakan city centre. Public transport options include:
Sandakan bus station facilities and services
Sandakan has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Local food stalls and small restaurants nearby
Wi-Fi and ATMs
ATMs are aTM machines available inside terminal.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Sandakan.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Sandakan: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Sandakan: Wheelchair accessible.
More options for your journey from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu
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