Getting Around Borneo: A Guide To Sabah Travel From Buses To Flights
The island of Borneo is made up of three countries: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia making it a great place to visit for a variety of cultures. You can easily get international flights between each country if you wish to explore the island further. This blog focuses on the Malaysian section of Borneo, in particular Sabah. Sabah is one of the most popular tourist areas to visit and therefore this blog shares information on transport and travel around Sabah.
From Borneo buses, flights and boats we share how to get around Sabah, plus we touch on how to internationally move around the island of Borneo.
Popular modes of transport in Sabah include internal flights, buses, taxis and grabs. Unlike other Asian countries Tuk Tuks and trikes are not as popular.
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How To Travel Around Borneo
Borneo Buses
The most budget friendly way to travel around the country is to use the public buses. We took a bus across Sabah from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and it was easy, cheap and overall a positive travel day. Buses that take long journeys often make stops for food and most have air conditioning.
Around the city of Kota Kinabalu you can also find an inter-city bus service, plus there is an airport shuttle between the city centre and the airport that only cost RM5.
There are also other bus services around Sabah, but they can be difficult to work out for tourists so befriend a local and ask for help or opt for a shared van or private car. We know between Sandakan and Sepilok there is a reliable shuttle bus that tourists regularly use alongside locals.
Private Car, Grab and Taxis
Perhaps the easiest mode of transport is a private car, but of course this comes at a cost. For short journeys we recommend downloading the Grab app, this allows you to book journeys from your phone and pay a fixed price.
Hire a car
If you want some more freedom then hiring a car is a good option for you. You can then drive yourself in your own time to the highlights Sabah has to offer. If we do Sabah again we will definitely be hiring a car as lots of attractions are spread out across the state.
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Scooter
To get around cities and towns you can hire a scooter to explore parts that are perhaps hard to get to via public transport. Make sure you have the right license before hiring a scooter, we always recommend carrying an international drivers permit just in case!
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Internal Flights
There are few internal flights you can make in Sabah. A popular internal flight is between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, especially for people who want to visit Sepilok where you can find the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre. The flight is relatively cheap and easy, however if you’re on a budget the bus is a better option. Common airlines are AirAsia, Malaysian Airlines and Firefly.
We use WayAway to check for the cheapest flights!
Travelling To Other Countries In Borneo
International Flights
As the island of Borneo is made up of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia you may need to get an international flight. These are often not too expensive and a great way to travel between countries in Borneo.
Crossing Land Borders
If you’re travelling overland you may need to cross a border on the island of Borneo. There are two main border crossings between Indonesia and Malaysia, you need to check if you can get a visa on arrival with your nationality, if you can then the crossing should be relatively easy.
You can also enter Brunei either by land or by ferry.
Getting Around Borneo FAQ
Transport Costs In Boreno
Is It Easy To Get Around Borneo?
It really depends where you’re heading. Popular tourist routes such as KK to Sandakan and Sandakan to Sepilok are easy to navigate and simple to find information online. Off the beaten track routes may be hard to find information on and therefore asking locals will be your best bet.
Does Grab Work In Borneo?
Yes, Grab works in Borneo’s main hubs such as KK, Sandakan and Sepilok.
What Are Borneo Buses Like?
Of course you can get lucky or unlucky with buses. We got very lucky on our 8 hour trip between KK and Sepilok. We had a toilet, aircon and comfortable seats. Interestingly, the whole way we had music playing out the speakers, on the way back the bus was quieter but still busy. The buses make stops on long journeys, allowing you to grab some food and use the toilet.
Essential Travel Items You Need For Borneo
 | Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes.
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 | Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind, plus you’re helping the environment! |
 | Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
 | Binoculars To Spot The Wonderful Wildlife You're most likely heading to Borneo for the wildlife. Don't miss out on seeing these amazing animals up close and pack a good pair of binoculars! |
Top Tips For Travelling Borneo
If you’re visiting Borneo, here's our top tips:
Try Nasi Lemak - The national dish of Malaysia, Nasi Lemak is fresh grated coconut and steamed rice served on banana leaves.
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… Also don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags.
Don't skip the Kinabatangan River - It may be pricey but this is where you're going to see most of Borneo's wildlife, including wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants.
Dress for the jungle - Pack long sleeve, lightweight materials that cover you from mosquitos but will also keep you cool. Don't forget your Raincoat as tropical downpours are frequent.
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
These are some of the travel tools we love and use daily, by booking through our links you support our blog and help us grow, thank you.
Thank you for reading and enjoy your Borneo adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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