Kinabatangan River Direction Route

How to Reach Sandakan,

Several companies run passenger ferries between Sandakan and Zamboanga (18 hours), in the Philippines; it’s a popular route with immigrant Filipinos returning to visit their families. Velvet Success (212872) runs weekly fast ferries (economy/1st class RM250/265) via Bongao and Jolo, while Timarine (224009) has evening boats (tickets RM250 to RM360) twice a week. Tickets can be bought from the Karamunting jetty, about 4km west of town, where you also clear immigration when boarding. To get to the jetty, take a Pasir Putih bus (RM1).

Sandakan by Road:

The long-distance bus station is inconveniently located in a large parking lot at Batu 2½, 4km north of town. Air-con express buses to KK, Semporna and Tawau wait here. Most buses, and all minivans, leave in the morning. To get to the bus station, catch a local bus (70 sen) from the stand at the waterfront. A taxi from the station to town is RM5. Bus companies have booths at the station, with eager touts trying to drag potential customers to the ‘right’ bus. Don’t bother coming all the way out here just to check timetables – the tourist office and hotels can generally fill you in. Most express buses to KK (RM34, six hours) leave between 6.30am and 2pm, with a couple of evening services. All pass the turn-off to Kinabalu National Park headquarters (RM25). Buses depart regularly for Lahad Datu (RM20, 2½ hours) and Tawau (RM30, 5½ hours). There’s also a bus to Semporna (RM30, 5½ hours) at 8am. If you miss it, head to Lahad Datu, from where there are frequent minivans to Semporna. Minibuses to Ranau cost RM24 and the journey takes about four hours. Minivans depart frequently throughout the morning from the bus station for Lahad Datu, some going on to Tawau. There are also minibuses for Sukau (RM15) that leave from the local bus station in town.

Sandakan by Air:

Malaysia Airlines (273966; Wisma Sabah, Jln Haji Saman) currently has regular flights to KK and KL. Air Asia (222737; Lebuh Dua) has two daily direct flights to KL and three weekly to Johor Bahru, with promotional fares starting at RM170. FAX runs rural air services to KK, Kudat, Tawau and Tomanggong, near the Tabin Wildlife Reserve.