How to Get to Kinabatangan River from Kota Kinabalu (Budget Route & Cheapest Transfer Guide)

The Budget Traveler's Kinabatangan Dilemma

You've made it to KK, but the Kinabatangan River, home to Borneo's famous wildlife (the thing you came to Sabah for), is on the opposite side of the region. The biggest choice here is time vs. money. The fastest way can be expensive, but it will save you a lot of time. The cheapest way is a little more complicated and requires more patience. But what is the best option?

Option 1: The Fastest (and Priciest) Route - Flying

The fastest way to cover the 300km is to fly from Kota Kinabalu (BKI) to Sandakan (SDK). The flight takes under an hour.

• Flights can start from RM 100 - RM 330 (approx. 18 EUR - 59 EUR), but can also be significantly higher.

This saves time but immediately eats a large chunk of your budget. From Sandakan, you still need to book a lodge transfer to the river.

Option 2: The Cheapest (and Longest) Route - The Public Bus

KK to Sukau Junction

You must go to the Kota Kinabalu North Bus Terminal (Inanam) - you will need a cheap Grab/taxi to get here from your hostel.

Catch the bus heading towards Sandakan or Semporna. Tell the vendor/driver you want to get off at Sukau Junction (the turn-off for the river lodges).

• The bus journey takes approximately 6 - 7 hours. Tickets start from RM 56 (approx. 10 EUR).

Sukau Junction to Your Lodge

There is no public bus from Sukau Junction down the local road to the river lodges (Sukau/Bilit villages). So, you must arrange a local transfer. 

Call your lodge/guesthouse ahead of time and book their transfer from Sukau Junction, as it will be much cheaper than a full transfer from Sandakan.

The Local Legend: You may get lucky and find a local van waiting, or you can try contacting a local driver legendary among backpackers, like Mr. Choy (who runs affordable shared transfers). We didn't get to meet the legend in person, but you will see this mysterious man's name plastered all over the internet.

(Note: Mr. Choy's service usually runs from Sandakan, but he is a great local resource to try contacting.)

The Recommended Route: Shared Minivan Transfer

The perfect compromise between time and money is a direct shared minivan/shuttle service from KK or Sandakan.

Many local operators run shuttles from KK to Sandakan/Sepilok that stop near the river. While slightly more expensive than the public bus, this is the easiest and least stressful option for a long journey.

Transfers from Sandakan start from around RM 85 (approx. 15 EUR) per person. Since KK is much farther, expect a higher price, but less hassle.

The River Safari

We had the greatest time staying in the Bornean rainforest and were lucky enough to see all of Borneo's Big 5 on our river safari (Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Pygmy Elephant, Rhinoceros Hornbill, and Estuarine Crocodile). In fact, on one day, our return home from the boat trip was actually delayed because a herd of Pygmy Elephants had started wandering around our campsite. 

I genuinely think that this is one of the coolest places that I have ever visited, and I look forward to returning to the wonderful Sabah. Make sure that any accommodation you book comes with the river safari- it's an absolute must-do.