How to Get to Kota Kinabalu from Brunei (with Sample DIY Itinerary and Costs)

How to Get from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu in 1 Day?

Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia and Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei are two of the major cities found in the island of Borneo. Traveling from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu in Northern Borneo is pretty easy and convenient. You can either take a direct bus, ride the ferry, or take a plane. Here's the step-by-step procedures on how to get to Kota Kinabalu from Brunei Darrusalam.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG 2021? Brunei to Kota Kinabalu by Bus Brunei to Kota Kinabalu by Ferry Brunei to Kota Kinabalu by Plane DIY Itinerary: Brunei to Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by Bus Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by Ferry Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by Plane

OPTION 1: Brunei to Kota Kinabalu by Bus

This could be the easiest and least complicated option. All you need to do is to purchase a bus ticket and go to the bus station at the your scheduled trip. Bus departing from Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam is the Sipitang Express, which is the only bus that travels from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu. It leaves at around 8:00 AM and arrives at around 4:00 - 06:00 PM at Terminal Mahkamah (just across the city park and the city hall) in Kota Kinabalu. Travel time around 8-10 hours and fare is around USD $27.53. You can book it online via EasyBook.com.

TRAVEL TIP: If you're someone who loves collecting passport stamps, this option is good for you. Going to Kota Kinabalu by bus would mean getting your passport stamped 8 times. Yes, 8 passport stamps in one day! Because traveling by land, you'll exit Brunei and enter Malaysia. Then exit Malaysia and enter Brunei again. Then you'll exit Brunei and enter Malaysia again, until you reach Kota Kinabalu.

SEE ALSO: Top Things to Do in Brunei Darussalam

Serasa Ferry Terminal in Brunei

OPTION 2: Brunei to Kota Kinabalu by Ferry

To get to Kota Kinabalu from Brunei, you'll just need to take 2 ferries. Here are the steps:

1. Make your way to the Port City of Serasa where Serasa Ferry Terminal is located. You have several options to get to Serasa.

• Take a bus bound for Serasa from the bus terminal in Bandar Seri Begawan. The bus leaves at around 6:30 AM, so be early at the bus terminal. Fare is $2 BND and travel time is around 45 minutes to one hour.
• You can also take a taxi from Bandar Seri Begawan to Serasa Ferry Terminal. This is quite expensive.
• Your last option is to rent a car that will fetch you from your hotel to Serasa Ferry Terminal. Cost is $25-30 BND good for 4-7 persons. This is recommended if you're traveling in a group because you can divide the cost. This is also good if you have luggage with you or if you're traveling with kids or senior citizens. Travel time takes about just 30 minutes. You cam contact Thomas at +673-8772796 if you need a car rental service to/from Serasa Ferry Terminal.

Serasa in Brunei to Labuan Malaysia

2. At Serasa Ferry Terminal, go to the ticketing counter and buy ferry tickets going to Labuan (Federal State of Malaysia). I suggest that you should be at the ferry terminal as early as possible because the tickets get sold very quickly especially during weekends or holidays. There are several trips per day. The first trip leaves at 8:30 AM and ferry ticket is $15 BND plus $2 BND tax for adults.

TICKET PRICES (BRUNEI TO LABUAN):

• Infant (below 2 years old)
• $2 BND (Tax Only) = $2 BND (78 PHP / 1.46 USD)
• Child (2-11 years old)
• $10 BND + $2 BND (Tax) = $12 BND (390 PHP / 7.28 USD)
• Adult (12 years old and above)
• $15 BND + $2 BND (Tax) = $17 BND (663 PHP / 12.37 USD)

Exchange rates are 1 BND = 39.00 PHP = 0.73 USD

For inquiries and reservations: WhatsApp/SMS/Call +673-8873544

Inside the ferry Suria Express

Boarding time is at 8:00 AM. After going through immigration, proceed to the ferry and choose your seat. It's a free seating and no seat assignment. At 8:30 AM, the boat will depart for Labuan. Travel time from Serasa (Brunei) to Labuan (Malaysia) is around 1.5 hours depending on sea condition.

FERRY SCHEDULES

• Suria Express - 08:30 AM
• Shuttle Hope - 09:30 AM
• Goodwill Star - 12:30 PM
• Express Kinabalu* - 01:00 PM
• Seri Labuan 3* - 01:00 PM
• Ming Hai* - 01:00 PM
• Express Kinabalu - 04:40 PM
• Seri Labuan 3 - 04:40 PM
• Ming Hai - 04:40 PM

* standby boats

3. Upon arrival in Labuan, go through immigration and exit the ferry terminal. Here, you'll have some free time because the ferry to Kota Kinabalu only leaves at around 1:00 PM.

4. After exiting the Labuan Ferry Terminal, buy first your ferry tickets to Kota Kinabalu. You can change your money to Malaysian Ringgit at nearby money changers, or withdraw money from the ATMs.

TICKET PRICES (LABUAN TO KOTA KINABALU):

• Business Class Adult - 44.00 MYR (586 PHP / 11.00 USD)
• Business Class Children - 31.00 MYR (412 PHP / 7.75 USD)
• Economy Class Adult - 39.00 MYR (519 PHP / 9.75 USD)
• Economy Class Children - 26.00 MYR (346 PHP / 6.50 USD)

Exchange rates are 1 MYR = 13.32 PHP = 0.25 USD

Labuan Ferry Terminal Malaysia

5. While waiting for the ferry to leave, you can shop at the duty free shops, buy SIM card, eat lunch, or roam around. There are many food stalls at the ferry terminal or you may cross the street where you could find some restaurants offering local dishes.

6. At around 12:30 PM, go back to the ferry terminal and start boarding the ferry. The ferry from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu leaves at 1:00 PM and travel time is about 3 to 3.5 hours. You'll arrive in Kota Kinabalu at around 4:00 - 4:30 PM. This is the final stretch in your journey to Kota Kinabalu.

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN KOTA KINABALU ]

Labuan to Kota Kinabalu Malaysia

OPTION 3: Brunei to Kota Kinabalu by Plane

You can take a direct flight from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu via Malaysia Airlines or Royal Brunei Airlines. Flight time is 40 minutes. Here's a sample search on my Traveloka App for a Bandar Seri Begawan to Kota Kinabalu flight.

Welcome to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia!

Sample Brunei to Kota Kinabalu DIY Itinerary

06:00 AM - Go to the bus terminal in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
06:30 AM - Bus departs for Serasa Ferry Terminal
07:30 AM - 07:45 AM - Arrival at Serasa Ferry Terminal, buy ferry ticket to Labuan
08:00 AM - Boarding time
08:30 AM - Depart for Labuan (Malaysia)
10:00 AM - Arrival at Labuan Ferry Terminal, buy tickets to Kota Kinabalu
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Free time: have lunch, shop, change money, buy sim card
12:30 PM - Boarding time
01:00 PM - Depart for Kota Kinabalu
04:00 PM - 04:30 PM - Arrival in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN KOTA KINABALU ]

This is the Brunei to Labuan Ferry

How to Get from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei?

OPTION 1: By Bus

Same as the above, just book a bus ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei. Just take note that bus from Kota Kinabalu leaves at 08:00 AM and there's only one bus per day that goes to Brunei.

OPTION 2: By Ferry

Same with the above, just reverse the steps.

• From Kota Kinabalu, take the ferry to Labuan at Jesselton Ferry Terminal. Ferry schedules are at 08:00 AM and 01:30 PM.
• Upon arrival in Labuan, take a ferry to Serasa Ferry Terminal in Brunei. Ferry schedules from Labuan to Serasa are at 10:30 AM, 01:30 PM and 04:00 PM.
• From Serasa Ferry Terminal, take a bus to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Alternatively, you could also take a taxi to Muara bus terminal and then take the bus to Bandar Seri Begawan.

OPTION 3: By Plane

Take a 40-minute direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam. Flights are offered by Royal Brunei Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. Here's a sample search for a Kota Kinabalu to Brunei flight using the Traveloka App.

Enjoy, have fun and safe travels!

ALSO READ: Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide with a ₱5,000 DIY Itinerary and Budget