What is the best way to go to Sabah from Labuan Island?

Hi dear Stemians !!!

Good day,

Talking about going to Sabah, Malaysia especially to Kota Kinabalu (KK) from the small island of Labuan F.T., there are actually 4 ways which are:

By Airplane through Labuan Airport.

Labuan Airport
By Ferry Express through Labuan International Ferry Terminal.

Labuan International Ferry Terminal
By Roro Ferry through Terminal Feri Kenderaan or Vehicle Ferry Terminal.

Vehicle Ferry Terminal
By Speedboat also through Labuan International Ferry Terminal.

Labuan International Ferry Terminal

Then, which one is the best way? Let’s go through one by one:

1. By Airplane.
- Fare for round-trip per person is around RM 220.00 to RM 250.00 depending on early or late booking.
- Travelling time is just approximately 30 mins for Lbu/Bki.
- You need to take taxi, grab or uber from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to go to Hotel.
- If you plan to just stay at the KK City, then it is just a walking distance but, if you need to go other places like 1Borneo Mall, Salut Seafood Restaurant or Gayang Seafood Restaurant then it is advisable to rent a car which cost around RM 80.00 to RM 120.00 per day.
2. By Ferry Express.
- Ferry Express is a passenger ferry direct from Labuan F.T. to KK. Embarking from Labuan International Ferry Terminal and arriving at Jesselton Point, KK.
- Fare for round-trip is RM 56.00 for economic class and RM 70.00 for 1st class per person.
- Travelling time is actually 4 hours.
- Advisable to who are seasick, better NOT to use ferry express or you will be vomit all the way inside the ferry.
- You need to take taxi, grab or uber from Jesselton Point to go to Hotel.
- If you plan to just stay at the KK City, then it is just a walking distance but, if you need to go other places like 1Borneo Mall, Salut Seafood Restaurant or Gayang Seafood Restaurant then it is advisable to rent a car which cost around RM 80.00 to RM 120.00 per day.
3. By Roro Ferry.
- Roro ferry is a vehicle ferry and also passenger. The normal size ferry can carry approximately 60 units of car and 200 passengers.
- Fare for round-trip is RM 80.00 per car.
- Fare for round-trip is RM 5.00 per person.
- Sabah Landing Fee (from Menumbok to Labuan) is RM 14.00 per car and RM 1.50 per person.
- Travelling time is 1 hour and 30 mins from Labuan to Menumbok, Sabah. Then from Menumbok to KK will take approximately 2 hour and 30 mins.
4. By Speedboat.
- Speedboat of 12 passenger direct from Labuan to Menumbok, Sabah.
- Fare for round-trip is RM 15.00 per person.
- Travelling time is 30 mins.
- Then by bus from Menumbok to KK, fare for round-trip is RM 18.00 per person.
- Travelling time is 2 hours and 30 mins.
- You need to take taxi, grab or uber from Bus Terminal to go to Hotel.
- If you plan to just stay at the KK City, then it is just a walking distance but, if you need to go other places like 1Borneo Mall, Salut Seafood Restaurant or Gayang Seafood Restaurant then it is advisable to rent a car which cost around RM 80.00 to RM 120.00 per day.

Based from my experienced, the best and most economical way to go KK is by Roro Ferry.

Why?

The car fare is not that expensive and you will drive your own car.
The passenger fare is also cheap, can accommodate 5 persons in one car.
You can go anyway in Sabah as long as the place have road.
Have many nice places in KK but located at different location and it is easy to go there if you drive your on car.
Travelling time of 1 hour and 30 mins inside the roro ferry is not boring, many nice view.

Pictures before embarking from Labuan F.T. if you use Roro Ferry:

Customs Checking