- Must visit
Sabah State Museum
State museum complex covering Sabah history, ethnography, archaeology, and natural history. A strong introduction to the state before wider exploration.
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu will cost around €13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €13.
On Mon, Nov 02, we found 8 buses from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu, including 8 direct services.
On Mon, Nov 02 the direct buses cover the 271 km distance in an average of 8 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 48 m .
On Mon, Nov 02 the slowest buses will take 8 h 48 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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DYANA EXPRESS
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Buses from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu run on average 8 times per day, taking around 8h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €12 if you book in advance.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 07:00, the last at 21:45. The fastest bus covers the 168 miles (271 km) distance in 8h 30m.
Distance 168 miles (271 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price €12 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 8h 30m |
First bus 7:00 AM |
Last bus 9:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 10:18AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Sri Mutiara Express | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 10:18AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €16 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 05:18PM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price €12 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 06:18PM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 06:18PM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Amin Jaya Express | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 06:33PM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 10:18PM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €14 |
Operator Sri Mutiara Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 10:18PM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €12 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 01:18AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 06:18AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 06:18AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Dyana Express | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 06:18AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €14 |
Operator Sri Mutiara Express | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 06:18AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €13 |
Operator Amin Jaya Express | Departure Time 09:45PM | Arrival Time 06:33AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price €13 |
The table below shows live departures for Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu buses for today, Sunday, November 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AMIN JAYA EXPRESS | 9:45 PM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 6:33 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, November 2 | |||||
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 9:30 AM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 6:18 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
SABARIAH EXPRESS | 9:30 AM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 6:18 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
AMIN JAYA EXPRESS | 9:45 AM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 6:33 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
SABARIAH EXPRESS | 4:30 PM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 1:18 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
SABARIAH EXPRESS | 9:30 PM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 6:18 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 9:30 PM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 6:18 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
DYANA EXPRESS | 9:30 PM Lahad Datu | 8h48 | 6:18 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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Discover the best of Kota Kinabalu — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Kota Kinabalu trip today.
State museum complex covering Sabah history, ethnography, archaeology, and natural history. A strong introduction to the state before wider exploration.
Open-air section of the state museum with traditional houses from Sabah communities. It offers cultural context and photogenic architecture in one stop.
Contemporary gallery featuring rotating exhibitions and local artists. A useful stop for visitors interested in Sabah’s current visual arts scene.
Waterfront promenade with sea views, offshore island panoramas, and sunset watching. A classic walking area for an easy introduction to the city.
Elevated lookout above downtown with broad city and bay views. Best visited near sunset for a quick scenic stop and photos.
Popular urban beach and park area for sunsets, walking, and sea breezes. A relaxed local favorite close to the city center.
Sabah’s iconic noodles in springy egg noodles with char siu, roast pork and greens. A local breakfast staple reflecting Chinese-Sabahan food culture.
Beef noodle soup with mixed cuts, brisket and offal in a rich herbal broth. Deeply associated with Kota Kinabalu kopitiam dining.
Fresh raw fish marinated with lime, chili, ginger and shallots. A classic Kadazan-Dusun and coastal Sabah dish prized for its clean, bright flavor.
Refined dining room in Shangri-La Rasa Ria focusing on regional Malaysian tasting menus and Sabah ingredients in an elegant resort setting.
Popular casual seafood restaurant known for fresh live tanks, Sabah-style crab and prawns. Busy, family-friendly setting near the city center.
Well-known local chain for fish noodles and seafood soup. Casual, efficient and ideal for trying a Kota Kinabalu everyday favorite.
Budget-friendly versus many regional cities: low-cost eats, modest hotel rates, and cheap taxis and buses keep daily spend down.
Tipping is not expected. Restaurants may add 6% SST and 10% service charge. Round up or leave RM2-5 for good service; taxi tips are optional.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Kota Kinabalu.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Kota Kinabalu, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu buses use the Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) station pair. Use this guide to compare Lahad Datu and Kota Kinabalu bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Lahad Datu is 7 km from Lahad Datu city centre. Public transport options include:
Lahad Datu has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Local food stalls and small eateries nearby
ATMs are aTM available near terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Lahad Datu.
Available at Lahad Datu: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lahad Datu: Basic ramps available.
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) is 4 km from Kota Kinabalu city centre. Public transport options include:
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Food stalls and small restaurants available within terminal
Free Wi-Fi available. ATMs are aTM machines available in terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam).
Available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Wheelchair accessible.
Check bus stations information for Lahad Datu and Kota Kinabalu, including where buses depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need