- 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 Semporna 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 Semporna to Kota Kinabalu will cost around ฿ 739 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only ฿ 626.
On Fri, Nov 13, we found 3 buses from Semporna to Kota Kinabalu, including 3 direct services.
On Fri, Nov 13 the direct buses cover the 326 km distance in an average of 11 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 5 m .
On Fri, Nov 13 the slowest buses will take 11 h 5 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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Buses from Semporna to Kota Kinabalu run on average 6 times per day, taking around 10h 59m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at ฿ 498 if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 07:00, the last at 20:00. The fastest bus covers the 202 miles (326 km) distance in 10h 30m.
Distance 202 miles (326 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price ฿ 498 |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 10h 30m |
First bus 7:00 AM |
Last bus 8:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Semporna to Kota Kinabalu.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 04:35PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price ฿ 513 |
Operator Amin Jaya Express | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price ฿ 675 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price ฿ 552 |
Operator Amin Jaya Express | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price ฿ 552 |
Operator Sri Mutiara Luxury Express | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price ฿ 663 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price ฿ 917 |
Operator Amin Jaya Express | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price ฿ 917 |
Operator Dyana Express | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price ฿ 583 |
Operator Sri Mutiara Express | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price ฿ 520 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price ฿ 552 |
Operator Dyana Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price ฿ 552 |
Operator Sri Mutiara Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price ฿ 552 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price ฿ 552 |
Operator Amin Jaya Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price ฿ 552 |
Operator Amin Jaya Express | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price ฿ 616 |
The table below shows live departures for Semporna to Kota Kinabalu buses for today, Thursday, November 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SABARIAH EXPRESS | 1:30 PM Semporna | 11h05 | 12:35 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
SRI MUTIARA EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Semporna | 11h05 | 6:35 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
SABARIAH EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Semporna | 11h05 | 6:35 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
DYANA EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Semporna | 11h05 | 6:35 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect | |
AMIN JAYA EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Semporna | 11h05 | 6:35 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 transfersDirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
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 Semporna 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 Semporna to Kota Kinabalu buses use the Semporna to Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) station pair. Use this guide to compare Semporna and Kota Kinabalu bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Semporna has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Local food stalls and small restaurants nearby
ATMs are aTM available near the terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Semporna.
Available at Semporna: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Semporna: Basic wheelchair access.
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 Semporna and Kota Kinabalu, including where buses depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need