The most practical way for the short term visitor to get into Sandakan is by air. Self-drive, tour group or public bus are the other options.
By plane
Sandakan Airport IATA code SDK is connected directly daily with Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu by AirAsia (http://www.airasia.com), and to Kota Kinabalu by Malaysia Airlines (http://www.malaysiaairlin...) and its subsidiary MASWings (http://www.maswings.com.my) which took over the rural air service from FlyAsian Express (FAX on 1 October 2007). MASWings also has connecting flights with Tawau and Kudat.
By ship
Weesam Express runs 2 ferry per week between Sandakan and Zamboanga, Mindanao Philippines. See [www.zimnet.com/weesam/php/booking.php] for booking and schedule. It's a 13h/P2600 ride. Aleson Lines also runs ferries on the same way twice weekly but it's longer and more expensive.
By bus
From Kota Kinabalu:
The bus will pass the junction to Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre and you can ask to be dropped off here. The centre is about 4 km down the road and costs 3-5 MYR pp by taxi to get to drivers will be waiting at the bus drop-off.
KK city to KK North Bus Terminal in Inanam. By public bus, go to the bus station on Jalan Padang across from the State Library 1.50 MYR, 20 min, or by taxi ~20 MYR.
KK North Bus Station Inanam to Sandakan. Several bus companies depart between 7AM-2PM, and 8PM ~5hrs, 43MYR.
Tung Ma Express Tel: +60-(019-8827334 Mr Shim)-(buses from KK at 7AM, 8AM, 10AM, 12:30PM, 2PM, 8PM.
Sida Express Tel: +60-(012-816 5524 Ms. Sanita Binte Sapena) has departures from KK at 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:30AM, 2PM, 8PM.
Bunga Raya Express Tel: +60-(019-8999142 Ms. Suraidah Mohd) has departures from KK at 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 1:30PM, and 8PM.
You arrive in Sandakan at the express bus terminal on Jalan Utara. This is still approximately 15 minutes from downtown, and a taxi ride to downtown should cost RM 15.
To Semporna:Buses leave from the express bus terminal on Jalan Utara for Semporna at 730am, 8am, and 2pm.