OPTION 1: BY WATER - VIA FERRY + BUS COMBINATION
The water route involves two ferry rides and one bus journey, taking you through scenic coastal views and quick stops for immigration. The journey usually involves a stop at Labuan Island, where you will go through Malaysian immigration before boarding the ferry to Brunei. After arriving at the Serasa Ferry Terminal in Muara, Brunei, you will then complete the Bruneian immigration process. There are typically two immigration stops along the way.
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| JESSELTON POINT FERRY TERMINAL |
ROUTE AND IMMIGRATION STOPS BREAKDOWN
1. Kota Kinabalu to Labuan
Begin your journey by catching a ferry from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu. Ferries to Labuan generally depart twice daily, at 8:00 AM and 1:30 PM, with a travel time of around 3 hours. It’s best to check schedules ahead of time, as they can vary depending on weather conditions.
2. Labuan Stop-over
Upon arrival in Labuan, you’ll have some free time before your next ferry since ferries from Labuan to Brunei don’t depart immediately. You can explore Labuan, shop, and have lunch.
3. Labuan to Serasa Ferry Terminal, Brunei
The ferry to Serasa Ferry Terminal takes about 1.5 hours. Multiple ferries run in the afternoon, with departures at approximately 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:00 PM. Upon arrival at Serasa, you’ll pass through immigration marking your entry into Brunei.
4. Serasa Ferry Terminal to Bandar Seri Begawan
From Serasa, you can either take a bus to Bandar Seri Begawan or hire a taxi for a more direct trip. Buses are generally more affordable, and the route to Bandar Seri Begawan takes around 30 minutes.
Tip: This ferry-bus combination is ideal if you want a scenic route, as it allows you to experience both the coastal beauty of Sabah and the historical sites in Labuan. Although it’s a longer journey than the direct bus route, this approach offers a unique travel experience and includes the option to sightsee along the way.
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| HEALTH DECLARATION |
OPTION 2: BY LAND - VIA BUS
To cross from Kota Kinabalu (KK), Malaysia, to Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB), Brunei by bus, the main option is the Sipitang Express bus, departing from KK Sentral (City Park Terminal) at 8 AM daily. This journey takes approximately 8-10 hours depending on immigration processing times and road conditions. Typically, there are 8 immigration stops along the route, where you will need to disembark for passport checks.
TICKETS
Tickets for the bus (around MYR 50 one-way) can be booked online via Easybook to secure a seat, as there’s only one bus per day. Passengers need to arrive at KK Sentral at least 30 minutes early to check in and pick up their actual bus ticket from the Sipitang Express counter.
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| BUS/IMMIGRATION STOP |
BUS ROUTE AND IMMIGRATION STOPS BREAKDOWN
The route has multiple immigration checkpoints due to the unique geographical setup of Malaysian and Bruneian territories on Borneo:
1. Depart from Kota Kinabalu – The bus usually leaves in the morning.
2. Sabah to Sarawak (Malaysia) – You’ll receive an exit stamp from Malaysia and an entry stamp for Sarawak.
3. Brunei’s Temburong District – After passing through Sarawak, you’ll enter Brunei’s Temburong District.
4. Limbang, Sarawak – You’ll exit Brunei and re-enter Sarawak briefly, stopping for a meal break before heading back to the Brunei border.
5. Final Entry into Brunei (Brunei-Muara District) – Lastly, you enter Brunei’s main district, heading toward Bandar Seri Begawan.
6. Arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan – The bus ends near Waterfront Bandar Seri Begawan, conveniently located near main city attractions and accommodations.
Tip: Since you’ll pass through multiple immigration points, carry essential travel documents and ensure forms are filled out ahead of each stop. The Sipitang Express staff generally assist by indicating which checkpoints are next, streamlining the experience for passengers.
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| BUS/MEAL STOP IN SARAWAK |
Which is better?
Deciding between the ferry and bus largely depends on your travel style and comfort with sea travel. Below, we compare each option.
Via Ferry:
The ferry ride has a more compact travel time, but sea conditions can be unpredictable. If you’re comfortable with potentially choppy waters, this route is ideal for those wanting to arrive in BSB faster and don’t mind swapping between ferry and bus.
Via Bus:
Originally, we planned to take the ferry from Jesselton Point, but uncertain weather prompted us to choose a roundtrip by bus instead. Ultimately, we decided on the bus for our journey! It was more straightforward and hassle-free. After reading reviews about the large waves typical during our travel dates, we felt that the bus option was safer and more predictable. Plus, it still offered a scenic route, combining the convenience of a single bus journey rather than multiple transfers.
The bus dropped us off at the BSB Bus Terminal, which is conveniently located within walking distance of our hostel. I found the immigration process to be quite efficient. Since we planned to return to Kota Kinabalu the next day, we opted for the bus again for our return trip.
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| ONE OF THE IMMIGRATION STOPS |
Crossing the borders of Kota Kinabalu and Bandar Seri Begawan was part of our 6D5N Trip below. Read more about our Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Trip:
FOOTNOTES:
Photos by Rae Argallon and Cheloi Marasigan | Samsung Note 9 | Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia & Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei | February 2020
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