Getting There

 ‘KK’ is most people’s introduction to Sabah for the simple reason that it is the only town with extensive air links to other parts of the country as well as a handful of regional destinations; KK’s airport is 6km from town.  There are connections with other towns in East Malaysia and the Peninsula as well as with various destinations in the Asian region.

Visas and permits

Sabah is semi-autonomous, and like Sarawak it has its own immigration controls.  Most visitors fly direct into KK, but it is possible to travel from Sarawak via Brunei, from Sandakan by road or air, or by boat from Kalimantan (Indonesia).Air Asia plane also travel to Sabah

Air

Malaysia Airlines operates regular flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kuching to Kota Kinabalu. Other major airlines also have flights from Singapore, Brunei, Jakarta, Manila, Hong Kong and Taipei. Air Asia plane also travel to Sabah.

 

Road

There is an excellent road system linking the principal cities. Express buses link major towns while mini-buses are used for shorter distances and within town areas. Taxis, mini-buses, ordinary buses and boats are the means of getting around. For journeys to towns further away, MAS operates daily flights to Labuan, Sandakan, Lahat Datu and Tawau. 

Getting Around 

Sabah has a good road system and most major roads are sealed, including the highway from KK to Sandakan and Tawau.   There is a limited railway service with trains to Beaufort, Tenom and Papar in addition to an extensive network of bus, minibus and taxi links to destinations in Sabah.  Ferries leave throughout the day for Labuan.

 Currency:
Our currency is Malaysian Ringgit, divided into 100 sen.
Notes – RM 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Coins – Sen 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and RM 1
The exchange rate is approximately US$1.00 = RM3.80 subject to currency fluctuation.   

Note:
• Please be informed that the RM500 & RM1,000 currency notes issued by BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA will continue to be
  legal tender until 30 June 1999.
• Effective 1 July 1999 the RM500 and RM1,000 currency notes will cease to be legal tender



Climate and Clothing
Sabah has an equatorial climate with a fairly uniform temperature throughout the year. In the lowlands, temperatures range from 32°C to 25°C at night. Relative humidity is high (85% to 95%) especially in the coastal region. In the hill country temperature can drop to 10°C. Rainfall is common throughout the year, averaging 200-250 cm. per year with the highest concentration in November for the West Coast and December for the East Coast of Sabah.
Being tropical, we dress very informally. For dinners and night spots, smart casual wear is the norm.

Access and Transportation
Taxis are easily available at the airports and hotels. Kota Kinabalu airport has a taxi service counter with fixed prices. Elsewhere, you are advised to fix the fare before getting into the taxi.
A number of local car rentals operate in Kota Kinabalu and are represented in most of the major hotels.

Shopping
Please bargain except at departmental stores. There are many good buys especially for local items. Shopping hours are 10.00 am to 9.00 pm daily.

Banks:
Business Hour:-
Mondays to Fridays: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Saturdays: 9.30 am – 11.30 am
Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed

Medical Services
Malaria has been mainly eliminated in the larger towns, however, if you intend to travel up country, it is advisable to take anti-malaria medication. Those with sensitive digestion should avoid drinking unboiled water. Most towns have state-run hospitals of a reasonably high standard. There are several private hospitals and clinics in most major towns.

Languages
Bahasa Malaysia is the National language. English is widely spoken and understood. Being a multi-racial community you will notice dozens of other languages being used.

 

For more information and further assistance in planning a trip to Kota Kinabalu, please email me at joannelim21@gmail.com or lim_22@hotmail.com