How to get from Kota Kinabalu to Keningau by bus

Getting from Kota Kinabalu to Keningau by bus is easy and comfortable. Whether you’re taking this bus because you’re making your way to Tawau, the Maliau basin, or simply want to experience the Sabahan interior, there are frequent buses running from Kota Kinabalu to Keningau and then on to Tenom.

Jump to:

• Where to get the bus from
• What is the bus like?
• Getting from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu
• Timetable

Where to get the bus from

The bus to Keningau and on to Tenom operates from the bus station in Kota Kinabalu near Padang Merdeka – the same bus station the airport bus drops off at. The company you want is Tung Ma Express, they operate a regular service throughout the day every day from this station. All buses travel direct to Keningau, with some going on to Tenom. The bus departs from this station 9 times a day, with 4 of these heading on to Tenom after Keningau. For the reverse journey from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu, there are 11 journeys each day.

What is the bus like?

There is a stall at the bus station in Kota Kinabalu clearly labelled “Tung Ma Express”, making tickets easy to purchase. A one-way ticket costs 15 MYR. You are assigned a seat number as some journeys become crowded depending on the day of the week and time of day. You can purchase tickets in advance if you need to make a specific departure time.

The bus itself is actually a large coach. Seats are comfortable, there is a toilet at the back, and there is a TV at the front of the coach which will usually play a movie. Minibuses which make the same jounrney are available from Kota Kinabalu, however the Tung Ma Express provides superior comfort compared with these minibuses – plus they are exactly the same price.

The journey will take approximately 2.5 hours, and the bus will always stop around half way for 10 minutes. This stop is to the North of the Crocker range. There are adult toilets here should you not wish to take advantage of the toilets on the coach. As is the norm in the region, the toilets here require you to pay a small fee to use them. There are also a number of food stalls and shops there which sell meals and snacks. If you wish, you may take food back on to the coach when it departs.

Getting from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu

The bus from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu departs from the same station you arrive at in Keningau. Again, there is a clear counter at the bus station in Keningau making it quick and easy to purchase your return or onward ticket to Kota Kinabalu. Within the bus station there is a food court and toilets available.

Timetable

Kota Kinabalu – Keningau – Tenom

Tenom – Keningau – Kota Kinabalu

Exploring the area – check out this article on the Top 3 suspension bridges in Sabah!

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