Quick Answer
Best way: Take a taxi from Peace Park (Sandakan Memorial Park) to Sandakan Airport (SDK) (15–20 min, RM 30–45 / USD 7–10), then fly to Labuan Airport (LBU) (40 min, RM 100–200 / USD 23–46). Total door-to-door: about 1.5–2 hours and RM 140–245 (USD 32–56). For budget travelers, the bus + ferry via Kota Kinabalu costs less but takes 8–10 hours.
🚕 Taxi & Ride-Hailing: Peace Park → Sandakan Airport
Best for: convenience, speed, and door-to-door service. This is the most recommended way to get from Peace Park to Sandakan Airport.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~15 km (Peace Park to SDK) |
| Time | 15–20 minutes |
| Cost (Taxi) | RM 30–45 (USD 7–10) |
| Cost (Grab) | RM 25–40 (USD 6–9) |
| Booking | Advance booking recommended; Grab available in Sandakan |
Key Tips
- Fixed price vs meter: Most taxis from Peace Park area charge a fixed rate. Negotiate before boarding or book via the Grab app for transparency.
- Hotel help: If you're staying near Peace Park, ask your hotel to call a trusted taxi driver.
- Late night / early morning: Surcharges of 50% may apply between midnight and 6 AM. Confirm the price upfront.
- Luggage: Standard sedans fit 2–3 suitcases. For larger groups, request an MPV (RM 50–60 / USD 12–14).
✈️ Flight: Sandakan (SDK) → Labuan (LBU)
Best for: speed. This is the fastest way to reach Labuan Island from Sandakan. The flight itself is only 40 minutes, but you need to factor in ground transfers and airport waiting time.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Airlines | Malaysia Airlines, MASwings |
| Flight time | 40–50 minutes |
| Frequency | 2–4 flights daily (check schedule) |
| Price (one-way) | RM 100–200 (USD 23–46) with baggage |
| Total door-to-door | ~1.5–2 hours (incl. taxi + check-in + flight) |
Step-by-Step
- Taxi from Peace Park to Sandakan Airport (15–20 min, RM 30–45).
- Check-in at SDK (arrive at least 1 hour before departure).
- Fly to Labuan Airport (40 min).
- Arrive at LBU – the airport is about 6 km from Labuan town (taxi RM 15–20 / USD 3–5).
Important Notes
- Baggage: MASwings includes 20 kg checked baggage on most fares.
- Check-in: Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure.
- Hidden time: The total journey includes waiting at the airport (recommended 1 hour early). So while the flight is 40 min, the overall time from Peace Park to LBU is about 2.5–3 hours including all steps.
🚌 Bus + Ferry: Budget Route via Kota Kinabalu
Best for: budget travelers who have time and want to save money. This route uses a combination of bus from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu and a ferry from KK to Labuan.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Total time | 8–10 hours (excluding waits) |
| Total cost | RM 70–120 (USD 16–28) |
| Bus (Sandakan → KK) | 5–6 hours, RM 40–60 (USD 9–14) |
| Ferry (KK → Labuan) | 2.5–3 hours, RM 30–60 (USD 7–14) |
| Bus companies | Bintang Jaya, Sipitang Express |
Detailed Steps
- Bus from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu (KK) – depart from Sandakan Bus Terminal, 5–6 hours.
- Taxi or Grab from KK bus terminal to Jesselton Ferry Terminal (15 min, RM 15–20).
- Ferry from KK to Labuan – operated by Labuan Ferry or Jesselton Ferry, 2.5–3 hours.
- Arrive at Labuan Ferry Terminal – then take a taxi to your final destination (RM 10–15 to town).
Important Tips
- Ferry schedule: Ferries from KK to Labuan usually depart at 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:30 PM. Check the latest timetable.
- Book in advance: During peak season (Chinese New Year, Hari Raya), bus and ferry tickets sell out. Book at least 2 days ahead.
- Comfort: The bus is air-conditioned, but the road can be winding. Bring a neck pillow and snacks.
- Overnight option: Some travelers break the journey in KK to avoid a long single day of travel.
🚆 Train: Sabah State Railway (Background)
Does the train serve Sandakan or Labuan? No. The Sabah State Railway only operates on the west coast of Sabah, from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom. There is no train station in Sandakan or on Labuan Island.
However, if you are traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan as part of a longer trip, you can combine the train with a ferry:
| Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| KK → Beaufort (train) | 2 hours | RM 10–20 (USD 2–5) |
| Beaufort → Labuan (ferry) | 1.5 hours | RM 30–40 (USD 7–9) |
| Total | 3.5 hours | RM 40–60 (USD 9–14) |
Verdict: For the Peace Park → Labuan Airport journey, the train is not a practical option. Stick to taxi + flight or bus + ferry.
🚗 Rental Car / Self-Drive
Best for: travelers who want flexibility on Sandakan mainland, but not recommended for reaching Labuan because you cannot drive across the sea.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Rental cost (per day) | RM 120–180 (USD 28–42) |
| Pick-up location | Sandakan Airport or town |
| Drop-off | Must return to Sandakan (cross-island not allowed) |
| Fuel cost (to airport) | ~RM 10 (USD 2) |
Why It's Not Ideal
- You cannot take a rental car to Labuan Island – no car ferry service for rentals.
- If you need a car on Labuan, rent one locally at Labuan Airport (RM 100–150 / day).
- For a one-way trip from Peace Park to the airport, a taxi is cheaper and more convenient.
Exception: If you are exploring Sandakan region (Sepilok, Kinabatangan) before flying to Labuan, renting a car for 1–2 days can be worthwhile.
💳 Cost Comparison Table – All Options
| Mode | Total Time | Total Cost (RM) | Total Cost (USD) | Transfers | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi + ✈️ Flight | 1.5–2 h | RM 140–245 | USD 32–56 | 1 (taxi → plane) | ⭐ Best overall – fastest & reliable |
| 🚕 Taxi only (to LBU ferry) | Not possible | — | — | — | No direct road connection |
| 🚌 Bus + Ferry | 8–10 h | RM 70–120 | USD 16–28 | 2 (bus → ferry → taxi) | 💰 Cheapest – for budget travelers |
| 🚗 Rental Car + Flight | 2–3 h | RM 220–330 | USD 51–76 | 1 (drop car → fly) | If exploring Sandakan first |
| 🚆 Train (via KK) | 10+ h | RM 100–150 | USD 23–35 | 3+ | Not recommended for this route |
💡 Bottom line: The taxi + flight combination is the best balance of cost, time, and comfort. The bus + ferry is the cheapest but requires a full day.
🧳 Traveler Tips & Local Experience
🛄 Luggage & Baggage
- Takkyubin (luggage delivery): Not widely available in Sandakan. Use airport baggage services or pack light.
- Airport baggage limits: MASwings allows 20 kg checked + 7 kg carry-on. Excess baggage costs RM 10–15 per kg.
🚏 Sandakan Airport Tips
- Facilities: Small airport with a café, ATM, and limited seating. Don't arrive too early – 1 hour is enough.
- Grab availability: Grab operates in Sandakan but pickups at the airport can have a wait time of 10–15 minutes.
- Peak season: During Chinese New Year and Hari Raya, book flights and taxis at least 1 week in advance.
🌴 Labuan Arrival
- From LBU to town: Taxi costs RM 15–20 (fixed rate). The journey is about 10 minutes.
- Money: Labuan has ATMs at the airport and in town. Cash is preferred for taxis.
- Ferry alternative: If you miss the flight, the KK–Labuan ferry is a backup option (but requires getting to KK first).
⏰ Time Management
- Total time: The fastest door-to-door from Peace Park to Labuan town is 2–2.5 hours (taxi + flight + taxi).
- Buffer time: Always add 30 minutes buffer for taxi delays and airport check-in.
❓ FAQs: Peace Park to Labuan Airport
Is there a direct flight from Sandakan (SDK) to Labuan (LBU)?
Yes, Malaysia Airlines and MASwings operate direct flights from Sandakan Airport (SDK) to Labuan Airport (LBU). The flight takes approximately 40–50 minutes. Flights are available 2–4 times daily, depending on the season.
Can I take a train from Sandakan to Labuan?
No, there is no train service in Sandakan or on Labuan Island. The closest railway is the Sabah State Railway from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom, which requires a ferry connection to Labuan. For this route, train travel is not a practical option.
What is the cheapest way to get from Peace Park to Labuan Airport?
The cheapest option is the local bus from Sandakan town to the airport (RM 2–5), combined with a budget airline flight to Labuan (RM 100–150 one-way). Alternatively, the bus + ferry route via Kota Kinabalu can be cheaper but takes 8–10 hours.
How much does a taxi cost from Peace Park to Sandakan Airport?
A taxi from Peace Park (Sandakan Memorial Park) to Sandakan Airport costs between RM 30 and RM 45 (approximately USD 7–10), depending on the time of day and whether you book in advance. Grab rides are slightly cheaper at RM 25–40.
Are there overnight buses from Sandakan to Labuan?
No direct overnight buses from Sandakan to Labuan exist. You would need to take a bus to Kota Kinabalu (5–6 hours), then a ferry to Labuan. Some travelers break the journey overnight in KK. There are night buses from Sandakan to KK operated by Bintang Jaya.
Can I rent a car in Sandakan and drop it off in Labuan?
Most rental companies do not allow cross-island drop-offs. You would need to return the car at Sandakan Airport or in Sandakan town. For travel to Labuan, flying or bus + ferry are more practical. If you need a car on Labuan, rent one locally at the airport.
How early should I arrive at Sandakan Airport before my flight to Labuan?
For domestic flights within Malaysia, Sandakan Airport recommends arriving 1 hour before departure. This gives time for check-in, security screening, and boarding. The airport is small, so 45 minutes is usually sufficient if you have no checked baggage.
What is the total travel time from Peace Park to Labuan Airport including transfers?
The fastest door-to-door time is about 1.5–2 hours: 20 minutes taxi to Sandakan Airport, 40 minutes flight, plus wait and check-in time. The cheapest bus + ferry route takes 8–10 hours. The flight option is the most time-efficient by a wide margin.