There are direct flights to Labuan on airlines including AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines from Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak.
Taking the ferry from various locations in Sabah, Sarawak or Brunei Darussalam is also an option.
By air
Labuan is easily accessible by air from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and Miri in Sarawak.
Labuan Airport (IATA: LBU) is located about 5 km by road to Labuan Square in the town centre.
Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia offer flights to Labuan from Kuala Lumpur. Flights are also available from Kota Kinabalu and Miri via MAS Wings, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines.
| Departing from | Duration | Airline |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | ~2 hr 30 mins | Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia |
| Kota Kinabalu | ~30 mins | MASWings |
| Miri | ~40 mins | MASWings |
>> Check flight times to Labuan
By sea
Ferries and speedboats are the most economical “trade route” connecting Labuan and the Borneo hinterland, offering hop on/hop off convenience at reasonable prices.
The Labuan International Ferry Terminal accommodates high-speed, air-conditioned passenger and vehicle ferries from neighbouring:
- Sabah (Kota Kinabalu, Menumbok and Sipitang);
- Sarawak (Lawas and Limbang); and
- Brunei Darussalam (Muara).
The journey crosses the open seas (South China Sea), so those who are prone to getting seasick should take note.
The over-water trip to Labuan from Serasa Ferry Terminal in Muara, Brunei Darussalam takes about an hour.
The ferry ride from Jesselton Point in Kota Kinabalu (KK city), Sabah to Labuan takes around 3 hours.
Visitors who will be coming in from Menumbok, Sabah can expect the journey to take 15-20 minutes by speedboat, or 1.5 to 2 hours by passenger and vehicle ferry.
By road
By bus – This is one of the cheapest and easiest methods. Board the Labuan Ferry Coach (Menumbok Express or One Borneo) at the bus station opposite the High Court building in KK city. For ~RM19, the fare includes the bus ticket to Menumbok (~RM14) and the ferry ticket (~RM5) to Labuan with both legs of the journey undertaken in air-conditioned comfort. The coach will depart KK city at 6.30am and 7.00am and 12.00pm and 1.00pm for the Labuan ferry departing at 10.30am and 4.30pm respectively. The bus journey takes around 2 hours and the ferry ride an hour.
Drive yourself – Drive yourself to Menumbok and park your car in any of the residential car parks for ~RM5 a night. You can then take the large vehicle ferry across (10.30pm & 4.30pm) at ~RM5 per person, or hop aboard a speedboat to Labuan at ~RM15 per person.
Getting around
Getting around Labuan is easy. As a Federal Territory, the town centre is one of the cleanest and most pedestrian-friendly in Malaysia, making it easy to explore on foot.
The island’s extensive road network links Labuan’s main town with other parts of the island. It takes about an hour and a half for a leisurely ride around the island. E-hailing and regular taxis are the most popular mode of transport. Car rentals for self-drives can also be arranged.
Bus, van and 24-hour call-taxi services are available. Renting a scooter is another way of getting around. Water taxis are the best way to get around if you will be visiting the water villages be it for a day trip or homestay experience.