Getting Around

Malaysia Airlines' domestic network was completely revamped in 2006, and most domestic flights have been transferred to Air Asia or its rural-air subsidiary Fly Asian Xpress (PAX) - fares are expected to rise considerably, and it remains to be seen which legs will Survive in the long term.

Sabah has a good road system and most major roads are sealed, including the high­way Irom KK to Sandakan and "I'awau. If you're planning to rent a car, it's a good idea to ask tourist information centres which ruads are paved, depending on your destination. Probably the worst stretch is between Ranau and Keningau, where mini­vans sometimes have to turn back because the perilous cliffside gravel road is impass­able aller heavy rain.

Subsidence and washouts frequently put stretches of highway under repair and can slow down a trip considerably - the route between Ranau and Sandakan can be unre­liable in wet weather. The route from Tawau to Keningau is unsealed for most of the way, though it's possible to get through on 4WD Land Cruisers, usually crammed with passengers. Express buses, inibuses and minivans run between KK and most major centres, including Mt Kinabalu. The big state-of­ the-art express buses are all air-conditioned; the smaller, often older, minibuses may or may not be.

Minivans are small, eight­ seater vans (usually white), often stuffed with as many passengers and as much of their gear as the laws of physics permit. Express buses are relatively punctual and usually cost only a few ringgit more than minivans. Minivans only leave when full, but once under way they are quick and effi­cient. They don't have air-conditioning and can get crowded; on the other hand, they generally run more frequently than buses, and if you want to travel like the locals, this is the way to do it.

Minivans have rough schedules, but don't commit yourself to any vehicle until you see how many people are on board. If you get to the bus stand and there isn't a minivan with even one passenger going Your way, hang back for a few minutes; chances are there's one that's nearly full doing a lap of the town trying to fill the last couple of seats.

There are frequent departures of buses and minivans from most centres until around noon; afternoon departures can be scarce. See individual entries for more information.

Sabah's only railway runs between KK and Tenom via Papar and Beaufort

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