Labuan >> Kota Kinabalu: Ferry Express

On 5^th July (Friday) to 8^th July (Monday) 2013, I went to Tawau to visit my grandmother who is sick with my dad and sister. We had brought flight ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau so we choose to take ferry express to Kota KInabalu.

Early in the morning, we arrived at the terminal ferry because we want to buy ferry ticket. As we arrive at there about 6.15 am and the ticket counter did not open yet so we sit and wait.

Operation hour of ticketing counter 

From Labuan, you can take ferry service to nearest place such as Sabah (Kota Kinabalu, Menumbok & Sipitang), Sarawak (Lawas & Limbang) and Brunei. You can refer the time and price schedule for ferry at here. During year 2013, Malaysian enjoy 50% discount off for the ferry ticket which you can refer here.

Ticketing counters

The ferry ticket cost me RM 19.50 for Class A or First Class which sit at upstairs in ferry. The ticket did not show any number seat so it is free seat that you can choose where to sit.

Ferry ticket

At terminal ferry, it has some stalls that sell food and souvenirs. 

Food & souvenir stalls

It also has ATM which make people especially tourist easy to withdraw money. The nearest bank with terminal ferry as below:-

a) Public Bank & HSBC Malaysia which located same row with terminal ferry.

b) Hong Leong Bank which located near with roundabout.

c) Am Bank which located near with Aifa Hotel (you can see the hotel from terminal ferry as it is a tall building)

ATM

As the time I arrived at terminal ferry was so early so some of the duty free shops did not open. At duty free shop, you can buy chocolate, liquor, fragrance, magazine and others.  

Duty Free Shops

Waiting area

At terminal ferry, it also has bus ticketing counter that the bus travel from Menumbok to Kota Kinabalu. It is very convenient or save time when you choose to take big ferry or car ferry from Labuan to Menumbok that you can direct buy the bus ticket from here.

Bus ticketing counter

If you feel sleepy especially when need to take the early ferry, you can buy some drinks such as coffee, chocolate drink at this machine.

Need some drink?

At 7.30 am, the gate was open and we had gone to ferry first so that we won’t missed the ferry. Ferry departure sharp 8.00 am. In ferry, it has upstairs or first class and downstairs or economic class. The ferry ticket for first class is a little bit expensive compare with economic class. 

Express Kinabalu

I would recommend for those who feel dizziness or vomit (advise to eat vomit medicine before ferry departure) when in ferry can try for first class seat as it is more comfortable than economy class. You can sit to see the sea view when in first class while you need to stand up to see the sea view in economy class as the window at economy class quite high.

Economic class

For those who cannot afford for the ferry engine sound can take wool to plug in your ears such like my dad. I also recommend for you to bring sweater as in ferry quite cold and you need to experience for this cold for 3 hours.

First class

In ferry, you can enjoy the movie that plays in ferry but you cannot hear it clearly because of the engine sound. All you can do is choose the seat at front and read the subtitles. At first class seat, the TV is quite far so it is very difficult to read the subtitle unless you have sharp eye.

Place to store luggages

In ferry also has sell some food but the price is more expensive. I would recommend for whom would feel hungry when in ferry to buy food at any shop or restaurant before go in ferry.

For me, I always travel with ferry express especially during study so I usually sleep, watch TV, read and enjoy the sea/sky view (when sit at first class) to spend the 3 hours in ferry.

Immigration 

At 11.00 am, the ferry arrived at Kota Kinabalu. When on the way to Jesselton Point, you need to give your identity card or passport for immigration purposes. 

At Jesselton Point has many shop or restaurant for you to shop and eat. You can buy some souvenirs or postcards at there. It also has ticketing counter to buy ticket to Labuan or beautiful islands such as Pulau Manukan, Pulau Sapi and others. 

Red telephone booths

Just Explore! but I did not have time to explore

Ticketing counters

Public notice

In front of Jesselton Point has many taxi for transport purpose but we did not take it as we wait for my aunt to fetch us to airport. 

Kota Kinabalu welcome you