Best Train Journeys Around the World in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
1. Sabah Queen Elizabeth II Railway
Travel through lush jungles and over the Crocker Range to the cool highlands of Tambunan and Kundasang. Offers scenic views of flora, fauna, and indigenous communities.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers a breathtaking view of the tropical rainforest and the surrounding landscape
- Cultural Experience: Provides an insight into the lives and culture of the local indigenous communities
- Eco-Friendly Journey: Sustainable travel option that minimizes carbon footprint while exploring nature
2. Borneo Steam Express
Journey through the heart of Sabah, passing by tea plantations and rural towns. Experience the rich history, culture, and cuisine along the way.
- Historical Significance: Travels through historic towns and sites, offering a glimpse into Sabah's past
- Culinary Adventure: Provides opportunities to sample local delicacies from each town visited
- Off-the-beaten-path Experience: Explores lesser-known areas of Sabah, showcasing its diverse beauty
3. Sandakan to Tawau Coastal Train
Travel along the eastern coastline of Sabah, passing by pristine beaches and coastal villages. Stop at various points for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife spotting.
- Beachfront Views: Offers stunning views of the coastline and pristine beaches
- Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities for spotting marine life, such as dolphins and turtles
- Island Hopping Adventure: Stops at various islands along the way for island hopping and water activities
4. Sandakan to Ranau Railway
Travel from Sandakan to the Kinabalu National Park, passing through the Crocker Range. Reach the park early for a sunrise hike up Mount Kinabalu.
- Mountain Adventure: Allows for an early start to climb Mount Kinabalu and catch a stunning sunrise
- Biodiversity Experience: Passes through various ecosystems, offering a chance to see diverse flora and fauna
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
5. Sandakan to Tenom Railway
Travel through the heart of Sabah's rice bowl, passing by lush paddy fields and traditional villages. End at Tenom, the spice capital of Borneo.
- Agro-Tourism Experience: Offers a unique insight into Sabah's agricultural practices, particularly rice farming
- Cultural Immersion: Visits traditional villages, providing an authentic experience of local culture and customs
- Foodie's Paradise: Ends in Tenom, the spice capital, offering a wide variety of local dishes and spices
6. Sandakan to Beaufort Railway
Travel through the scenic hinterlands of Sabah, passing by tea plantations and picturesque villages. Visit the famous Poring Hot Springs along the way.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers stunning views of tea plantations and rural landscapes
- Relaxation Retreat: Provides an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate at the Poring Hot Springs
- Cultural Immersion: Visits traditional villages, offering insights into local culture and customs
7. Sandakan to Lahad Datu Railway
Travel along the eastern coastline of Sabah, passing by pristine beaches and coastal villages. Stop at various points for wildlife spotting, particularly proboscis monkeys.
- Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities for spotting proboscis monkeys, turtles, and other marine life
- Beachfront Views: Offers stunning views of the coastline and pristine beaches
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
8. Sandakan to Semporna Railway
Travel from Sandakan to Semporna, passing by pristine beaches and coastal villages. Stop at various points for snorkeling and diving in the Sipadan Island Marine Park.
- Marine Life Experience: Provides opportunities for world-class snorkeling and diving in the Sipadan Island Marine Park
- Beachfront Views: Offers stunning views of the coastline and pristine beaches
- Island Hopping Adventure: Stops at various islands along the way for island hopping and water activities
9. Sandakan to Sukau Railway
Travel from Sandakan to Sukau, passing through the heart of Sabah's rainforests. Arrive at Sukau for a river cruise to see pygmy elephants and orangutans.
- Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities for spotting pygmy elephants, orangutans, and other wildlife in their natural habitat
- Scenic Beauty: Offers stunning views of the rainforest and the Kinabatangan River
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
10. Sandakan to Beluran Railway
Travel from Sandakan to Beluran, passing by the scenic coastal areas and traditional villages. End at the Batu Teki Merah, a historical landmark.
- Historical Significance: Ends at the Batu Teki Merah, a historical landmark with connections to World War II
- Scenic Beauty: Offers stunning views of the coastal areas and traditional villages
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
11. Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu Railway
Travel from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu, passing through the scenic hinterlands of Sabah. Enjoy stops at picturesque towns and the Marudu Bird Sanctuary.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers stunning views of the scenic hinterlands, towns, and the Marudu Bird Sanctuary
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
- Birdwatching Opportunity: Stops at the Marudu Bird Sanctuary, offering a chance to spot various bird species
12. Sandakan to Ranau Night Safari Railway
Travel from Sandakan to the Kinabalu National Park at night. Experience a unique safari adventure and spot nocturnal wildlife.
- Nocturnal Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities for spotting nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat
- Scenic Beauty: Offers a unique view of the Kinabalu National Park at night
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
13. Sandakan to Tenom Night Safari Railway
Travel from Sandakan to Tenom at night. Experience a unique safari adventure and spot nocturnal wildlife in the heart of Sabah's rice bowl.
- Nocturnal Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities for spotting nocturnal wildlife in the heart of Sabah's rice bowl
- Scenic Beauty: Offers a unique view of the heart of Sabah's rice bowl at night
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
14. Sandakan to Beaufort Night Safari Railway
Travel from Sandakan to Beaufort at night. Experience a unique safari adventure and spot nocturnal wildlife in the scenic hinterlands of Sabah.
- Nocturnal Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities for spotting nocturnal wildlife in the scenic hinterlands of Sabah
- Scenic Beauty: Offers a unique view of the scenic hinterlands of Sabah at night
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life
15. Sandakan to Lahad Datu Night Safari Railway
Travel from Sandakan to Lahad Datu at night. Experience a unique safari adventure and spot nocturnal wildlife along the eastern coastline of Sabah.
- Nocturnal Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities for spotting nocturnal wildlife along the eastern coastline of Sabah
- Scenic Beauty: Offers a unique view of the eastern coastline of Sabah at night
- Cultural Immersion: Visits local communities along the way, providing insights into their culture and way of life