THE SHORT VERSION
Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru at a glance.
- From
- Kota Kinabalu
- Straight line
- 1455 km
- Return route
- Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu →
Ready to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah on Borneo, with buses to Mount Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna and Brunei. It has north and south bus terminals.
- North Bus Terminal (Inanam)
About 10 km north-east of the centre. Routes east, such as Sandakan, Tawau and Semporna. - South Bus Terminal
Jalan K.K. Bypass. Routes south.
Arriving in Johor Bahru
Local buses link Larkin Sentral and JB Sentral; allow time in traffic.
- Larkin Sentral
The main long-distance terminal, for buses across Malaysia and to Hat Yai. - JB Sentral
By the causeway and railway station. Cross-border buses to Singapore.

Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Border queues at the causeway can be long at peak times.
KEEP GOING
From Johor Bahru, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Johor Bahru
More buses from Kota Kinabalu
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How long does the bus from Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru take?+
Journey times depend on the service and any boat connection. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Kota Kinabalu?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Kota Kinabalu include North Bus Terminal (Inanam), South Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu guide.
Where does the bus from Kota Kinabalu arrive in Johor Bahru?+
It depends on the operator. In Johor Bahru, services use Larkin Sentral, JB Sentral. Local buses link Larkin Sentral and JB Sentral; allow time in traffic.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Johor Bahru?+
Local buses link Larkin Sentral and JB Sentral; allow time in traffic.
What kind of bus runs from Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Johor Bahru by bus?+
Direct buses from Johor Bahru include Singapore, Mersing, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and more. See all connections on our Johor Bahru bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Kota Kinabalu → Johor Bahru on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Kota Kinabalu (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Johor Bahru (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →