There are 2 ways to get from Darwin to Sipadan by plane, bus, or ferry
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Tawau Airport, Minibus, ferry
best- Fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Tawau Airport (TWU)plane DRW - TWU
- Take the bus from Tawau Airport to Sempornabus
- Take the ferry from Semporna Jetty to Pulau Sipadanferry
21h 9mRM 962–2,800Fly to Sandakan Airport, bus, ferry
cheapest- Fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Sandakan Airport (SDK)plane DRW - SDK
- Take the bus from Sandakan Central to Sempornabus
- Take the ferry from Semporna Jetty to Pulau Sipadanferry
25h 53mRM 949–2,741
Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Tawau Airport (TWU) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Darwin to Sipadan is to fly and bus and ferry which costs RM 950 - RM 2800 and takes 25h 53m.
The fastest way to get from Darwin to Sipadan is to fly and Minibus and ferry which takes 21h 9m and costs RM 950 - RM 2800.
The distance between Darwin and Sipadan is 2484 km.
It takes approximately 21h 9m to get from Darwin to Sipadan, including transfers.
There are four+ hotels available in Sipadan.
What companies run services between Darwin, NT, Australia and Sipadan, Malaysia?
There is no direct connection from Darwin to Sipadan. However, you can take the line 10 bus to Casuarina Terminus, take the line 3 bus to Henry Wrigley Dr Airport Precinct, walk to Darwin-Airport-DRW airport, fly to Tawau Airport (TWU), walk to Tawau Airport, take the bus to Semporna, walk to Semporna Jetty, then take the ferry to Pulau Sipadan. Alternatively, you can take the line 10 bus to Casuarina Terminus, take the line 3 bus to Henry Wrigley Dr Airport Precinct, walk to Darwin-Airport-DRW airport, fly to Sandakan Airport (SDK), take the taxi to Sandakan Central, take the bus to Semporna, walk to Semporna Jetty, then take the ferry to Pulau Sipadan.
- Website
- airasia.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Tawau Airport via Kuala Lumpur
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 50m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- RM 900–2,700
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Tawau Airport via Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 10m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- RM 900–2,700
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Sandakan Airport via Kuala Lumpur
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 10m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- RM 850–2,600
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Sandakan Airport via Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 25m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- RM 850–2,600
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Sandakan Airport via Guangzhou Baiyun, Kota Kinabalu
- Ave. Duration
- 14h
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- RM 1,000–3,400
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Sandakan Airport via Singapore Changi, Kota Kinabalu
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 20m
- When
- Thursday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- RM 950–6,500
- Website
- malindoair.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Tawau Airport via Singapore Changi, Kota Kinabalu
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 40m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- RM 1,000–6,500
Bus from Tawau Airport to Semporna
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- RM 35
- Phone
- +60 198072570
- Website
- facebook.com
Bus from Sandakan Central to Semporna
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- RM 54
- Schedules at
- redbus.my
Ferry from Semporna Jetty to Pulau Sipadan
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- RM 27–65
Want to know more about travelling around Malaysia
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
10 amazing places to get away from it all in Australia
Read the travel guide
4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia
Read the travel guide

