Day trip from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu
Lahad Datu lies 271 km (169 mi) south-east of Kota Kinabalu, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
At 271 km (169 mi) apart, Lahad Datu is a realistic day trip from Kota Kinabalu: about 4 h 25 min each way by road.
Open Lahad Datu in Google Maps
| Kota Kinabalu | Lahad Datu | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia | Malaysia |
| Population | 500,421 | 105,622 |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+8 (Asia/Kuching) | UTC+8 (Asia/Kuching) |
| Postal codes | 88000–88999 | 91100–91150 |
Where to book tours and tickets in Lahad Datu
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Staying in Lahad Datu
Live rooms and prices for Lahad Datu are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Lahad Datu
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Lahad Datu from Kota Kinabalu?
271 km (169 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Kota Kinabalu; by road roughly 331 km (206 mi).
How long does it take to get from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu by road?
About 4 h 25 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu?
No, both are on Asia/Kuching at the moment.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.