Flights to Sandakan
Which airport to land at, how far each is from the centre, and where the routes go. Live fares are booked here.
Sandakan is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Sandakan Airport (SDK), 9 km (6 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 8,202 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Lahad Datu Airport (LDU, 93 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandakan Airport (regional) | SDK | 9 km (6 mi) | 8,202 ft | 46 ft |
| Lahad Datu Airport (regional) | LDU | 93 km (58 mi) | 4,498 ft | 45 ft |
Runway length is a practical tell: at 8,202 ft, SDK handles short and medium-haul aircraft, so a long-haul trip will connect somewhere else first. The airport sits at 46 ft; that is low enough that altitude never restricts departures.
Book a flight to Sandakan
Our airline partner is activating live fares for this site; the search below opens the moment that is done. Hotels can be booked now.
Routes to and from Sandakan
Straight-line distance and an estimated block time for the city pairs people search for most. Each opens a page with both ends’ airports, the time-zone shift and what changes on arrival.
| Route | Country | Distance | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandakan to Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam | 1,380 km (857 mi) | about 2 h 31 min |
| Sandakan to Quezon City | Philippines | 1,031 km (640 mi) | about 2 h 4 min |
| Sandakan to Davao | Philippines | 839 km (522 mi) | about 1 h 50 min |
| Sandakan to Caloocan | Philippines | 1,028 km (639 mi) | about 2 h 4 min |
| Sandakan to Manila | Philippines | 1,024 km (636 mi) | about 2 h 4 min |
| Sandakan to Cần Thơ | Vietnam | 1,435 km (892 mi) | about 2 h 35 min |
| Sandakan to Makassar | Indonesia | 1,231 km (765 mi) | about 2 h 20 min |
| Sandakan to Taguig | Philippines | 1,018 km (633 mi) | about 2 h 3 min |
| Sandakan to Budta | Philippines | 715 km (444 mi) | about 1 h 40 min |
| Sandakan to Biên Hòa | Vietnam | 1,365 km (848 mi) | about 2 h 30 min |
| Sandakan to Malingao | Philippines | 717 km (446 mi) | about 1 h 40 min |
| Sandakan to Zamboanga | Philippines | 453 km (282 mi) | about 1 h 20 min |
| Sandakan to Cebu City | Philippines | 807 km (502 mi) | about 1 h 47 min |
| Sandakan to Antipolo | Philippines | 1,031 km (640 mi) | about 2 h 4 min |
| Sandakan to Samarinda | Indonesia | 712 km (443 mi) | about 1 h 40 min |
| Sandakan to Pasig City | Philippines | 1,024 km (637 mi) | about 2 h 4 min |
| Sandakan to Cagayan de Oro | Philippines | 778 km (483 mi) | about 1 h 45 min |
| Sandakan to Valenzuela | Philippines | 1,033 km (642 mi) | about 2 h 4 min |
| Sandakan to General Santos | Philippines | 781 km (485 mi) | about 1 h 45 min |
| Sandakan to Paranaque City | Philippines | 1,012 km (629 mi) | about 2 h 3 min |
| Sandakan to Balikpapan | Indonesia | 803 km (499 mi) | about 1 h 47 min |
| Sandakan to Pontianak | Indonesia | 1,174 km (730 mi) | about 2 h 15 min |
| Sandakan to Kinshasa | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 11,470 km (7,127 mi) | about 15 h 27 min |
| Sandakan to Lagos | Nigeria | 12,643 km (7,856 mi) | about 16 h 58 min |
| Sandakan to Mumbai | India | 5,109 km (3,175 mi) | about 7 h 18 min |
| Sandakan to Mexico City | Mexico | 15,064 km (9,361 mi) | about 20 h 4 min |
| Sandakan to Jakarta | Indonesia | 1,834 km (1,139 mi) | about 3 h 6 min |
| Sandakan to Bengaluru | India | 4,510 km (2,802 mi) | about 6 h 32 min |
| Sandakan to Bogotá | Colombia | 18,230 km (11,328 mi) | about 24 h 7 min |
| Sandakan to Hyderabad | India | 4,495 km (2,793 mi) | about 6 h 31 min |
Distances are straight-line; road and rail routes run about 15–25% longer. Times are estimates from distance and typical speeds, not timetables.
Common questions
Which airport should I fly into for Sandakan?
Sandakan Airport (SDK) is the closest large airport at 9 km (6 mi). The others, LDU, are further out and worth it only when the fare or the airline makes them so.
How far is SDK from Sandakan city centre?
9 km (6 mi) in a straight line; the road or rail distance is somewhat longer.
Can I book flights to Sandakan on this site?
Very soon: our airline partner is switching live fares on for this site. Hotels can be booked now.
How are the journey times on this page worked out?
From straight-line distance and typical speeds for each mode, so they are estimates for planning, not timetables. Road and rail routes run 15–25% longer than the straight line.
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.