North Borneo Heritage Train
Not all of us can afford an adventure on the atas Eastern & Oriental Express through Southeast Asia. But not all hope is lost on finding a scenic slow-travel alternative in Malaysia that won’t cost us an arm and a leg.
Enter Sabah’s North Borneo Heritage Train. Formerly called the North Borneo Railway, the picturesque train in East Malaysia takes passengers from the state’s capital city of Kota Kinabalu to the town of Papar, with breathtaking views along the way.
What you should know about the North Borneo Heritage Train
We’re no strangers to longer train rides on the KTM and ETS to get between towns and states. In Sabah, the North Borneo Heritage Train takes passengers on a scenic ride in an old-timey hybrid locomotive. It carries just 160 passengers on a trip, with 32 seats available in each carriage.
Image adapted from: @lfm999 via Instagram, @sonofthesun_tom via Instagram
Operated by Kinabalu Heritage Tours & Car Rental Sdn Bhd, the train runs from Tanjung Aru to Papar. It’s currently the only rail transport system on the island of Borneo, established in 1896.
Image credit: @ksksudo via Instagram
The railway once operated as an essential trade route for then-North Borneo during the British colonial era. To capture a piece of its history and old-world charm, the train has been refurbished to whisk passengers to a bygone era while they discover the lesser-known parts of Sabah’s countryside.
Image credit: Sabah Travel via website
Outside, the steam engine train is dressed in an elegant deep green and cream like an old-school jungle train. On the inside, there are deep woods, striped chairs, and gingham table cloths that come together to create a vintage vibe for travellers.
From Tanjung Aru to Papar
Your adventure on the North Borneo Heritage Train begins at Tanjung Aru Station. The approximately 1-hour journey to the charming agricultural town of Papar departs at 8:45am. While it’s early, you’ll be served breakfast on the train ride.
Image credit: @jo2aa via Instagram
During the train ride, landmarks such as a paddy field, the Petagas War Memorial, and an army camp will be visible while you journey through the towns of Putatan, Kinarat, and Kawang. You’ll also be treated to views of jungles and mangrove swamps.
Image credit: Sabah Tourism Board via website
Once you arrive in Papar around 10.30am, you’ll alight the train and have 2 hours to freely explore its different attractions. Some of its highlights are the collection of vintage shophouses and the Tamu market, which has been gathering vendors selling all sorts of goods, from fresh produce to street food, since the 1960s.
There’s also the old train head and the architecturally stunning Kwong Fook Kung Temple.
The North Borneo Heritage Train route.
Image credit: Amazing Borneo
You can opt to further explore Papar’s food delights by dropping by a local eatery too. There’s ice cream at Perniagaan Bee Hong and the famous ayam penyet with kitchai at the popular Kak Anna Restaurant.
Image credit: @jo2aa via Instagram
On the train, passengers are given a travel “passport” that contains a treasure hunt activity map that helps you unlock Papar’s best attractions.
Image credit: @jo2aa via Instagram
After soaking up the town’s charm, board the train once more to make your return to Tanjung Aru Station. On the way back, you’ll get to enjoy a hearty tiffin lunch with dishes such as prawns and satay. The train’s staff will also be offering special henna tattoo session.
For the uninitiated, this popular art form in Sabah uses a natural dye from the henna plant to create intricate, tribal-inspired designs that last for a week or two.
How much does the North Borneo Heritage Train cost?
The daily heritage train tour is priced at RM299, which includes a tiffin lunch, light refreshments, high tea, in-train activities, and a train ticket.
Seating is arranged with 3-4 people per table to ensure a comfortable experience.
Image credit: @borneoecotours via Instagram
Keep in mind that this tour involves a fair amount of walking, so it’s best to dress in comfortable casual wear and shoes. It’s recommended to bring along sunscreen, insect repellent to fend off mosquitoes, a mini fan, and a water bottle to stay hydrated.
For ticket purchases, visit North Borneo Heritage Train’s official website to check available dates.
Get on board the North Borneo Heritage Train
As the saying goes, it’s not just the destination but also the journey that makes trips fun. This rings true when you get on board the North Borneo Heritage Train – you get to soak up picturesque views of Sabah before and after, and have a quaint town to discover in-between the scenic train ride.
If you’re planning a train trip to Thailand, check out our guide on everything you need to know about travels from Malaysia to Thailand.
Cover image adapted from: @ksksudo via Instagram, @jo2aa via Instagram