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Papar Train Tour

★★★★★ 4.7 · 44 Reviews Kota Kinabalu Min. Participant(s): 2

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Highlight

  • The only train in North Borneo since 1890
  • Visit Tien Shi Temple, the local wet market & shops

Included

Return Train Transfer, Drinking Water, Professional Heritage tourist guide, Simple noodle lunch.

Description

It is the only rail transport system operating on the island of Borneo and was built in the 1890s by the colonial British North Borneo Company. The railway was built primarily to transport tobacco to the port at Kota Kinabalu - then known as Jesselton.

A down memory lane train ride coupled with a nostalgic Heritage Walking tour to the Tamu (wet and dry market) or Papar Centre Market and the old streets with a Professional Heritage tourist guide.

[Important Note]
- The tour will require advance booking , Walk in booking at the meeting point shall not be entertained.

Itinerary

* The itinerary is for reference only, it subjects to any necessary changes in accordance to local requirements.

  • 1

    Gather at Tanjung Aru Railway Station.

  • 2

    Prepare to board the train.

  • 3

    Depart to Papar Train Station.

  • 4

    Commentary from Professional Tour Guide on the historical train and events related to the 124+ years railway and the first and only railway in North Borneo!

  • 5

    Arrive in Papar Train Station.

  • 6

    Welcome Traditional Musical Performance. (Guest may try out the traditional instruments as well)

  • 7

    Visit the Central Market and /or Tamu, a weekly open market (Only on Thursday)

  • 8

    Begin Historical Heritage Walk along the oldest streets of Papar.

  • 9

    Enjoy simple noodles for lunch at local coffee shop.

  • 10

    Free and leisure for some quick shopping on traditional handmade buns and souvenirs.

  • 11

    Re-board train for a return journey

  • 12

    Train departs from Papar Station. Experience and mingle with locals on the way back.

  • 13

    Arrive back at Tanjung Aru Train Station.

  • 14

    End of the tour.

Breakfast N/A
Lunch Included
Dinner N/A
Warm Remind
  • The tour is available only from Monday to Saturday. Sunday is not available.
  • For choosing No Hotel Pickup option , Kindly arrange own transportation to the Tanjung Aru Train Station. Latest to arrive at 7:00 am.

Pickup Time & Transport Fee

No hotel pickup service is provided, you may need to reach meeting point yourselves.

Meeting Point:  Tanjung Aru Train Station 丹绒亚路火车站

Google Map:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/qAQYdGUquevLwwz97

How to Pay

Pay on travelling day

No advance payment is required, simply pay cash in Ringgit-Malaysia to tour guide. However, you still need pay in full for any cancellation made 1 day prior to tour date.

Not Available

Pay Online

Accep Visa and MasterCard credit card, Malaysian bank transfer, Paypal, FPX, Alipay. 2.3% surcharge apply. Please be noted that 2.3% processing fee is non-refundable in case there is cancellation 3 days after the payment made.

Bank Transfer

for Malaysians:
Online banking through your Malaysia Bank Account

for International guests:
Use WISE - a Fast & convenient global transfers service, better exchange rate than conventional bank Telegraphic Transfer; No 2.3% processing fee; Generally we would receive your payment in same day.

Good to know

Min. Participant(s):  2 Persons To Go (child does not counted)
Tour location / Depart from: Kota Kinabalu
Recommend to book:  1 month(s) in advance
To book at least:  3 day(s) in advance
Insurance: Tourist transportation insurance included. Please contact your insurance agency for personal travel insurance.
Pickup Service:  Pickup service will be provided from the hotel/hostel/lodge that you are staying. Please wait at lobby while the tour guide will find you when he/she arrive. Dropoff service will be provided after travelling, please notify us upon booking if your dropoff location is differ from pickup location.
Tour Type: Sit-In-Coach basis (SIC). This tour is not private tour, you will share the trip with other guests come from different countries. Please notify us upon booking if you are looking for private tour, surcharge might be applied. Specialities: You may decide the joining date, no compulsory tips (If you are happy and satisfied with the journey and the tour guide service, it's always a nice way to express your appreciation with tipping, OR words of thanks is good enough).
Cancellation & Refund Policy:  (1.) No refund for any cancellation made within 2 days from the tour date, 90% of full payment will be refunded if cancel 3 days and above.(2.) Any changes or cancellations due to weather or other force majeure, the operation team maintains the right to change routes, timings, and itinerary reserves if conditions beyond their control require it. (3.) No refund will be given in the event of guest "No Show". (4.) Tour fee will not be refunded once the tour is proceeding. (5.) Guest that decide to cancel their tour in the event of rain , even after confirming that the tour is able to proceed will not be refunded the tour fee. (6.) Only final cancellation made by the operation team before the tour commence is able to be refund the tour fee.

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Traveller Reviews

4.7
★★★★★
Based on 44 reviews
5 ★ 34
4 ★ 5
3 ★ 5
2 ★ 0
1 ★ 0
★★★★★
Compared prices with a couple of other operators and this was by far the better value for a half day trip. Still got the full experience from Tanjung Aru all the way to the Papar wet market.
ROS*** Verified Traveller 2026-06-16
★★★★★
TAN*** Verified Traveller 2026-06-11
★★★★★
M** Verified Traveller 2026-05-15
★★★★★
XUE*** Verified Traveller 2026-04-20
★★★☆☆
K** Verified Traveller 2026-03-25
★★★★☆
My partner and I loved the train ride out to Papar station, the commentary about the 124 year old railway was great. Only suggestion is maybe giving a few more minutes at the heritage walk before lunch.
I** Verified Traveller 2026-02-19

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