Major city · Malaysia
Beaufort
Spend a half day in Beaufort for white‑water rafting or a train ride to Tenom; otherwise skip unless on an overland route.
Beaufort is a small town on the main highway between Kota Kinabalu and the Sabah‑Sarawak border. Its main draws are the Padas River for rafting and the historic railway to Tenom. Most travellers visit for a few hours en route, but a dedicated half‑day lets you experience the river or the scenic train.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MYR
- Best months
- Mar–Oct (dry season, river flow good)
- avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain, river high water)
- Airport
- BKI
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Beaufort999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Beaufort, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia-wide
- SIM or eSIMCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.Malaysia-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.Malaysia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.Malaysia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malaysia-wide
- SafetyBeaufort is generally safe; main risks are road traffic and occasional train delays – keep an eye on schedules.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.Malaysia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police / ambulance · 994 fire · 112 General emergency (mobile)
- Sundays & holidayscheckKelantan, Terengganu and Kedah have Friday–Saturday weekends; Johor Saturday–Sunday since 2025 — check…Malaysia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBKI Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Main gateway to Sabah, about 92 km (57 mi) north of Beaufort).BKI Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Main gateway to Sabah, about 57 mi (92 km) north of Beaufort).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable; taxis and motorbike taxis are available for short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealLocal dish (noodles, rice)RM5–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))RM15–20
- Budget bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomRM30
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomRM60
- High-end bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomRM100
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RM30 · Mid RM60 · High RM100
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BKI Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Main gateway to Sabah, about 92 km (57 mi) north of Beaufort)BKI Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Main gateway to Sabah, about 57 mi (92 km) north of Beaufort)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Mar–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest May (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Beaufort: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable; taxis and motorbike taxis are available for short trips. Minivan buses connect to Kota Kinabalu, Lawas and Sipitang.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Klias Wetlands
goDoor to door: ≈2 h each way
Road south from Beaufort towards Kuala Penyu, then turn to Kota Klias jetty
Boat trips to see proboscis monkeys and fireflies.
Pulau Tiga Marine Park
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h each way
Drive to Kuala Penyu, charter boat from jetty
Boat schedules limited; check availability.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beaufort town centre
Small guesthouses and budget hotels within walking distance of the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- RM30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- RM60–100 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or budget hotel room1 × 3 nights × RM60 | RM180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × RM60 | RM360 |
| Trip total≈ RM90 per person per day, bed included | RM540≈ US$130 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Local dish (noodles, rice) | RM5–10 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | RM1–2 |
| Taxi (5 km) | RM15–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train rolling stock is old; occasional delays or derailments – check schedule before travel.
- Rafting trips can be rough; confirm safety record of the operator.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance
- 999
- Fire
- 994
- General emergency (mobile)
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BeaufortBeaufort
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance999
- Fire994
- General emergency (mobile)112
Embassy
US consulate in Kota Kinabalu (check address); other embassies in Kuala Lumpur.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Kota Kinabalu → Beaufort: RM9 one‑way, about 1 h 45 min (check)
- Train Beaufort → Tenom: RM3.80 one‑way, about 2 h (check)
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah)
- Di mana perhentian bas? — Where is the bus stop? (dee mah-nah per-hen-tee-an bas)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Beaufort. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Oct (dry season, river flow good) · avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain, river high water) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add detailed bus timetable links for Kota Kinabalu and Lawas routes.
- Map walking routes to the market, temple and railway station.
- Include safety brief for rafting operators.
Sources
Ask about Beaufort
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