- Recommended
Muzium Tawau
Small local museum introducing Tawau’s history, communities, and development. A practical first stop for context before exploring the town and surrounding district.
Cheapest price on Sep 21
$20
Average ticket price on Sep 21
$20
Fastest journey on Sep 21
11 h 8 m
Average journey duration on Sep 21
11 h 8 m
Buses on Sep 21
6
Distance
278 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau will cost around $20 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $20.
On Mon, Sep 21, we found 6 buses from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, including 6 direct services.
On Mon, Sep 21 the direct buses cover the 278 km distance in an average of 11 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 8 m .
On Mon, Sep 21 the slowest buses will take 11 h 8 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
SAIRAH EXPRESS
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS
SAIRAH EXPRESS
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)
SAIRAH EXPRESS
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS
SAIRAH EXPRESS
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $20 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 40m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $20, while a flight costs an average of $121.
Distance: 172 miles (278 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$20 Average price Cheapest | $121 Average price | $21 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 38m Average total duration 11h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 40m Average total duration Fastest 1h 40m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 7h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau:
A bus is $101 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau costing on average $121.
Other travel options to Tawau take longer:
Bus takes on average 11h 8m.
Tickets start at around $20 compared to roughly $21 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $1. The journey takes 11h 8m versus 7h 41m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu), Sairah Express, TransTedar Express, OPTISJAYA EXPRESS, Sabariah Express.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 11:08AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu) | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 06:08PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 06:38PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator OPTISJAYA EXPRESS | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 10:38PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 11:08PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator OPTISJAYA EXPRESS | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator TransTedar Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu) | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 07:08AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 10:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
The table below shows live departures for Kota Kinabalu to Tawau buses for today, Sunday, September 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:30 PM Kota Kinabalu | 11h08 | 10:38 AM Tawau | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, September 21 | |||||
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 7:30 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 transfersDirect | |
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 transfersDirect | |
TRANSTEDAR EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 transfersDirect | |
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 transfersDirect | |
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU) | 8:00 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 7:08 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau run on average 6 times per day, taking around 11h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $18 but you can travel from only $17 by flight.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 07:00, the last at 20:00. The fastest bus covers the 172 miles (278 km) distance in 11h 8m.
Distance 172 miles (278 km) |
Average bus duration 11h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $18 |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 11h 8m |
First bus 7:00 AM |
Last bus 8:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Tawau — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Tawau trip today.
Small local museum introducing Tawau’s history, communities, and development. A practical first stop for context before exploring the town and surrounding district.
Visitor gallery and interpretation space linked to cocoa cultivation in Sabah. Worth a stop to learn about one of Tawau’s important agricultural industries.
Science and nature center within Tawau Hills Park with displays on local geology, plants, and wildlife. Suitable for visitors wanting environmental context for the region.
Urban park known for giant rain trees, jogging paths, and sunset views over the bay. A favorite green escape close to town for walks and casual sightseeing.
Protected park of lowland rainforest, waterfalls, and trails outside town. Worth visiting for hiking, hot springs, and a fuller experience of Tawau’s natural setting.
Popular hill viewpoint reached by road and short walks. Visitors come for broad views of Tawau, cooler air, and a relaxed local atmosphere at sunrise or sunset.
Yellow egg noodles tossed in springy fish paste, often served dry or in broth. A Sabah Chinese staple strongly associated with Tawau and Sandakan.
Rice vermicelli in a savory broth with fish slices, fish balls, or prawns. Popular in Tawau for its fresh seafood and light, comforting taste.
A Southern Chinese Hakka-style stuffed tofu dish with fish or pork paste. Common in Tawau's Hakka community and usually served fried or in broth.
Popular local coffee shop known for fish noodles and Sabah-style breakfast. Casual, busy, and good for experiencing everyday Tawau eating.
Well-known seafood restaurant serving fresh fish, prawns, and shellfish in a relaxed setting. A reliable choice for Tawau's coastal specialties.
Casual seafood spot appreciated for fresh ingredients and straightforward preparation. Suitable for groups wanting fish, crab, and prawns.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Tawau, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Kota Kinabalu to Tawau buses use the Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) to Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) station pair. Use this guide to compare Kota Kinabalu and Tawau bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) is 4 km from Kota Kinabalu city centre. Public transport options include:
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Food stalls and small restaurants available within terminal
Free Wi-Fi available. ATMs are aTM machines available in terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam).
Available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Wheelchair accessible.
Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) is 12 km from Tawau city centre. Public transport options include:
Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Local food stalls and small restaurants inside terminal
Free Wi-Fi available. ATMs are aTM machines available inside terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah).
Available at Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah): Basic ramps available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need