4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
Cheapest price
$20
Average price
$20
Fastest journey
11 h 8 m
Average duration
11 h 8 m
Buses per day
7
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.
Of the 7 buses that leave Kota Kinabalu for Tawau on Fri, Aug 07, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Aug 07 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 Fri, Aug 07 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 EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
TRANSTEDAR EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)8:00 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)7:08 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers- TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)7:00 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:08 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
- SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
- TRANSTEDAR EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
- TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)8:00 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)7:08 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
- OPTISJAYA EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
- TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)7:00 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:08 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)$201One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
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 prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, and a flight costs an average of $15.
Distance: 172 miles (278 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$23 Average price Cheapest | $87 Average price | $21 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 38m Average total duration 11h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 50m Average total duration Fastest 50m Onboard + 3h 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 $64 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau costing on average $87.
Other travel options to Tawau take longer:
Bus takes on average 11h 8m.
You'll arrive about -4h -27m sooner (11h 8m by bus vs 7h 41m by car) and save roughly $-1.38 compared to fuel and tolls ($23 vs $21). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by TransTedar Express.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Kota Kinabalu to Tawau Bus Timetables
| 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 Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu) | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 06:08PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 06:38PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator OPTISJAYA EXPRESS | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 10:38PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 11:08PM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator OPTISJAYA EXPRESS | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator TransTedar Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sabariah Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 06:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu) | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 07:08AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Sairah Express | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 10:38AM | Duration 11h08 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Live departures
Kota Kinabalu to Tawau bus times
The table below shows live departures for Kota Kinabalu to Tawau buses for today, Thursday, August 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30 AM Kota Kinabalu | 11h08 | 10:38 PM Tawau | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, August 7 | |||||
| TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU) | 7:00 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:08 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, August 6 | |||||
| 11:30 PM Kota Kinabalu | 11h08 | 10:38 AM Tawau | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, August 7 | |||||
| SAIRAH EXPRESS | 7:30 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 PM 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 prices and tickets Kota Kinabalu to Tawau by bus or flight
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.
Aug 07
Aug 08
Aug 09
Aug 10
Aug 11
Aug 12
Aug 13
Why should you book Kota Kinabalu to Tawau buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu)?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu), but also compare tickets for the likes of TransTedar Express, Sairah Express, OPTISJAYA EXPRESS or Sabariah Express to find the best option for your trip from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu) with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
MalaysiaMalaysia
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 $19 but you can travel from only $15 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 $19 |
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 Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Bus providers: TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu), TransTedar Express, Sairah Express, OPTISJAYA EXPRESS, Sabariah Express from Kota Kinabalu to TawauYou can travel by bus between Kota Kinabalu to Tawau with TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu), TransTedar Express, Sairah Express, OPTISJAYA EXPRESS, Sabariah Express for as low as $15. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Sairah Express
TransTedar Express
Sabariah Express
TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu)
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS
FAQs: Bus from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
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.
- Sairah Express
- Wheelchair access available
- assistance for boarding and alighting can be arranged upon request.
- TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu)
- Luggage included
- bulky luggage may incur an extra charge.
- TransTedar Express
- Luggage included in fare
- specific size/type not provided.
- Sairah Express
- Luggage included in fare
- specific size/type not provided.
- Sabariah Express
- Excess luggage and bulky luggage allowed for an additional fee
- TungMa Express (Kota Kinabalu)
- Excess luggage and bulky luggage allowed for an additional fee
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
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.
Which Kota Kinabalu station do buses to Tawau leave from?
Getting to Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) from Kota Kinabalu city centre
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) is 4 km from Kota Kinabalu city centre. Public transport options include:
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) bus station facilities and services
Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Food stalls and small restaurants available within terminal
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi available. ATMs are aTM machines available in terminal.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam): Wheelchair accessible.
Which Tawau station do buses from Kota Kinabalu arrive at?
Getting to Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) from Tawau city centre
Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) is 12 km from Tawau city centre. Public transport options include:
Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) bus station facilities and services
Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Local food stalls and small restaurants inside terminal
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi available. ATMs are aTM machines available inside terminal.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah): Basic ramps available.
Most popular bus connections from Kota Kinabalu
More options for your journey from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Tawau and Kota Kinabalu
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