The cheapest and fastest coaches from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
Cheapest price
16RM
Average price
16RM
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 coach ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau will cost around 16RM if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only 16RM.
Of the 7 buses that leave Kota Kinabalu for Tawau every day 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These 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 .
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 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)8:00 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)7:08 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)7:00 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:08 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)8:00 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)7:08 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU)7:00 AM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:08 PMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)6:38 AMTawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)16 RM1One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and flight for Kota Kinabalu to Tawau
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from 16RM. 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 coach costs an average of 16RM, and a flight costs an average of 12RM.
Distance: 278 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|
18RM Average Price Cheapest | 70RM Average Price |
11h 38m Average total duration 11h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 50m Average total duration Fastest 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Kota Kinabalu to Tawau bus times
The table below shows live departures for Kota Kinabalu to Tawau coaches for tomorrow, Friday, 14 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU) | 7:00 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:08 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 changesdirect | |
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 7:30 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 changesdirect | |
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 changesdirect | |
SABARIAH EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 changesdirect | |
TRANSTEDAR EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 changesdirect | |
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 changesdirect | |
TUNGMA EXPRESS (KOTA KINABALU) | 8:00 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 11h08 | 7:08 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 0 changesdirect | |
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 coach or flight
Compare coach 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.
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20 Aug
Why should you book Kota Kinabalu to Tawau coaches 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
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 16RM but you can travel from only 12RM by flight.
There are 6 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 07:00, the last at 20:00. The fastest coach covers the 278 km distance in 11h 8m.
Distance 278 km |
Average bus duration 11h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price 16RM |
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 - Sept |
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 12RM. 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: Kota Kinabalu to Tawau coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau by coach. 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 coach, 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
Important Stations and Airports in Kota Kinabalu and 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



