The cheapest and fastest coaches from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu
Cheapest price
27S$
Average price
27S$
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 Tawau to Kota Kinabalu is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu will cost around 27S$ if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only 27S$.
Of the 7 buses that leave Tawau for Kota Kinabalu 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.
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS8:00 PM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)7:08 AMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
SABARIAH EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 AMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
TUNG MA EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 PMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 AMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 PMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS8:00 PM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)7:08 AMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
SABARIAH EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 AMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
TUNG MA EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 PMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 PM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 AMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
SAIRAH EXPRESS7:30 AM11h08Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah)6:38 PMKota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam)27 S$1One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and flight for Tawau to Kota Kinabalu
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from 26S$. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 53m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of 26S$, and a flight costs an average of 26S$.
Distance: 278 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|
30S$ Average Price Cheapest | 119S$ Average Price |
11h 38m Average total duration 11h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 53m Average total duration Fastest 53m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Tawau to Kota Kinabalu bus times
The table below shows live departures for Tawau to Kota Kinabalu coaches for today, Friday, 14 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SABARIAH EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 changesdirect | |
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 changesdirect | |
TRANSTEDAR EXPRESS | 7:30 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 11h08 | 6:38 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 changesdirect | |
TUNG MA EXPRESS | 7:45 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 11h08 | 6:53 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 changesdirect | |
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS | 8:00 PM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 11h08 | 7:08 AM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 changesdirect | |
TUNG MA EXPRESS | 7:30 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 11h08 | 6:38 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 changesdirect | |
SAIRAH EXPRESS | 7:30 AM Tawau (Bus Terminal Sri Indah) | 11h08 | 6:38 PM Kota Kinabalu (Bus Terminal Inanam) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Tawau to Kota Kinabalu 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.
15 Aug
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19 Aug
20 Aug
21 Aug
22 Aug
23 Aug
24 Aug
25 Aug
26 Aug
27 Aug
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30 Aug
31 Aug
01 Sept
02 Sept
03 Sept
04 Sept
Why should you book Tawau to Kota Kinabalu coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Tung Ma Express?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Tung Ma Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of Sairah Express, TransTedar Express, Sabariah Express or OPTISJAYA EXPRESS to find the best option for your trip from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu.
- 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 Tung Ma Express with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu
Buses from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu run on average 6 times per day, taking around 11h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at 26S$ if you book in advance.
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 26S$ |
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 Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Bus providers: Tung Ma Express, Sairah Express, TransTedar Express, Sabariah Express, OPTISJAYA EXPRESS from Tawau to Kota KinabaluYou can travel by bus between Tawau to Kota Kinabalu with Tung Ma Express, Sairah Express, TransTedar Express, Sabariah Express, OPTISJAYA EXPRESS for as low as 26S$. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Sairah Express
Tung Ma Express
TransTedar Express
Sabariah Express
OPTISJAYA EXPRESS
FAQs: Tawau to Kota Kinabalu coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Sairah Express
- Wheelchair access available
- assistance for boarding and alighting can be arranged upon request.
- TransTedar Express
- Luggage included in fare
- specific size/type not provided.
- Sairah Express
- Luggage included in fare
- specific size/type not provided.
- Tung Ma Express
- Luggage included in fare
- specific size/type not provided.
- Sabariah Express
- Excess luggage and bulky luggage allowed for an additional fee
- Tung Ma Express
- Excess luggage and bulky luggage allowed for an additional fee
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Tawau and Kota Kinabalu
Most Tawau to Kota Kinabalu buses use the Tawau (Terminal Bus Sri Indah) to Kota Kinabalu (Terminal Inanam) station pair. Use this guide to compare Tawau and Kota Kinabalu bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Which Tawau station do buses to Kota Kinabalu leave from?
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.
Which Kota Kinabalu station do buses from Tawau arrive at?
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.
More options for your journey from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


