Travelling from Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Tawau Airport (TWU): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport is 50 minutes.
Kota Kinabalu and Tawau are in the UTC+8 timezone. That means there's no time difference to consider.
Take your pick of 62 weekly Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport flights. The 06:25 departure with AirAsia is the earliest available. AirAsia operates the last service of the day at 19:35.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your BKI to TWU flight.
Be prepared for longer lines in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
AirAsia is your gateway to exploring Tawau (and perhaps some other great corners of Malaysia!). Check out the direct flights from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport offered by this airline.
The majority of travellers choose to fly with AirAsia on this route.
The most punctual carrier offering BKI to TWU flights is AirAsia. Its services arrive as planned 73.41% of the time.
Pick a stopover if you'd love to break up your flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' to look at your options for tickets from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a popular stopover on the BKI to TWU route.
Handy information about Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI)
65% of flights that take off from Kota Kinabalu Airport land at their destination on schedule.
Kota Kinabalu Airport is about 8 kilometres from central Kota Kinabalu. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Expect a journey time of about 35 minutes when using public transport.
Booked an early flight from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels close to BKI:
Arriving at Tawau Airport (TWU)
Step off your Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport flight and be in your hotel bed shortly after. If you need a convenient option within easy reach of TWU, check out 3 Retro-Antique Inspired Interconnected Family Rooms at Country Lodge - Eco Valley Retreat 豐之谷.
Getting from Tawau Airport (TWU) to central Tawau
Tawau Airport to the centre of Tawau has a drive time of around 20 minutes. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
It takes around 30 minutes to get there by public transport.
When to fly to Tawau Airport (TWU)
April is the busiest month for flights from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport. To avoid the crowds, head to Tawau in March.
Lock in your flight from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Tawau Airport for May if you'd like to go to Tawau during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 23ºC and 30ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from BKI to TWU in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 30ºC on average.
Explore more of Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu is just one of the many cities in Malaysia waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Tawau. Around 274 kilometres away to the north-west, its best attractions include Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) and Manukan Island.
Sandakan is another essential stop in Malaysia and is around 177 kilometres north of Tawau. No trip is complete without experiencing Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok and Sandakan Rainforest Park.

