THE SHORT VERSION
Kota Kinabalu to Tawau at a glance.
- From
- Kota Kinabalu
- To
- Tawau
- Road distance
- About 446 km
- Straight line
- 278 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~7 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Tawau to Kota Kinabalu →
Ready to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah on Borneo, with buses to Mount Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna and Brunei. It has north and south bus terminals.
- North Bus Terminal (Inanam)
About 10 km north-east of the centre. Routes east, such as Sandakan, Tawau and Semporna. - South Bus Terminal
Jalan K.K. Bypass. Routes south.
Arriving in Tawau
Ask the seller where the service ends in Tawau. A town-name stop can be a bus station some way from the centre, and the last stretch to your accommodation is usually up to you.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
KEEP GOING
From Tawau, the road continues.
All buses from and to TawauMore buses from Kota Kinabalu
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Kota Kinabalu from Tawau by road?+
About 446 km by road (278 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 7 h by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Kota Kinabalu?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Kota Kinabalu include North Bus Terminal (Inanam), South Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Tawau to Kota Kinabalu guide.
Where does the bus from Kota Kinabalu arrive in Tawau?+
It depends on the operator. Some services end at the local bus station, others at an office or a stop on the main road. Ask the seller for the drop-off address before you book.
What kind of bus runs from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Kota Kinabalu to Tawau bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Tawau by bus?+
Direct buses from Tawau include Sandakan. See all connections on our Tawau bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Kota Kinabalu → Tawau on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Kota Kinabalu to Tawau bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Kota Kinabalu (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →