Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport (TWU): What you need to know
Kuala Lumpur's main airport is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Explore your options for departing from this base when searching for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport (TWU).
Book a direct Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport flight and you'll be in the air for around 2 hours 55 minutes.
Tawau's timezone is UTC+8, which is the same as Kuala Lumpur. Tawau Airport is located in Tawau.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Tawau Airport (TWU) is the most popular route. You can choose from 73 direct services every week between KUL and TWU.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Kuala Lumpur to TWU.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
You can jump on a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport (TWU) out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).
At KUL, you'll find a good selection of carriers offering direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport, including:
AirAsia is the airline with the highest passenger demand for flights from KUL to TWU.
Malaysia Airlines is the most consistent performer for punctuality on this route.
KUL is about 56 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 55 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 40 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by staying at one of these hotels close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
When it comes to Kuala Lumpur International Airport's on-time performance, 59% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Kuala Lumpur to SZB in about 45 minutes. The airport is roughly 19 kilometres away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 30 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your Kuala Lumpur to TWU flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 72%.
About Tawau Airport (TWU)
Coming in on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport? Don't let it end in exhaustion. Stay a short drive from TWU at 3 Retro-Antique Inspired Interconnected Family Rooms at Country Lodge - Eco Valley Retreat 豐之谷.
Getting from Tawau Airport (TWU) to central Tawau
Central Tawau is around 16 kilometres from Tawau Airport and takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. Look into how to get from the airport to the city, whether that's with a taxi, car hire or ride-share.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of roughly 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport (TWU)
R 986 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport. Return flights start at R 1,938. These fares can change based on availability and demand.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to TWU if you book ahead. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird deals.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across the month when searching for your Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport ticket.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's a better deal on plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to TWU.
Filters make it easier to save some cash on your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport. Choose the departure times, carriers and stops that work for you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport (TWU)
April is the quietest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport (TWU), while February is the busiest. Find the best time to visit Tawau based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Kuala Lumpur to TWU plane ticket departing in May if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Tawau to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
February has temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Tawau
After booking your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Tawau:
Your Tawau trip should come with a side of sightseeing. Leading attractions that belong on your itinerary include Hot Springs Tawau, Teck Guan Cocoa Museum and Batu payung.
Explore more of Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu is just one of the many cities in Malaysia waiting to be discovered once you've seen Tawau. Around 290 kilometres away to the northwest, popular 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 journey is complete without dropping by Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok and Sandakan Rainforest Park.
