Flights from London to Tawau take 18-23 hours with one connection. The city is served by Tawau Airport (TWU), located 31 km from the city centre.
No direct flights operate from the UK. Most travellers connect through Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Singapore. Airlines like Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines offer smooth connections with layovers of 2-4 hours.
Return fares range from £620-800 during low season to £980-1,300+ during peak periods. Booking 6-8 weeks ahead typically gets the best deals.
Tawau operates on GMT+8, which is 8 hours ahead of London. Plan accordingly for jet lag when arriving.
Price Patterns
Prices typically drop Tuesday/Wednesday for bookings
Last-minute deals rare for long-haul routes due to steady demand
Peak season (November-January / School Holidays): Prices higher due to demand
Sweet Spot
6-8 weeks before travel for best combination of availability and price.
Avoid Booking
Less than 2 weeks out (premium pricing)
During peak holiday announcement periods
School holiday periods if travelling with families
Semporna Trip
Take a short trip to Semporna for world-class diving and island hopping adventures.
Bombalai Hill
Hike up an ancient volcanic hill for peaceful views over Tawau town.
Pasar Tanjung
Visit the lively market to see fresh seafood and local daily life.
Cocoa Village
Learn about Sabah’s cocoa heritage and sample local chocolate treats.
Tawau Hills
Explore rainforest trails, waterfalls, and hot springs at Tawau Hills Park.