Major city · Malaysia
Tawau
Spend 2 days in Tawau: one day for town sights and market, a second for a day‑trip to nearby dive islands (Semporna, Sipadan).
Tawau is Sabah’s third‑largest town, a gateway to diving sites and the Indonesian border. Its compact centre and cheap transport let you see the market, waterfront and jungle park in a day, then catch a ferry for a dive day. One night is enough if you only want the town; add a second night for the dive trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MYR
- Best months
- Mar–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain)
- Airport
- TWU
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tawau999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tawau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia-wide
- SIM or eSIMCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.Malaysia-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.Malaysia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.Malaysia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malaysia-wide
- SafetyTawau is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables secure, especially on night markets, and be aware of occasional petty theft.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.Malaysia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 994 fire · 999 ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckKelantan, Terengganu and Kedah have Friday–Saturday weekends; Johor Saturday–Sunday since 2025 — check…Malaysia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTWU Tawau International Airport (Flights from Kuala Lumpur (2 h 45 min), Kota Kinabalu (45 min) and Sandakan (40 min).).
- Getting aroundGrab or local taxis (RM5–RM7 town trips).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Grab ride (short)Town tripsRM5–RM7
- Metro or bus rideTown bus fareWithin townRM2
- Budget bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomRM41
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomRM60
- High-end bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomRM80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RM80 · Mid RM150 · High RM250
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TWU Tawau International Airport (Flights from Kuala Lumpur (2 h 45 min), Kota Kinabalu (45 min) and Sandakan (40 min).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Mar–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tawau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Grab or local taxis (RM5–RM7 town trips). Bus routes within town cost RM2; airport taxi costs RM45. Ferry to Nunukan departs twice daily, RM130 one‑way.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Semporna (dive base)
goDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Bus from Tawau station, ~2 h, then local boat
Access to Sipadan, Mabul and Mataking dive sites.
Nunukan (Indonesia) ferry
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min including check‑in
Ferry from Tawau port, 1 h
Ticket sales end 30 min before departure.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Emas Tawau
Budget option, central, basic amenities.
Kingston Executive Hotel
Mid‑range, double rooms ~RM77, Wi‑Fi limited.
King Park Hotel Tawau
Renovated 3‑star, RM98–RM388, free breakfast.
Belmont Marco Polo Hotel
Large rooms, central, cheap rates.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- RM70–RM120 excl. bed
- Mid
- RM120–RM200 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double1 × 2 nights × RM120 | RM240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × RM150 | RM600 |
| Airport taxi to town2 × RM45 · check | RM90 |
| Ferry to Nunukan (one‑way)2 × RM130 · check | RM260 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × RM120 · check | RM240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RM143 |
| Trip total≈ RM393 per person per day, bed included | RM1,573≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in ringgit; flights and dive packages excluded.
Prices of common things
| Airport taxiTown centre | RM45 |
| Town bus fareWithin town | RM2 |
| Ferry NunukanOne‑way, includes port tax | RM130 |
| Grab ride (short)Town trips | RM5–RM7 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Airport ATMs often out of service after hours – carry cash.
- Ferry tickets close half an hour before departure.
- Internet in many hotels is spotty; plan offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire
- 994
- Ambulance
- 999
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TawauTawau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Ke alamat ini, silaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Fire994
- Ambulance999
Embassy
US consular services are in Kota Kinabalu; Malaysian embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → town (taxi): RM45, ~30 min
- Bus town centre: RM2 per ride
- Ferry to Nunukan: RM130, 1 h
Say or show
- Berapa harga? — How much? (berapa harga)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (terima kasih)
- Di mana perhentian bas? — Where is the bus stop? (di mana perhentian bas)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tawau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle (check schedule).
- Grab app for on‑demand rides.
- Book dive trips in advance via Aquatastic or SWV Travel.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata Tawau
- officialSabah Tourism Board
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tawau, revision 5243812 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Tawau
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