How to get fromGeorge Town to Tawauby plane, car ferry or tram

Travel from

To

See all options

Search accommodation with Expedia

There are 2 ways to get from George Town to Tawau by plane, car ferry, or tram

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Fly from Penang International Airport
best
1. Fly from Penang International Airport (PEN) to Tawau Airport (TWU)plane PEN - TWU
7h 9m
RM 352–1,068
Car ferry, tram to Alor Setar, fly
cheapest
1. Take the car ferry from Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal to Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminalcarferry
2. Take the tram from Butterworth to Anak Bukittram
3. Fly from Alor Setar (AOR) to Tawau Airport (TWU)plane AOR - TWU
8h 42m
RM 264–1,426

Penang International Airport (PEN) to Tawau Airport (TWU) flights

45Weekly Planes

6h 14mAverage Duration

RM 301Cheapest Price

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from George Town to Tawau.

Launch map view

Distance: 2,036.2 km
Duration: 7h 9m

What companies run services between George Town, Malaysia and Tawau, Malaysia?

AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Malindo Airways fly from Penang International Airport (PEN) to Tawau Airport (TWU) every 4 hours.

Airlines

Train operators

Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How to get from JFK to New York City, Train travel in France: A guide to SNCF, and Thanksgiving 2018: How to travel stress-free - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Tawau, Malaysia(opens in a new window)

Tawau, formerly known as Tawao, is the capital of the Tawau District in Sabah, Malaysia. It is the third-largest city in Sabah, after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. It is located on the Semporna Peninsula in the southeast coast of the state in the administrative centre of Tawau Division, which is bordered by the Sulu Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south at Cowie Bay and shares a border with North Kalimantan, Indonesia. The town had an estimated population, of 113,809, while the whole municipality area had a population of 397,673 (including 47,466 in Kalabakan, subsequently split off to form a separate district). The municipal area had a population of 372,615 at the 2020 Census.

Things to do in Tawau

Tawau Japanese War Memorial(Opens in a new window)

Tawau Japanese War Memorial (Malay: Tugu Peringatan Perang Jepun Tawau) is a former Japanese cemetery in Tawau in the Malaysian state of Sabah which now has been transformed into a memorial.

Tawau Bell Tower(Opens in a new window)

The Tawau Bell Tower (also known as the Belfry) is the oldest standing structure in Tawau, constructed by the Japanese to commemorate the signing of armistice agreement following World War I when Japan was an ally of Great Britain.

Batu Tinagat Lighthouse(Opens in a new window)

The Batu Tinagat Lighthouse (Malay: Rumah Api Batu Tinagat) is a lighthouse on Batu Tinagat of Tawau Division in Sabah, Malaysia. It is located around 10 kilometres from the Tawau town centre.

Tawau Hills National Park(Opens in a new window)

Tawau Hills Park, was established in 1979, primarily as a protection for the water catchment area of Tawau town, Sabah, Malaysia. It is located 24 kilometres from Tawau, and comprises 279.72 km² of lowland dipterocarp rainforest, surrounded by oil palm and cacao plantations. The park offers picnic areas, camping sites, and chalets. The Park contains rugged volcanic landscapes including a hot spring and spectacular waterfalls. The highest point in the park is Gunung Magdalena (1310 m). It is administered by the Sabah Parks.

Places to stay in Tawau

Check Inn Hotel Tawau(Opens in a new window)

8.1Very Good

City Garden Hotel(Opens in a new window)

8.5Very Good

Heritage Hotel(Opens in a new window)

8.2Very Good

SVOK Hotel(Opens in a new window)

8.1Very Good

Rome2Rio makes travelling from George Town to Tawau easy.

Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from George Town to Tawau right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Rome2Rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward.