Travelling from Sandakan Airport (SDK) to Tawau Airport (TWU): what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 40 minutes.
Tawau's timezone is UTC+8, which is the same as Sandakan.
There are 14 Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport flights every week to choose from.
To ensure you catch your SDK to TWU flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak month such as April? School holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Malaysia Airlines is your gateway to exploring Tawau (and perhaps some other exciting corners of Malaysia!). Browse the direct flights from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport offered by this popular carrier.
The airline most travellers fly with on this route is Malaysia Airlines.
The most punctual carrier offering SDK to TWU flights is Malaysia Airlines. Its services arrive as scheduled 78.69% of the time.
If you want to check out a different city along the way, search for a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a well-known stop between SDK and TWU.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sandakan Airport (SDK) to Tawau Airport (TWU)
At the moment, $56 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is $112. Keep in mind that fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book two months before you want to fly. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from SDK to TWU.
The cheapest month for flights from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport is July. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest prices if you have flexible dates.
Getting your hands on cheap flights from SDK to TWU is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when fares go down.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport.
Handy information about Sandakan Airport (SDK)
57% of flights that depart Sandakan Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Central Sandakan to Sandakan Airport is around 11 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 20 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving.
The journey on public transport usually takes 35 minutes.
Get your journey off to a hassle-free start by staying near SDK. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport or just don't like being rushed, these stays are ideal:
Arriving at Tawau Airport (TWU)
Consider staying at 3 Retro-Antique Inspired Interconnected Family Rooms at Country Lodge - Eco Valley Retreat 豐之谷 after arriving from your Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport flight. It's only a short drive from TWU and a handy option if you want to catch some z's soon after landing.
Getting from Tawau Airport (TWU) to central Tawau
Tawau Airport is roughly 16 kilometres from central Tawau. Driving there takes about 20 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 30 minutes.
When to fly to Tawau Airport (TWU)
April is the most popular month for flights from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport. To skip the crowds, go to Tawau in March.
Book your flight from Sandakan Airport to Tawau Airport for May if you want to go to Tawau during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 23ºC (73ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF).
February sees average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Search for cheap tickets from SDK to TWU sometime around then if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
Explore more of Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu is just one of the many places in Malaysia waiting to be explored once you've seen Tawau. Around 274 kilometres away to the north-west, check out popular attractions including Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) and Manukan Island.
Around 177 kilometres north of Tawau, Sandakan is another essential stop in Malaysia. Experience major highlights starting with Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok and Sandakan Rainforest Park.