Driving from Phnom Penh to Tawau
Tawau lies 1,644 km (1,021 mi) south-east of Phnom Penh, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there.
Driving takes about 25 h 4 min without stops, over roughly 2,005 km (1,246 mi) of road; add breaks, fuel and any border.
| Phnom Penh | Tawau | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Cambodia | Malaysia |
| Population | 1.6 million | 372,615 |
| Elevation | 20 m (66 ft) | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+7 (Asia/Phnom_Penh) | UTC+8 (Asia/Kuching) |
Clocks in Tawau are 1 h ahead of Phnom Penh right now, so a 25 h 4 min journey lands 26 h 4 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Tawau
Crossing from Cambodia into Malaysia: money changes from the Riels to the Ringgit (MYR); traffic switches to the left; sockets are BS 1363; the dialling code becomes +60; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q3086706.
Where to book car hire from Phnom Penh to Tawau
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Tawau
Live rooms and prices for Tawau are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Tawau
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Tawau from Phnom Penh?
1,644 km (1,021 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Phnom Penh; by road roughly 2,005 km (1,246 mi).
How long does it take to get from Phnom Penh to Tawau by car?
About 25 h 4 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Phnom Penh and Tawau?
Tawau is 1 h ahead at the moment (Asia/Kuching against Asia/Phnom_Penh).
What currency do I need in Tawau?
The Ringgit (MYR).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.