# Distance from Istanbul (IST) to Tawau (TWU)

> 9,639 km · estimated flight time 12h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 9,639 km / 5,989 mi / 5,205 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 12h
- **Heading**: 87° (east)
- **Return heading**: 311° (northwest)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (Turkey) → Malaysia
- **Time difference**: +5h (When it's 03:07 in Istanbul, it's 08:07 in Tawau)
- **Elevation difference**: 268 ft (TWU is lower than IST)

## Airports

### [Istanbul Airport (IST)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/ist-istanbul-istanbul-airport/1ef266df-5964-637e-b8a8-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Istanbul, Turkey
- ICAO: LTFM
- Timezone: Europe/Istanbul
- Coordinates: 41.280000, 28.750000
- Elevation: 325 ft

### [Tawau Airport (TWU)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/twu-tawau-tawau-airport/1ef266df-fbaa-6dae-90d2-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Tawau, Malaysia
- ICAO: WBKW
- Timezone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
- Coordinates: 4.320000, 118.130000
- Elevation: 57 ft

## Route notes

This is an ultra-long-haul route, one of the longest in aviation. It requires wide-body aircraft with extended range capability such as the Airbus A350-900ULR or Boeing 777-200LR. Passengers should prepare for an extended flight with multiple meal services.

Time-zone information: When it's 03:07 in Istanbul, it's 08:07 in Tawau.
The 5-hour time difference may cause some jet lag.

## Related

- [Istanbul Airport (IST)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/ist-istanbul-istanbul-airport/1ef266df-5964-637e-b8a8-06bb2780ed98)
- [Tawau Airport (TWU)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/twu-tawau-tawau-airport/1ef266df-fbaa-6dae-90d2-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)