Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI): what you need to know
Start planning your trip by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Explore your options for taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB), two of the city's main airports.
The average duration of a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport is 2 hours 40 minutes.
Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu (where Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located) share the UTC+8 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch once you arrive.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is the most popular route. There are 1,300 direct weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, hop on the last flight with AirAsia at 23:40. Go for the first KUL to BKI departure with AirAsia at 05:45 if you want to get going earlier.
To ensure you get on your flight from Kuala Lumpur to BKI, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Flying over a peak time such as August? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) leave from this terminal.
Popular airlines that offer direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport out of KUL include:
The distance from central Kuala Lumpur to KUL is around 64 kilometres. Check out travel apps like Google Maps for the quickest route, whether you want to drive or use public transport.
Have an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Searching for other options for a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)? Check out the fares flying out of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
The most popular airlines that operate direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to BKI taking off from SZB include:
You can reach SZB from the centre of Kuala Lumpur in approximately 27 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 32 minutes to travel the 24 kilometres or so.
Want to spoil yourself with an extra night away before boarding your flight from Kuala Lumpur to BKI? Unwind in a hotel near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport before your holiday officially starts. Consider one of these stays:
About Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
If you have a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near BKI:
Getting from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to central Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is approximately 8 kilometres from central Kota Kinabalu. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is about 14 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport is P950. The cheapest price for a return flight is P1,873. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Get cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to BKI by booking 7 months ahead. Based on flight price data, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
You'll land the biggest savings on your tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport by travelling in April. Take it one step further and use the 'Whole month' search tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from Kuala Lumpur to BKI is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has fallen.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
The best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
August is the busiest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. To avoid the crowds, plan your trip to Kota Kinabalu in February when things are quieter.
The warmest month in Kota Kinabalu is May, with the temperature ranging between 24ºC and 31ºC. Book your flights from Kuala Lumpur to BKI in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
February sees average temperatures of between 23ºC and 29ºC. Look for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport sometime around then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Kota Kinabalu
Start your Kota Kinabalu trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, check out our range of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Cool Bar, Orchid De Villa and Sri Pasupathinath Alayam are attractions you won't want to skip in Kota Kinabalu.
Complete your Kota Kinabalu trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu International Airport to track down your ideal ride. Check out our car rentals in Kota Kinabalu and easily compare your options. Plus you'll find all the info you need to know, from the most popular rental company to the average daily price.