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Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Popular airlines from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Choose from 4 airlines flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, including AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air Malaysia. AirAsia currently offers the cheapest ticket on this route.
AirAsia logo AirAsia Malaysia Airlines logo Malaysia Airlines Batik Air Malaysia logo Batik Air Malaysia Firefly Airline logo Firefly Airline

Explore the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu in the next three months. Based on Trip.com's data from the latest 7 days, one-way direct flights start at S$ 35, and round-trip direct tickets start at S$ 93.

      • Cheapest nonstop
        KUL 20:30
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 23:00
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Thu, Jan 22 | AirAsia
        BKI 09:10
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 11:40
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Tue, Jan 27 | AirAsia
        S$ 93 S$ 106
        12% OFF
        12% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 93
      • KUL 07:00
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 09:35
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Fri, Jan 9 | AirAsia
        BKI 15:55
        2h 35m
        Direct
        KUL 18:30
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Mon, Jan 12 | AirAsia
        S$ 93 S$ 106
        12% OFF
        12% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 93
      • KUL 19:45
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 22:15
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Thu, Jan 22 | Batik Air Malaysia
        BKI 11:00
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 13:30
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Mon, Jan 26 | Batik Air Malaysia
        S$ 94 S$ 106
        11% OFF
        11% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 94
      • KUL 06:05
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 08:40
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Mon, Feb 9 | AirAsia
        BKI 23:25
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 01:55
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Wed, Feb 11 | AirAsia
        S$ 95
        10% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 95
      • KUL 06:05
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 08:40
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Wed, Jan 7 | AirAsia
        BKI 22:40
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 01:10
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Sun, Jan 11 | AirAsia
        S$ 95
        10% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 95
      • KUL 20:30
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 23:00
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Thu, Jan 8 | AirAsia
        BKI 22:40
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 01:10
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Sun, Jan 11 | AirAsia
        S$ 95
        10% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 95
      • KUL 07:00
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 09:35
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Thu, Jan 15 | AirAsia
        BKI 22:00
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 00:30
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Tue, Jan 20 | AirAsia
        S$ 95
        10% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 95
      • KUL 06:05
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 08:40
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Sun, Jan 25 | AirAsia
        BKI 23:25
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 01:55
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Sat, Jan 31 | AirAsia
        S$ 95
        10% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 95
      • KUL 08:00
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 10:30
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Mon, Jan 12 | AirAsia
        BKI 22:40
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 01:10
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Thu, Jan 15 | AirAsia
        S$ 95
        10% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 95
      • KUL 07:00
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 09:35
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Wed, Jan 28 | AirAsia
        BKI 22:00
        2h 30m
        Direct
        KUL 00:30
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Sun, Feb 1 | AirAsia
        S$ 95
        10% OFF
        S$ 106 S$ 95
      • KUL 13:00
        17h 25m
        1 stop
        BKI Invalid Date
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Sat, Dec 13 | Normal Airline
        BKI 15:00
        6h
        Direct
        KUL 16:00
        Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur | Mon, Dec 15 | Normal Airline
        Find More Flights
        Find More Flights
      • Cheapest nonstop
        KUL 08:00
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 10:30
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Sat, Jan 10 | AirAsia
        S$ 35 S$ 52
        33% OFF
        33% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 35
      • KUL 12:55
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 15:30
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Mon, Feb 2 | AirAsia
        S$ 44 S$ 52
        16% OFF
        16% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 44
      • KUL 17:20
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 19:55
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Wed, Feb 4 | AirAsia
        S$ 44 S$ 52
        15% OFF
        15% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 44
      • KUL 19:35
        2h 40m
        Direct
        BKI 22:15
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Thu, Feb 5 | AirAsia
        S$ 45
        15% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 45
      • KUL 07:00
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 09:35
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Sun, Feb 8 | AirAsia
        S$ 46
        11% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 46
      • KUL 20:30
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 23:00
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Sat, Feb 7 | AirAsia
        S$ 47
        10% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 47
      • KUL 13:00
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 15:30
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Tue, Jan 20 | Batik Air Malaysia
        S$ 47
        10% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 47
      • KUL 08:00
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 10:30
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Fri, Jan 9 | AirAsia
        S$ 47
        10% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 47
      • KUL 06:05
        2h 35m
        Direct
        BKI 08:40
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Wed, Jan 28 | AirAsia
        S$ 47
        10% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 47
      • KUL 20:30
        2h 30m
        Direct
        BKI 23:00
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Tue, Feb 3 | AirAsia
        S$ 47
        10% OFF
        S$ 52 S$ 47
      • KUL 13:00
        17h 25m
        1 stop
        BKI Invalid Date
        Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu | Sat, Dec 13 | Normal Airline
        Find More Flights
        Find More Flights

Crossed out prices are calculated based on the average price of the corresponding route on Trip.com.

Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

The distance between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu is approximately 1,621.07km. It takes around 2 hours 38 minutes on average to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. Based on Trip.com's data, travel demand peaks in July. The off-season for travel is November.

Cheapest one-way flight priceS$ 35
Cheapest return ticket priceS$ 93
Off-season for travelNovember
Peak season for travelJuly
Flight distance1,621.07km
Average flight time2 hours 38 minutes
Popular airlineAirAsia Berhad

Cheapest time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

The cheapest time for Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu flights: Jan 4 to Jan 11 — one way flight prices from S$ 35.

Cheapest flights
From price
Search
  • 714
  • 1421
  • 2128

  • Jan

    284
  • 411
  • 1118
  • 1825

  • Feb

    251
  • 18
  • 815
  • 1522

  • Mar

    221
Displayed prices are calculated based on the lowest average weekly prices of the corresponding route on Trip.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which airlines offer the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)?

    Based on Trip.com data, AirAsia offers one-way fares as low as S$ 35 on Cheapest nonstop routes (e.g. KUL to BKI on Sat, Jan 10), while AirAsia offers Cheapest nonstop round-trips from S$ 93 departing on Thu, Jan 22 and returning on Tue, Jan 27.
  • At the moment, you can catch a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu with the following airlines, including: AirAsia Berhad Malaysia Airlines Batik Air Malaysia Firefly Selected airlines are based on historical data collected from flight bookings users made on Trip.com within the last 90 days.
  • It takes about 2 hours 38 minutes to fly from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI).
  • By analyzing data from all airlines on the Trip.com flight calendar, it looks like the best time to book a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu is around 40 days (6 weeks) in advance, and the best time to fly is usually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Tuesday typically offers the cheapest flights for departure, while Saturday offers the best return deals.
  • Based on Trip.com data in the past 4 weeks, there is 211 flight per week flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. You can check the weekly schedule for popular airlines on this route below: Malaysia Airlines: S/M/T/W/T/F/S -- MH2614 (12:59) Malaysia Airlines: S/M/T/W/T/F/S -- MH2616 (14:47)
  • To find best deals on flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, you can use various tools on Trip.com:
    · Be flexible with your travel dates to get the cheapest flight deal. Now the cheapest flight deal is on Sat, Jan 10, with one-way flights priced at just S$ 35.
    · Compare airlines strategically. Budget carriers often provide the lowest base fares, while we found the most affordable airline currently operating on this route is AirAsia.
    · Set up price alerts to easily monitor ticket prices without having to check every day.
    · Check Trip.com flight deals and promo codes frequently.
    · Avoid peak season unless you book very early. It seems the peak season for Kota Kinabalu travel is around July.
    · Get exclusive promo codes for Trip.com app users.
  • The cheapest months to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu is November, when demand for travel is lower.
  • After crunching the numbers on our December flight calendar, it's currently cheapest to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu on December 12, 2025 with Malaysia Airlines, with prices starting at S$ 44.
  • You can land at any one of the following hubs in Kota Kinabalu, with Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KUL-BKI) is by far the most common option on this route: Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
  • The time difference between Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur is 0h.
  • Tickets can only be changed or cancelled if permitted by airline policy. To submit a change or cancellation request, go to the flight bookings page, select the option to change or cancel your booking, choose the relevant passengers and segment, and submit a request. Please note that additional charges may apply according to the airline ticket policy. However, if the flight has been rescheduled and you would like to change or cancel your ticket, you can submit an involuntary cancellation request. For more details about change and cancellation policies, please check the customer support pages.

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

1. Introduction to Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of the state of Sabah, located in Malaysia. Situated on the northwest coast of Borneo Island, it offers a stunning combination of natural beauty and modern attractions. With a population of over 600,000 people, Kota Kinabalu is a melting pot of diverse cultures, including the indigenous Bornean tribes.

Here are some interesting and fun facts about Kota Kinabalu:

  • Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia, is just a few hours away and attracts mountaineers from around the world.
  • The city is known for its rich marine life, making it a popular destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
  • Kota Kinabalu is renowned for its delicious seafood, including fresh prawns, crabs, and fish.
  • The annual Sabah Fest showcases the vibrant cultural heritage of the state through music, dance, and traditional performances.
  • The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, consisting of five beautiful islands, offers breathtaking beaches and crystal-clear waters.

2. Airports in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is served by the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), which is the second busiest airport in Malaysia. It is located approximately 7.5 kilometers southwest of the city center. The airport has a range of facilities, including duty-free shops, restaurants, and car rental services, ensuring a convenient and comfortable experience for travelers.

3. Estimated Flight Time from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

The estimated flight time from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu is around 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, please note that this is a general estimate and may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions and air traffic. Some flights may also have a layover in between, so it is advisable to check the specific details when booking your flight.

4. Tips for Choosing Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

  • Compare prices and flight schedules to find the most convenient option for your travel plans.
  • Consider airlines that offer additional services or amenities that may enhance your journey.
  • Check for any baggage restrictions or additional fees that may apply.
  • Read customer reviews and ratings to gauge the overall satisfaction of previous passengers.
  • Book your flight in advance to secure the best deals and availability.

5. Best Time to Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

The best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu is during the non-peak seasons. This typically falls between the months of March to June and September to November. During these periods, you can often find better flight deals and experience less crowded attractions, allowing for a more enjoyable trip.

6. Popular Airlines Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

There are several popular airlines that operate flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, offering a range of options for travelers. Some of the commonly chosen airlines include Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Malindo Air, and Royal Brunei Airlines. Each airline has its own unique offerings, so it is advisable to compare fares and services to find the best fit for your travel needs.

7. Tips for Traveling to Kota Kinabalu

When traveling to Kota Kinabalu, it is essential to be well-prepared. Here are some useful tips:

  • Airport Arrival Information: Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, you will need to go through immigration and customs before collecting your luggage.
  • Common Payment Mode: Cash is widely accepted in Kota Kinabalu, but credit cards are also commonly used in hotels, restaurants, and larger establishments.
  • Common Transport Options: Taxis, ride-sharing services, and public buses are available for transportation within the city. You can also rent a car if you prefer to explore at your own pace.
  • General Visa Information: Visitors from many countries can enter Kota Kinabalu without a visa for a certain period. However, it is advisable to check the specific visa requirements based on your nationality before traveling.

8. Why Book Your Flight with Trip.com

When planning your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, booking with Trip.com offers several advantages. Here are a few reasons to consider:

  • Easy and user-friendly platform to search for and compare flight options.
  • Access to a wide selection of airlines, ensuring you find the best fares and schedules to suit your preferences.
  • Earn Trip Coins, Trip.com's loyalty points, on every booking, which can be used to unlock exclusive discounts and benefits.
  • Dedicated customer service available 24/7 to assist with any inquiries or issues.
  • Secure payment options and protection for your personal and financial information.

By choosing Trip.com, you can enjoy a seamless booking experience and embark on your journey to Kota Kinabalu with peace of mind.

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