Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaKota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI) take about 2h 32m (1,629 km). Firefly, AirAsia and Batik Air Malaysia fly it. Lowest fare seen: $65 one-way, nonstop (12 Oct 2026).

All flights from Kuala Lumpur →

Photo of Kota Kinabalu: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

When you land in Kota Kinabalu

The airport transfer and the few things worth sorting before you fly.

Airport transfer

BKI → Kota-Kinabalu, booked before you fly

A private driver meets you in arrivals at a price agreed when you book. Book with Welcome Pickups.

See transfer prices

A commercial airplane parked at Kuala Lumpur airport, connected to a passenger boarding bridge under a clear blue sky. — lounges at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Kuala Lumpur Airport · 9 lounges

Before you flyAirport lounges at Kuala Lumpur →

Trains, buses and taxi faresBKI to Kota-Kinabalu: getting into town →Early arrival or late flightLuggage storage in Kota Kinabalu →1 drop-off point

Things to book in Kota Kinabalu

from €28.39

Kota Kinabalu Quad Biking

from €3.49

Upside Down House Sabah

Find hotels in Kota Kinabalu

Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com

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Airlines flying Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Carriers on KUL–BKI according to our route data and nonstop fares seen as of 12 Oct 2026. Not a complete list.

✈ Fireflynonstop fare seen✈ AirAsianonstop fare seen✈ Batik Air Malaysianonstop fare seen✈ Malaysia Airlinesnonstop fare seen

Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu fares by month

Cheapest month seen for a nonstop flight: Mar 2027, from $58 one-way. Lowest one-way fares seen for departures in each month, read 22 Oct 2026.

Departing	Nonstop from	Cheaper with stops
Oct 2026	$6926 Oct 2026 · AirAsia	—
Nov 2026	$647 Nov 2026 · AirAsia	—
Dec 2026	$703 Dec 2026 · AirAsia	—
Jan 2027	$5913 Jan 2027 · AirAsia	—
Feb 2027	$6118 Feb 2027 · AirAsia	—
Mar 2027	$5818 Mar 2027 · AirAsia	—
Apr 2027	$6129 Apr 2027 · AirAsia	—
May 2027	$8516 May 2027 · Firefly	—
Aug 2027	$605 Aug 2027 · AirAsia	—

When to go for the lowest fare

Fares were close across the months we saw: $64 for November 2026, $58 at best after that.

From Travelpayouts flight-search data, city to city (Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, any airport), USD, read 22 Oct 2026. These are fares that were on sale, not a guarantee of today's price; an airline is named only where we know it flies this route.

Best time to fly to Kota Kinabalu

Based on weather and travel conditions in Malaysia

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best monthsGoodAvoid if possible

The west coast (KL, Penang, Langkawi) is best March–October. East coast destinations (Perhentian, Tioman) peak June–August. Year-round humidity is high but manageable.

Peak season: March – October

More for this trip

Frequently asked questions — Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu flights

How long is the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu?

A nonstop flight from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI) takes about 2h 32m, covering 1,629 km. That is an estimate from the distance — actual time varies with the airline, aircraft and winds, and connecting itineraries take longer.

How far is Kuala Lumpur from Kota Kinabalu by air?

The great-circle distance between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport is 1,629 km (1,012 miles), a medium-haul route.

Which airlines fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu?

Airlines with flights or nonstop fares on the KUL–BKI route include Firefly, AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines. This is not a complete list — schedules change by season, so check the current options before booking.

How much does a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu cost?

The lowest one-way fare seen recently on KUL–BKI was $65 USD with Firefly (nonstop), departing 25 Mar 2027, found in fare searches as of 12 Oct 2026. Fares change constantly and depend on the date, so check the current price before booking.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu?

In fares seen on 22 Oct 2026, departures in March 2027 were cheapest, from $58 one-way, against $85 for May 2027, the dearest month. Fares change daily, so check your own dates.

Do I need a visa to travel from Malaysia to Malaysia?

It depends on your passport. Some nationalities can enter Malaysia visa-free or get a visa on arrival; others must apply in advance. Use AirConnect's Visa Checker to see the rules for your passport.

What is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu?

The west coast (KL, Penang, Langkawi) is best March–October. East coast destinations (Perhentian, Tioman) peak June–August. Year-round humidity is high but manageable.

Sources: fares from Travelpayouts flight-search data, seen 12 Oct 2026; airlines from each carrier's published network and nonstop fares on sale; distance from OurAirports coordinates; flight time estimated from distance. Fares change daily.

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