KUL - BKI

C$ 98 Find Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
C$ 194
Typical prices: C$ 118-C$ 213
Malaysia Airlines
Fri 23/2Tue 27/2
KUL - BKI • Direct
Cheapest one-way flights
C$ 98
Typical prices: C$ 69-C$ 138
Malaysia Airlines
Sat 1/12
KUL - BKI • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and others. Average duration is 2h 40m.
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 89% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 25 weeks in advance save around 37% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 26% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg C$ 135 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 5h 14m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Kota Kinabalu!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu (KUL-BKI)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Tue, 23 Feb - Sat, 27 Feb
Malaysia Airlines Logo
6:50 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 40mdirect
Malaysia Airlines Logo
10:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 40mdirect
C$ 194Malaysia Airlines
Tue, 5 Jan - Mon, 11 Jan
Malaysia Airlines Logo
6:50 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 40mdirect
Malaysia Airlines Logo
10:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 40mdirect
C$ 215Malaysia Airlines
Tue, 17 Nov - Tue, 24 Nov
AirAsia Logo
10:05 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 40mdirect
AirAsia Logo
11:25 p.m. - 1:55 a.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 30mdirect
C$ 222AirAsia
Tue, 5 Jan - Fri, 8 Jan
Malaysia Airlines Logo
6:30 p.m. - 9:10 p.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 40mdirect
Malaysia Airlines Logo
10:00 p.m. - 12:45 a.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 45mdirect
C$ 238Malaysia Airlines
Mon, 4 Jan - Wed, 6 Jan
Malaysia Airlines Logo
6:50 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 40mdirect
Malaysia Airlines Logo
10:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 40mdirect
C$ 242Malaysia Airlines
Tue, 27 Oct - Mon, 16 Nov
Batik Air Logo
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 30mdirect
Batik Air Logo
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 30mdirect
C$ 255Batik Air
Fri, 1 Jan - Tue, 12 Jan
Malaysia Airlines Logo
8:25 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 45mdirect
Malaysia Airlines Logo
7:20 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 40mdirect
C$ 259Malaysia Airlines
Fri, 25 Dec - Mon, 28 Dec
AirAsia Logo
8:10 p.m. - 10:55 p.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 45mdirect
AirAsia Logo
10:25 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 35mdirect
C$ 260AirAsia
Tue, 27 Oct - Wed, 11 Nov
Batik Air Logo
7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 30mdirect
Batik Air Logo
8:05 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 30mdirect
C$ 264Batik Air
Sun, 27 Dec - Wed, 30 Dec
AirAsia Logo
10:05 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.KUL  Kuala Lumpur Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
2h 40mdirect
AirAsia Logo
3:00 p.m. - 5:40 p.m.BKI  Kota Kinabalu-KUL Kuala Lumpur Intl
2h 40mdirect
C$ 266AirAsia
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

Round-trip flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu start at C$ 194. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from C$ 118 to C$ 213. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was C$ 194 on Malaysia Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu and is 4% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 8% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu at C$ 112 round-trip.
•August (C$ 205) and July (C$ 204) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 83% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu the cheapest?

Flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu are cheapest 25 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 37% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

C$ 98
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 22% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 15% lower on average.
Flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu

When to book flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:00 am and lands at 8:40 am
    • Latest: departs at 10:30 pm and lands at 1:10 am.

    The flight takes about 2h 40m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    Only Economy Class is available on flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu.

  • How long does a flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu take?

    A direct flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu takes 2h 40m, covering 2,621 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flight?

    Round-trip flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu range from C$ 118 to C$ 213, with an average of C$ 152 over the past 12 months. Anything below C$ 118 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route – booked within 2 weeks of departure – run 34% above the route average of C$ 152. Book 25 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Layover fares average C$ 135 round-trip via Sibu (SBW), compared to C$ 152 for direct.

  • How does Malaysia Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights?

    Malaysia Airlines is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Firefly has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights are:

    • Malaysia Airlines: 89% on time
    • Firefly: 74% on time
    • AirAsia: 62% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 74% of the time.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge C$ 5–C$ 141 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    The Boeing 737-800 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Batik Air and Firefly. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

  • How are flight departures from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights, with 44% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 31%, Evening flights for 17%, and Night flights for 8%.

  • Have flight prices from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about C$ 194 to C$ 1,277. That means the highest observed fare was about 7x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu looking right now?

    One-way fares from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about C$ 205, which is 110% above the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI)?

    Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around C$ 22 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • keddy by Europcar
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Europcar
    • KK Rent A Car
    • Hertz

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    Flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu usually depart from Kuala Lumpur Intl (KUL) and arrive at Kota Kinabalu (BKI).

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu route, 26% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 15 minutes.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu pass through?

    One-stop flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu most commonly connect through:

    • Singapore Changi (SIN) – 62% of one-stop connections
    • Sibu (SBW) – 14% of one-stop connections
    • Miri (MYY) – 10% of one-stop connections
    • Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Intl (BWN) – 8% of one-stop connections

    Singapore Changi (SIN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 12% on the Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at C$ 146 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at C$ 164, a difference of C$ 18. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    4 airlines operate flights between Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport and Kota Kinabalu. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • AirAsia
    • Malaysia Airlines
    • Batik Air
    • Firefly

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport when travelling from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu?

    Flying via Sandakan (SDK) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 5h 14m, compared with 5h 40m via Tawau (TWU) and 8h 13m via Sibu (SBW).

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights?

    Among airlines operating Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights:

    • Malaysia Airlines: offers free seat selection
    • AirAsia: offers free seat selection
    • Batik Air: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Malaysia Airlines: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • AirAsia: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Batik Air: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Which parking options are available at Kuala Lumpur International Airport?

    For those who are being dropped off at the airport, you can use the Long-Term Car Park for free (up to 30 minutes) to set down, and from there you can take one of the regularly-running shuttle buses to the main terminal. If you’re driving to the airport and want to leave your car there for the duration of your trip, the car park costs RM 32 per day approx.

  • How do I get from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to the city?

    From the airport, you can take either a taxi or a bus to Kota Kinabalu. Taxis operate on a coupon system so you don’t have to worry about the meter during your trip. You can purchase a coupon at the desk on Level 1 for a set price of RM 30 approx. Alternatively, you can take the bus, with a one-way ticket costing RM 5 approx.

  • What are the lounges like at Kota Kinabalu International Airport?

    There are two Plaza Premium Lounges that you can access for a fee. The one for domestic flights is located in the domestic terminal near gate A10. Inside, you’ll find plenty of comfortable seating, good Wi-Fi, and complimentary food and drink. Shower facilities are also available. Prices start at RM 160 approx. for 2hr.

Your guide to booking Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Thursday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average C$ 146 – about C$ 18 less than Sunday (11% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 25 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 37% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu trip for January. Fares historically average C$ 112 round-trip in that month – typically C$ 93 less than the most expensive month, which is August (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Malaysia Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 89% of Malaysia Airlines flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 74%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours15 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Sibu Airport (SBW) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages C$ 135 round-trip on this route – about C$ 17 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Airport.
    - Goldenhill Hotel
    - Megah D'Aru Hotel
  • If you would like to check your emails or surf the web, there is Wi-Fi available throughout Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Simply select Airport@Wifi on your device and enjoy surfing the web for free.
  • For passengers who would like to pray after arriving, Muslim prayer rooms are available on Level 1 and Level 3 in Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KUL).
  • If your electronic devices are running low on battery upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, simply head to the charging point on Level 3 of the Public Concourse.

Prefer to fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport to Kota Kinabalu Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Kuala Lumpur Intl to Kota Kinabalu

Monday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Tuesday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Wednesday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Thursday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Friday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Saturday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Sunday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

See more nonstop flights

Direct returns

Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur Intl

Monday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Tuesday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Wednesday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Thursday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Friday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Saturday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

Sunday

AirAsia,Batik Air,Malaysia Airlines, +1 more

AirAsia,Batik Air, +2 more

See more nonstop flights

More options for your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Complete your trip to Kota Kinabalu with a hotel stay or car rental