$35 Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Popular airlines from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

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

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $35 for one-way flights and $69 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Firefly
Firefly
Firefly
Batik air
Batik air
Batik air
Batik air
Batik air
Firefly
Malaysia Airlines
Flights from Subang (SZB) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Origin airport
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah
Destination airport
Kota Kinabalu Intl.
Airlines serving
Batik air , Malaysia Airlines
Roundtrip price
$69
Distance
1016 mi

Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu are during the month of July. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $35 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fly from KUL to Kota Kinabalu International Airport?
AirAsia has a direct flight leaving from KUL at 1:35PM and landing at BKI at 4:10PM — a total travel time of 2 hours and 35 minutes. Book the best available seat, pack some things to keep you entertained and enjoy the ride.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport last minute?
Booking your flight from KUL to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) last minute could save you cash if you’re lucky to find a good deal. However, tickets typically don’t come down in price closer to the departure date. If you choose to wait, flights could also be sold out or the best seats gone (hello, middle seat!). If you’d rather not hedge your bets, book well in advance of your departure date. In fact, some of the best deals are available on Expedia up to 12 months in advance. If your favorite airline hasn’t released its fares yet, check back regularly as deals are updated on Expedia all the time.
What airline has the least delays from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport?
Recording an on-time performance of 74%, Malaysia Airlines is the carrier that’s more likely to get you from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to BKI without any delays. Flight delays aren’t just an unpleasant experience — they can also lead you to missing a connection that upends your vacation. You can stay updated by reviewing your flight status through the free Expedia App before you head for the airport. If you’re already at the terminal and your plans will be significantly impacted, visit the customer service desk to see what your options are.
What airports do you fly into for Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur?
There are two — Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) and Keningau (KGU). Both are great choices for those venturing from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. If you opt for Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI), you’ll land roughly 4 mi south of downtown Kota Kinabalu. After you’ve checked in to your hotel, it’s time to discover some of the city’s leading sights. Imago Shopping Mall and Suria Sabah Shopping Mall are favorites among locals and visitors alike.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from KUL to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
The most popular departure times for journeys from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport are between 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM on AirAsia. Our recommendation is to head out in the morning. The earlier you travel, the better your odds of a delay-free flight with lighter air traffic around.
Can I change the date of my flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to BKI?
It’s a cinch to make changes to your KUL to Kota Kinabalu International Airport trip yourself. Simply log in to the Expedia Trips portal and tap “change flight.” Look for new flights and secure the one that fits your plans. You’ll get an estimate of your flight change fee, if applicable. You can also find your way to our Customer Service portal to chat to our Virtual Agent and get answers to your questions.

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