Are there direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu?

Yes, direct flights are very common for the Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu route. Historically, approximately 96.4% of all flights on this route have been direct. For the small percentage of flights that do include stopovers, travelers typically experience one stop. This data reflects trends observed over a 90-day period.

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

The typical direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu has a median duration of 2 hours and 35 minutes. This route covers a distance of 1629 kilometers. For flights with one stop, the median travel time is significantly longer, averaging 9 hours. These durations provide a general expectation for travel time on this route.

How often do cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu come up?

Cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu are historically frequent. This route is consistently observed to have good availability for budget-friendly fares. This classification is based on pricing trends and deal occurrences over a 30-day window, indicating regular opportunities for travelers to find lower prices.

Flights From Kuala Lumpur

To Kota Kinabalu

Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

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Deals from

Kuala Lumpur

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Prices updated 2 days ago

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 26, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

2027-01-19 – 2027-01-26
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
45% AI deal score
$78
$110
Round trip
2027-01-19 – 2027-01-27
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
45% AI deal score
$77
$110
Round trip
2027-01-14 – 2027-01-20
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$75
$111
Round trip
2027-01-14 – 2027-01-16
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$73
$111
Round trip
2027-01-08 – 2027-01-13
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$73
$111
Round trip
2027-01-09 – 2027-01-15
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$73
$111
Round trip
2027-01-05 – 2027-01-09
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$72
$111
Round trip
2027-01-06 – 2027-01-14
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$72
$111
Round trip
2027-01-05 – 2027-01-13
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$72
$111
Round trip
2027-01-06 – 2027-01-15
KUL - Kota Kinabalu
44% AI deal score
$71
$111
Round trip

Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu: Overview

Insights for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

The route from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu covers a distance of 1629 km, classifying it as a medium-haul flight. This distance means you can expect a journey that balances time in the air with the convenience of reaching a distinct destination.

A typical journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu takes about 4h 55m, including connections. Given that almost all itineraries are non-stop, this duration largely reflects the direct flight time between these two cities.

For travelers looking for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, prices typically range from $65 to $139, with a median fare of $93. Right now, current fares are above the typical level. New deals appear almost daily for this route, suggesting frequent opportunities to find better prices.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu? The data indicates that January is the most affordable month, with a median fare of just $59. August also offers competitive prices, with a median fare of $64, followed closely by July at a median of $65. These months present the best opportunities for cost-effective travel.

For direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, almost all itineraries are non-stop, with 96.4% of recent fares being direct. This high percentage means you are very likely to find a non-stop option, making for a more convenient and often quicker journey.

How much is a round trip from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Regular price: $59 - $136

Prices for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is between $59 and $136. The current lowest deal is $109 with Malaysia Airlines for travel from Jan 19 to Jan 27.

now $109

Low $59

High $136

The cheapest time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

The cheapest month to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu is January, with a median price of $59. The most expensive month is December, with a median price of $210. Prices are generally lower from January to November.

January

Cheapest

Flights from $59

December

Most Expensive

Flights from $210

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Malaysia Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Mon, Sep 7

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

AirAsia

$174

$157

One-way

Thu, Sep 10

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

AirAsia

$165

$156

One-way

Sat, Sep 12

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

AirAsia

$184

$158

One-way

Thu, Sep 24

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Malindo Airways

$188

$181

One-way

Fri, Oct 2

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Malaysia Airlines

$69

$124

One-way

Sat, Oct 3

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Malaysia Airlines

$73

$119

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

7 nights

Sep 12 - Sep 19

$184 → $158

14%

9 nights

Sep 7 - Sep 16

$174 → $157

10%

14 nights

Sep 10 - Sep 24

$165 → $156

4 nights

Sep 24 - Sep 28

$188 → $181

Popular Airports to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu are above the typical level at $109.

📅 Best time to fly

January is historically cheapest at $59

Historically, January is the cheapest month to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu at $59.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights average 4h 55m

The typical direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu takes 4 hours and 55 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

96.4% of recent flights are direct

Most flights on this route are direct, with 96.4% of recent flights having no stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Malaysia Airlines offers direct flights

Malaysia Airlines is a provider of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently on this route

Deals for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu appear frequently, so check often.

Kuala Lumpur main airports to depart from

Kuala Lumpur International (KUL)

Cheapest

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a primary option for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.

📍 ~45 km from city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$106

Kota Kinabalu main airports to arrive at

Kota Kinabalu International (BKI)

Cheapest

Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport for convenient access to Kota Kinabalu.

📍 ~8 km from Kota Kinabalu (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$106

Airports nearby Kota Kinabalu used as alternative

Sandakan (SDK)

Sandakan Airport is a major airport within Sabah, offering reliable domestic connectivity for travelers.

📍 ~280 km from Kota Kinabalu (approximately 6 hours by road).

💸 Flights from ~$123

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Kota Kinabalu

48% AI deal score

$426

From SZB

Elite

Sep 15

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

48% AI deal score

$459

$428

Save $31

From KUL

Elite

Jul 20

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

48% AI deal score

$428

From KUL

Elite

Aug 05

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

48% AI deal score

$428

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Kota Kinabalu

Historically, the lowest prices for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu are found when booking 28-59 days in advance. During this period, the average price was $79. Booking within 0-6 days of departure typically saw prices rise significantly to an average of $364. Prices for bookings made 60 or more days out were also higher, averaging $102, indicating that waiting too long or booking too early can both result in higher fares.

Across the trailing quarter, a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu was considered a good deal if it was priced at or below $65. The median price for this route during the same period was $93. Fares exceeding $139 were typically in the more expensive range. These figures are based on pricing data observed over a 90-day window.

Historically, January has been the cheapest month to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, with a median price of $59. August and July also offered competitive prices, with median fares of $64 and $65 respectively. The annual median price for this route was $93. These insights are based on pricing trends observed over a 270-day period.

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Flights to Kota Kinabalu from other cities

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Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu: Overview

Insights for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

How much is a round trip from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Regular price: $59 - $136

Prices for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is between $59 and $136. The current lowest deal is $109 with Malaysia Airlines for travel from Jan 19 to Jan 27.

now $109

Low $59

High $136

The cheapest time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

January

Cheapest

Flights from $59

December

Most Expensive

Flights from $210

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Malaysia Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

Mon, Sep 7

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

AirAsia

$174

$157

One-way

Thu, Sep 10

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

AirAsia

$165

$156

One-way

Sat, Sep 12

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

AirAsia

$184

$158

One-way

Thu, Sep 24

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Malindo Airways

$188

$181

One-way

Fri, Oct 2

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Malaysia Airlines

$69

$124

One-way

Sat, Oct 3

⌛ Last-Minute

KUL - Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Malaysia Airlines

$73

$119

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

7 nights

Sep 12 - Sep 19

$184 → $158

14%

9 nights

Sep 7 - Sep 16

$174 → $157

10%

14 nights

Sep 10 - Sep 24

$165 → $156

4 nights

Sep 24 - Sep 28

$188 → $181

Popular Airports to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu