$18 Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

View $18 flight on Sun, Sep 28, 2025Opens in a new window

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

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

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $18 for one-way flights and $35 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Firefly
Thu, Aug 21 - Sun, Aug 24
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
BKI
Kota Kinabalu
$35 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$35
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Firefly flight, departing Thu, Aug 21 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, returning Sun, Aug 24, priced at $35 found 4 hours ago
Firefly
Sat, Sep 27 - Tue, Oct 28
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
BKI
Kota Kinabalu
$62 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$62
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Firefly flight, departing Sat, Sep 27 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, returning Tue, Oct 28, priced at $62 found 3 hours ago
Batik air
Wed, Oct 1 - Thu, Oct 2
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
BKI
Kota Kinabalu
$138 Roundtrip, found 23 hours ago
$138
Roundtrip
found 23 hours ago
Select Batik air flight, departing Wed, Oct 1 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, returning Thu, Oct 2, priced at $138 found 23 hours ago
Batik air
Thu, Sep 25 - Sat, Oct 4
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
BKI
Kota Kinabalu
$146 Roundtrip, found 23 hours ago
$146
Roundtrip
found 23 hours ago
Select Batik air flight, departing Thu, Sep 25 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, returning Sat, Oct 4, priced at $146 found 23 hours ago
Batik air
Thu, Sep 25 - Tue, Sep 30
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
BKI
Kota Kinabalu
$152 Roundtrip, found 23 hours ago
$152
Roundtrip
found 23 hours ago
Select Batik air flight, departing Thu, Sep 25 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, returning Tue, Sep 30, priced at $152 found 23 hours ago
Batik air
Thu, Aug 28 - Mon, Sep 8
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
BKI
Kota Kinabalu
$162 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$162
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Batik air flight, departing Thu, Aug 28 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, returning Mon, Sep 8, priced at $162 found 3 days ago
Firefly
Sun, Sep 28 - Wed, Oct 1
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
BKI
Kota Kinabalu
$163 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$163
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select Firefly flight, departing Sun, Sep 28 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, returning Wed, Oct 1, priced at $163 found 7 hours ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

November is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $54 - $90 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Kota Kinabalu

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Kota Kinabalu Intl. BKI. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 9 minutes. Flights from $180
BKI
Kota Kinabalu Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center9 min
Flights from $180
Flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Origin airport
Kuala Lumpur Intl.
Destination airport
Kota Kinabalu Intl.
Airlines serving
Batik air , Malaysia Airlines
Roundtrip price
$35
Distance
1012 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 33 mins

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 August. 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 $18 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 much does a flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) cost?
You can book cheap return flights starting at $158 from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Malindo Air and Firefly flight leaving KUL on August 3 2025 and touching down at BKI. The price was last updated on July 23 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from KUL to BKI?
The cheapest flights from KUL to BKI are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
Skip the layovers and fly nonstop to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) with 4 airlines, including:

  • AirAsia
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Malindo Air

What is the cheapest airline that flies from KUL to BKI?
At the moment, the cheapest carrier operating one-way flights from KUL to BKI is Malaysia Airlines. You can jet off on this route from $176. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from KUL on October 6 2025. Prices were last updated on July 23 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
When flying out of Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL), you'll have your pick from an average of 27 daily nonstop flights to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
More passengers fly between KUL and BKI at 6 PM than at any other time of day. Looking for a quieter experience? Travel outside of rush hours and there's a chance you'll save on your ticket as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from KUL to BKI?
If you jet off on a Monday, you'll get the widest range of choices for flights from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI).
What is the earliest flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
Take the earliest flight at around 12:30AM UTC+8, leaving from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL). You'll be in the air for approximately 2h 40m, reaching Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) at approximately 3:10AM UTC+8.
How long does it take to fly from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
Flights from KUL to BKI have an average travel time of 2 hours and 38 minutes. The distance between these two airports is 1,000 mi.
What is the best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
To touch down at Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) on schedule, choose a flight that leaves Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) before 3 PM. The chance of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL)?
If you're taking a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) is the only airport you can land at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI) last-minute?
Holding off until just before your trip to book a flight from KUL to BKI often results in higher prices. While you may come across some last-minute offers, they aren't always guaranteed. Be flexible with your travel plans to boost your chances of snagging a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a KUL to BKI flight and hotel package?
You'll generally save money by securing a KUL to BKI flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's easy to manage it all in one place. After choosing your ideal accommodations and flights, you can add extras like car rentals, tours and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu Intl. Airport (BKI)?
In most instances, you can cancel or modify your KUL to BKI flight. However, there may be additional fees, especially if you made your booking over 24 hours ago. Double-check your itinerary for the airline's fees and policies on flight changes, or if you need further information, head to our Customer Service portal.

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Kuala Lumpur nearby Airports

Subang

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah to Kota Kinabalu
$44.32
*Available to One Key members.