Cheap flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

Sandakan
SDK
Kota Kinabalu
BKI

Flight deals from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

Below you can see the best deals on flights Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu for upcoming dates. Direct and connecting flights from various airlines — compare prices and choose the right ticket.

The lowest price for the next 2 months is on 8 October, from $25.

Top 10 cheap flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

AK
$ 33

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

15:20—16:05
10 Sep 2026
45 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 33

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

07:55—08:40
10 Sep 2026
45 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 33

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

10:30—11:20
10 Sep 2026
50 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 33

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

17:50—18:40
10 Sep 2026
50 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 34

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

07:55—08:40
8 Sep 2026
45 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 34

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

13:40—14:25
8 Sep 2026
45 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 34

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

15:20—16:05
8 Sep 2026
45 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 34

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

10:30—11:20
8 Sep 2026
50 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 34

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

17:50—18:40
8 Sep 2026
50 m
Direct flight
AK
$ 35

Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

13:55—14:40
20 Aug 2026
45 m
Direct flight

Prices were found in the last 72 hours and may change — check the exact price when you continue.

About the Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu flight

Looking for cheap flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu? Compare fares from different airlines, check the flight schedule and travel time — and book your Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu ticket online at the best price.

The route has direct flights — around 95 flights per week, flights are operated by AirAsia, Batik Air (Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd dba Batik Air Malaysia), Firefly, a nonstop flight takes about 45 min, the distance between the cities is around 221 km.

Planning your trip? You may find our Kota Kinabalu travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and Kota Kinabalu weather forecast useful. To catch a low fare, use the low-price calendar and the monthly price chart on this page.

Facts about this route

from $25Min. price
OctoberCheapest
JulyPeak season
YesDirect flights
221 kmDistance
45 minTravel time
3Airlines
95 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

The table shows direct flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 45 min. Regular flights are operated by AirAsia, Batik Air (Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd dba Batik Air Malaysia) and Firefly. Departures from Sandakan Airport airports, arrivals at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

For each flight, the following details are shown: departure time (local), arrival city and airport, flight number and airline, terminal or gate, and status. Click on a flight to open its details and go to ticket search. To view flights on a different day, change the date above the table.

Today
Any time
Last update: 14 Aug 2026

Flight ticket prices by day: Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $25 in October, and the most expensive are around $64 in July. If your travel dates are flexible, the calendar will help you find the best price for your preferred period. To view round-trip fares, switch to the "Round trip" tab above the calendar, select your departure date — and the right-hand calendar will highlight the lowest prices for return flights on each day.

 
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Prices by month

Average one-way fares from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in January (around $29) and priciest in July (about $40) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$29lowMay$34mediumSep$31low
Feb$37highJun$38highOct$30low
Mar$32mediumJul$40highNov$31low
Apr$30lowAug$38highDec$37high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in Kota Kinabalu: it is warmest in May (up to 29 °C on average) and coolest in January (around 28 °C). The driest month is February.

Tickets are usually cheapest in October and most expensive in July. Compare prices and weather by month in the charts below to pick the best time to fly.

Temperature · Kota Kinabalu

Dry and wet days · Kota Kinabalu

Wind speed and direction · Kota Kinabalu

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How to get the best deal on a Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu ticket

  • Book ahead: fares for Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu are usually lower 3–8 weeks before departure than at the last minute.
  • Play with your dates — Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Kota Kinabalu is usually October — plan your trip around it if your dates are flexible.
  • Compare direct and connecting flights: nonstop is faster, while a connection is sometimes noticeably cheaper.
  • Watch the low-price calendar and the monthly price trend on this page — they make it easier to catch a good date.
  • Travelling light? Pick a cabin-baggage-only fare — tickets without checked luggage are noticeably cheaper.
  • Get to the airport in good time — about 2–3 hours before an international departure and roughly an hour before a domestic one.

Airlines

Flights on the Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu route are operated by 3 airlines; AirAsia runs the most flights (around 82% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • AirAsiaAK
    26x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 10523.9M pax/year
    • Direct flight SDK → BKI26x/week
      Duration
      48m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    82.1%Open →
  • Batik Air (Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd dba Batik Air Malaysia)OD
    5x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 355M pax/year
    • Direct flight SDK → BKI5x/week
    16.8%Open →
  • FireflyFY
    1x/week
    Fleet: 142M pax/year
    • Direct flight SDK → BKI1x/week
    1.1%Open →

Cities and airports on the Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu route

Flights Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu depart from Sandakan Airport and arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure

Sandakan

SDK
Malaysia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Malaysia
Arrival

Kota Kinabalu

BKI
Malaysia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Malaysia
Departure airports
Arrival airports

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Frequently asked questions about the Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu flight

How long is the flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

A nonstop Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu flight takes about 45 min — the distance between the cities is around 221 km.

How far is it from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

The distance from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu is about 221 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 45 min.

Are there direct flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu — around 95 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

Airlines operating Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu include AirAsia, Batik Air (Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd dba Batik Air Malaysia), Firefly. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu flights use?

Flights from Sandakan depart from Sandakan Airport, and arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. If a city has more than one airport, check which one your ticket uses before you travel.

How much is a ticket from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

The price of a Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in October, and most expensive in July. Tickets typically cost between $25 and $64. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

When is the best time to book flights Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu?

Flights Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu are usually cheaper when booked in advance — a few weeks before departure and away from peak dates; the most budget-friendly month to fly is October. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

How can I find the cheapest flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

To catch a low fare Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu, book a few weeks in advance, keep your dates flexible, and compare airlines and connecting options. The low-price calendar and monthly price chart on this page show the cheapest days and months at a glance: the most budget-friendly month to fly is usually October.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

For international flights, plan to be at the airport about 2–3 hours before departure, and around an hour before a domestic flight. Allow extra time during busy travel seasons and at large hubs, where check-in and security lines can be longer.

Where else you can fly from Sandakan

See all
Kuala LumpurLahad DatuTawau

Where else you can fly from Kota Kinabalu

See all
Kuala LumpurTawauSingaporeKuchingSeoulLabuanJohor BahruLahad DatuGuangzhouGeorge TownShanghaiMiriHong KongBandar Seri BegawanMuluFuzhouBeijingHangzhouManilaShenzhenSibuJakartaHo Chi Minh CityKota BharuLimbangTaipeiBusanLawasBintuluCebu City

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