Cheap flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu

Flight deals from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu

Below you can see the best deals on flights Shanghai — 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 6 October, from $103.

Top 10 cheap flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu

About the Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu flight

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

The route has direct flights — around 28 flights per week, flights are operated by AirAsia, Shanghai Airlines, a nonstop flight takes about 4 h 4 min, the distance between the cities is around 2,851 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.

from $103Min. price

OctoberCheapest

JulyPeak season

YesDirect flights

2,851 kmDistance

4 h 4 minTravel time

2Airlines

28 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu

The table shows direct flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 4 h 4 min. Regular flights are operated by AirAsia and Shanghai Airlines. Departures from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International 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: 18 Sep 2026

Airline

Flight

Departure

Arrival

Duration

Days

Status

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $103 in October, and the most expensive are around $300 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.

Prices by month

Average one-way fares from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in November (around $212) and priciest in August (about $289) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

Month	Average price	Level	Month	Average price	Level	Month	Average price	Level
Jan	$224	low	May	$277	high	Sep	$248	medium
Feb	$218	low	Jun	$271	high	Oct	$224	low
Mar	$236	medium	Jul	$283	high	Nov	$212	low
Apr	$254	medium	Aug	$289	high	Dec	$242	medium

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 Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu ticket

Book ahead: fares for Shanghai — 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.
Shanghai is served by more than one airport — compare fares and travel time to each before you book.
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.

Flights on the Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu route are operated by 2 airlines; AirAsia runs the most flights (around 50% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

AirAsiaAK
5x/week
WebsiteFleet: 10523.9M pax/year
- Direct flight PVG → BKI5x/week
  Duration
  4h 40m
  Days
  MTWTFSS
50.0%Open →
Shanghai AirlinesFM
5x/week
WebsiteFleet: 8812M pax/year
- Direct flight PVG → BKI5x/week
50.0%Open →

Cities and airports on the Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu route

Flights Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International 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

Shanghai

SHA

China

About the city How to get there Weather All about the country China

Arrival

Kota Kinabalu

BKI

Malaysia

About the city How to get there Weather All about the country Malaysia

Departure airports

Shanghai Pudong International AirportPVG
About the airport
Shanghai Hongqiao International AirportSHA
About the airport

Arrival airports

Kota Kinabalu International AirportBKI
About the airport

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Frequently asked questions about the Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu flight

How long is the flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

A nonstop Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu flight takes about 4 h 4 min — the distance between the cities is around 2,851 km.

How far is it from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

The distance from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu is about 2,851 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 4 h 4 min.

Are there direct flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu — around 28 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

Airlines operating Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu include AirAsia, Shanghai Airlines. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Shanghai — Kota Kinabalu flights use?

Flights from Shanghai depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International 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 Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

The price of a Shanghai — 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 $103 and $300. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

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

Flights Shanghai — 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 Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

To catch a low fare Shanghai — 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.

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Where else you can fly from Kota Kinabalu