Cheap flights to Kota Kinabalu
30 cities have regular scheduled flights to Kota Kinabalu (BKI). 30 airlines fly to the city, from major international carriers to budget low-cost options. Most flights depart from Kuala Lumpur, Tawau, Sandakan, Singapore, Kuching. Compare fares, choose the best option and book your tickets online at the best price. Enter your departure city above to find flights and check prices.
Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu
Tawau — Kota Kinabalu
Miri — Kota Kinabalu
Kuching — Kota Kinabalu
Manila — Kota Kinabalu
Jakarta — Kota Kinabalu
Johor Bahru — Kota Kinabalu
Ho Chi Minh City — Singapore
Taipei — Kota Kinabalu
Kuala Lumpur — Kota Kinabalu
Singapore — Kota Kinabalu
George Town — Kota Kinabalu
Popular departure cities to Kota Kinabalu
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
Singapore
Malaysia
Korea, Republic Of
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
China
Malaysia
China
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Brunei
China
China
China
Indonesia
China
Malaysia
Philippines
Malaysia
Vietnam
Malaysia
Taiwan, Republic of China
Malaysia
Korea, Republic Of
Malaysia
MalaysiaFlight insights to Kota Kinabalu
Data-driven trends for direct flights to Kota Kinabalu — how often airlines fly, where passengers come from, and typical fares and flight times.
Most frequent departure cities
The most frequent direct routes to Kota Kinabalu come from Kuala Lumpur, Tawau and Sandakan. Kuala Lumpur leads with around 575 flights a week.
- Kuala Lumpur575 flights/week
- Tawau151 flights/week
- Sandakan95 flights/week
- Singapore83 flights/week
- Kuching76 flights/week
Top departure countries
Most direct flights to Kota Kinabalu depart from Malaysia, China and Singapore. Malaysia alone accounts for about 76% of all direct routes.
- Malaysiaavg $80
- Chinaavg $128
- Singaporeavg $84
- Korea, Republic Ofavg $124
- Hong Kongavg $96
Direct routes & fares
Popular non-stop routes to Kota Kinabalu range from Tawau at $21 to Singapore at $84 — a quick way to compare direct-flight fares.
- Kuala Lumpurfrom $46
- Tawaufrom $21
- Sandakanfrom $33
- Singaporefrom $84
- Kuchingfrom $28
Cheapest departure cities
The cheapest places to fly to Kota Kinabalu from right now are Tawau from $21, Kuching from $28 and Sandakan from $33.
Frequently asked questions
- Which cities have flights to Kota Kinabalu?
- There are 30+ cities with regular flights to Kota Kinabalu, from major international hubs to nearby regional airports. Pick your departure city to compare fares and book.
- Where do most flights to Kota Kinabalu depart from?
- Most travelers fly to Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur, Tawau, Sandakan, Singapore, Kuching. These routes have the highest flight frequency and passenger traffic, so fares are usually competitive.
- How many airlines fly to Kota Kinabalu?
- 30 airlines operate flights to Kota Kinabalu, ranging from major international carriers to budget low-cost airlines. Competition helps keep fares affordable.
- When is the best time to book flights to Kota Kinabalu?
- For short-haul routes, booking 4–8 weeks ahead usually gives the best prices. For long-haul flights, aim for 2–3 months ahead. Prices also drop in off-peak seasons and for midweek departures.
- How to find cheap flights to Kota Kinabalu?
- Compare offers from multiple airlines, use flexible dates and set up price alerts. Our platform lets you track price trends and choose the best time to buy your tickets.