Cheap flights to Kota Kinabalu
The main gateway to the state of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu International Airport, located just 6 kilometers from the city center. The route network includes regular flights from 15 popular cities, ensuring stable connectivity between the region and other Asian countries. The majority of passengers arrive from Kuala Lumpur (575 flights weekly), as well as Tawau (151 flights) and Sandakan (95 flights).
A total of 30 airlines operate flights to this destination, including major carriers such as AirAsia, Malaysia Airline, and Batik Air. For route planning, you can check up-to-date information on how to get to the city and the current weather at your destination. Convenient departure city cards with a flight search form are provided below on this page.
Tawau — Kota Kinabalu
Sandakan — Kota Kinabalu
Miri — Kota Kinabalu
Kuching — Kota Kinabalu
Kuala Lumpur — Kota Kinabalu
Manila — Kota Kinabalu
George Town — Kota Kinabalu
Johor Bahru — Kota Kinabalu
JKT — Kota Kinabalu
Sibu — Kota Kinabalu
Bintulu — Kota Kinabalu
Ho Chi Minh City — Kota Kinabalu
Flight 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 $69
- Chinaavg $112
- Singaporeavg $77
- Korea, Republic Ofavg $107
- Hong Kongavg $97
Direct routes & fares
Popular non-stop routes to Kota Kinabalu range from Tawau at $23 to Singapore at $77 — a quick way to compare direct-flight fares.
- Kuala Lumpurfrom $60
- Tawaufrom $23
- Sandakanfrom $28
- Singaporefrom $77
- Kuchingfrom $25
Cheapest departure cities
The cheapest places to fly to Kota Kinabalu from right now are Sibu from $17, Tawau from $23 and Miri from $23.
Popular departure cities to Kota Kinabalu
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IndonesiaFrequently asked questions
- How many cities offer flights to Kota Kinabalu?
- Regular air service to the city is established from 15 popular cities. Most routes connect the region with other parts of Malaysia, as well as major transport hubs in China, South Korea, and Singapore.
- Which airports receive flights to Kota Kinabalu?
- All international and domestic flights are handled at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). The terminal is located 6 kilometers from the center, allowing for a quick and convenient trip to your hotel after arrival.
- How many airlines operate flights to Kota Kinabalu?
- Flights are operated by 30 different airlines. The leading carriers by flight volume are AirAsia, Malaysia Airline, and Batik Air, offering passengers a wide selection of departure times.
- Which cities have the most frequent flights to Kota Kinabalu?
- The most popular routes are Kuala Lumpur (575 flights per week), Tawau (151 flights), and Sandakan (95 flights). A significant number of weekly flights also arrive from Singapore and Kuching.
- How to find cheap tickets to Kota Kinabalu?
- To find the best deals, it is recommended to check flights from low-cost carriers like AirAsia or Scoot Tigerair. It is also worth considering mid-week departures and booking tickets in advance to take advantage of the most affordable fares.