Heightened sanitation
Daily cleaning, installation of cabin HEPA filters on flights to Kota Kinabalu
kayak.com.my is also available in Malay. Lawat laman ini dalam Bahasa Melayu.
Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Qatar Airways have waived their change and cancellation fees on flights to Kota Kinabalu. Confirm policies on booking site.
Philippine Airlines and Etihad Airways do not allow booking a middle seat on flights to Kota Kinabalu.
Flights from Johor Bahru | 2h 17m |
Flights from Sandakan | 0h 47m |
Flights from Tawau | 0h 52m |
Flights from Penang | 2h 46m |
Flights from Kuala Lumpur | 2h 36m |
The cheapest airline ticket to Kota Kinabalu from Malaysia in the last 72 hours was RM 109 one-way, and RM 219 round-trip on the route from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. The most popular route is from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and the cheapest ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was RM 247 round-trip.
In general from Malaysia, AirAsia, British Airways and Emirates fly the most to Kota Kinabalu.
Kota Kinabalu Airport is 6 kilometres from the centre of Kota Kinabalu. View on map.
Kota Kinabalu is served by Kota Kinabalu Airport, also commonly referred to as Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu Intl. The airport code is BKI.
Most travellers opt for either a bus or taxi from the airport. The Airport Bus takes passengers to the city in about 20 to 45 minutes for RM 5 and stops at Center Point, Horizon Hotel, and Padang Merdeka. Prepaid taxis are also available for hire and you can find taxi counters in the arrivals hall. A 20-minute taxi ride to the city centre will come to about RM 30.
Disabled passengers requiring a wheelchair will find that the airport is quite accessible for their needs, with ample availability of ramps and elevators. There are also adapted toilets to accommodate wheelchair use.
Yes, there is free Wi-Fi available for sessions lasting up to four hours. You will need to complete a quick registration upon connecting.
KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Kota Kinabalu.
KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Kota Kinabalu is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.
Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Kota Kinabalu with an airline and back with another airline.
Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Kota Kinabalu up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.
Scores according to KAYAK customer reviews
Cons: "delayed 2 times."
Pros: "A nice experience overall. Flight was quiet so plenty of personal space."
Pros: "Everything went smoothly from check in to arrival. Bags were delivered timely. Flights were on time."
Cons: "No entertainment options. Little to no food service."
Pros: "The crew are ok. They should find jobs with other, better airlines."
Cons: "Flight delayed on both legs. Delay management horrible, call centre was worse."
Pros: "Average flight"
Cons: "Changed the time of my flight early by more than 2 hours, with no communication. I therefore missed the flight. I was informed there was a flight that evening but they refused to move me as I had booked through an agent. Waited more than 6 hoursnin the airport for next flight and was offered only a meal voucher worth £4. Later flight was delayed, resulting in me missing my friends pre wedding henna party and arriving more than 8 hours late. Not a single apology given!"
Pros: "Except for a 1-hour delay, overall the flight was good, smooth and enjoyable. Loved the inflight meal. For the price we paid we got meal and 30kg baggage allowance, we thought that was just value for money. And they departed from KLIA and not klia2 which is more convenient."
Cons: "Flight wasn't on time to and from HKG."
Pros: "The staff were very kind, the seat had a great amount of leg room."
Cons: "There was no alcohol on the flight."
Pros: "Getting out of the plane"
Cons: "getting in the plane. No working tablet. Poor food."
Pros: "Crews are nice."
Cons: "Seems like Malindo is starting to degrading the service quality. The flight I took before: they change the airplane to batik which was worse with no entertainment, smaller seat pitch, etc. I book Malindo for a reason and paid for what expected using Malindo!! If they had to change the plane they should've given better one or given back compensation to passengers! Now this flight, they didn't activate the entertainment till way later and turned off way too early. They didn't give any earphone as supposed to. Malindo's service has become bad."
Cons: "The airline"
Pros: "For the price that we paid, it included 30kg baggage and refreshment (orange juice, water, coffee, a slice of pizza and a muffin) - it was worth it. The legroom is spacious, the seat was comfortable and the cabin crew was awesome. Flight was on time, check in was acceptable (considering people travelling from Bandung has a lot of check in baggage due to shopping)."
Cons: "Nothing."
Pros: "The service is good in general."
Cons: "The boarding process could be improved."
Pros: "The 32" pitch giving more leg space, better than MAS and AirAsia on that count. Good baggage allowance."
Cons: "The food is rather meh, does not stand out"
Cons: "The flight was over 5 hours delayed and they offered no compensation or extra meal."
Cons: "Cramped seats"
Pros: "Leg space and good arm rest"
Cons: "No in flight entertainment (movies)"
Pros: "The seats are more comfortable compared to the other budget airlines."
Cons: "The crew doesn't smile most of the time, sometimes they sound like ordering when they request something. The movies selection is either old, or mostly Indian movies."
Pros: "I have flown Malindo before and I have been happy about tbeir customer service."
Pros: "In flight meal."
Cons: "Got told luggage would go straight to bali from origin in Nepal. Waited at baggage check in jarkata just in case. Sure enough, our baggage comes out. Transfer to domestic terminal was almost impossible since we were given no information and our flight number changed completely. All of a sudden it was batik air not malindo, which has a completey different terminal. Will not be travelling with malindo again."
Pros: "Check in and boarding we're both quick and easy. There were unsold exit row seats on our flight and the flight attendants lets us change seats. The in flight meals were quite tasty."
Cons: "The beverage options were limited and mostly consisted of different flavors of fruit soda. The flight attendants sprayed the cabin with a strange aerosol before landing. Trash was not collected during the flight."
Pros: "Check in and boarding we're both quick and easy. There were unsold exit row seats on our flight and the flight attendants lets us change seats. The in flight meals were quite tasty."
Cons: "The beverage options were limited and mostly consisted of different flavors of fruit soda. The flight attendants sprayed the cabin with a strange aerosol before landing. Trash was not collected during the flight."
Pros: "Service and comfort with blanket, and entertainment movies."
Cons: "Luggage collection rather late in Bali."
Pros: "Same as previous, no fuss."
Pros: "No fuss, well organised."
Pros: "Very dissapointed, both flights scheduled by Malindo Air was rescheduled, first one moved for next day unbeliavable!!!"
Cons: "Very dissapointed, both flights scheduled by Malindo Air was rescheduled, first one moved for next day unbeliavable!!!"
Pros: "Ease of booking and 30kg baggage allow all included in quoted flight cost"
Cons: "Food quality appears to be falling down in variety and quality"
Cons: "Turbulence"
Pros: "Good service and good plane."
Pros: "food, service"
Cons: "nobody replaced the toilet paper in the bathrooms, when it was finished. Checking in started later than normal."
Pros: "You can check-in luggage for free. Not like Airasia"
Cons: "Delays, of course."
Pros: "The best thing is the free luggage allowance of 30kg each. They had some snacks and entertainment as well."
Pros: "I was very impressed given it is a budget airline."
Pros: "Love the width of the seat, the free 30kg luggage allowance and food. All provided without extra cost."
Pros: "Malindo Air impressed me above and beyond with their services, from start to finish! I don't think I've had a better experience with an airline before - keep up the amazing work Malindo!"
Pros: "Read trip advisor Will never use them again They will have an accident and it will be their fault"
Pros: "something"
Cons: "something"
Pros: "Comfortable and modern plane with good services and good communication. We had a minor delay due to poor weather but pilot and staff communicated the situation well and took safety precautions. Good entertainment options and food."
Pros: "The plane was quite new, very modern, and well equipped with entertainment features. Services were good and all staff spoke English. Good amount of leg room in the economy seats as well."
Cons: "There are small snack & water given previously, but now only water."
Cons: "Terrible call centre. No reply on the list luggage phone number. Absolutely terrible service"
Pros: "Nothing"
Cons: "Flight had a new schedule without prior notice We're unable to take this flight. Did not get any refund"
Pros: "Proactively checking the boarding pass to shorten que of the boarding process."
Cons: "Delayed"
Cons: "Cabin very hot. Aircond broken??"
Pros: "Horrible, tv not working. I asked for no vegan and they forgot to bring my food. After I mentioned, they finally brought and was vegan! Plane very unconfortable and old. Totally different than the connection place that was way less time on air."
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "Nothing"
Cons: "Evrything"
Pros: "Pretty on time"
Pros: "Good legroom and friendly crew"
Cons: "They said that they provided best quality beverages (they gave example as Starbucks), but just mineral water coming out"
Pros: "Every thing in the flight was excellent."
Cons: "Except at the airport service at Kuala Lumpur.You have to make sure to announce , when you change the gate."
Pros: "Boarding process was great, who went in first just as supposed to be so minimizing crowded in the cabin alley."
Cons: "No on-flight meal available to purchase. It's lunch time and the airline expected everyone had lunch before?!? 15 minute delay, understandable. Seat pocket was not cleaned, someone spilled chocolate drink before and the cleaning service missed to do the job."
Pros: "Terrible airline company. It’s a ripoff!"
Cons: "Honesty. Ripoff!"
Cons: "Food need to be improved"
Pros: "Comfort"
Pros: "Great seat and crews"
Cons: "A330-300 is nice"
Cons: "The entertainment unit was constantly malfunctioning"
Cons: "The selection was rather dated as I travel very frequently I noticed it. Otherwise it would probably be fine for most"
Pros: "ok"
Cons: "Business class in 737 is limited, recline only but seat was spacious and comfortable"
Pros: "Good seats and crew."
Cons: "Choice of movies"
Cons: "Not being cancelled and delayed"
Pros: "Airport, sea side"
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "Window seat was good for enjoy very wonderful outside view."
Pros: "Some staff were good others could not be bothered."
Cons: "Nicer staff"
Cons: "No seat back entertainment. Very old plane."
Cons: "I haven't even made it to my destination yet."
Cons: "The pre boarding security was a mess and poorly managed in Kuala Lumpur."
Pros: "Everything. Just a simple, very short haul flight: nothing too complicated."
Cons: "There was nothing to fault."
Cons: "They changed my seat without telling me and the new seat has a faulty video monitor and also a faulty USB port.. no compensation received.. terrible airline"
Pros: "Overall is great"
Cons: "None"
Pros: "The food was good on this flight . The entertainment was good I managed to get a good sleep as well."
Cons: "The beer offered was in a pre poured glass I could have asked for a beer from the drinks trolley however i wanted a vodka and tomato juice I couldn't see any so didn't bother asking"
Pros: "I was surprised to board an A380 to fly from KUL to BKK"
Cons: "In Bangkok we had to get off on the field to board a bus"
Cons: "Similarly delayed departure and arrived at HongKong over 11/2 hour later- poor service!"
Cons: "Seat back didn’t stay upright so it was uncomfortable when I wasn’t trying to sleep."
Pros: "Very quick transfer of my luggages in KL"
Cons: "Incorrect information of boarding gate reflected on the boarding pass for the third time already. And to make it worse, this was the most difficult problem that me and my friends encountered throughout all the flights that we took. We nearly miss this flight as we actually went to the boarding gate that was reflected incorrectly on our boarding pass as stated earlier. There was also an unannounced delay. Flight estimated departure is at 1720HRS, but the flight only took off 1750HRS."
Pros: "The cabin crew."
Cons: "Again, incorrect information of boarding gate."
Pros: "Attendants were kind."
Cons: "Frequent delays to flight timings, and it was hard to find where the flight gate was as I couldn't find one on the screen. It was a little bit crowded. No food was given (probably because it's only 50mins flight but I wished there were snacks or drinks given for us)"
Pros: "Easy and efficient boarding"
Cons: "Too hot onboard"
Cons: "Malaysian is known the world over for its great food. It's a pity Malaysia Airlines MH=Malaysian Hospitality doesn't extend to serving simple, good food. The pastry was nothing but a lump of dough with tasteless fillings, and the main meal was atrocious. Everything else was mediocre, except the crew, who were friendly and warm as always,"
Pros: "Staff onboard were good"
Cons: "Many hours delay at Miri, MAS staff abandoned posts so they didn't have to deal with passengers. Apalling service"
Pros: "Attendants were very good"
Cons: "12 hrs in the air!!!"
Pros: "Most of it, especially having a meal on such a short flight."
Cons: "Could do with more legroom, tall people exist"
Cons: "The flight was delayed for more than an hour. We had problem getting the attention of the crew as all of them were just hanging around the galley."
Cons: "We had a 4.5 hour delay due to weather conditions at Heathrow. Although the airline could not avoid this. I feel being kept on the plane for the duration before a 12 hour flight and a further 4 hour connection, was too much."
Cons: "my bag failed to arrive in bkk till next day and had been broken into at kl airport .bkk said this happens every day at kl never fly malaysia again!."
Pros: "Staff!!!"
Cons: "Bathroom line"
Pros: "All aspects were fine. Weather caused a delay for landing of ore than 45 minutes, but not airline's fault."
Cons: "2h+ delay"
Cons: "Losing my luggage"
Pros: "Cabin crew, smooth flying"
Cons: "Nothing"
Cons: "The flight was delayed 1.5hours"
Cons: "Delayed"
Pros: "I got there eventually"
Cons: "The delay"
Cons: "Had to change gates last minute in Kuala Lumpur. Since security is at the gate, that meant going through security twice. When we went to the new gate there was much confusion among security staff as they were not informed of the gate change."
Pros: "Movie story"
Cons: "Foods"
Pros: "Boarding was easy with less passengers."
Cons: "The magazine in my seat pocket was dirty. The seat cushion seemed not clean. There was a greasy spot not cleaned."
Pros: "Malaysia airlines has some of the most beautiful women working for them. Most curteous, kind, and very personable. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful"
Cons: "The long layovers with no hotel voucher from Malaysia air. That would be a big help especially for me since I travel alone. And not to familiar with hotel locations, taxis. I am concerned about my safety in another country..."
Cons: "No alcohol"
Pros: "Clean plane. Nice staff"
Cons: "Delay"
Pros: "same"
Cons: "same"
Pros: "Efficiency"
Cons: "Attentiveness, we were miss for food purchasing was abit rush."
Pros: "NOTHING"
Cons: "GROUND STAFF LETTING ME CHECK IN AS I HAD NO BAGS AND WAS GIVEN HALF HOUR TO GET ACROSS 4 TERMINALS TO MAKE FLIGHT. MISSED BY 5 MINUTES AND GROUND STAFF VERY UNACCOMODATING"
Cons: "the ground crew at departure lounge and arrival lounges are plain stupid. giving wrong info of departure gates. arriving crew didnt open the door .. buzy with handphone"
Pros: "Smooth check in"
Cons: "That the in-flight wifi really is free instead of making the passengers to pay"
Pros: "All"
Pros: "Very good for the price I paid"
Cons: "Somehow I couldn't check in online, or at the kiosk. There was only 2 check-in desk for domestic flights in KLIA2. Long lines and waited 20 minutes. Thankfully the staff at the counter allowed me to check in, despite having only 50 minutes to spare."
Pros: "so far so good. no complain."
Cons: "short trip okay . everything great. keep up the good job."
Pros: "Nice and clean aircraft"
Pros: "Good service, nice nasi lemak"
Cons: "None"
Cons: "3 hours flight delay"
Pros: "Price"
Cons: "No room for legs Flight was delayed without any information at the gate My wife was at a differtn row even if there was a free seat next to me. I had to pay to next to her during check-in."
Pros: "Old and worn out"
Cons: "Food is not appetizing. There were only meat or chicken to choose from. Need to have an option for fruits only."
Cons: "Food"
Pros: "Pleasant counter service at the terminal."
Cons: "Half hour late"
Pros: "Fares. Schedules. Destinations. More than you might expect for a low cost airline."
Cons: "I got what I paid for."
Pros: "Nope"
Cons: "Flight delayed 2hrs"
Cons: "Always delay!!!!"
Pros: "Delayed in departures for 30 mins but arrived only by 5 mins late"
Cons: "In the Ramadan month, on board the plan just when time for breaking fast, a small glass of plain water to be given free for passengers on the flight at that time would be a thoughtful gesture"
Cons: "They are very strict about the weight of your luggage and will not budge on the overage charge. They serve fish for breakfast...gross."
Pros: "I feel confident with your aircraft and crew. Very professional"
Cons: "The chicken and rice was not the freshest and although the seats are comfortable they are very cramped for a big falang like me"
Cons: "Flight delayed 1.5 hours, no food offered, deformed seat with no back support"
Pros: "Check in, boarding was easy, staff were friendly, flight was uneventful"
Cons: "One hour delay on runway"
Pros: "定時運行できたこと"
Cons: "シートピッチが狭く窮屈"
Pros: "Flight delayed close to 2 hours. Only notified once we we’re in the boarding hall"
Cons: "Flight delayed close to 2 hours. Only notified once we we’re in the boarding hall"
Pros: "On time (early on the return leg). Interesting usage of onboard wifi to deliver inflight entertainment. The choices of the channels was mediocre. Nevertheless, a good start."
Cons: "Same food (on return leg) with no other choices choice with the value pack add-on. Pasta was overcooked."
Pros: "convenient times"
Cons: "your machines i hate that you now employ less humans and more machines. no one wants to fly anywhere without humans in control"
Pros: "nothing to say."
Cons: "only food that i received the rice i think didn't cooked properly"
Pros: "On time boarding ...very efficient"
Cons: "Offer same type of value food...even worst tasteless"
Pros: "BOARDING very smooth n fast...more importantly punctuation very good"
Cons: "Value meal lousy (pocket pie)..both flight offer Same pocket pie,Rokki can't use at all..i notice cabin crew didn't check whether passengers apply seating belt at all."
Pros: "The aircraf was brand new"
Cons: "Delay"
Cons: "No water is provided on board"
Pros: "All except boarding"
Cons: "Flyers cutting que prior to boarding without intervention from air crew staffs."
Cons: "More than 3h late, no information, gate close (we had to wait in the corridor), nothing to drink during the flight. And I had to pay 80RM just to travel with my umbrella,"
Pros: "On time.. .short flight"
Cons: "Cramped seats"
Cons: "Badly managed check-in queue even for online checked passengers doing bag drop - 3 hours before departure at NAIA 3. There was no announcement from airline staff or anyone for that matter at the gate that the plane will be delayed. Plane departed 2 hours late and sitting in the tarmac with poor cooling inside the plane. Badly managed budget airline."
Pros: "Great boarding arrangement for back seat passengers to board first and follow up with front seat passengers."
Cons: "Cabin crew totally forget their priority task which is to Ensure the comfort of passenger. Instead everyone is so focus on retail as well as F&B add on sales."
Pros: "First time I've flown with them. I was very impressed"
Cons: "I liked everything"
Pros: "Inexpensive flights. Book early to get the best deals."
Cons: "The announcement came almost every few minutes, which is annoying. Carrier will squeeze every penny out of you. Bring something on board to eat if a long flight."
Pros: "On time"
Pros: "Flight is not so full"
Cons: "So far so good"
Pros: "Cheap"
Cons: "Hot air-conditioning"
Pros: "Comfortable flight and friendly crew."
Cons: "Long check in lines at Siem Reap airport. High baggage fee (USD 36) for not having pre-booked a checked bag online."
Pros: "I like the food"
Cons: "The boarding which was slow..."
Cons: "Terrible delay and delay without proper settlement to comfort passenger, that's what we so called budget flight but airasia is the most cheapskate ever."
Pros: "Friendly staff."
Cons: "Ridiculous that you have to pay for water. No direction for boarding."
Pros: "On time"
Cons: "The seats are so close together one had to sit with legs spread apart and fold out tray hit your chest when opened. Staff spend more time selling AirAsia paraphanila and duty free than attending customers. No water nothing is offered for free. One flight booked had one luggage Free and the next we paid 72americian for 1 small suitcase. No info provided on luggage when booking. Sneaky way to make money. Use Firefly Airlines for a great budget airline"
Pros: "For once, had a friendly check-in agent."
Cons: "A number of delays. Little or no information. Crew attended well to each other."
Cons: "Silkair service was insincere and lousy nowadays."
Cons: "Curt treatment at check-in."
Airlines flying to Kota Kinabalu have enacted additional safety measures and adjusted policies to better accommodate travellers. Policies vary by airline.
Heightened sanitation
Daily cleaning, installation of cabin HEPA filters on flights to Kota Kinabalu
Mandatory masks
Masks required on board, masks provided on flights to Kota Kinabalu
Social distancing seating
Middle seats unavailable to book on flights to Kota Kinabalu
Pre-flight testing
Testing for antibodies, testing for symptoms for flights to Kota Kinabalu
Flexible cancellations
Waiving of change fees. Search flexible flights to Kota Kinabalu