Which airports can I use when flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Kota Kinabalu (BKI).

Which airports do connecting flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu pass through?

One-stop flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu most commonly connect through: • Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) – 61% of one-stop connections • Hong Kong Intl (HKG) – 28% of one-stop connections • Singapore Changi (SIN) – 11% of one-stop connections Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 58% on the San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at RM 3,772 return on average, while Tuesday is the most expensive at RM 8,896, a difference of RM 5,124. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

How long is a flight from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

A direct flight from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu takes 0h 00m, covering 19,752 km.

Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

How are flight prices from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu looking right now?

One-way fares from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about RM 2,485, which is 11% below the typical average for this route.

How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Flying via Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 21h 59m, compared to 22h 49m via Hong Kong Intl (HKG) and 30h 40m via Singapore Changi (SIN).

What is the time difference between San Francisco and Kota Kinabalu?

Kota Kinabalu is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco (Malaysia Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Which car hire options are available at Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI)?

Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around RM 64 for economy cars. Top options include: • keddy by Europcar • GREEN MOTION • Europcar • KK Rent A Car • Hertz

How much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu flight?

Return flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu range from RM 3,407 to RM 5,189, with an average of RM 3,919 over the past 12 months. Anything below RM 3,407 counts as a good deal.

What is the cheapest airline to fly from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Cathay Pacific (RM 3,436) and China Eastern (RM 3,932) are the cheapest airlines to fly return from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu according to KAYAK data over the last 5 days.

What is the most popular stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) is the most popular stopover for the San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu route. 61% of KAYAK users who booked 1-stop return journeys over the past 3 months connected via PVG.

What is the cheapest stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Flights via Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) offer the most affordable fares, with an average return price of RM 3,485. Based on KAYAK data over the past 3 months.

When flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu, which airport offers the shortest stopover?

Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) had the shortest average connection time for San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu stopovers at 769 minutes over the past 3 months.

RM 1,900 CHEAP FLIGHTS from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu (SFO - BKI)

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Cheapest return flight

RM 3,436

Typical prices: RM 3,407-RM 5,189

Cathay Pacific

Mon 26/11Sat 1/12

SFO - BKI • 1 stop

Cheapest one-way flight

RM 1,900

Typical prices: RM 1,975-RM 4,898

Cathay Pacific

Mon 26/11

SFO - BKI • 1 stop

Direct flights

Not available

There are currently no direct flights between San Francisco and Kota Kinabalu. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.

Insights

When to travel

February

Cheapest • 14% price drop

January

Most popular

Good to know

Top stopover airports

Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG)

Cheapest • Avg RM 3,485 (return)

Hong Kong Intl (HKG)

Shortest trip • 22h 49m (one-way)

Insights

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We hope you enjoy your trip to Kota Kinabalu!

Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu (SFO-BKI)

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Return

One-way

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

Thu, 26 Nov - Tue, 1 Dec

22:55 - 00:35SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

33h 40m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

01:30 - 20:55BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

35h 25m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

RM 3,436Cathay Pacific

Wed, 4 Nov - Sat, 7 Nov

11:25 - 00:35SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

21h 10m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

01:30 - 20:55BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

35h 25m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

RM 3,453Cathay Pacific

Wed, 4 Nov - Sat, 7 Nov

11:25 - 00:35SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

21h 10m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

01:30 - 20:55BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

35h 25m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

RM 3,821Cathay Pacific

Thu, 26 Nov - Wed, 2 Dec

10:45 - 10:00SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

31h 15m2 stops Tokyo Narita Kuala Lumpur Intl

09:50 - 11:15BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

41h 25m2 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Tokyo Haneda

RM 3,899Multiple Airlines

Thu, 26 Nov - Tue, 1 Dec

12:00 - 00:30SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

20h 30m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong

01:30 - 13:58BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

28h 28m2 stops Shanghai Pu Dong Los Angeles

RM 3,932China Eastern

Thu, 26 Nov - Wed, 2 Dec

11:05 - 10:00SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

30h 55m2 stops Tokyo Narita Kuala Lumpur Intl

09:50 - 19:10BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

25h 20m3 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Ho Chi Minh City Taipei City Taiwan Taoyuan Intl

RM 5,156Multiple Airlines

Thu, 26 Nov - Wed, 2 Dec

14:45 - 15:20SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

32h 35m3 stops Vancouver Intl Singapore Changi Kuala Lumpur Intl

19:05 - 13:51BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

34h 46m3 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Singapore Changi Vancouver Intl

RM 5,357Multiple Airlines

Wed, 4 Nov - Sun, 8 Nov

19:35 - 10:00SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

70h 25m2 stops Istanbul Kuala Lumpur Intl

14:40 - 16:30BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

65h 50m2 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Istanbul

RM 5,926Turkish Airlines

Wed, 4 Nov - Sun, 8 Nov

19:35 - 10:00SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

70h 25m2 stops Istanbul Kuala Lumpur Intl

14:40 - 16:30BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

65h 50m2 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Istanbul

RM 6,049Turkish Airlines

Wed, 4 Nov - Sun, 8 Nov

19:35 - 22:50SFO San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu

35h 15m2 stops Istanbul Kuala Lumpur Intl

14:40 - 16:30BKI Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco

41h 50m2 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Istanbul

RM 6,377Turkish Airlines

Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu with more confidence.

Prices

Airlines

Stopovers

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

Return flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu start at RM 3,436. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from RM 3,407 to RM 5,189. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was RM 3,436 on Cathay Pacific.

Find deals

Low season	April
High season	January
Cheapest flight	RM 1,900

Most popular time to fly (4% more expensive on average)

Flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

When to book flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.

Estimated return price

KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Which airports can I use when flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?
Flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Kota Kinabalu (BKI).
Which airports do connecting flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu pass through?
One-stop flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu most commonly connect through:

• Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) – 61% of one-stop connections
• Hong Kong Intl (HKG) – 28% of one-stop connections
• Singapore Changi (SIN) – 11% of one-stop connections

Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.
Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?
Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 58% on the San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at RM 3,772 return on average, while Tuesday is the most expensive at RM 8,896, a difference of RM 5,124. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.
How long is a flight from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?
A direct flight from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu takes 0h 00m, covering 19,752 km.
Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?
Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.
How are flight prices from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu looking right now?
One-way fares from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about RM 2,485, which is 11% below the typical average for this route.
How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?
Flying via Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 21h 59m, compared to 22h 49m via Hong Kong Intl (HKG) and 30h 40m via Singapore Changi (SIN).
What is the time difference between San Francisco and Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco (Malaysia Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.
Which car hire options are available at Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI)?
Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around RM 64 for economy cars. Top options include:
• keddy by Europcar
• GREEN MOTION
• Europcar
• KK Rent A Car
• Hertz
How much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu flight?
Return flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu range from RM 3,407 to RM 5,189, with an average of RM 3,919 over the past 12 months. Anything below RM 3,407 counts as a good deal.

If your dates are flexible, aim for a Thursday departure instead of Tuesday. On this route, Thursday flights average RM 3,772 – about RM 5,124 less than Tuesday (58% savings) based on the last 12 months.
If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu trip for February. Fares historically average RM 3,358 return in that month – typically RM 5,808 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Airport.
- Lintas Platinum Hotel
- Goldenhill Hotel
- Megah D'Aru Hotel

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SFO - BKI

RM 1,900 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu – Compare and Save

Everything you should know

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu (SFO-BKI)

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

Recent one-way flight deals from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu flights

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

What is the cheapest airline to fly from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

What is the most popular stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

What is the cheapest stopover airport when flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu?

When flying from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu, which airport offers the shortest stopover?

Key details for San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu flights

Low season

High season

Cheapest flight

When to book flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

Your San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu flight questions, answered

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

Complete your trip to Kota Kinabalu with a hotel stay or car hire

Information on your arrival and departure airports

Cabin class types available on flights from San Francisco to Kota Kinabalu

Flights from domestic origins to Kota Kinabalu

Flights to other popular destinations

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