SDK - BKI

RM 106 Find Cheap Flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu – Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
RM 188
Typical prices: RM 168-RM 295
AirAsia
Fri 12/10Tue 16/10
SDK - BKI • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
RM 106
Typical prices: RM 96-RM 186
AirAsia
Wed 7/11
SDK - BKI • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with AirAsia. Average duration is 0h 46m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 100% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 21 weeks in advance save around 46% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 36% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Kota Kinabalu!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu (SDK-BKI)

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

Recent return flight deals from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

Mon, 9 Nov - Mon, 16 Nov
AirAsia Logo
07:55 - 08:40SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 45mdirect
AirAsia Logo
10:15 - 11:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 184AirAsia
Fri, 23 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
AirAsia Logo
10:30 - 11:20SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 50mdirect
AirAsia Logo
10:15 - 11:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 184AirAsia
Mon, 12 Oct - Fri, 16 Oct
AirAsia Logo
10:30 - 11:20SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 50mdirect
AirAsia Logo
06:45 - 07:30BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 188AirAsia
Tue, 23 Mar - Fri, 16 Apr
AirAsia Logo
18:10 - 18:55SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 45mdirect
AirAsia Logo
17:35 - 18:25BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 50mdirect
RM 188AirAsia
Tue, 10 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov
AirAsia Logo
18:10 - 18:55SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 45mdirect
AirAsia Logo
06:45 - 07:30BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 188AirAsia
Wed, 25 Nov - Sun, 29 Nov
AirAsia Logo
11:25 - 12:10SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 45mdirect
AirAsia Logo
10:15 - 11:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 192AirAsia
Fri, 9 Oct - Tue, 13 Oct
AirAsia Logo
07:55 - 08:40SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 45mdirect
AirAsia Logo
14:10 - 14:55BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 192AirAsia
Sun, 25 Oct - Thu, 29 Oct
AirAsia Logo
13:50 - 14:35SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
0h 45mdirect
AirAsia Logo
17:00 - 17:45BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 192AirAsia
Sun, 8 Nov - Sun, 8 Nov
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:25 - 14:05SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
4h 40m1 stop Tawau
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:00 - 20:45BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 45mdirect
RM 408Multiple Airlines
Thu, 15 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:55 - 13:50SDK  Sandakan-BKI Kota Kinabalu
3h 55m1 stop Tawau
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:15 - 10:05BKI  Kota Kinabalu-SDK Sandakan
0h 50mdirect
RM 412Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flights

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

How much is a return flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

Return flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu start at RM 188. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from RM 168 to RM 295. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was RM 188 on AirAsia.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu and is 16% cheaper than the average day. Friday is the most expensive day with flight prices 10% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu at RM 147 return.
•June (RM 318) and May (RM 314) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 116% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu the cheapest?

Flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu are cheapest 21 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 46% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

RM 106
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 18% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 36% lower on average.
Flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

When to book flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

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

Your Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu:

    • Earliest: departs at 07:45 and lands at 08:31
    • Latest: departs at 21:10 and lands at 21:56.

    The flight takes about 0h 46m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    Only Economy class is available on flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu.

  • How long is a flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    A direct flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu takes 0h 46m, covering 357 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    No. A passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flight?

    Return flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu range from RM 168 to RM 295, with an average of RM 231 over the past 12 months. Anything below RM 168 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 5% above the route average of RM 231. Book 21 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge RM 26–RM 311 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    The Airbus A320neo family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by AirAsia. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320 (sharklets) variants.

  • How are flight departures from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flights, with 34% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 34%, Evening flights for 16%, and Night flights for 16%.

  • How are flight prices from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu looking right now?

    One-way fares from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about RM 149, which is 15% above the typical average for this route.

  • 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 63 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • keddy by Europcar
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Europcar
    • KK Rent A Car
    • Hertz

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    Flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu usually depart from Sandakan (SDK) and arrive at Kota Kinabalu (BKI).

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu route, 18% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 42 minutes.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 24% on the Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at RM 196 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at RM 257, a difference of RM 61. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

    Only AirAsia operates flights between Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • AirAsia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Friday. On this route, Wednesday flights average RM 196 – about RM 61 less than Friday (24% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 21 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 46% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu trip for January. Fares historically average RM 147 return in that month – typically RM 171 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Firefly is the strongest pick on this route. 100% of Firefly flights from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 82%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 42 minutes, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • 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

Prefer to fly direct from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Sandakan Airport to Kota Kinabalu Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

Monday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Tuesday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Wednesday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Thursday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Friday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Saturday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Sunday

AirAsia

AirAsia

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan

Monday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Tuesday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Wednesday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Thursday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Friday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Saturday

AirAsia

AirAsia

Sunday

AirAsia

AirAsia

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

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