Travelling from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 2 hours 40 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu (where Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located) share the UTC+8 timezone. That means you won't have to adjust your watch when you land.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the most traveled route, with 1,536 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from BKI to KUL is with AirAsia at 23:20. Opt for the first departure with Malaysia Airlines at 05:20 if you want to get going early.
To ensure you catch your flight from BKI to Kuala Lumpur, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect longer lines in popular months such as August and other peak seasons. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
You can catch a direct flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur that touches down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).
Top airlines that have direct flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur include:
You don't need your passport or a visa to travel within Malaysia. You will need a valid identity document however, like a driver's licence or an ID card. Put them on your packing checklist once you've booked cheap tickets from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur.
BKI is around 8 kilometres from central Kota Kinabalu. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 14 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays close to BKI:
How to find the cheapest flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Kuala Lumpur
R 583 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. Return flights start at R 1,200. These fares may change based on demand and availability.
Book 9 months before travelling. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from BKI to Kuala Lumpur.
Organise your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from BKI to Kuala Lumpur is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has fallen.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is around 64 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. With a car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 1 hour and 3 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of about 4 hours and 29 minutes.
Book a hotel near KUL if you're catching a late flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Once your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 27 minutes by car. Central Kuala Lumpur is roughly 24 kilometres from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
You can expect the trip to take approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to SZB. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from BKI to Kuala Lumpur:
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. August is the most popular month for a trip to Kuala Lumpur. If you want a quieter vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Kuala Lumpur is March, with the temperature ranging between 21ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap flights from BKI to Kuala Lumpur in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 21ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Kuala Lumpur
After locking in your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Kuala Lumpur:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower Mini Zoo and KLCC Park are top sights which should feature on every Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
Complete your Kuala Lumpur trip with a car rental
Pick one of our car rentals in Kuala Lumpur and see the sights on your own schedule. Easily compare rates in one place to find your ideal ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur.
