Travelling from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur is 2 hours 40 minutes.
Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu (where Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located) are in the UTC+8 timezone. That means there's no time difference to consider.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the most traveled route, with 168 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from BKI to KUL is with Malaysia Airlines at 23:45. Go for the first departure operated by AirAsia at 00:30 if you want to fly out earlier.
For a relaxed start to your BKI to Kuala Lumpur flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
You can book a direct Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur ticket. Begin your journey at BKI and end it at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).
Direct flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur are available from a good range of airlines. Select your seat on any of these:
BKI is around 8 kilometres from central Kota Kinabalu. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to BKI:
Of the departures from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, 73.51% land on schedule at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Kuala Lumpur
RM152 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur flight. A return ticket right now is RM293. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
To score cheap flights from BKI to Kuala Lumpur, book your journey one month before your departure.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur tickets. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from BKI to Kuala Lumpur is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when a deal gets even better.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is around 64 kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive will take roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
Travelling by public transport takes about 1 hour.
Look into staying at a hotel close to KUL if you have a late flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Grab a Kuala Lumpur International Airport rental car and discover Kuala Lumpur and beyond with your own wheels. ASIA CAR, Paradise and GoSoCar are popular outlets you can book with here.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from Kuala Lumpur International Airport around four weeks before your flight from BKI to Kuala Lumpur.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Once your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in around 25 minutes by car. Central Kuala Lumpur is roughly 24 kilometres from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
After stepping off your BKI to Kuala Lumpur flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SZB. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Sixt, WAHDAH or Agtran and get going in the blink of an eye.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Securing your ride one week before your arrival at SZB can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. The city comes alive during high season, but rates are generally higher and top attractions can get crowded. Go to Kuala Lumpur in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Kuala Lumpur is March, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur flight ticket then if that's the weather you find most pleasant.
January sees average temperatures of between 21ºC (70ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from BKI to Kuala Lumpur around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Kuala Lumpur
Once you've booked your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these options your base for exploring Kuala Lumpur:
Merdeka Square and Petronas Twin Towers are a couple of big attractions to add to your Kuala Lumpur must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Central Market Cultural Performances.
Explore more of Malaysia
You've done Kuala Lumpur, now it's time to discover other parts of Malaysia. Travel about 338 kilometres north to Kota Bharu to check off its top sights. From Pantai Cahaya Bulan to Siti Khadijah Market and Handicraft Village and Craft Museum, Kelantan, your itinerary will be busy.
Around 290 kilometres south-east of Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru is another essential stop in Malaysia. Experience major highlights starting with Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Popular Book Store at Johor Bahru City Square and Danga Bay.