Cheap Flights to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Flight route prices based on searches on Cheapflights within the last 3 days, monthly prices based on aggregated historical data.

Are there currently restrictions on travel to Kota Kinabalu related to COVID-19?

Yes, there are currently restrictions on flights to Kota Kinabalu along with the rest of Malaysia. Before you book or search for flights, consider the following restrictions: Malaysia has restricted entry to all travelers through at least August 31, except for citizens, permanent residents with a MyPR card, diplomats, embassy employees, and spouses or children of Malaysian nationals, who must have a sticker label visa in the passport specifically indicating this status. Travelers with a Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) permit and students with a student pass for a Malaysian institution may also enter the country. They must have a negative COVID-19 testing result issued within 3 days prior to their arrival in Malaysia. All arriving travelers must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Travelers will be required to download the MySejahtera application and will be issued a wristband for identification and monitoring by the authorities during their self-quarantine period. Travelers may not transfer from international flights to domestic flights, except for Malaysian nationals who are traveling to Sabah or Sarawak. Foreigners may not enter Sabah without prior approval, which must be requested in advance from the Sabah State Secretary (Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Sabah) at crisis@sabah.gov.my. Foreigners with valid visas or work permits who entered Malaysia BEFORE the MCO began on March 16 may enter Sarawak without quarantine, but must request advance permission from the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC). Foreigners with valid visas or work permits who entered Malaysia during the MCO will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a government facility at their own expense, and must first request advance permission from SDMC. Airline crew must present a "Health Declaration Form" upon arrival, are subject to quarantine until their next flight, and must install the 'MySejahtera' app.. If you are looking to book a trip to Kota Kinabalu and are outside of the restricted areas, please take the proper precautions and stay informed about traveling during COVID-19.

Cheapest Prices for Kota Kinabalu flights by month

January

$1225

February

$847

March

$846

April

$855

May

$874

June

$1069

July

$1052

August

$1021

September

$841

October

$922

November

$716

December

$707

Currently, December is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight to Kota Kinabalu. Flying to Kota Kinabalu in January will prove the most costly. There are multiple factors that influence the price of a flight so comparing airlines, departure airports and times can help keep costs down.

When is the best time to fly to Kota Kinabalu?

Choose a month below to see average flight price and weather conditions.

LAS - BKI Price	$707 - $1761
BKI Temperature	87.8 - 91.4 °F
BKI Rainfall	3.11 - 16.18 inches

Whilst there are several times of the year to choose from, December is seen as the time to fly to Kota Kinabalu, however, it is possible to get good deals throughout the year. If weather is an important factor for you when considering when to fly to Kota Kinabalu, the warmest period tends to be April, with the wettest being October.

The capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu enjoys a prime location on the shore of the South China Sea and is an inspired choice for exciting vacations and breaks. KK, as it’s also known, is surrounded by tropical rainforest and enjoys some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets in the world. The city is on the beautiful island of Borneo, and Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a major attraction, while the Koto Kinabalu National Park is also within easy reach. Fish to your heart’s content in one of the world’s top fishing spots, or explore the history and culture of the region. With spectacular beaches, Mount Kinabalu, historic sites and national parks within easy reach, you can easily tailor your vacation to your personal preferences.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is about 20 to 30 minutes from the city by boat, and divers from all over the world come to explore popular dive sites like the Gaya wreck. The islands and beaches throughout the national park are breathtaking, and offer a wide range of snorkelling and diving opportunities.

Learn more about the history of the city by visiting some of the local museums such as the Sabah State Museum, or take in local art at the Sabah Art Gallery or Borneo Art Gallery. Local sights such as the Atkinson Clock Tower which was built in 1902 when the city was still part of the British Commonwealth, or take a walk up to the Signal Hill Observatory for superb views.

Be sure to see the fabulous city mosque and the Sabah state mosque, as well as the amazing Che Sui Khor Pagoda. Each is an impressive structure and a stark contrast to the modern buildings in the downtown area.

No visit to the city would be complete without trying some of the many local foods and there are dozens of food stalls or kedai kopi (coffee shops) offering everything from Malay and Chinese to Javanese food.

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Best Time to Fly to Kota Kinabalu

Lying between the coast and Mount Kinabalu means that rain showers are an almost daily occurrence in the city. However, they are normally short and refreshing. Temperatures are an average of 82.4 degrees (Fahrenheit) all year round, and the hottest months are April and May. January is the coolest month and also one of the best times to plan a visit to catch the Chinese New Year celebrations. Thanks to stable weather conditions, any time of year is perfect for a vacation in the city, though it is drier in February and March.

Because weather is reasonably stable and the difference between wet and dry season is not marked, flights to the city don’t fluctuate in price much over the course of the year. School vacations and the Chinese New Year combined with the dry season make the months of January to April slightly more expensive, while the ‘wet season’ from September to the beginning of January tends to be slightly cheaper.

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Getting around Kota Kinabalu

There are minibus and van services which locals use to get around the town, and these are a budget-friendly option for travelers. Taxis are plentiful, but unlike the airport service, you will need to haggle to agree the fare you want to pay. The city is small and getting around on foot is relatively simple if you’re aware of traffic.

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