AKL - BKI

$813 Find Cheap Flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$1,341
Typical prices: $1,262-$1,790
China Southern
Thu 25/1Tue 20/2
AKL - BKI • 1 stop
When to travel
Cheapest • 21% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $1,387 (return)
Shortest trip • 16h 08m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Kota Kinabalu!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu (AKL-BKI)

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

Recent return flight deals from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu

Mon, 25 Jan - Sat, 20 Feb
China Southern Logo
10:00 - 00:30AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
19h 30m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
01:45 - 07:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
24h 15m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
$1,341China Southern
Mon, 25 Jan - Sun, 21 Feb
China Southern Logo
13:05 - 00:30AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
16h 25m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
19:05 - 16:15BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
16h 10m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
$1,347China Southern
Mon, 25 Jan - Sun, 21 Feb
China Southern Logo
13:05 - 00:30AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
16h 25m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
19:05 - 16:15BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
16h 10m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
$1,349China Southern
Mon, 25 Jan - Sat, 20 Feb
China Southern Logo
13:05 - 00:30AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
16h 25m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
01:45 - 07:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
24h 15m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
$1,352China Southern
Mon, 25 Jan - Sat, 20 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:50 - 11:10AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
24h 20m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Singapore Changi
Multiple Airlines Logo
00:10 - 06:10BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
25h 00m3 stops Singapore Changi Denpasar Bali Ngurah Rai Brisbane
$1,645Multiple Airlines
Tue, 24 Nov - Tue, 1 Dec
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:10 - 20:15AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
19h 05m2 stops Melbourne Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
21:05 - 12:20BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
34h 15m2 stops Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Intl Melbourne
$1,670Multiple Airlines
Mon, 25 Jan - Sat, 20 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
22:25 - 21:10AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
27h 45m2 stops Guangzhou Baiyun Kuala Lumpur Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
01:45 - 07:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
24h 15m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
$1,672Multiple Airlines
Sun, 29 Nov - Mon, 22 Feb
Malaysia Airlines Logo
06:00 - 21:10AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
20h 10m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Kuala Lumpur Intl
Malaysia Airlines Logo
19:05 - 12:30BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
36h 25m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
$1,818Malaysia Airlines
Sun, 29 Nov - Mon, 22 Feb
Malaysia Airlines Logo
06:00 - 21:10AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
20h 10m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Kuala Lumpur Intl
Malaysia Airlines Logo
13:05 - 12:30BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
18h 25m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
$1,818Malaysia Airlines
Sun, 29 Nov - Mon, 22 Feb
Malaysia Airlines Logo
06:00 - 21:10AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
20h 10m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Kuala Lumpur Intl
Malaysia Airlines Logo
13:05 - 12:30BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
18h 25m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
$1,841Malaysia Airlines
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Return flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu typically range from $1,262 to $1,790. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,341 on China Southern.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu. It’s 25% cheaper than the average day, while Friday is the most expensive, with prices 23% higher.

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

•March is the cheapest month to fly from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu at $1,256 return.
•December ($2,604) and July ($2,474) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 107% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

Key details for Auckland to Kota Kinabalu flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$1,341
Beat the crowds with an average 74% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 139% increase in traveller numbers.
Round-trip flight from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu

When to book flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Auckland 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 Auckland to Kota Kinabalu flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

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

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu:

    • Economy class
    • Business Class

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

    There are currently no direct flights available from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu. Flights with 1 stopover take between 16h 08m and 32h 47m in total, depending on the connection.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Auckland 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 much should I expect to pay for a Auckland to Kota Kinabalu flight?

    Return flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu range from $1,262 to $1,790, with an average of $1,592 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,262 counts as a good deal.

  • Have flight prices from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $1,341 to $3,707. That means the highest observed fare was about 3x higher than the lowest one.

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

    Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $31 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • keddy by Europcar
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Europcar
    • MKAZ
    • Suria Car Rental

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

    Flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu usually depart from Auckland Intl (AKL) and arrive at Kota Kinabalu (BKI).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu pass through?

    One-stop flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu most commonly connect through:

    • Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) – 67% of one-stop connections
    • Kuala Lumpur Intl (KUL) – 32% of one-stop connections
    • Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) – 1% of one-stop connections
    • Singapore Changi (SIN) – 1% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 40% on flights from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $1,193 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $1,968, a difference of $774.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

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

    Flying via Kuala Lumpur Intl (KUL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 16h 08m, compared to 17h 42m via Singapore Changi (SIN) and 19h 52m via Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN).

  • What is the time difference between Auckland and Kota Kinabalu?

    Kota Kinabalu is 5 hours behind Auckland (Malaysia Time vs New Zealand Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Your guide to booking Auckland 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 Thursday departure and avoid flying on Friday. On this route, Thursday flights average $1,193, about $774 less than Friday fares (39% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Auckland to Kota Kinabalu trip for March. Fares historically average $1,256 return in that month – typically $1,349 less than the most expensive month, which is December (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.

    • Goldenhill Hotel

More options for your flight from Auckland to Kota Kinabalu

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