BKI

$1,352 Find Cheap Flights 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
$1,352
Typical prices: $1,335-$1,859
China Southern
Thu 25/1Wed 21/2
AKL - BKI • 1 stop
Top airlines
Best reviews • 7.3 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
Top routes
Cheapest • 5% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 5% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Kota Kinabalu!
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Kota Kinabalu

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

Recent return flight deals to Kota Kinabalu

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
$1,352China 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
$1,357China 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
$1,366China 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
$1,368China Southern
Mon, 25 Jan - Sat, 20 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
22:10 - 21:10AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
28h 00m2 stops Guangzhou Baiyun Kuala Lumpur Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
01:45 - 06:30BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
23h 45m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
$1,663Multiple Airlines
Mon, 25 Jan - Sun, 21 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
13:05 - 18:00AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
33h 55m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
Multiple Airlines Logo
19:05 - 21:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
20h 55m2 stops Guangzhou Baiyun Christchurch
$1,670Multiple Airlines
Mon, 25 Jan - Sun, 21 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
22:10 - 00:30AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
31h 20m1 stop Guangzhou Baiyun
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:30 - 18:00BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
26h 30m3 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Denpasar Bali Ngurah Rai Brisbane
$1,670Multiple Airlines
Wed, 28 Oct - Sun, 1 Nov
Malaysia Airlines Logo
13:55 - 00:55AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
16h 00m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
Malaysia Airlines Logo
16:05 - 00:01BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
26h 56m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
$1,954Malaysia Airlines
Wed, 28 Oct - Sun, 1 Nov
Malaysia Airlines Logo
13:55 - 00:55AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
16h 00m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
Malaysia Airlines Logo
16:05 - 00:01BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
26h 56m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
$1,960Malaysia Airlines
Wed, 28 Oct - Sun, 1 Nov
Malaysia Airlines Logo
13:55 - 00:55AKL  Auckland Intl-BKI Kota Kinabalu
16h 00m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
Malaysia Airlines Logo
16:05 - 00:01BKI  Kota Kinabalu-AKL Auckland Intl
26h 56m1 stop Kuala Lumpur Intl
$1,972Malaysia Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for New Zealand to Kota Kinabalu flights

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

What is the cheapest flight to Kota Kinabalu?

Auckland to Kota Kinabalu is the cheapest route at $1,352 return, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. KAYAK data shows this is also the most popular route.

How much is a flight to Kota Kinabalu?

A return flight to Kota Kinabalu costs $1,592 on average, based on data over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Return fares from Auckland average $1,548, while Christchurch runs a bit higher at $1,721.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Kota Kinabalu?

Thursday is the cheapest day to fly to Kota Kinabalu at $1,453 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Friday is the most expensive at $2,086.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Kota Kinabalu?

  • May is the cheapest month to fly to Kota Kinabalu with an average price of $1,505 return.
  • April ($2,345) and December ($2,281) are the most expensive.
  • Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Kota Kinabalu?

Morning flights to Kota Kinabalu are the cheapest at $1,569 return on average. Evening flights are the most expensive at $2,109.

What is a good deal for flights to Kota Kinabalu?

Flights under $1,335 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found return flights to Kota Kinabalu at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:

  • Auckland $1,258
.

Key details for flights to Kota Kinabalu

Low season

July
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 16% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (43% more expensive on average)

When to book flights to Kota Kinabalu

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel 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 questions about flights to Kota Kinabalu, answered

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

  • How do I know if a flight to Kota Kinabalu is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Kota Kinabalu is around $1,335 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

Your guide to booking Kota Kinabalu flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For flights to Kota Kinabalu, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to be around $1,335 return. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a good deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, aim to travel to Kota Kinabalu in May. Return fares historically average $1,505 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to morning to save up to $540 per return. Morning flights to Kota Kinabalu average $1,569 compared to $2,109 for afternoon flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.

Reviews of the top airlines flying to Kota Kinabalu

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Kota Kinabalu? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.3
China SouthernOverall score based on 172 reviews
7.0Entertainment
8.1Crew
7.1Food
7.7Boarding
7.5Comfort
Airline reviews

In my return flight they couldn’t identify my ticket or boarding pass, I had to go to 3 different counters until I was able to get my boarding pass. The food was on, it was the bear minimum. They didn’t even recognise that I was a Muslim and can’t eat meat, chicken or pork. In one of the trays I believe they served me pork. The staff were very pleasant, but they need to be aware of their surroundings more carefully, one of them stuck her lower belly right into my face! I was shocked and very uncomfortable.

4.0 OkayHussain, Sept 2025
Read more China Southern reviews

In my return flight they couldn’t identify my ticket or boarding pass, I had to go to 3 different counters until I was able to get my boarding pass. The food was on, it was the bear minimum. They didn’t even recognise that I was a Muslim and can’t eat meat, chicken or pork. In one of the trays I believe they served me pork. The staff were very pleasant, but they need to be aware of their surroundings more carefully, one of them stuck her lower belly right into my face! I was shocked and very uncomfortable.

China Southern was not the problem. I booked my flight through Kayak and also received a booking reference and alert details regarding departure time and gate numbers… however Kayak NEVER actually booked my flight! We were stranded at the airport without a flight for a long awaited holiday!

The airport didn‘t give me the ticket. I called customer service to ask for a refund but they kept giving me a perfunctory response and refused to refund me.

Not good - chair back could not move back for premium economy. Not worth the price

Crew: Everybody was polite. People just need to get efficient and less reworking things. Entertainment: Could have move movies and games. The “music” section is a joke, only ONE available. Food: The food provided on the flights boarding in china needs a serious reworking. Too much oil, bad for your stomach, tastes too artificial and the eggs were a giant mass of green dough.

Never got the wheelchair service when my parents arrived at LA . My mom was 74 , also my dad was 84 years old, both don’t speak English. I double checked with the front desk at Phoenix airport, making sure that they will be taking care of.

Food was terrible. Fish was equal to a sausage and scrumbled eggs were terribly green with a quite weird fllavour. Everybody with me hated all options. The best food was the bread with butter.

I love flying Chinese airlines in general but China Southern is probably the worst of the lot. The service is poor and food is below par.

1. I got very poor check in experience with the counter lady . This is the first airline I ever experienced that no combine check in weight allow . Even we have 4 of us but weight counter by piece . So we wasted lot of time argue and repack . This is super crazy 2. Next I left my Samsung tablet on the plane . And I started to escalate and finally spoke to southern airline lost and found in Malaysia and the amazing answer she give is : system nothing found and please try to call southern airline in china 🧐 . I have been flying many other airlines but this is my first encounterment with such irresponsible airline response and no empathy given to customer . My feeling is nobody bother whether how customer like me feel and I’m just too small for the management to take note .

No red vine, no whiskey, no vodka. No that I wanted all of them at once but still...

The crews were very professional and courteous. Pleasant flight and thank you!

They wouldn't let me on the plane. The 3rd party apparently didn't pay for the tickets properly?

Overall experience is good but if the food menu can change to authentic Malaysia food will be good. I.e. Nasi Lemak, Char Kueh Tiew and etc

Surprised that the safety briefing was only conducted in Malay language and no English despite there are foreigners on board. MH should take safety more seriously.

Food was good but only 1 meal and 1 pie, instead of 2 meals. Both legs were late.

We are row 11, when the crew came to us, only one meal choice was available.

OK seats comfortable, easy boarding/embarking, excellent connection to domestic Malaysia flight with baggage checked through without customs. Catering especially drinks borderline ok luckily less important aspect

Jia yung was the flight attendant that made this a miserable flight.

AC not working, just slowly blowing room temperature air. Long taxi time does not help as well. Sweating all over the whole trip.

Did not take as cancelled 3 time so took another airline

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