How to get fromKuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

What to expect when visiting Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu (KK) is a vibrant coastal city on Malaysia’s Borneo island. Although fast-growing, it also boasts a colourful history, making it a beautiful mix of progress and heritage. We recommend a sweep of the Atkinson Clock Tower, Sabah State Museum, Double Six Monument, and the waterfront City Mosque to truly appreciate the city. In the evening, explore the night market for some great finds.

But don’t stop there! The real adventure lies on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu. Here you’ll find pristine beaches, lush jungles, and Southeast Asia’s highest peak (Mount Kinabalu). If you’re planning on a hike, make sure to reserve a slot early because only 185 people are allowed to start their climb daily. The hike itself takes at least two days.

1 way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu

The flight is the only suitable way for travellers to cross the distance of 620 kilometers (385 miles) from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. The journey takes around 3 hours 30 minutes and costs start from 305 MYR ($68).

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu depart from KL International Airport.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

First, you’ll need to travel from KL city centre to Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport (KLIA). You can take a train (30 minutes), a bus (1 hour), or a taxi (1 hour). Fares start from 12 MYR ($2.70).

For more details, check out our page on Kuala Lumpur Airport.

Air Asia normally offers the cheapest fares from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, with ticket prices from 285 MYR ($65). Other carriers you can choose from are Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air. A flight takes about 2.5 hours.

From Kota Kinabalu Airport to the city centre, you can take either a bus or a taxi.

Airport buses depart every hour from 07:30 to 20:30, with tickets from 5 MYR ($1.10). It takes you up to Merdeka Square where you can easily hop on another form of transport to your hotel, if necessary.

A more convenient option is to take a taxi. Prepaid taxis are available at the airport, just pay your fixed fare at the booth and then show your coupon to the taxi driver. This way, you won’t have to worry about being overcharged. Taxi fares from the airport to the city centre start from 30 MYR ($6.80).

If you want your taxi to be ready as soon as you arrive at the airport, you can also pre-book one with Klook. Their rates start from 36 MYR ($8.10).

Travel time from the airport to KK city centre takes 30 minutes depending on traffic.