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Kuala Lumpur sits across the South China Sea from Kota Kinabalu. Malaysia's capital is famous for the Petronas Towers, night markets and street food. The flight from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur takes 4 hours 30 minutes, with fares from $60 (245 MYR).
Distance from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur
Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur are about 1624 km (1009 miles) apart — roughly the distance you cover by air. The trip takes around 4h 30m.
How to get from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur?
The flight is the only suitable way for travellers to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur. The journey takes around 4h 30m, and ticket prices start from $60 (245 MYR).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Kota Kinabalu City Centre→Kuala Lumpur30m
- Kota Kinabalu→Kuala Lumpur2h 30m
- Kuala Lumpur Airport→City Centre1h
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Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur by Flight
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Kota Kinabalu City Centre to Kuala Lumpur
Kota Kinabalu Airport is located some 10 km from the city centre and you can reach it by either bus or taxi.
Buses are parked at Merdeka Square, which is just a few minutes walk from the famous Gaya Street. You can get a ticket at the terminal counter for $1.20 (5 MYR). Airport buses depart every hour from 7:30 to 20:30.
If you prefer a private ride, we recommend booking a taxi online beforehand via Klook. They provide spacious cars with trusted drivers from $8.80 (36 MYR).
You can also hail a taxi from the street or book one through Grab.
Travel time from Kota Kinabalu city centre to the airport takes 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Step 2: Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur by Flight
A flight from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur takes around 2.5 hours.
Airfares start from $56 (225 MYR) if you book a flight with Air Asia. Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air are also available, but they are normally too expensive.
Flights depart from Kota Kinabalu Airport and arrive at Kuala Lumpur Airport.
Step 3: Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre
From Kuala Lumpur Airport, you have 3 options to reach the city centre: by train (30 minutes), by bus (1 hour), and by taxi (1 hour). All are pretty convenient, so it all depends on your available time and budget. Fares start from $2.90 (12 MYR).
Visit our page on Kuala Lumpur Airport for more info.
Flight tickets are available on Klook.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur (KL) is Malaysia’s capital, a vibrant mix of skyscrapers, Asian-European architecture, large shopping districts, and flavourful cuisine. The busy city can be quite overwhelming, but it’s all about finding your rhythm in Kuala Lumpur's beautiful chaos.
The Petronas Towers — the tallest twin towers in the world — are the city's most iconic attraction. But there's so much more to see in Kuala Lumpur. The old KL Railway Station, KL Tower, Bukit Bintang, and Jalan Alor are all must-visits. And if you have more time, the colourful Batu Caves is just 30 minutes away from the city.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur, roughly 1624 kilometres (1009 miles) apart. Flights are usually the cheapest way to go here, and if you're lucky with timing you might find a ticket for even less. The quickest trip takes 4h 30m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur?
The distance from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur is 1,624 kilometres (1,009 miles).
What is the cheapest way to get from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur?
The cheapest way to get from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur is by flight with ticket costs starting from 245 MYR.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer & Digital Nomad
Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.
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