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Kota Kinabalu is Sabah's seaside capital on Malaysian Borneo. It's known for its sunsets, island-hopping and the climb up Mount Kinabalu. The flight from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore takes 3h 30m and costs $49 (63 SGD).
Distance from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore
Kota Kinabalu and Singapore are about 1454 km (903 miles) apart — roughly the distance you cover by air. The trip takes around 3h 30m.
How to get from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore?
The flight is the only suitable way for travellers to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore. The journey takes around 3h 30m, and ticket prices start from $49 (63 SGD).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Kota Kinabalu City Centre→Airport30m
- Kota Kinabalu→Singapore2h 30m
- Singapore Airport→City Centre30m
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Kota Kinabalu to Singapore 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: How to get to Kota Kinabalu Airport
From Kota Kinabalu city centre, you’ll first have to travel 10 km south to reach Kota Kinabalu International Airport. You have 2 transport choices: a 40-minute bus or a 30-minute taxi.
Buses bound for the airport depart from Merdeka Square. Hourly trips are available from 07:30-20:30, and a ticket costs $1.20 (5 MYR).
If you prefer to take a taxi, we highly recommend booking one with Klook. Rates start from $9.80 (40 MYR) for a 3-seater car. Minivans are also available for larger groups.
Taxis in Kota Kinabalu are known for overcharging and not using their meters. So unless you’re willing to pay double or triple the normal price, make the effort to book a Klook ride beforehand.
Step 2: Flight from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore
Air Asia, Scoot, and Batik Air offer several flights to Singapore from Kota Kinabalu every day. Flight time is around 2.5 hours. Airfares start from $40 (52 SGD).
Flights are limited, just about four available daily. It's best to book your flight in advance to get the schedule you prefer.
Step 3: Singapore Airport to City Centre
From Singapore Changi Airport, you’ll have to travel 20 km west to reach downtown Singapore, where most of the tourist hotels are located. You have 4 options: a city shuttle for $7.80 (10 SGD); a taxi from $19 (25 SGD); the train for $2.10 (2.7 SGD); or a public bus for $1.90 (2.5 SGD).
Travelling solo? The city shuttle is a good mix of comfort and affordability. Although a shared ride, they offer free drop-off to most hotels in the city centre. You can book them at the airport upon arrival or online beforehand via Klook.
If you're travelling in a group, it will be more cost-efficient to take a taxi. There's plenty available at the airport. But if you want your private ride waiting for you as soon as you arrive, you can also pre-book one through Klook or BookAway
The train and the public bus are way cheaper, but often require at least one transfer. If you're carrying bulky luggage, they're not exactly a convenient way to get from the airport to Singapore city centre. For more details, check out our page on Singapore Airport.
Flight tickets are available on Klook.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Singapore?
For a small island city-state, Singapore is a huge tourist hub in Southeast Asia. In 2024, the number of tourists visiting Singapore was nearly 3x its population!
This is for good reason. Head to downtown Singapore and you'll find a number of tourist attractions, all connected by efficient and high-quality transportation.
To revisit your childhood, there's Universal Studios and the resort island of Sentosa. For shopping, head to Orchard Road. For art, visit the Kampong Glam area. For an amazing night and light show, you have to visit Marina Bay Sands.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore, roughly 1454 kilometres (903 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 3h 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 Singapore?
The distance from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore is 1,454 kilometres (903 miles).
What is the cheapest way to get from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore?
The cheapest way to get from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore is by flight with ticket costs starting from 63 SGD.
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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