£165 Cheap Flights from Shanghai (CSHA) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

Q: How much are return flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

The best price we found for a return flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu is £165. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

Q: How long does it take to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

4 hours and 30 minutes is the average flight time from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu.

Q: Which airlines fly direct from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

Shanghai Airlines, China Eastern and AirAsia fly direct from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu.

Q: How many flights are there a week from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

As of July 2025, there are 13 flights per week flying from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu.

Q: When is the cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

The cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu is usually October.

Q: Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu Airport on Monday, 13 October 2025 .

Q: Can I get a direct flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Q: How can I find the best flight deal to Kota Kinabalu?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Kota Kinabalu but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

Q: When is the best time to book flights to Kota Kinabalu?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Kota Kinabalu is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

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Flight deals from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Kota Kinabalu.£165 per passenger.Departing Mon, 13 Oct, returning Wed, 22 Oct.Return flight with AirAsia X and AirAsia.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Mon, 13 Oct, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with AirAsia, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Wed, 22 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £165, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£171 per passenger.Departing Tue, 9 Sep, returning Tue, 23 Sep.Return flight with AirAsia X and AirAsia.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Tue, 9 Sep, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with AirAsia, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 23 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £171, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£183 per passenger.Departing Sat, 18 Oct, returning Tue, 21 Oct.Return flight with AirAsia.Outbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sat, 18 Oct, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 21 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £183, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£186 per passenger.Departing Wed, 10 Sep, returning Tue, 23 Sep.Return flight with AirAsia.Outbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 10 Sep, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 23 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £186, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£188 per passenger.Departing Wed, 27 Aug, returning Wed, 3 Sep.Return flight with AirAsia X and Philippines AirAsia.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 27 Aug, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with Philippines AirAsia, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Wed, 3 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £188, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£204 per passenger.Departing Sat, 22 Nov, returning Tue, 25 Nov.Return flight with AirAsia X and AirAsia.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sat, 22 Nov, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with AirAsia, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 25 Nov, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £204, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£205 per passenger.Departing Sun, 31 Aug, returning Sat, 20 Sep.Return flight with AirAsia.Outbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sun, 31 Aug, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Kota Kinabalu on Sat, 20 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £205, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£214 per passenger.Departing Wed, 24 Sep, returning Tue, 14 Oct.Return flight with AirAsia.Outbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 24 Sep, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 14 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £214, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu flights are currently cheapest in October.

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Direct flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu

Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Kota Kinabalu.

Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	£165
Cheapest month to fly	October
Average flight time	4 hrs, 30 mins
Most popular airline	Shanghai Airlines
Average flights per week	13

Finding cheap flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

How long does it take to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

Which airlines fly direct from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

How many flights are there a week from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

When is the cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu?

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu Airport on?

Can I get a direct flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu Airport?

How can I find the best flight deal to Kota Kinabalu?

When is the best time to book flights to Kota Kinabalu?

Travelling from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI): What you need to know

Shanghai has two main airports that set the stage for your next getaway. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) heading out from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
The average duration of a direct Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport flight is 4 hours 35 minutes.
Shanghai and Kota Kinabalu (where Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located) share the UTC+8 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch when you arrive.
With 11 direct flights a week between the two airports, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is the busiest route. AirAsia operates the earliest flight at 3:20am. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest flight from PVG to BKI is with Shanghai Airlines at 8:05pm.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your flight from Shanghai to BKI.
Peak season means busier airports, so plan to arrive even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to stick to your schedule.

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Fly without interruptions from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Nonstop flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) operate from here.
Shanghai Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport leaving from PVG.
The majority of passengers prefer to book seats with Shanghai Airlines from PVG to BKI.
AirAsia tops the rankings as the most punctual carrier on this route, with 84.78% of its services reaching their destination on schedule.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Shanghai to BKI. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Slip in a stop (and skip the high fares) by flying through one of these popular options:
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
PVG is about 56 kms (35 miles) from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
When it comes to Shanghai Pudong International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78.11% of flights complete their journey on time.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Tick a new place off your list or just take a moment to reset with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, browse these options when taking off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
The drive from central Shanghai to SHA typically takes 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The distance from the city centre to the airport is around 14 kms (9 miles).
Kick off your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your Shanghai to BKI flight, unwind in one of these hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:
The majority of flights that depart Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport reach their destination within the expected time frame. It achieves a consistent on-time performance rate of 85.58%.
SHA is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

About Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)

If you're arriving on a late flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near BKI:
Pick up a Kota Kinabalu International Airport rental car and explore Kota Kinabalu and beyond with your own set of wheels. NH Travel, Green Motion and Keddy By Europcar are top providers you can book with here.
Booking your ride around one week in advance of your Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport flight can help you score a better rate.

How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)

Currently, £70 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is £165. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book four months before your departure date. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Shanghai to BKI.
Plan your trip for September. That's the best month for landing a great bargain on Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a lower fare pops up on plane tickets from Shanghai to BKI.
Find the best deal on a flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'

The best time to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)

It's time to work out when to book your flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). August is the most popular month to visit Kota Kinabalu. If you're all about a more relaxed kind of trip, head there in February.
Before locking in your Shanghai to BKI plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. May is the warmest month in Kota Kinabalu, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport in February when temperatures are between 23ºC (73ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).

More about Kota Kinabalu

Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Kota Kinabalu:
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Kota Kinabalu itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Sipadan Dive Centre Sdn. Bhd..

Explore more of Malaysia

You've visited Kota Kinabalu, now it's time to explore more of Malaysia. Travel about 225 kms (140 miles) east to Sandakan to tick off its popular sights. From Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary (Pusat Pemulihan Orangutan) to Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok and Sandakan Rainforest Park, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you want to check out another great destination in Malaysia, consider Tawau, about 274 kms (170 miles) south-east of Kota Kinabalu. D'mount kinabalu adventure, Jungleland and Hot Springs Tawau are the start of reasons to visit.