Travelling from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI): what you need to know
Shanghai is home to a couple of airports where you can kick off your travels. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
The average duration of a direct flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport is 4 hours 25 minutes.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located in Kota Kinabalu. The city's timezone is UTC+8 — the same as Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is the most popular route. There are 12 direct weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, take the last flight with Shanghai Airlines at 20:20. Opt for the first PVG to BKI departure operated by AirAsia at 03:20 if you want to get going earlier.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your flight from Shanghai to BKI.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
You can hop on a direct flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) out of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
You can travel on a direct flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport with Shanghai Airlines. This popular carrier offers services from PVG.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and maybe even visit a new city. When browsing flights from Shanghai to BKI leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
From the centre of Shanghai, PVG is around 56 kilometres away. Use navigation apps or visit the official airport website to find the best way to get there.
Planning to catch an early flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) operates direct flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you choose to do, check out these stops between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and BKI:
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
SHA is around 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. It'll take you 21 minutes or so to get to the airport when driving from the city centre.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Shanghai to BKI, kick back in one of these hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:
About Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
If you have a late flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these options near BKI:
Getting from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to central Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is approximately 8 kilometres from the centre of Kota Kinabalu. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 14 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
ر.ق. 275 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Return flights start from ر.ق. 567. Fares are subject to availability and may change at any time.
It's usually smart to book in advance if you're looking for cheap flight tickets from Shanghai to BKI. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to increase closer to the departure date.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across the month when searching for your ticket from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap flight tickets from Shanghai to BKI. You don't need to check every day to see whether fares have dropped. We'll tell you the moment there's a change in price.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
The best time to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
August is the busiest month to board a flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to go to Kota Kinabalu, consider the pace you like to travel at.
Before locking in your flight from Shanghai to BKI, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. May is the warmest month in Kota Kinabalu, with the temperature ranging from 24ºC to 31ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport in February when temperatures average between 23ºC and 29ºC.
More about Kota Kinabalu
Start your Kota Kinabalu trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Cool Bar and Orchid De Villa are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Kota Kinabalu itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Sri Pasupathinath Alayam.
Complete your Kota Kinabalu trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Kota Kinabalu and travel at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.
