£157 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 £157. 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 27 minutes is the average flight time from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu.

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

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

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

As of May 2025, there are 12 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 September.

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 Friday, 5 September 2025 .

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

Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 27 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.£157 per passenger.Departing Fri, 5 Sep, returning Tue, 9 Sep.Return flight with AirAsia X and China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Fri, 5 Sep, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 9 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Hongqiao.Price includes taxes and charges.From £157, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£164 per passenger.Departing Tue, 14 Oct, returning Tue, 21 Oct.Return flight with AirAsia X and AirAsia.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Tue, 14 Oct, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with AirAsia, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 21 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £164, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£170 per passenger.Departing Thu, 28 Aug, returning Sun, 31 Aug.Return flight with AirAsia X and Philippines AirAsia.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Thu, 28 Aug, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with Philippines AirAsia, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Sun, 31 Aug, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £170, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£179 per passenger.Departing Fri, 12 Sep, returning Sat, 27 Sep.Return flight with AirAsia.Outbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Shanghai Pudong on Fri, 12 Sep, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Kota Kinabalu on Sat, 27 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £179, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£179 per passenger.Departing Wed, 20 Aug, returning Tue, 9 Sep.Return flight with AirAsia X and AirAsia.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 20 Aug, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with AirAsia, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 9 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £179, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£179 per passenger.Departing Mon, 13 Oct, returning Mon, 20 Oct.Return flight with AirAsia.Outbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Shanghai Pudong on Mon, 13 Oct, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound direct flight with AirAsia departs from Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 20 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £179, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£185 per passenger.Departing Wed, 19 Nov, returning Sat, 22 Nov.Return flight with China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 19 Nov, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Sat, 22 Nov, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £185, select.

Kota Kinabalu.£187 per passenger.Departing Tue, 29 Jul, returning Mon, 4 Aug.Return flight with AirAsia X and Malaysia Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with AirAsia X, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Tue, 29 Jul, arriving in Kota Kinabalu.Inbound indirect flight with Malaysia Airlines, departs from Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 4 Aug, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From £187, 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 September.

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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	£157
Cheapest month to fly	September
Average flight time	4 hrs, 27 mins
Most popular airline	China Eastern
Average flights per week	12

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 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 35 miles 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 9 miles 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 5 miles 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)

£69 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Return flights start from £157. 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 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 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.