Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI): what you need to know
The timezone in Kota Kinabalu is UTC+8, which is two hours behind Cairns.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Be at the airport with enough time to board your CNS to BKI flight.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
Break up your flight or take a detour to a new city with a stopover. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to see your options when searching for tickets from Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Many travellers pass through Changi International Airport when flying between CNS and BKI.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport flight is Rs90,691. A round-trip plane ticket is currently Rs196,035. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
It's usually smart to book early if you're hoping to get cheap tickets from CNS to BKI. That's because flight prices are based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport across every month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Picking up cheap flights from CNS to BKI is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)
When it comes to Cairns Airport's on-time performance, data shows 71.55% of flights arrive within the expected timeframe.
To get to Cairns Airport from central Cairns, it'll take about 10 minutes by car. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 6 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Expect a journey time of about 1 hour 25 minutes on public transport.
Get your trip off to a stress-free start by staying near CNS. Whether you have an early flight from Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these stays are ideal:
Arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
Book a hotel close to BKI if you're taking a late Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport flight. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Kota Kinabalu International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from NH Travel, Green Motion or Keddy By Europcar to explore Kota Kinabalu and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by booking your vehicle from Kota Kinabalu International Airport around one week ahead of your trip.
Getting from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to central Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is roughly 8 kilometres from the centre of Kota Kinabalu. Driving there takes about 15 minutes.
When to fly to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. August is the busiest month to head to Kota Kinabalu. If you're after a more low-key vibe, go in February.
When booking your flight from Cairns Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, think about the type of weather you like. May is the warmest month in Kota Kinabalu, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 31ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CNS to BKI in February. Temperatures average between 23ºC and 29ºC then.
Explore more of Malaysia
You've visited Kota Kinabalu, now it's time to explore other corners of Malaysia. Travel around 225 kilometres east to Sandakan to tick off its leading sights. From Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to Sandakan Memorial Park and Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of Malaysia, head for Tawau, about 274 kilometres south-east of Kota Kinabalu. Teck Guan Cocoa Museum, Tawau Bell Tower (The Belfry) and Masjid Al-Khauthar, Sabindo Tawau, Sabah. Are key reasons to visit.
