Flying from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Nairobi. Explore your options departing from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) or Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL) when reserving your flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB) are Kuala Lumpur's major gateways.
Kuala Lumpur is five hours ahead of Nairobi and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
To ensure you catch your Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time such as August? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur
To find cheap Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur flights, book early. Airlines tend to offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur across each month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur flights.
Flying from Nairobi
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO)
We make it easy to find a Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur flight with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Sharjah Airport (SHJ)
Travelling from central Nairobi to NBO takes around 1 hour 5 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 13 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport:
Of all flights departing from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport, 62% touch down on time at their destination.
Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL)
You can get to WIL from central Nairobi in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey by public transport takes roughly 35 minutes to cover the 3 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not extend it with an additional night away? Consider kicking back in one of these hotels near Nairobi Wilson Airport the day before your flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Nairobi Wilson Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 72%.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
The distance from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to central Kuala Lumpur is approximately 48 kilometres. It'll take you around 55 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you around 40 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur. Book one of these accommodation options near KUL instead:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Kuala Lumpur International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from ASIA CAR, Paradise or GoSoCar and explore beyond Kuala Lumpur's main sights.
To get the best deal, book your vehicle from Kuala Lumpur International Airport about four weeks in advance of your Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur flight.
Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB)
The centre of Kuala Lumpur is about 18 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB). Once your flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 30 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take about 45 minutes.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near SZB. Tuck yourself in after your Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting in a long taxi line. Grab a Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Check out the availability and rates from Sixt, WAHDAH and Agtran.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Booking your ride from SZB one week ahead of time often means more savings and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
July is the busiest month for flights from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur. To skip the crowds, go to Kuala Lumpur in March.
The warmest month in Kuala Lumpur is March, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Search for cheap flights from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 21ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Kuala Lumpur
After booking your flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Kuala Lumpur:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Petronas Twin Towers, Sky Terrace KL Tower and Warisan Merdeka Tower are highlights which should be on any well-planned Kuala Lumpur itinerary.