Cheap flights from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai

Compare Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai flight deals

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Flight deals from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Shanghai? If you want to travel next month, round-trip fares start from $325. Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai

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

Direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai

Alternative Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$279
Cheapest month to flyOctober
Average flight time4 hrs, 37 mins
Most popular airlineShanghai Airlines
Average flights per week17

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

There are 2 airports in Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong.
The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai is $279. 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.
4 hours and 37 minutes is the average flight time from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai.
Shanghai Airlines, China Eastern and AirAsia fly direct from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai.
There are 17 flights per week flying from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai, as of June 2026.
The cheapest month to fly from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai is usually October.
If you're flying from Kota Kinabalu Airport, the cheapest airport near Shanghai is Shanghai Pudong – which is 32.7 km away from the center of Shanghai. We've found flights to this airport from $279.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Shanghai on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 37 minutes.
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 Shanghai 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.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar, and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Shanghai is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In June, the average temperature is usually around 23°C. August is typically the warmest month in Shanghai, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in December. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is June.
Currently, Spring Airlines offers the cheapest flight tickets to Shanghai.

Flying from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Shanghai: what you need to know

  • Approximately 4 hours 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be traveling on a direct flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai.

  • Kota Kinabalu (the location of Kota Kinabalu International Airport) and Shanghai follow the same timezone — UTC+8.

  • Pick from 14 services each week between Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). This is the most popular flight route.

  • Leave plenty of time to catch your BKI to Shanghai flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • During popular months like February, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during peak periods in general.

  • You can book a direct Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai ticket. Start your journey at BKI and arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

  • Leading airlines that operate direct flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai include:

  • Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper plane ticket from BKI to Shanghai. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these connection hubs:

    • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

    • Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)

    • Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

  • The journey from central Kota Kinabalu to BKI takes about 35 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometers in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

  • In search of a hotel close to BKI? If you're catching an early flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure gate:

  • Of all flights leaving Kota Kinabalu International Airport, 67% land on schedule at their destination.

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

  • $143 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai flight. A return plane ticket right now is $279. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.

  • Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from BKI to Shanghai if you book early. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.

  • If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, take advantage of the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across each month when searching for a Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai ticket.

  • Snapping up a cheap flight from BKI to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when a deal gets even better.

  • Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

  • Central Shanghai is around 14 kilometers from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). After your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 30 minutes.

  • You can expect the trip to take about 40 minutes on public transport.

  • After stepping off your BKI to Shanghai flight, kick back at a hotel close to SHA. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:

  • Save time at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from SHA a few weeks in advance so you can simply get the keys and go.

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Best time to go to Shanghai

  • It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai. February is the busiest month to travel to Shanghai. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in December.

  • Before booking a Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Shanghai plane ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).

  • Look for cheap tickets from BKI to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.

More about Shanghai

Explore more of China

  • You've visited Shanghai, now it's time to explore more of China. Travel about 274 kilometers west to Nanjing to tick off its top attractions. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.

  • Puyang is another favorite destination in China and is around 241 kilometers southwest of Shanghai. No trip is complete without experiencing Xuanlushan Scenic Area, Xianhua Mountain and Minsheng Flower Sea.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.