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Connecting route · Thailand → Malaysia

Flights from Chiang Mai to Kota-Kinabalu

There are no direct flights from Chiang Mai to Kota-Kinabalu. The fastest way is one stop via Bangkok or Hong Kong, about 8h 04m door to door (11 connections a week on current schedules).

No direct flights · 5 connection options From 6h 47m
CNXBKIHKG

Chiang Mai to Kota-Kinabalu at a glance

Fastest journey6h 47mVia Bangkok, on current schedules
Nonstop flightsNoneConnect via Bangkok or Hong Kong

Best ways to fly from Chiang Mai to Kota-Kinabalu

Ranked by how easy the connection is: one airline or alliance first (bags and connection protected), then the quickest self-transfer options.

1
CNX Bangkok (BKK) BKI
Leg 1: Thai AirAsia, Thai Vietjet, Bangkok Airways · Leg 2: Royal Brunei Airlines
Sat10:15 CNX11:23 BKK2h 22m connection13:45 BKK19:19 BKIBangkok Airways + Royal Brunei Airlines
3 connections a weekSelf-transfer likely Fastest 8h 04m
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2
CNX Hong Kong (HKG) BKI
Leg 1: HK Express, Spring Airlines · Leg 2: HK Express, AirAsia
Fri11:00 CNX14:34 HKG6h 56m connection21:30 HKG00:19 BKIHK Express
6 connections a week One airline, one ticket Fastest 12h 19m
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3
CNX Singapore (SIN) BKI
Leg 1: Scoot · Leg 2: Scoot, AirAsia
Mon17:30 CNX21:12 SIN11h 48m connection09:00 SIN11:08 BKIScoot
2 connections a week One airline, one ticket Fastest 16h 38m
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4
CNX Kuala Lumpur (KUL) BKI
Leg 1: AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines · Leg 2: AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Firefly
One airline, one ticket ~6h 47m
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5
CNX Shenzhen (SZX) BKI
Leg 1: China Southern Airlines · Leg 2: AirAsia
Self-transfer likely ~7h 51m
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Connections are computed from flights actually flown over the last 8 weeks, with at least 45 minutes to change on one airline and 2 hours on separate tickets. Times are local. The search shows live itineraries and exact times.

Good to know

Distance
2,338 km1,452 miles
Journey time
6h 47mon current schedules
Time difference
+1hKota-Kinabalu vs Chiang Mai
Currency in Kota-Kinabalu
MYR
Airports
CNX → BKI

Flights from Chiang Mai to Kota-Kinabalu: questions answered

Are there direct flights from Chiang Mai to Kota-Kinabalu?
No. There is no nonstop service, so you will connect, most easily in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Some connections are on one airline or alliance, so your bags and connection are protected on a single ticket.
How long is the flight from Chiang Mai to Kota-Kinabalu?
With one connection the journey usually takes around 6h 47m, depending on the layover. The straight-line distance is 2,338 km.
Where do you change planes between Chiang Mai and Kota-Kinabalu?
The best connecting points are Bangkok (BKK), Hong Kong (HKG), Singapore (SIN) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Compare one-ticket itineraries with self-transfer options in the search.
Which airports serve Chiang Mai and Kota-Kinabalu?
Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). Kota-Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
What is the time difference between Chiang Mai and Kota-Kinabalu?
Kota-Kinabalu is 1 hour ahead of Chiang Mai.

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