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Connecting route · Thailand → Malaysia

Flights from Phuket to Kota-Kinabalu

There are no direct flights from Phuket to Kota-Kinabalu. The easiest way is one stop via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, about 5h 25m door to door.

No direct flights · 3 connection options From 5h 25m
HKTBKIKUL

Phuket to Kota-Kinabalu at a glance

Fastest journey5h 25mEstimated
Nonstop flightsNoneConnect via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore

Best ways to fly from Phuket 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
HKT Kuala Lumpur (KUL) BKI
Leg 1: AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia · Leg 2: AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Firefly
One airline, one ticket ~5h 25m
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2
HKT Singapore (SIN) BKI
Leg 1: Scoot · Leg 2: Scoot, AirAsia
One airline, one ticket ~5h 30m
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3
HKT Bangkok (BKK) BKI
Leg 1: Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways · Leg 2: Royal Brunei Airlines
Self-transfer likely ~6h 42m
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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
1,970 km1,223 miles
Journey time
5h 25mestimate
Time difference
+1hKota-Kinabalu vs Phuket
Currency in Kota-Kinabalu
MYR
Airports
HKT → BKI

Flights from Phuket to Kota-Kinabalu: questions answered

Are there direct flights from Phuket to Kota-Kinabalu?
No. There is no nonstop service, so you will connect, most easily in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. 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 Phuket to Kota-Kinabalu?
With one connection the journey usually takes around 5h 25m, depending on the layover. The straight-line distance is 1,970 km.
Where do you change planes between Phuket and Kota-Kinabalu?
The best connecting points are Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Singapore (SIN) and Bangkok (BKK). AirAsia flies both legs via Kuala Lumpur, so you can book it as one ticket.
Which airports serve Phuket and Kota-Kinabalu?
Phuket: Phuket International Airport (HKT). Kota-Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
What is the time difference between Phuket and Kota-Kinabalu?
Kota-Kinabalu is 1 hour ahead of Phuket.

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