KK Airport Guide
Last updated: March 2026
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA: BKI) is Sabah's main airport and the second busiest in Malaysia. It's compact, relatively easy to navigate, and only 8 km from the city centre.
Terminal Overview
BKI has two terminals:
- Terminal 1 (T1) — Main terminal for Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, and all international flights. Newer, larger, air-conditioned.
- Terminal 2 (T2) — AirAsia's dedicated terminal. Smaller and more basic. Connected to T1 by a short walkway (about 5 minutes).
Check your terminal
Confirm which terminal your airline uses before heading to the airport. AirAsia = T2. Most others = T1. Firefly sometimes uses T1.
Getting to/from the Airport
| Option | Cost (approx.) | Time to City | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab | RM15–25 | 15–25 min | Most convenient. Pick up at designated e-hailing zone. |
| Airport taxi | RM30–35 | 15–25 min | Fixed-rate coupon system. Buy at counter before exit. |
| Airport bus | RM5 | 30–40 min | Runs to city centre. Limited schedule, check times. |
| Car rental | From RM80/day | — | Counters in arrival hall. Book ahead for better rates. |
| Hotel shuttle | Free–RM20 | Varies | Some hotels offer airport pickup. Arrange in advance. |
Grab vs taxi
Grab is almost always cheaper than the airport taxi counter. The taxi uses fixed rates that are higher than metered fares. Use Grab unless you don't have a Malaysian SIM card or data.
Facilities
- ATMs — Available in both terminals (arrival and departure halls). Maybank, CIMB, and RHB.
- Money exchange — Counters in arrival hall. Rates are acceptable but slightly worse than city centre.
- SIM cards — Celcom and Hotlink counters in T1 arrival hall. Get a prepaid tourist SIM (about RM30 for 15GB).
- WiFi — Free airport WiFi available (limited speed). Connect to "BKI Free WiFi".
- Lounges — Plaza Premium Lounge in T1 (pay-per-use or Priority Pass). No lounge in T2.
- Food — Limited options airside. Better to eat in the city. There's a small food court in T1 departure hall.
- Prayer room — Available in both terminals.
- Left luggage — Storage service in T1 (about RM15–25 per bag per day).
Arrival Tips
- Immigration — Even domestic arrivals from Peninsular Malaysia go through Sabah immigration. Have your passport/IC ready.
- Queue times — Can be 20–40 minutes during peak hours (afternoon when multiple flights land). Auto-gates are available for Malaysian passport holders.
- Buy a SIM card before leaving the airport if you need data for Grab and maps.
- Grab pickup — Follow signs to the e-hailing pickup zone. It's a short walk from the arrival hall.
- Late arrivals — If you land after 10 PM, Grab availability drops. Airport taxi is the safer option.
Departure Tips
- Arrive 2 hours early for domestic, 3 hours for international. Security and check-in queues can be slow.
- Duty-free — Limited selection compared to KLIA. Chocolates and alcohol are the main draws.
- Check your terminal — T1 and T2 departures are in different buildings. Don't go to the wrong one.
- Grab to airport — Budget RM15–25 from city centre. Add extra time during rush hour (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM).