Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport (SDK): What you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of Kuala Lumpur's main airports, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). Explore your options for booking a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport (SDK) departing from either of these.
Hop on a direct Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport flight and you'll be travelling for around 2 hours 50 minutes.
Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan (where Sandakan Airport is located) share the UTC+8 timezone. That means you won't need to adjust your watch when you land.
The most popular route is from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Sandakan Airport (SDK), with 38 direct weekly services. If you're eager to be on your way, the earliest flight from KUL to SDK is the 6:25am AirAsia service. If a later flight fits your day better, the last departure is at 11:30pm with Malaysia Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from Kuala Lumpur to SDK, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Reach your destination without the detour from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport (SDK) are available from here.
At KUL, there's a range of carriers that offer direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport, such as:
The airline with the highest booking numbers between KUL and SDK is AirAsia.
Among carriers on this route, Malaysia Airlines has the best record for on-time arrivals.
Located around 64 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur, KUL can be reached in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
Catching an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
When it comes to Kuala Lumpur International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 58.65% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Kuala Lumpur to SZB in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 24 kilometres away, and getting there by car takes approximately 25 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your Kuala Lumpur to SDK flight? Unwind in a hotel near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport before your break officially starts. These stays have a room with your name on it:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport has an on-time performance rate of 67.97%. This figure gives an insight into how frequently flights departing from this airport land at their destination on schedule.
About Sandakan Airport (SDK)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport. Make yourself comfy at one of these accommodation options near SDK instead:
Book a Sandakan Airport rental car and discover places that aren't on the usual tourist route. Hertz and Avis can hook you up with a set of wheels for your adventures through Sandakan and beyond.
Booking your ride around three weeks ahead of your Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport flight can help you get the lowest rate.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport (SDK)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport is C$39. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$88. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
Book 11 months before flying. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to SDK.
April is when you're most likely to land a fantastic deal on a Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport ticket. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flight tickets from Kuala Lumpur to SDK by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Save on your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport by using filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport (SDK)
August is the busiest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport (SDK). Plan your visit to Sandakan in February if you prefer a quieter experience.
Lock in a Kuala Lumpur to SDK flight ticket departing in May if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Sandakan to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
More about Sandakan
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Sandakan right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan Airport:
There are loads of fantastic things to do in Sandakan when you're ready to see the sights. Kick things off at Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary (Pusat Pemulihan Orangutan) followed by Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok and Sandakan Rainforest Park.
Explore more of Malaysia
You've done Sandakan, now it's time to discover more of Malaysia. Journey around 225 kilometres west to Kota Kinabalu to tick off its leading attractions. From Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park to Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) and Sipadan Dive Centre Sdn. Bhd, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Tawau is another essential stop in Malaysia and is around 177 kilometres south of Sandakan. No trip is complete without seeing D'mount kinabalu adventure, Jungleland and Hot Springs Tawau.