The Terminals at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Terminal 1 is the main and newer terminal of the airport, which was opened for commercial use only in 2008, and can be accessed via Jalan Putatan in Petagas, nearby Kepayan. Both domestic and international flights operate from this terminal, and it also features a myriad of duty-free shops, lounges, restaurants, travel agents, bookshops and other shops.
Terminal 2, on the other hand, is the original and older terminal of the airport. It is located on the other side of the runway and is accessed via Jalan Mat Salleh in Tanjung Aru.
Shopping and Dining at the Airport
From fashion accessories to chocolates and confectionery, and from apparels to jewellery, there is a host of shops at the airport. Famous brands that you will find at the airport include 7-eleven, Adibayu Fashion & Accessories, BAR.FLY, Eraman Emporium, Unique Borneo Handicraft, and The Body Shop.
An excellent selection of dining restaurants as well as fast food outlets is also available at the airport, which means that you need not worry about food before heading onto a long flight. Popular food chains like McDonald's, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, KFC and Wendy's can be found at the airport.
The Plaza Premium Lounge at the Kota Kinabalu Airport
The Kota Kinabalu Airport is home to two lounges, one for international travellers and another for domestic travellers.The Plaza Premium Lounge for international flights is situated on the main strip of the boarding gates. It offers exceptional services and facilities including meals, hot and cold beverages, workstations, shower facilities, WiFi connectivity, workstations, reading materials and TV channels for the comfort of its guests.
Location: Level 3, International Departure, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (near Gate B3)The lounge for domestic departures also offers equally excellent facilities and services, including shower services, an assortment of food and beverage selections, local and international magazines and newspapers, WiFi connectivity, business centre services, and workstations.
Operating hours: 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM everyday
Location: Level 2, Domestic Departure, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (near Gate A10)
Operating hours: 05:30 AM to 10:00 PM on all days of the week
Services and Facilities at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Prominent facilities that are offered here include
- A well developed waiting area
- Foreign exchange and ATM services
- IDD and STD call services
- Prayer Rooms for Muslim passengers
- Baby Care Room
- Smoking Lounge
- Locker services
- Packaging services
Getting around the Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport are located 20 minutes away from the Kota Kinabalu city centre, and you will find a lot of taxis and buses plying to and from the airport.An airport bus is a convenient option if you don't have a lot of luggage, and it takes about 25 to 40 minutes to reach the city centre via the bus, depending on the traffic conditions. The price for the same is RM 5 per person per trip.
Alternatively, you can simply hop onto any taxi service provider to and from the airport, and this will cost you around RM 30 per person.
Flights and Routes from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport
The airport serves the entire city of Kota Kinabalu as well as the west coast of Sabah and has excellent connectivity with major hubs across the Asia Pacific.
Popular airlines that operate their flights from the airport include AirAsia, Air Busan, China Southern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines, Philippines Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air and TransAsia Airways.
Thanks to the excellent direct connections to various places from the airport, you can fly straight to international destinations, such as Singapore, Brunei, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hongkong, Cebu, Tokyo, Sydney, various destinations in Indonesia; as well as to local destinations including Kuching, Labuan and Kuala Lumpur.
Of these, the maximum flights fly out to Kuala Lumpur, followed by Tawau, Sandakan, Seoul, and Kuching.
Things to Do Near the Kota Kinabalu Airport
There are plenty of things that you can do near the Kota Kinabalu Airport, including visiting major tourist sites, beaches, and indulging in adventure activities.- Mount Kinabalu: 1.3 kilometres from the airport
- Tanjung Aru Beach: 0.9 kilometres from the airport
- Petagas War Memorial: 0.6 kilometres from the airport
- Tanjung Aru Perdana Park: 1.5 kilometres from the airport
- Mountain Torq: 4.4 kilometres from the airport
- Canopy Walk: 1.6 kilometres from the airport
- Imago Shopping Mall: 3.8 kilometres from the airport
- Sabah State Museum: 3.3 kilometres from the airport
- North Borneo Railway: 4 kilometres from the airport
- Star Marina Watersports: 1.7 kilometres from the airport
| Name of the Airport | IATA | ICAO | Location |
| Keningau Airport | KGU | WBKG | Jalan Tambunan-Keningau, 500, Kampung Tuarid Taud, 89000 Tambunan, Sabah |
| Kudat Airport | KUD | WBKT | Jalan Airport, 89050 Kudat, Sabah |
| Lahad Datu Airport | LDU | WBKD | KM4, Jalan Tengah Nipah, 91123 Lahad Datu, Sabah |
| Long Pasia Airport | GSA | WBKN | Sipitang, Sabah |
| Sandakan Airport | SDA | WBKS | Batu 7, Jalan Airport, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah |
| Semporna Airport | SMM | WBKA | Semporna Airport, Sabah, 91308 Semporna |
| Tawau Airport | TWU | WBKW | 91011 Tawau, Sabah |
| Tommanggong Airport | TMG | WBKM | Kinabatangan, Sabah |
Though basic, the airport is well maintained and is adequately equipped with all required facilities, making for a comfortable time at the airport, before heading onto a long flight.
