Is it worth flying instead of driving for balik kampung to Sabah?

As a fellow KL-KK commuter for family, here's what saves me money. Book EARLY, festive fares only go up, never down, so the day dates are confirmed, buy. Use fare comparison and set alerts on the apps. Being flexible by even one or two days around the peak eve can cut the price a lot; the exact festive-eve flights are the most expensive. Consider flying on the actual festive day itself, sometimes cheaper as most people already travelled. Watch for AirAsia mega sales and book then for future trips. Bundle baggage smartly, and check both KLIA and Subang options. Points/miles help if you have them. Realistically flying is the only option to Sabah, so early planning is everything. Don't wait till the last month or you'll cry at the RM1000+ fares.

From my experience flying KL to KK for festive season, the only real way to beat the crazy prices is to book very early, like 3-4 months ahead the moment you know your dates. Prices for AirAsia and MAS spike as the festive dates fill up. Set fare alerts and be flexible: flying a day or two before/after the peak eve can save hundreds. Red-eye or off-peak time slots are usually cheaper too. Consider the airline sale seasons (AirAsia big sales) and booking round-trip. If you have a credit card with airline points or travel perks, use them. Since driving across is impossible, flying is basically it, so planning ahead is your only leverage. Also travel light to avoid baggage fees, and lock in dates early with family. Last-minute festive tickets are always painful.