Tips · Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA) to the City: Express Train, Bus or Ride-Hailing
Express train, airport bus or ride-hailing app from Kuala Lumpur airport (KUL) to KL Sentral and the city: times, fares, hotel areas and an arrival checklist.
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Three ways from the airport into the city
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA, KUL) is a long way south of the city, so it pays to decide how you will get into town before you land.
Our Kuala Lumpur guide lists three options: the airport express train, the airport bus and a ride-hailing app. The train and the bus both run to KL Sentral, the city's transport hub, while a ride-hailing car takes you door to door. Below we cover the time and fare of each, which hotel areas they suit and what to sort out on arrival day.
When you book, check which airport is on your ticket and make sure it is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).
Airport express train: the fastest way to KL Sentral
According to our guide, the airport express train is the fastest and most reliable way to KL Sentral. The ride takes about 30-35 minutes to KL Sentral and the fare is about 55 MYR. Fares can change, so check the official information.
KL Sentral is the hub where the airport express meets several other lines. From there, rail lines (LRT, MRT, Monorail) link to KLCC (around the Twin Towers), Bukit Bintang and Chinatown. You can tap in with a transit card or bank card.
Airport bus: cheap and easy with luggage
The airport bus is a cheap bus that also runs to KL Sentral. The fare is about 15-20 MYR and it is easy with luggage.
It is slower than the train, taking about 1 hr to 1 hr 20 min depending on traffic. It is worth considering when cost matters more than time. Once at KL Sentral, continue to your hotel by rail just as you would from the train.
Ride-hailing app: door to door
With a ride-hailing app you go straight from the airport to your hotel, with the fare shown in the app before you ride. It takes about 50-70 minutes to the city and costs about 70-110 MYR.
It is the easiest choice with family or lots of luggage. In the city, too, ride-hailing is cheap with upfront fares, and our guide calls it the traveler's default.
Which hotel area works best
Both the airport express train and the airport bus arrive at KL Sentral, so what matters is how easily you get from KL Sentral to your hotel. Here are the areas from our guide.
- KL Sentral (airport access, transport): the hub for the airport express and several lines, handy on airport days
- Bukit Bintang (first visit, shopping, food): close to monorail stations and lively late into the night; linked to KL Sentral by rail
- KLCC (around the Twin Towers; night views, upscale hotels): linked by rail, and connected to Bukit Bintang by an air-conditioned elevated walkway
- Chinatown (around Petaling Street; value, old streets): cheap stays, close to Merdeka Square and Central Market; linked by rail
- Bangsar (local feel): 15-20 minutes by car from the center; a ride-hailing car straight from the airport is one option
Arrival-day checklist
Check these points before you leave the airport and getting into the city will be much smoother.
- Rail lines (LRT, MRT, Monorail) take a transit card or a tap of your bank card
- On the city buses (GOKL), foreign visitors pay about 1 MYR per ride by card. Routes and fares can change, so check official information
- Check the airport express fare (about 55 MYR) with the official information
- Bag snatching from motorbikes can happen on streets. Carry your bag on the side away from traffic
- Cover shoulders and knees at mosques and temples and follow signs about removing shoes
- Entry rules and procedures such as digital arrival forms can change, so check Malaysia's immigration department or embassy before you travel
At a glance
All times and fares below are approximate figures from our guide.
- Airport express train: to KL Sentral, about 30-35 min, about 55 MYR (check official), fastest and most reliable
- Airport bus: to KL Sentral, about 1 hr to 1 hr 20 min (depending on traffic), about 15-20 MYR, cheap and easy with luggage
- Ride-hailing app: door to door, about 50-70 min to the city, about 70-110 MYR, fare shown in the app, easiest with family or lots of luggage
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FAQ
What is the fastest way from Kuala Lumpur airport to the city?
According to our guide, the airport express train. It reaches KL Sentral in about 30-35 minutes for about 55 MYR; check the official fare.
How can I keep costs down?
Take the airport bus, the cheap option. It costs about 15-20 MYR to KL Sentral and takes about 1 hr to 1 hr 20 min depending on traffic.
How should I go with family or lots of luggage?
A ride-hailing app is easiest. It goes door to door in about 50-70 minutes to the city for about 70-110 MYR.
Which area is handiest for airport days?
KL Sentral. It is the hub for the airport express and several lines, so it is handy on days you fly in or out.
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