Traveling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: your ultimate transportation guide

Getting around a new city can be quite stressful. Malaysia, in Southeast Asia, is known for its diverse cultures and its mix of customs and traditions with a touch of modernity, and people flock there for its breathtaking islands, beaches and cultural sites. When it is your first time somewhere, knowing about the transportation beforehand will make your stay in Malaysia easier and smoother! 

Getting from the airport to the city

The capital of Malaysia is served by Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia. It has two terminals: Terminal 1 (KLIA) and Terminal 2 (formerly called klia2, used mainly by low-cost airlines such as AirAsia), linked by a short train ride. The airport is about 50 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur and well connected to the city center by bus, airport train or taxi.

By bus

Both terminals have airport coach services to KL Sentral station. The bus is the cheapest way to get to the city and provides a comfortable ride, but depending on traffic the journey often takes an hour or more. Check fares at the bus counters in the arrival halls. 

By airport train

Both the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit trains serve both terminals and take you to KL Sentral station in the city. The KLIA Ekspres runs non-stop and takes around 30 minutes. If you need to stop along the way, take the KLIA Transit, which stops at Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya & Cyberjaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan. Fares are in ringgit (RM) and change from time to time, and there are often group and family deals, so check the current fare on the KLIA Ekspres website.

By taxi

Taking a private vehicle provides the quickest and most comfortable way to travel to the city.

Kuala Lumpur airport taxis operate on a fixed-fare coupon system, and the ride takes around an hour depending on traffic. Look for the ‘teksi’ sign on the roof; budget taxis are usually red and white, while executive taxis are blue. Buy a taxi coupon at the taxi counter in the arrival hall: state your destination, pay the fixed fare (in RM), and show the coupon to your driver. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab also have pick-up points at the airport. Taking a taxi from the airport in Kuala Lumpur is secure and comfortable. 

Going around the city: public transportation systems and general information in Kuala Lumpur 

Kuala Lumpur Sentral (KL Sentral)

the main railway station of Kuala Lumpur, is the largest railway station in Malaysia. 

Metro tickets and fare

Just grab a map and ask the friendly staff on duty to help you sort out your route. Single-journey fares depend on the distance and are inexpensive. Single-journey tickets come as plastic tokens, sold at ticket offices and vending machines at each station.  

KL Travel Pass

If you plan to ride the trains a lot over a few days, ask about tourist passes. The KL Travel Pass has combined an airport train ticket with a Touch 'n Go card, and Rapid KL has offered unlimited-ride passes for its LRT, MRT, monorail and buses. Pass types and prices change, so check the KLIA Ekspres and Rapid KL websites or ask at the KL Sentral ticket counters. 

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Touch 'n Go (TnG) card

Fares are cheaper with a Touch 'n Go (TnG) stored-value card, which also lets you skip the ticket queue. If you are staying in Malaysia for a while, you can buy one at Touch 'n Go counters, convenience stores and some stations, and top it up as you go.

With a TnG card in hand, you can take most public transport in the Klang Valley, including the LRT, MRT, KL Monorail and BRT Sunway Line (Rapid KL), RapidKL buses, KTM Komuter trains, the KLIA Ekspres and many airport coaches.

KTM Komuter

KTM Komuter trains are mainly used to get out of the city to the suburbs. KTM Komuter is a commuter rail system, and was introduced to offer local rail services in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley suburban areas. 

Go KL City Bus 

Go KL City Bus is surely one of the best options in Kuala Lumpur. It is a free bus service with several color-coded routes covering most of the main attractions, including Bukit Bintang, Chinatown and KLCC. The buses are quite iconic on the streets with their eye-catching colors, run frequently every day, and are air-conditioned. Routes have been added and changed over the years, so check the current route map before you ride. 

Light Rail Transit (LRT) 

Kuala Lumpur has three LRT lines: the Ampang Line, the Sri Petaling Line and the Kelana Jaya Line. The Kelana Jaya Line (line 5 on the transit map) is the busiest, serving 37 stations on underground and elevated tracks through the city center, including KL Sentral, Pasar Seni and KLCC. 

MRT Kajang Line and Putrajaya Line

The MRT Kajang Line (formerly the Sungai Buloh–Kajang or SBK Line) runs through the Kuala Lumpur city center, with stations near main attractions such as the National Museum (Muzium Negara) and Central Market (Pasar Seni) and shopping areas like Bukit Bintang. The newer MRT Putrajaya Line, fully opened in 2023, links the northern suburbs to the city and to Putrajaya. 

Now you are ready to hop on! The transportation in Kuala Lumpur is well organized, logical and simple. Knowing the buses, metro system and taxis will make your time in Kuala Lumpur smoother and more convenient. Save this guide for your next trip to Southeast Asia and make your next vacation a memorable one! Want a local to show you around? Find a local guide.

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Cover photo: Kaerumy, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons