How to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre
Why visit Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur (KL) is Malaysia’s capital, a vibrant mix of skyscrapers, Asian-European architecture, large shopping districts, and flavourful cuisine. The busy city can be quite overwhelming, but it’s all about finding your rhythm in Kuala Lumpur’s beautiful chaos.
The Petronas Towers — the tallest twin towers in the world — are the city’s most iconic attraction. But there’s so much more to see in Kuala Lumpur. The old KL Railway Station, KL Tower, Bukit Bintang, and Jalan Alor are all must-visits. And if you have more time, the colourful Batu Caves is just 30 minutes away from the city.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre?
There are 3 ways to travel the 45 kilometre (28 miles) distance from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre. You can choose between the bus, taxi and train. The journey takes 30 minutes to 1 hour 5 minutes and the quickest way is by train. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 10 MYR ($2.50).
Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre by Bus
Kuala Lumpur Airport has several bus lines, which one you choose depends on where you’re heading in Malaysia!
You can find the buses at the Transport Hub by KLIA Main Terminal Building Level 1. Travel time is around 1 hour 5 minutes but can take longer during peak hours.
For those bound for Kuala Lumpur city centre, your bus choices from Kuala Lumpur Airport are listed below:
Bus Schedule from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Buses have a 30-minute to 1-hour interval.
If you prefer to book online beforehand, Aerobus is also available on Klook for 12 MYR ($3.10).
Heading to Genting Highlands? Aerobus and Resorts World offer several trips every day, starting at 35 MYR ($8.90). The journey takes around 2 hours.
Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre by Train
If you’re on a tight schedule or just prefer to not get stuck in traffic, the train is your best bet. KLIA Ekspres offers 2 kinds of trains.
The first one is a “non-stop” train from KLIA2 and takes 35 minutes to reach Kuala Lumpur city centre.
The other one is a transit train that makes 3 stops at Bandar Tasik Selatan, Putrajaya/Cyberjaya, and Salak Tinggi before arriving at the city centre after 40 minutes. Both trains make a 1-minute stop at KLIA1.
A train ticket from Kuala Lumpur Airport costs 50 MYR ($12.70) per person for a one-way trip. However, KLIA Ekspres does offer promos/discounts on their website if you book a return trip or are travelling in a group.
If you prefer quick bookings or don’t qualify for any of those promos, you can also book your ticket via Klook for 44 MYR ($11.30).
The KLIA Ekspres operates from 05:00 to 00:40 daily, with an interval of 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll need to get off at KL Sentral, where you may then have to take a connecting train to your hotel.
Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre by Taxi
You have several taxi choices when travelling from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL city centre. There are the airport taxis (couponed or metered), Grab, Klook, or 12go.Asia. You can just pick one depending on your budget and desired comfort.
The taxi journey takes about an hour, depending on traffic. Below are more details.
Couponed Taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport
With a couponed taxi service, you will have an agreed fare before you get in the taxi. This is calculated using your destination and time of travel at the Kuala Lumpur Airport taxi desk. Fares start at 85 MYR ($21.50) for a budget taxi from the airport to the city centre.
Make sure you keep your coupon safe until you reach your destination as you’ll have to show yours to the taxi driver.
Metered Taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport
With a metered taxi, your rate is highly dependent on traffic. Most times though, metered taxis are cheaper than couponed taxis. Just make sure the taxi you’re taking is in fact metered to avoid a confrontation later on.
Grab Taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport
If you have mobile data or Wifi, we highly recommend booking a taxi with the Grab app. Grab taxis are usually more affordable than airport taxis, with fares starting from 75 MYR ($19.10).
Online Booking Kuala Lumpur Airport
There is also an option to reserve your taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport beforehand. This way you will have your driver ready waiting to welcome you at the airport.
Klook cars are slightly more expensive, starting at 92 MYR ($23.50), but you can expect a good car and a trusted driver. Also will it be very convenient when the driver is waiting with a sign in the arrival hall of the airport.
Another option is 12go.Asia, with taxi fares from 155 MYR ($39.50).
Taxi options from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre
What is the distance from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre?
The distance from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre is 45 kilometre (28 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre?
The fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre is by train and takes 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre?
The cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre is by bus with ticket costs starting from 10 MYR ($2.50).
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon.
