Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Introduction

KLIA

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The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) (IATA: KUL, ICAO: WMKK), the main gateway to Malaysia, is situated about 50km south of the capital city Kuala Lumpur.

Getting there and away

Main Terminal

• By rail

KLIA Express is a dedicated high-speed train service that takes you to the central station, KL Sentral, in the city centre in just 28 minutes for only 35 ringgit. From there, Light Rail Transit (LRT) (subway/metro), inter-city rail, monorail, buses and taxis are available to take you to your destination. Operating hours are from 0500 to 0000hrs. Trains run on a frequency of 15 mins from 0500-0900hrs and from 1600-2200hrs, or 20 minutes at other times.

• By bus

The bus ride to the city takes approximately one hour with normal traffic condition. Airport buses are available to ferry passengers to KL Sentral, major hotels in the city centre (Airport Coach #1), selected cities (Triton Express).

• By taxi

There are several types of taxi services available with the two most common ones being the Airport Limousine (approx. 90 ringgit to the city) and Budget taxis (approx. 70 ringgit to the city). The family van, capable of seating 8 passengers, is also available for travelling families. It is very important that you specify clearly the type of service you want when you purchase the coupon to prevent yourself from being sold a more expensive taxi service coupon. Average travelling time by taxi is about an hour in normal traffic conditions.

• By car

If you're renting a car, expressways are connected along the way to the city centre. Simply follow the road signs that say either Kuala Lumpur or KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) as you drive along the expressways. Speed limit on most parts of the expressways is 110 km/h and reduced to 80 to 90 km/h as you get nearer to the city. Roads in the city have speed limits of 50 to 80 km/h. If you're new here and on a rental car, you would probably take a little longer than the average one hour travelling time to get to the city centre.

Low-Cost Carrier Terminal

• By bus

The best way to get to/from the city. It costs 9 ringgit one way for the one-hour ride in normal traffic conditions. The bus service stops at the central station, KL Sentral.

• By taxi

There are metered taxis available, but it is a known fact that many people find it hard to get them to use the meter. In such cases, keep in mind that the quoted fare to get to the city centre should be in the range of 60 to 80 ringgit. Do not accept anything more than that.

Getting around

Intra Terminal

• Aerotrain

This is an automated driverless people-mover train that ferries international flight passengers between the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Terminal A.

• Travelator

Available in all four wings in the Satellite Terminal A, the two Contact-Piers in Main Terminal, and the skybridge to the carpark and Pan Pacific KLIA.

Inter Terminal

• Bus

Bus service is available every 15 minutes to ferry passengers between the Main Terminal Building and the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal.

Airlines and Terminals

• Airlines

This airport is the home base for Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and AirAsia X.

• Main Terminal Building

This building houses all the airlines check-in counters and administrative offices. There is a contact pier connected to the building for all domestic flights and a few international flights.

• Satellite Terminal A

This is the terminal for international flights only. It is connected to the MTB by a people-mover train service called Aerotrain to move passengers between the two buildings.

• Low-Cost Carrier Terminal

This terminal was built specifically for budget airlines. Although the terminal is located not too far from the main terminal, the road to travel from one side to the other is about 20 km because the road travels around the runway and the airport buffer zone. If you happen to arrive at the wrong terminal to catch a flight, there is a bus service that ferries passengers between the MTB and LCCT. This terminal has basic facilities that passangers requires. Due to its purpose to serve budget airlines passengers, low airport tax is charged. With that, it does not have aerobridges, which means that passengers will need to walk on the open tarmac to get to the planes parked about 50 - 100 metres away from the terminal building.

Do

• City Tour

If you're on a transit flight of four hours or more during the day, you may want to do a quick tour around Kuala Lumpur. This tour can be purchased at the Satellite Terminal Building.

• Shopping

Most duty-free shops are located in the Satellite Terminal A.

• Gym, Sauna, Shower

If you're on transit from a long flight and wish to refresh yourself, gym, sauna, and shower facilities is available at The Airside Transit Hotel in Satellite Terminal A.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• Terminal Buildings

For those who are backpacking, on a tight budget, or do not mind sleeping in the waiting area, it is safe to do so. Seats with no arm-rests (some even with no back-support - great for sleeping) are available in all terminal buildings. The terminals can turn very quiet late at night so it's good for sleeping, but the aircon can also turn really cold at that time.

• The Airside Transit Hotel

Located next to Gate C5 inside the Satellite Terminal Building (international flights), this hotel offers rooms, gym, sauna, and also shower facilities for those who are on a brief stopover.

• Pan Pacific KLIA

This 5-star hotel is linked via a skybridge to the adjecent Main Terminal Building (MTB). It takes only 5 minutes to walk from the MTB to the hotel.

• Concorde Inn KLIA

This hotel is located just outside the terminal building and is only 3 minutes away via a complimentary airport transfer.

Keeping connected

Internet

Free wi-fi access is available in all terminal buildings. Some cafes and restaurants also provide internet-ready computers for their patrons.

External Links

1. Kuala Lumpur International Airport - official website of KLIA
2. Low-Cost Carrier Terminal - budget airline terminal at KLIA
3. Pan Pacific Hotel - KLIA
4. The Airside Transit Hotel
5. Concorde Inn KLIA
6. Malaysia Airlines
7. AirAsia
8. KLIA Express - high-speed train service
9. Skybus - bus service for the LCCT-KL Sentral route