Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Travel Guide Asia Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Introduction

KLIA

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) (IATA: KUL, ICAO: WMKK) is the main gateway to Malaysia. Completed and opened in 1998 in conjunction with the 16th Commonwealth Games, this airport is situated about 50 kilometres south of the capital city Kuala Lumpur. It replaced the old one at Subang Jaya, a suburban area about 20 kilometres south west of the city centre. The single-runway airport has since then been renamed as Subang Airport (officially Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) (IATA: SZB, ICAO: WMSA) and is now serving private jets and airlines operating turbo-prop aircraft. There are two terminals at the international airport, KLIA and LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal). For more information about other airports throughout the world, also see the list of airports.

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Getting There and Away

Main Terminal

By rail
KLIA Express is a dedicated high-speed train service which travels between the airport and the City Air Terminal at KL Sentral in the city centre in just 28 minutes. The fare for one-way is RM35. From KL Sentral, there are Light Rail Transit (LRT) (metro), inter-city rail, monorail, buses and taxis available to take you to your destination. Operating hours are from 05:00am to midnight. Trains run on frequencies of 15 minutes from 05:00am to 09:00am and from 4:00pm to 10:00pm, and 20 minutes at other times.

By bus
The bus ride to the city takes one hour under normal traffic condition. Airport buses go to KL Sentral, major hotels in the city centre (Airport Coach #1), selected cities (Triton Express).

By taxi
Airport taxis come in several types of services, with the two most common ones being the Premier Limo (approximately RM90 to the city) and Budget taxis (approximately RM70 to the city). The Family van, capable of carrying eight passengers, is also available for travelling families and large groups. 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. Travelling time by taxi is one hour under normal traffic condition.

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 between 50 and 80 km/h. If you're new here and on a rental car, you would probably take longer than the one hour travelling time to get to the city centre.

Low-Cost Carrier Terminal

By bus
Bus is the best way to travel between the LCCT and the city centre (KL Sentral). Bus fare costs RM9 for one-way and the journey takes one hour under normal traffic conditions and maybe longer during rush hours. There are two bus operators servicing this route, but travellers are advised to use the more punctual and reliable Skybus. Bus frequencies are every 15 minutes.

By taxi
Airport taxis from LCCT operate on a coupon system. Fares vary according to destinations which are zone based.

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Getting Around

Intra Terminal

KL Airport Train

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
Travelators are available in all four wings in the Satellite Terminal A, the two Contact-Piers in the Main Terminal Building, and on 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.

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Airlines and Terminals

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

Some major carriers flying into KLIA are Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways.
In total, over 50 airlines serve Kuala Lumpur International Airport, with flights to almost all continents. Major destinations include Sydney, Tokyo, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Los Angeles, Dubai and Delhi.

Main Terminal
The Main Terminal Building (MTB) 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. The Satellite Terminal A 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
The LCCT was built specifically for budget airlines. All Air Asia and AirAsia X flights operate from this terminal. Although the terminal is located just across the runway from the main terminal, to travel by road from one 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. LCCTl has full facilities. 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 to 100 metres away from the terminal building.
Other airlines serving this terminal are Cebu Pacific to Manila and Tiger Airways to Singapore.

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Do

City Tour
If you're on a transit flight of more than four hours during the day, you may want to do a quick tour around the Kuala Lumpur city centre. 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 freshen up yourself, there are gym, sauna and shower facilities available at the Airside Transit Hotel in Satellite Terminal A.

Pharmacy & Clinic
There is a pharmacy and a 24-hour clinic each in both the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal if you are feeling unwell or require medication (over-the-counter or prescription).

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Eat

KLIA

Main Terminal

Burger King
Delifrance
EDEN
KFC
Malaysian Street Food @ Jalan Alor
Malaysian Wok
McDonald's
Noodles House
Satay Club Grill & Bar

LCCT

Dunkin' Donuts
Food Garden
KFC
McDonald's
Marrybrown
Taste of Asia

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Drink

Main Terminal

Asian Café
Café Marche
Café Ritazza
Domé Café
Starbucks Coffee
Travellers Bar

LCCT

Café Expresso
Champion Sports Bar
Old Town White Coffee
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Theobroma Chocolate Lounge

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Sleep

Terminal Buildings – For those who are backpacking, on a tight budget, and 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 air con can also turn really cold at that time.
Airside Transit Hotel - Located next to Gate C5 inside the Satellite Terminal A (international flights), this hotel offers rooms, gym, sauna and also shower facilities for those who are on a brief stopover.
Concorde Inn KLIA - This hotel is located just outside the terminal building and is only 3 minutes away via a complimentary airport transfer.
Pan Pacific Hotel KLIA - This 5-star hotel is linked via a skybridge to the adjacent Main Terminal Building (MTB). It takes only 5 minutes to walk from the MTB to the hotel.
Tune Hotels - This new budget hotel is located within 7-minute-walk from the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal. A great option for those who have to stay overnight to catch a connecting flight but don't want to or have the time to go to the city; or have a very early flight the next morning but don't want to rush during the wee hours.

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Keeping connected

Internet

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

Phone

Payphones which accept both coins and credit cards are available throughout the terminal buildings.

Post

The post office is located in the Departure Hall at the Main Terminal Building. It is open between 08:30am and 5:00pm, from Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

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