Getting Around Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Globetrotter

15 May 2023 - 5 min read

KL’s public transit system is superb. Taxis, buses, trains, and the metro will get you wherever in the city. Yet, KL’s primary intersections are frequently jam-packed with people.

To get to other cities in Malaysia, you can take the public transit system from Kuala Lumpur. Detailed descriptions of each route to your destination are provided below. When staying in the city's heart, you can easily walk to the city’s best attractions.

A sophisticated light rail system connects the northern and southern parts of Kuala Lumpur and the eastern and western parts of the city (though, unfortunately, not all stations are connected). The metro system in Kuala Lumpur is highly convenient and offers passengers a high level of comfort.

Read more: Event: Deepavali in Malaysia

Metro in KL

KL’s subway system, or MRT, is widely used by the city’s residents. Light Rail Transit (LRT) stops include large route maps that detail the metro’s many stops throughout the city. Each station has a tiny kiosk where you may purchase a map.

You can purchase tickets from either the vending machines or the cashier. The Touch ‘N Go prepaid card can be swiped at the LRT gate, and daily passes and other special tickets are also available. Typically, the fare is RM1.20 between two connected stations.

Three different LRT routes serve Kuala Lumpur. In alphabetical order, they are known as RapidKL, KTM Komuter, and the KL Monorail. While stations may not always be linked, they allow for citywide mobility when taken as a whole. The KL Monorail cuts through the city's heart, while RapidKL and KTM Komuter go out to all the outskirts.

Traveling across Kuala Lumpur on the KL Monorail will be a pleasurable and stress-free experience for visitors. Despite the frequent train service (every 3–4 minutes), it’s best to avoid riding the KL Monorail during rush hour, as this is how many Malaysians get to and from work.

On a typical weekday, the Monorail carries over 5,000 passengers each hour. Day in and day out, from 6 AM to 12 PM, the metro is open for riders. Be wary of pickpockets at all times; they prey on naïve travelers.

There are trains to Kuala Lumpur International Airport that leave from KL Sentral, the “central hub” for all LRT operators. Then some railways can take you to other parts of Malaysia or neighboring countries like Singapore and Thailand. In front of KL Sentral, a brand-new, massive shopping complex is now under construction. This has obstructed the shortest path from the central train station to the KL Sentral Monorail Station. It will take you roughly 10 minutes to walk around the building site now.

Routes: Rapid Rail operates the Kelana Jaya, Ampang, and Sri Petaling lines. Shopping at Suria KLCC? Take the Kelana Jaya Line. Take the KLCC LRT to the underpass and walk. Two other routes intersect the same station from Sentul Timur to Chan Sow Lin before splitting off to Ampang (Ampang Line) and Putra Heights (Sri Petaling Line).

The Kajang and Putrajaya lines make up the MRT. The Malaysian government will add a route to serve KL and its environs. Kajang, Kwasa Damansara, and Putrajaya people use the Kajang and Putrajaya lines to get to KL fast and affordably. Tourists may prefer the MRT due to its strategic stations. The State Museum MRT Station takes you to the Malaysian history museum, while Bandar Utama takes you to 1 Utama Shopping Complex, the largest mall in the neighboring country.

Rapid Rail operates elevated KL Monorail as well as LRT and MRT. One route from KL Sentral to Titiwangsa has 11 stations. Monorail travel takes 22 minutes. The Golden Triangle, Kuala Lumpur’s most popular shopping and entertainment district, can be reached by the KL Monorail.

Bus in KL

Buses and taxis frequently travel to areas inconvenient to reach by subway. Some buses run frequently and leave most LRT stops. Don’t forget to put something in the bus farebox, even if it’s just a few pennies (at most a few RM). A driver can accept cash for a ticket, but a machine may be more convenient. When uncertain about the fare, you can always enquire with the driver.

RapidKL is the largest provider of public buses in the Kuala Lumpur area. While they have improved over the years, customer service is frequently subpar. This is essential information for visitors to Kuala Lumpur considering riding the bus as a ‘fun’ means of transportation.

Signs, routes, maps, and up-to-date schedules are not always available. There is no way to know how long you must wait before the next bus arrives—it may be 10 minutes or 2 hours. You can’t figure out which bus to travel to specific destinations because no up-to-date information is available.

Puduraya serves as Kuala Lumpur’s main bus terminal near the city's bustling Chinatown. Hundreds of buses leave here daily, bringing passengers to every area of Kuala Lumpur and the rest of Malaysia. KL’s central location makes it convenient for bus trips to neighboring cities.

Both Particularly Lovely and Plusliner are dependable options for travel across Malaysia. Bukit Jalil also features a bus terminal. While the Pudu Sentral bus station was restored, this terminal was the primary bus hub (2011). Smaller bus terminals may be found across Kuala Lumpur, frequently adjacent to LRT stops.

Route: Rapid KL has more than 100 routes in the Klang Valley, so it’s an excellent way to get anywhere, not just tourist spots. Several bus stops are also connected to LRT, MRT, and KTM Komuter stations, which makes it even easier to travel by public transit. KL Sentral, KLCC, and Titiwangsa are some of these stops.

Cons: Several Rapid KL routes only have a few buses an hour, about two or three. So, you might have to wait a long time at the bus stop for the bus you want to take.

Tickets: If you take the Rapid KL bus, be ready to pay between RM1.00 and RM5.00, depending on how far you go. You need a Touch ‘n Go card, which costs RM10 and has a card price of RM5.20 and a balance of RM4.80. You can buy one on the bus for RM10.00.

Operational Hours: Rapid KL runs from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to midnight, Sunday and public holidays. You can use the PULSE app to learn about bus routes and times.

Read more: Getting Around Penang, Malaysia

Taxi in KL

Taxis are the fastest and most expensive way to get to Kuala Lumpur. City center taxis are available practically everywhere. The main drawback is that some taxi drivers refuse to use the meter if they see tourists (though locals often complain).

Supply and demand dictate that you will overpay or get another taxi. Especially when there are fewer cabs than passengers waiting, drivers refuse to switch on their meters. When taking a taxi to Batu Caves, expect to pay more to return. Taxi drivers avoid using meters during rainy days when more people take taxis.

Mall closings are another example. Drivers will wait as long as it takes to get a ride at a higher charge because everyone needs a cab. Most cab drivers around Petronas Twin Towers do this every night. From the Petronas Twin Towers to our old Bukit Bintang home, we were billed RM40 (the average fare would be around RM5).

Pros and Cons: You can aggressively hop in a cab and tell him you won’t negotiate, forcing him to turn the meter on. You'll have to leave if he doesn’t start the meter immediately. Ask the taxi driver to switch on the meter when you get in. Walk to the next taxi if he refuses. You might also haggle the fee as you enter.

Be prepared to overpay, as fixed prices are always higher than fare prices. As a tourist in a foreign city, you won’t notice the driver’s detours (so he could easily detour when on the meter to earn more). City center cab costs rarely exceed RM15 on the meter. Out-of-town trips cost RM20–RM25. Taxi drivers use their meters after midnight due to a 50% fee.

Are you ready for a beautiful holiday trip in Kuala Lumpur with Traveloka?

Book the Best Deal Hotels Here