Getting from Kuala Lumpur city centre to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

Located 60km from the city centre, getting to KLIA from Kuala Lumpur has always been something of a challenge, especially when you factor in the notorious KL traffic. The good news is that since its opening in 1998, several convenient and cost-effective transport options have appeared, not least the KLIA Ekspres, which makes the journey from KL Sentral to KLIA roll by in less than half an hour.

Air travel can be stressful enough without worrying about how to get to the airport, so sit back, read our guide and start your journey in a relaxed frame of mind.

If you’re travelling between Penang and KL, do check out our guide the Kuala Lumpur to Penang train.

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Some background on Kuala Lumpur International Airport, KLIA1 and KLIA2

Since opening in 1998, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (IATA code: KUL) has gone through several rebranding exercises but many people still refer to the two separate terminals as KLIA1 and KLIA2, although they’re now officially just Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

The important thing to remember is they’re two very distinct terminals with no pedestrian access or airside transfers between them. Tentative plans are in place to change this but for now, they are in effect separate airports, albeit in very close proximity. If you need to transfer between the two terminals, you’ll either take the free transfer bus or pay RM2 to ride the train. When arranging the various travel options below, make sure you know which terminal you’re departing from.

Terminal 1 is where the larger airlines operate from including Malaysia Airlines, British Airways, Batik Air, Emirates and Etihad. Terminal 2 houses the low-cost carriers, mainly Air Asia and Scoot.

KLIA is a long way from the city centre, almost 60km to the south, which makes any journey there fairly expensive and time-consuming. This isn’t an airport you can expect to reach in a few minutes from the city centre, especially with the slow-moving KL traffic.

Finally, note that there’s another airport in Kuala Lumpur (Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, IATA code: SZB), which until 1998 was the main KL airport. It’s much closer to the city centre than KLIA, but now only handles domestic turbo-prop planes and a few international flights to nearby cities in Southeast Asia.

KLIA Ekspres – expensive but quick, reliable option

KLIA Ekspres is the smoothest way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to KLIA, bypassing the congestion on the roads and offering plenty of comfort. It’s especially convenient if you’ve arrived at KL Sentral on the Penang to Kuala Lumpur train or from other parts of the country.

As it’s a relatively expensive option and travels non-stop to the airport, it’s usually very quiet on board and you’ll have plenty of space to store your luggage, plus there’s free WIFI and powerful air-conditioning.

KLIA Ekspres tickets cost RM55 for adults, RM25 for children aged 6-15, under 6’s are free. Return tickets cost RM100/40/free and are valid for 30 days.

We’d recommend booking your tickets online using the 12Go website, which is reliable and easy to use. Tickets are valid for any train on the selected travel date and are delivered (almost) instantly to your inbox. You then simply scan your ticket at the gates, avoiding any queues at the ticket machines. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines and ticket windows at KL Sentral.

The ticket office, machines and gates are located at KL Sentral on Level One (you then take the escalator or lift down to the Ground floor for departures).

KLIA Ekspres trains run from 5.00am to midnight and the journey from KL Sentral to KLIA1 takes 28 minutes. KL Sentral to KLIA2 takes 33 minutes. It runs every day of the year, including public holidays.

KLIA Transit via the MRT

Departing from the same location at KL Sentral, KLIA Transit is a similar service to KLIA Ekspres but takes eight minutes longer and stops at a couple of intermediate stations. If you’re just travelling directly to the airport from KL Sentral, there’s no reason to take the KLIA Transit and you’re best off sticking with the KLIA Ekspres.

However, if you happen to be staying near a MRT station outside of the city centre, you have the option of taking the MRT to Putrajaya Sentral and then transferring to the KLIA Transit towards the airport. As Putrajaya is relatively close to the airport, the fare is only RM9.40 for adults, RM4.20 for children aged 6-15, under 6’s are free.

It’ll take around 15 minutes to KLIA1 (and another five minutes to KLIA2), so it’s quick journey at a reasonable price. You’d only tend to make this journey if you’re very close to a MRT station though, it’s not really worth doing if you’re based in the city centre as you won’t save much time or money in that case. But, if you’re staying (or working) near Cyberjaya for example, it’s an excellent option.

Grab ride – easiest option for a family or group

Although the KLIA Ekspres is the quickest and most reliable option, there are a couple of reasons taking a Grab ride might make more sense.

If you’re travelling as a group, it’ll work out much cheaper to take a Grab. Fares from the city centre start at around RM70 (but can be significantly higher during peak times), although do check which sized vehicle you require. Grab drivers don’t tend to be impressed if you order a Standard vehicle and attempt to squeeze in four people and four large suitcases.

As a general guide, a Standard four-seater Grab can fit four passengers and one large suitcase. If your group is three or four people and more than one suitcase, it’s better to book a six-seater. Check out this guide to using Grab in Malaysia.

The other scenario where Grab beats KLIA Ekspres is if you’re staying a long distance away from KL Sentral. Once you’ve factored in the extra cost and hassle of getting to KL Sentral, it might just be easier to jump in a Grab and head directly to the airport.

Traffic in KL can be dreadful at times and there’s nothing worse than anxiously checking your watch as the taxi inches through rush hour traffic. KLIA is a well-organised airport but it’s always best to adhere to the three-hour rule when travelling internationally (or two hours for domestic). Journey times from KL to the airport range from 45 minutes to much, much longer. Check Google Maps in advance to see what the traffic is looking like.

Bus from KL Sentral – the cheap option but longest trip and most stress

For the budget-conscious, there is an option of the bus from KL Sentral to KLIA, but it’s the longest journey and the one that’s least under your control. Several companies including Airport Coach, Sky Bus and AeroBus offer a service from KL Sentral to KLIA Terminal 1 and 2, costing around RM15 and taking at least one hour. They all depart from the basement level at KL Sentral.

Tickets can be booked on the 12Go website, and this is also the best resource for checking operators and timetables. There’s also a ticket office at the basement level of KL Sentral.

If you’re travelling from KLIA1, the efficient bus terminal is found at Block C on the ground floor. At KLIA2 it’s on Level 1 in the main terminal building.

Buses depart every twenty minutes or so from 5.00am to midnight. Give yourself plenty of time if heading to the airport to catch a flight: timetables and travel times are ‘flexible’.

Private transfer – most expensive but least stress

Many travellers prefer the peace of mind of pre-booking a private transfer to or from the airport. Although it works out slightly more expensive than a Grab ride (and will be in a very similar vehicle), it’s a good option, especially if you are travelling late at night or early in the morning.

Prices from the city centre start around RM80 and include free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Transferring from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 to Terminal 2

Low-cost airlines are big business around Southeast Asia so if you’re transiting via Kuala Lumpur, it’s quite likely you’ll land at one terminal and need to transfer to the other.

As mentioned, there’s no way of walking between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, so your two options are the free shuttle service and KLIA Ekspres.

The free shuttle service runs 24/7 and takes ten minutes to travel between the two terminals although, as the buses use public roads, travel times are subject to traffic. The free shuttle bus departs from Level 1 Door 4 at KLIA1 and from Bay A10 Level 1 at KLIA2.

For a simpler and quicker journey, it’s best to take the KLIA Ekspres between the two terminals. Only taking three minutes and costing RM2 for adults, RM1 for children aged 6-15, under 6’s free, this is definitely the way to go if you’re happy to pay a few extra ringgits. It goes without saying, but take a moment to make sure you’re boarding the correct train, otherwise you’re non-stop back to Kuala Lumpur.

Quick comparison guide

Final thoughts

Kuala Lumpur International Airport might be a long distance from the city centre, but it’s still relatively easy to reach as long as you leave enough time to make the journey. If reliability, speed and comfort are your priorities, the KLIA Ekspres is the best way to reach both terminals. However, if you’re travelling as a group or departing from a different area of the city, a Grab ride is often the sensible option.

Although they share a name and similar location, do remember that KLIA Terminal 1 and 2 are essentially separate airports, so make sure you arrive at the correct one.

Above all else, leave yourself enough time to get from Kuala Lumpur to KLIA, especially if you’re coming on the roads. The airport itself is a pleasant enough place to spend time before your flight and with all the transport options we’ve listed above, you should arrive here feeling relaxed and ready to fly.

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