Public transportation in Kuala Lumpur is a primary method of travel within the city for both locals and visitors alike. With a vast and steadily developing public transportation system, it is both an affordable and efficient way to make one’s way around the city. As a traveller, this will save you some bucks, so here’s to familiarizing yourself with some of the more popular modes of transport around Kuala Lumpur.
Airport Transport
KLIA Express
Clocking just a little under half an hour, the KLIA Express train runs every 15 to 20 minutes between 5 am and midnight and will take passengers from KLIA to KL Sentral. It’s the fastest way to get to the city centre for those on a time crunch. The luxury does come at a price though — one-way tickets go for MYR 55, but it includes a porter service and high-speed Wi-Fi on board.
KLIA Transit
Alternatively, the KLIA Transit train also hauls from KLIA to KL Sentral, albeit with a couple additional stops to several Kuala Lumpur townships along the way: Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, and Bandar Tasik Selatan. These extra stops add an extra half an hour to the entire travelling duration, but it’s a great option for when the KLIA Express isn’t running. Tickets each way are also priced at MYR 55, including high-speed WI-Fi and generous luggage storage spaces on board.
Airport Coach Bus
Arguably the cheapest option to reach the city centre from the airport, the Airport Coach bus offers travellers a comfortable and affordable option to get from KLIA to KL Sentral. One-way tickets will set you back about MYR 10 with tickets purchasable from the bus ticketing counters at the airport, and the journey takes an average of 90 minutes, subjected to road traffic.
Trains
Monorail and Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Once arrived within the city centre, it won’t be long before one realizes that the monorail and LRT trains are the locals’ most preferred mode of public transportation. The stations are strategically scattered around the city centre, and extends to areas that aren’t in the immediate heart of Kuala Lumpur. With over a hundred stations, the monorail and LRT make nearly every part of the city accessible, while giving every day commuters an upper hand over the notorious Kuala Lumpur traffic. Rides vary between MYR 0.80 and MYR 8, but holders of the Touch ‘n Go transport card will enjoy rides at a discounted rate.
Mass Rapid Transit Sungai Buloh – Kajang (MRT-SBK) Line
The Sungai Buloh to Kajang MRT line was recently completed and now connects more parts of the city together. Running directly through the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the stations provide direct access to popular tourist haunts such as Central Market, the National Museum and the shopping mecca of Bukit Bintang, where the entertainment and nightlife shines brightest; Many of the stations are part of a network of underground tunnels and bus services bridging them to other facilities in the vicinity. Costing between MYR 1.10 and MYR 6.40 per ride, visitors who’re planning to use the public transport more frequently can consider investing in a Touch ‘n Go transport card for discounted rides.
KTM Komuter Railway
Though the KTM Komuter train is not commonly used for travelling within the city centre, it’s a popular and convenient way for visitors headed towards Batu Caves. Taking an average of half an hour and costing about MYR 2 each way, the Batu Caves station on the KTM Komuter train line is situated just across the main entrance of the attraction. Another well-known hotspot on the KTM Komuter train line is the Mid Valley Megamall, located at Mid Valley, just one station from KL Sentral.
Buses
Rapid KL Bus
Though the Rapid KL bus is a major public bus service in the city, it’s generally not as favoured as the monorail, LRT and MRT as a mode of transportation. The bus schedules are erratic and often crowded, especially during the morning and evening peak hours. With the city being notorious for traffic, the Rapid KL bus may also be subjected to additional delays, which should be planned into the travel time. While it may be overwhelming to plan a route on the bus, there’s no denying that the Rapid KL bus is one of the most affordable options of public transport within the city, costing up to MYR 3 per ride.
Go KL City Bus
Tailored just for tourists, the Go KL City bus runs four routes, with stops at nearly every tourist hotspot within the city — Bukit Bintang, Chinatown, KLCC and the KL Tower. Eye-catchingly painted in a shade of purple-pink, they’re quite challenging to miss. The buses are equipped with air-conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi and wheelchair ramps to increase accessibility for the disabled. The bonus? Rides on the Go KL City bus are absolutely free-of-charge; It’s the ideal sightseeing tool for financially-conscious travellers. Spend a day visiting stops along the bus routes and there you have it: Your tour itinerary and mode of transport all planned out.
If you’re on a budget and have some time to spare, or if you’re looking to experience Kuala Lumpur more authentically by travelling around the way locals do, then hopping onto the wide network of public transport is one of the best ways to explore this city.
