Public transport options abound in Kuala Lumpur, however the heavy traffic can make some less desirable than others. It’s all about knowing when, where and how to get around the complicated and somewhat un-integrated system. Firstly, if you’re around for a bit, it’s worth getting a pre-paid travel card such as My Rapid (valid on Rapid KL buses, monorail and Ampang and Kalana Jaya LRT lines; RM10 with RM5 credit) or Touch n Go (valid on LRT, KTM, monorail and buses; RM10.6). If you prefer to pay as you go, carry change or small notes as tickets are, at times, only available from vending machines.
Buses
Do take the bus to and from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The Airport Coach takes one hour to KL Sentral (5.30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; RM 10/18 single/return). For RM25 one way, get dropped off or picked up at any central hotel.
Do try the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus (9 a.m. to 8 p.m., buses every 30 minutes though rush-hour traffic can cause delays; for 24 hours RM45/24 adult/child; 48 hours RM79/RM43) which takes travelers to the main tourist sites in air-conditioned comfort with free Wi-Fi. Hop on and off at Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the Twin Towers, Bintang Walk, China Town, Little India and Lake Garden, among other stops.
Do ride Rapid KL buses. Destinations are clearly marked and there are four classes. Bas Bandar (B) routes, RM1, take you around the city center; Bas Utama (U), RM3, from center to suburbs; Bas Tempatan (T), RM1, around the suburbs; Bas Ekspres (E), RM4, to distant suburbs via the expressways. Tickets are valid all day on the same class of bus.
Don’t leave bags unattended and be vigilant – pickpockets and bag thieves are common in bus stations.
Trains
Do take the KLIA Ekspres (5 a.m. to 1 a.m., trains every 15-20 minutes; for single RM35/15 adult/child; return RM70/30; duration 28 minutes) or the KLIA Transit (trains every 20 minutes; single RM35/15; duration 35 minutes with three stops) from KLIA. On the way back you can check in your bags at KL Sentral if flying with Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Royal Brunei or Emirates.
Don’t miss the free porter service and on-board Wi-Fi on the KLIA Ekspres.
Do watch out when taking the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. Its three lines, which include the Monorail line, are not well integrated – they were built by different companies – and sometimes a second ticket (singles from RM0.7 to RM5.1; 6 a.m. to midnight) or a long walk is required on changing.
Do take the Monorail which soars over Kuala Lumpur’s traffic and stops at a number of sightseeing spots on its journey north from KL Sentral to Titwangsa.
Don’t forget to leave extra time when taking either of the two KTM lines as trains are not as frequent as the LRT or monorail.
Taxis
Do pick-up a fixed-fare coupon before exiting from the Arrivals terminal at KLIA if you taking a taxi. Rates vary according to the number of occupants and the type of taxi, from RM75 to RM200 and journey time is one hour.
Don’t hurry into a taxi if the driver won’t use the meter – it is a legal requirement. However, many refuse and, if there is no other option, agree on your fare first – and haggle hard for it. Ensure tolls are included, particularly if going to the airport.
Do go to a designated stand for a taxi or flag down a moving cab if there is somewhere to stop. Fares start at RM3 for the first kilometer or first three minutes and increase by RM0.1 every 21 seconds or 115 metres. Between midnight and 6 a.m. there is a 50 percent surcharge on the metered fare.
Do get a receipt to check for extra charges. Each additional passenger after two people costs RM0.2 and luggage in the trunk is an extra RM1.
Don’t pick up the first taxi you see if you are coming out of a hotel or exiting a tourist attraction – unscrupulous cabbies are known to lurk in such areas in an attempt to rip off unwary tourists.
Do make use of the coupon system for taxis at KL Sentral and some large shopping malls where you pay in advance – it will be higher than a metered fare but likely lower than a haggled one.
Do try one of Kuala Lumpur’s many taxi-booking apps for your smartphone if you have data roaming. Easy Taxi, MyTeksi, Uber and mTaxi are the most popular.
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Walk
Do get your bearings and explore the city on foot – it can be quicker than taking taxis or buses as you avoid one-way systems and traffic. Additionally much of the city center and main attractions are not far from each other.
Do beware of cracked and sometimes narrow pavements adjacent to large multi-laned highways. The air can also be pretty polluted and between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. it gets very hot.
Don’t forget to take care of your belongings – thieves on motorcycles have been known to grab ladies’ handbags as they speed past, particularly after dark.
Do avoid jaywalking – it is illegal and, though often overlooked, you don’t want to get stuck with a fine.
Do take advantage of quieter Sundays to walk the city.
Drive
Do hire a car if you plan to get out of Kuala Lumpur and note that the speed limit is 110km/hour on the expressways and 50km/hour on the village and back roads.
Don’t rent transport on a whim – city driving in Kuala Lumpur is not for the faint of heart. One-way systems abound and drifting from lane to lane is common, while signaling is not.
Do drive on the left hand side with a valid overseas license.
Featured image peternguyen11, Kuala Lumpur Petronas Twin Towers Malaysia KLCC, via Pixabay CC0 1.0
Slider image Azreey, The skyline of Kuala Lumpur from Cheras at night, via Wikimedia Commons GFDL
