Kuala Lumpur : Getting Around
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) provides more than 80 direct links to major international destinations through 40 international air carriers. KLIA, 51 kilometres from downtown KL, is the major gateway to Malaysia. An efficient aero-train service brings arriving passengers from the satellite building to the contact pier in two minutes.
The airport terminal building has suitable rest, recreation, dining and duty-free shopping areas, besides shops. restaurants and a recreational facility. The Hotel Airside Transit offers a fitness centre with gym, steam and sauna. Each of the express coach ferries take you in air-conditioned comfort and are equipped with a generous luggage compartment and a spacious interior for passengers with ample room for movement.
Taxi vouchers can be purchased at taxi counters found as you exit the baggage claim area. Budget taxis range from RM 70 while limousine service range from RM 90. Airport taxis are available round the clock and fares are based on azoning system. Though city taxis can travel to KLIA, a surcharge of RM 10 and toll charges would have to be borne by the passenger. The non-stop journey between Sentral and KLIA is a fast 28 minutes. KLIA Express departs from both terminals every 15 minutes, on the hour and every 15 minutes, on tenth hour and every quarter of an hour, seven days a week. The standard KLIA Express ticket is for a single trip. The major transport hub in KL is Puduraya bus station, on the eastern edge of the central district.
There are various transportation modes available for travel within the city as well as the suburbs. Located in downtown Brickfields, KL Sentral railway station has been dubbed the 'virtual city airport'. It integrates all major rail services in the city and also has a direct rail access to Putrajaya and the Kuala Lumpur International Airpor through its Express Rail Link. Passengers here can check in and proceed to KLIA by taking a 30-minute ride direct to the departure gates at the airport via KL Cat Services.
The LRT System 2 known as PUTRA LRT covers a total distance of 29 kilometers, linking the eastern and western suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. The PUTRA LRT operates with 35 two-car units travelling at an average of 40 km per hour. The service is provided from 6 am until 12 midnight, on Monday-Saturday, 8 am to 11 pm on Sunday and public holidays. The STAR (System Transit Aliran Ringan) runs through 25 stations covering the far corners of the Klang Valley. The system links Sentul Timur, Ampang and Sri Petaling through the city centre.
KTM operates return electric train services on two routes, from Rawang to Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral and Seremban, and from Sentul to Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral and Port Klang. KTM Komuter trains operate from 5:30 am to midnight daily at an interval of 15 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes at off-peak hours.
The 8.6 kilometres long monorail launched in August 2003 has 11 stations and operates from 6 am to midnight. During peak hours there is a train every HH 3-5 minutes and 5-10 minutes during off peak hours. A 20-minute end-to-end journey costs RM 2.50. Buses operate from 6 am to midnight and are quick and reliable. Most of them display their next destination with placards. There are two main bus companies in KL -Intrakota and Cityliner. Their buses are air-conditioned and operate with ticket dispensers. Make sure you have lots of coins when travelling by bus.
In Kuala Lumpur taxis are easily recognisable by their yellow and black colour or the new red and white colour. Driving in Malaysia is fun, easy and affordable. Like India, Malaysia too follows the left-hand traffic circulation. A tourist can avail the self-drive/rent-a-car option only if he/she holds an international driving license issued in English.
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