Train, Bus, Taxi, Car: Best Way To Travel To And From Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the largest and main airport serving the residents of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, out of a total of six airports in the country. KLIA is located in the Sepang district, approximately one hour and 15 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur city center by car.

KLIA consists of a main terminal known as Terminal 1, and a separate Terminal 2, which serve passengers flying with budget carriers such as AirAsia and Batik Air (formerly known as Malindo Air). Terminal 2 is situated two kilometers away from the main terminal building.

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have the capacity to serve 30 million and 45 million passengers per annum, respectively. Naturally, all arriving passengers will be looking to make their way out of the airport. Those looking to fly out of KL will also use the airport.

Here are the options that are available.

#1 Bus From KL Sentral To KLIA – From RM10 (One Way)

Choosing to travel by public transport, such as a bus, is an affordable way to get to KLIA. An express coach from KLIA to KL Sentral, and vice versa, costs RM10 for a one-way trip and RM18 for a return trip for adults. For children, the fares are RM6 for a one-way trip and RM10 for a return trip. The travel time is approximately one hour, and the coach departs every 30 minutes.

Source: Malaysia Airports

Depending on your destination, some locations will be more expensive.

Although taking the bus can save you quite a bit, it may not be suitable for those travelling with a lot of luggage and more senior family members.

#2 Car From KL Sentral To KLIA – From RM17 One Way

If you’re staying within the Klang Valley region and planning to travel to and from KLIA, you might consider driving to the airport. You will need to factor in costs for petrol, tolls, and parking.

The driving distance from Kuala Lumpur (KL) Sentral to the KLIA main terminal building is approximately 61 kilometers. According to Rome2Rio, the fuel cost for this trip is around RM12 to RM17.

If you take the Maju Expressway (MEX), the toll fee is RM3.50. Additionally, if you use the ELITE Expressway, you will need to pay a RM4.30 toll fare.

For those driving to the airport, there are two parking options: short-term and long-term. You can park at the Short Term Car Park (STCP) that offers a maximum daily rate of RM52. Meanwhile, the Long Term Car Park (LTCP) offers a maximum rate of RM32 per day.

The STCP is connected to the main terminal building, while the long-term parking facility is located near the Malaysia Airports Training Centre.

Driving to KLIA can be expensive if you need to park your car at the airport parking facilities. However, if you’re traveling to and from the Klang Valley region and do not need to park inside, driving can be quite affordable and offers the flexibility of traveling at your own pace in your own vehicle.

#3 Train From KL Sentral To KLIA – From RM55 One Way

The KLIA Ekspres train service is also available to ferry travellers from KL Sentral to the KLIA main terminal in 28 minutes. KL Sentral is an integrated hub for all railway transportations in the country so it is highly connected and convenient for travellers.

The fares for KLIA Ekspres are as shown below.

You could also get a 10% discount on your tickets if you buy them on the KLIA Ekspres app or website.

Besides KLIA Ekspres, travellers can also take the KLIA Transit, a rail line that takes passengers between KL Sentral and KLIA with stops at Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, and Bandar Tasik Selatan stations.

Source: KLIA Ekspres

Travelling by rail makes for a suitable option if you’re travelling solo. However, if you’re travelling in a group, you can consider sharing a car, which can be more cost-efficient.

#4 Taxi Or E-Hailing From KL Sentral To KLIA – From RM65

Driving your own vehicle can give you flexibility and comfort but it can also be exhausting if you have to drive yourself after a long flight. Fortunately, there are options to take a taxi.

Based on Rome2Rio calculations, taxi fares from KL Sentral to KLIA cost about RM100 to RM130 one way. If you’re travelling from KLIA to KL Sentral, it would cost RM95 to RM120. Besides, there are also surcharge costs to be considered especially if you’re taking a cab for the red eye or night flights. If you’re taking a taxi from KLIA, you will need to buy a booking coupon for RM2.

In addition, KLIA do provide airport taxis to travellers who want to travel to areas in the Klang Valley region. As shown on the Malaysia Airports’ website, there are four types of airport taxis which are budget taxis, premier limo, super luxury, and family service. The range of taxis differ in the car brand used and capacity of vehicle.

There’s also a surcharge rate of 50% for rides from 12 AM to 6 AM.

To use airport taxis, you will need to purchase coupons at the Domestic Baggage Reclaim counter within the International and Domestic Arrival Hall.

Alternatively, you can always choose e-hailing services such as Grab. A check on the Grab app shows that a one-way ride from KL Sentral to the KLIA main terminal costs RM65 excluding tolls via JustGrab.

As with perusing other services, taxis and e-hailing options could incur a higher cost than being driven by family and friends to the airport. However, if you’re travelling at odd hours and you don’t want to trouble your loved ones, taxis and e-hailing options can be considered for its convenience and comfort.

Read Also: Plus, LDP, DUKE, MEX, NPE Highway: Guide To Major Highway Toll Fares In Malaysia

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