From the airport (KLIA & KLIA2)

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From the KL International Airport, you’re spoiled for options to get to Kuala Lumpur (KL). You could queue up for a taxi or simply take the high-speed ERL train that will take you right to KL Sentral station in the heart of KL.

Be sure to avoid taxi touts at the airport. Take only taxis or rental cars from the official counters of KLIA and KLIA2. Taxi touts are notorious for overcharging and have even been known for assaulting passengers, deviating from assigned routes and basically live off taking advantage of unknowing new visitors to the country. Touts can be aggressive; they will call to you and, in some cases, try and follow you, attempting to wheedle you into getting into their cabs. Do not engage with them, and simply walk away as briskly as you can.

For a cheaper, scenic route, you could instead opt for an airport bus. Almost a third of the price of an ERL ticket, but it’ll take longer to reach the city. These shuttle bus services run from KLIA and KLIA2 to KL Sentral station.

Walking around Kuala Lumpur

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Not all areas of KL are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is now easier for pedestrians. In some areas, pavements can be narrow, with very little shade. Crossing the streets can be a terrifying prospect, even at zebra crossings, as Malaysian drivers are known to be impatient. Stick to the overhead bridges if you can.

Walking is possible, but if you’d like to get around the city without the heat and fuss, you might be best served by combining various modes of public transport.

Bicycling

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Cycling in KL is not for the faint of heart. At the present time, dedicated bicycle lanes do exist (albeit scarce), but cyclists still have to practice extra caution as cars readily encroach into the bicycle lanes and sometimes even stop and wait there, blocking what should essentially be a hassle-free commute.

However, every Sunday, people in the city can enjoy a car-free morning in the city between 7am and 9am, as the city council closes roads for people to cycle, run, skateboard, or simply enjoy a morning walk.

Car rentals in Kuala Lumpur

Unless you are planning to take a trip out of town, renting a car to drive around the city is not recommended. While not quite as chaotic as Jakarta or Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur traffic can be overwhelming for newcomers. You would be better off taking a combination of rail and taxis to get from one point to the other.

Weekly car rentals at Kuala Lumpur airport or within the city are also available, with prices depending on the model of car hired. Be advised that car rental prices can range from RM150 a day for a minimum of two to three days of rental or RM55 daily if you choose to rent for a month. Weekly rentals are also available, with prices depending on the model of the car hired. On a side note, Malaysians also drive on the left side of the road.

Getting around by taxis in Kuala Lumpur

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Taxis in Malaysia have a bad reputation – for good reason. Malaysian taxi drivers are known for being rude and refusing to use the meter, and there have been cases of drivers taking their fares to shady parts of town to either extort or assault their passengers. Thus, it is advised not to flag down taxi drivers by the roadside if you are a woman travelling alone; instead, call or book a taxi via the phone or through an app.

The cheapest taxi is the common budget taxi, followed by the more expensive executive taxis that are easily identifiable by their blue paint.

Avoid asking the hotel to call you a cab, as it is common for hotel concierges or staff to strike a deal with drivers to give them preference for a cut. You will end up paying far more than if you had booked one yourself.

Taxi companies
Public Cab (+603 6259 2020)
Sunlight (1300-800-222)
Mesra Cab (+603 4043 0659)
Uptownace (+603 9283 1323)

Taxi and e-hailing apps

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One way to circumvent the hassle and annoyance of calling multiple cab companies is booking one via an app. As the taxis are all registered under the app, it is also a safer way of getting a cab as the app will display details such as the driver, license plate, and mobile number. E-hailing apps have also made it much simpler to book a ride when taxis are not easily available.

Grab: Currently the most popular e-hailing app in Malaysia (it’s like the Uber of Kuala Lumpur), it works by allowing you to select your current location, your destination, and the type of vehicle you want.

Download: AppStore, Google Play Store

Bolt: Being a new player in the Kuala Lumpur e-hailing scene since the end of 2024, Bolt offers affordable rides, especially during surge hours.

Download: AppStore, Google Play Store

EzCab: An alternative cab booking app if you can’t seem to get a cab.

Download: AppStore, Google Play Store

Taking the train

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In Malaysia, taking the train can be a confusing affair. If you mean a railway train for longer-distance travelling, that would mean taking a train from a Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) station. KTM also has a separate train just for commuting, called the Kommuter. Avoid taking the Kommuter except when there are no options. The service is beset by problems that include ageing, poorly-maintained carriages, being constantly behind schedule and being terminally overcrowded.

Thankfully, there are other options. MyRapid took over both the Putra and the Star train lines and also the Monorail, a short, electric rail service that only operates within the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur itself. Putra and Star have routes that take them to the Klang Valley, Ampang, Cheras, and locations in the neighbouring state of Selangor.

The MyRapid website is a good source for train routes and even has a handy travel planner that will help you estimate how much it will take you to get to your destination. For the most part, trains are the most convenient and not too expensive means to get around Kuala Lumpur, but keep in mind that peak periods can mean stuffed carriages.

Purchase a Touch n’ Go (TnG) card or a MyRapid card if you plan to use MyRapid’s services extensively as the stored value card can be used to pay for buses, trains, and even MyRapid parking fees. Sadly, the card cannot be returned for a refund, unlike Singapore’s MRT cards, so consider it a keepsake of your journey and try not to load too much credit on it, as you won’t get it back.

Read our comprehensive guide to public transport in Kuala Lumpur for in-depth information on train and bus services.

Taking the bus

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While buses are cheaper, their unpredictable timings make trains a far more attractive option. For the most part, buses in Malaysia have good safety records where women are concerned.

MyRapid has bus services that service Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley with fares that usually hover around the RM2 mark.

Besides MyRapid buses, there are other smaller bus operators. Sadly, their schedules aren’t as easy to procure, and you can usually gauge where a bus is going by the sign in front of the windscreen or by asking the drivers.

Bus terminals such as the ones at KL Sentral also host services for buses that go to Genting or to the KLIA and KLIA2 airports.

General tips

Street signs and directions in English are fairly common, and if you need help, most passersby or shop-owners will be glad to give you directions. If you drive, be prepared to deal with the awkward placement of road signs, which might mean missing a turning or two because a sign was poorly placed or, in some cases, gone missing.

Do note that trains and buses stop operating after midnight, and taxis will incur a hefty surcharge.

Public transport safety tips

Image by Edwin Petrus.

Buses and trains have a better safety record than taxis for women travellers, but you must remain vigilant for pickpockets or purse snatchers. Avoid wearing gold chains, as they are also a popular target for thieves, and keep an eye on your bags at all times.

Stay especially alert after hours. Buses and trains do not run past midnight, so you will have to depend on taxis or private cars. In that case, using a verified e-hailing app might be safer as it would be easier to track your journeys and get prior information on who your driver is.

Common scams

Beware of strangers suddenly coming up to you and offering various services. It could be a ploy to lure you somewhere more secluded where you would be an easy target.

A common inner-city ploy is someone pointing to money or other items you supposedly dropped in a bid to distract you long enough for an accomplice to snatch your bag.

If someone asks to borrow your mobile phone, make excuses and pocket it quickly before it gets snatched by the asker. The borrower is more likely to take your phone and not come back.

Places of interest

The range of attractions in Kuala Lumpur makes the city a truly exciting tourist destination to explore. Here is some further reading for travel inspiration in KL city:

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