Kuala Lumpur: Guide, Hotels, Map & Photos
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MYR 539 - 1,420 Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur
 In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Mandarin Oriental is a stunning hotel in a prime location. Situated adjacent to the world famous landmark, the Petro… MoreMYR 460 - 920 Ascott Kuala Lumpur
 Ideally located in the Central Business District, adjacent to the famous Petronas Twin Towers, this elegant hotel presents itself as the ideal base fo… MoreMYR 500 - 1,800 The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur
 The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is favourably located in the Golden Triangle district, only a 5-minute walk from the major Starhill and Pavillion depar… MoreMYR 300 - 780 Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur
 A short walk to Petronas Twin Towers, offices, shops and eateries, Prince Hotel & Residence offers convenience combined with luxury and modern eleganc… MoreMYR 515 - 700 Hilton Kuala Lumpur
 Hilton Kuala Lumpur is favourably located moments only from KL Central Station, the Convention and Entertainment Centre, and also from the beautiful L… MoreMYR 160 - 270 Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur
 Situated in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur, Vistana offers guests reasonably priced accommodation with a convenient location close to public transpor… MoreMYR 322 - 978 Pacific Regency Hotel Suites
 Located in the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur, our hotel offers you stylish comfort within walking distance of a monorail station and the Petronas Tw… MoreMYR 260 - 699 Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
 Standing next to Kuala Lumpur’s main shopping district, Grand Millenium is conveniently surrounded by offices, shops, restaurants and entertainment … MoreMYR 437 - 677 Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur
 Standing opposite Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers, Hotel Maya is a mix of class and nature and comes with a unique resort-in-the-city atmosphere… MoreMYR 350 - 700 Hotel Nikko Kuala Lumpur
 Just 10 minutes’ walk from the Petronas Twin Towers is the award-winning 5-star Hotel Nikko offering you a world of exclusive comfort and fine dinin… MoreMYR 450 - 800 JW Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
 A calm and luxurious hotel set amidst Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant Golden Triangle, this Marriot offers you a peaceful oasis with an excellent location.
… MoreMYR 299 - 529 Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur
 An hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur international airport, this modern hotel is conveniently located within the golden triangle of the city, amidst the … MoreMYR 188 - 450 Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur
 The Dorsett Regency Hotel occupies a prime position in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. Situated within the ‘Golden Triangle’ area of the city, the ho… MoreMYR 245 - 900 Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur
 Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur is conveniently located moments from the railway station and Capital Square shopping, and only a 15-minute walk from the Twi… MoreMYR 220 - 3,320 Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa
 Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa is ideally situated, moments from the Convention Centre and the KLCC Park, and 5 minutes walk from the Petronas Twin Towers a… MoreMYR 227 - 578 Novotel Kuala Lumpur City Centre
 Standing in the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur, Novotel enjoys a very convenient location within walking distance of offices, shops, dining and enter… MoreMYR 225 - 620 Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur
 Located in the commercial and shopping hub, this 5-star Parkroyal provides spacious and elegantly designed rooms with panoramic views overlooking Kual… MoreMYR 385 - 490 The Gardens Hotel & Residences
 A distinctive landmark set against the beautiful sunset, our luxurious and centrally located hotel is opened in 2008 and surrounded by an exclusive sh… MoreMYR 216 - 568 Swiss Garden Hotel Kuala Lumpur
 Located next to Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, this hotel is surrounded by offices, shops, entertainment outlets and restaurants, and offers free s… MoreMYR 259 - 559 Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel
 Experience unmatched grandeur and elegance at the award-winning Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, a magnificent hotel in a bustling city.
In the heart… MoreMYR 210 - 350 Flamingo By The Lake, Kuala Lumpur
 Flamingo Hotel is carefully designed to exude complete comfort and offer simple pleasures. It is more than just a pit stop for the weary traveler, it … MoreMYR 168 - 188 Hotel Fortuna
 The Hotel Fortuna is in a prime position in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. Situated within the ‘Golden Triangle’ area of the city, the hotel offers … MoreMYR 230 - 490 Meliá Kuala Lumpur
 Strategically located at the "Golden Triangle" of Kuala Lumpur City, Melia Kuala Lumpur is directly opposite Times Square and right in front of Imbi m… MoreMYR 170 - 580 Hotel Capitol Kuala Lumpur
 Perfectly located in Bukit Bintang, which is popularly known as Kuala Lumpur’s finest shopping, dining and entertainment hub, this smart and contemp… MoreMYR 195 - 588 The Legend Hotel
 This is a luxurious 5-star hotel strategically located above The Mall Shopping Complex and opposite Putra World Trade Center (PWTC).
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Kuala Lumpur: Guide
Kuala Lumpur , or simply KL, is the capital of Malaysia. Literally meaning "muddy estuary" in Malay phrasebook|Malay, KL has grown from a small sleepy village to a bustling metropolis (population 4.2 million) in just 50 years. With the world's cheapest five-star hotels, great shopping and even better food, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city.
Understand
Founded only in 1857 as a tin mining outpost, Kuala Lumpur is fairly new as far as Malaysian cities go and lacks the rich history of George Town (Malaysia)|George Town or Malacca. After rough early years marked by gang fighting, Kuala Lumpur started to prosper and was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1896. Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957 in front of huge crowds at what was later named Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), and Kuala Lumpur continued as the new nation's capital. The economic boom of the 1990s brought KL the standard trappings of a modern city, bristling with skyscrapers and modern transportation systems. Like most of Malaysia's big cities, about 55% of Kuala Lumpur's population is of Malaysian Chinese descent.
Orientation
Kuala Lumpur is a fairly sprawling city for its size. For many visitors the center of the city lies in the Golden Triangle, between Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Ampang: this is where most of the city's shopping malls, five-star hotels and trendiest nightspots are, and the Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) development home to the famous Petronas Twin Towers is at the northern edge. But the traditional core of the city lies more to the south, where Merdeka Square has many of KL's best-preserved colonial buildings and Chinatown bustles with activity late into the night. Further south yet, the suburb of Bangsar is a popular restaurant and clubbing district.
Get in
By plane
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
All scheduled jet flights, whether domestic or international, arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport ( ) located about 50km to the southwest of Kuala Lumpur, in the Sepang district of Selangor. The US$2.5bil modern structure of glass and steel was inaugurated in 1998 and has been ranked as one of the top airports of the world. It replaced the former Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport in Subang, which is now used for chartered and turboprop flights. Over 50 airlines call at KLIA.
A new Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCC) opened in March 2006, and is currently used only by for all its domestic and international flights. Soon, Cebu Pacific will commence its flight here to Manila, Phillipines. Though the LCC terminal is across the runway tarmac, it is nearly 20km away from the main terminal by road. The LCC is not served by the Ekspress but the KLIA and the LCC terminals are connected by frequent shuttle buses costing RM 1.50 per person. From downtown, a Sky Bus shuttle regularly departs from the Sentral Station for RM 9 per person or a taxi from downtown will cost you around RM 90.
Getting there/away
By bus
By taxi
Warning: It is better not to accept offers from touts in the arrival foyer because they may charge more than Airport Limo taxis. You will also not be covered by insurance if an accident happens.
By road
Getting there/away: The airport is 25 km from the city center and the best way to get there is by taxi. Rapid KL bus No. 47 (destination PKNS Subang) from the #get around|Klang Bus Station goes past the airport.
Most important roads in Peninsular Malaysia lead to/from Kuala Lumpur. The city lies about midway along the North-South Expressway (NSE; route numbers E1 and E2) which runs from the Malaysia-Thailand border at Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah to Johor Bahru in the south, on the Malaysian side of the Causeway to Singapore. The main expressway exits for Kuala Lumpur on the NSE are Jalan Duta (from the north) and Sungai Besi (from the south).
The Karak Highway (E8), which later turns into the East Coast Expressway, links Kuala Lumpur with the East Coast states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
For those who do not want to pay toll, Kuala Lumpur is on Federal Route One (the "Trunk Road") which, like the NSE, runs through all West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia from Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah to Johor Bahru.
Those travelling along the West Coast Road (Federal Route Five) should leave the road at Klang and get to Kuala Lumpur via the Federal Highway.
Kuala Lumpur has several bus terminals (Malay: stesen bas or hentian) which handle long distance express bus services; many destinations are served by more than one terminal.
The biggest (and invariably most crowded) terminal, located in the city centre near Chinatown. Beware of pickpockets, ticket touts and other undesirables, especially late at night.
Access: Plaza Rakyat station (Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines) is within walking distance; many local bus stops nearby.
To/from Hat Yai, in Thailand:
Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung (KBES) (Counter 73. Tel: +60-3-20313036) has departures at 10:30 & 23:00 - RM45 one-way.
To/from Singapore:
Transnasional (Tel: +60-3-20703300) is Malaysia's biggest long-distance bus company. Economy class departures to Singapore's Lavender Street terminal at 08:45, 10:30, 13:30, 17:30, 22:30 & 23:59 - RM30 one-way.
Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung (KBES) (Counter 81. Tel: +60-3-20701321) has several buses daily to/from the Golden Mile complex in Singapore.
Most (but not all) East Coast (Malaysia)|East Coast services use this terminal which is located to the north of the city centre on Jalan Putra.
Access: PWTC station (Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines) and Putra station (both KTM Komuter lines) are within walking distance.
Many north-bound express buses use this terminal which is located a distance to the west of the city centre on Jalan Duta.
Note that Airport Coach buses to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) no longer use this terminal - they now use KL Sentral instead.
Access: the only convenient way is by taxi.
Now used as a bus terminal, but still handles commuter trains on both KTM Komuter lines, also accessible via Rapid KL City Shuttle No. 109, 115.
Plusliner luxury services (under the brand names "Nice" and "Platinum Service") are based here; destinations include Penang, Johor Bahru, Singapore, and Hat Yai in Thailand.
Corus Hotel (on Jalan Ampang) serves as the terminal for express buses to/from Singapore.
Access: KLCC station is 300m away. Rapid KL City Shuttle No. 103, 104, 105, 106, 114.
First Coach services to/from Singapore leave from their office sat Bangsar Utama, just off Jalan Bangsar, south-west of the city centre.
Access: within walking distance of Bangsar station. Rapid KL No. 46, 33D.
MATIC - Malaysian Tourist Information Complex on Jalan Ampang serves as Executive Coach terminal (Tel: +60-3-21611864). Departures to Singapore (09:00 & 18:00 - RM69.90 one-way) and to Penang.
Pekeliling bus terminal is on Jalan Tun Razak to the north of the city centre, and handles local bus services to some Pahang destinations like Genting Highlands, Bentong, Raub and Temerloh.
Access: Titiwangsa station is within walking distance. Rapid KL City Shuttle No. 101, 102, 103, 104, 109.
KTM's intercity trains arrive at the new railway station, located (despite the name) a fair distance to the south of the city center. Take the Putra LRT or KL Monorail to the city center, or RM10 coupon taxi to most destinations in the city center.
Most services are available at the station, including showers (RM5 for shower only, RM15 if you want a towel & toiletries too).
Kuala Lumpur is not located by the sea. However, there are ferry connections to/from Sumatra (Indonesia) at Port Klang, about 40 km west of Kuala Lumpur. See the Port Klang article for details on how to get there.
The first phase of Kuala Lumpur's ambitious public transport system is now complete, but there's still a fair amount of room for improvement.
Kuala Lumpur's public transport system consists of 3 LRT (Light Rail Transit) lines operated by , the semicircular looping through the Golden Triangle and the for trips to the outer northern, southern & western suburbs. Fares are cheap (RM1.2 and up), although connectivity between the lines is poor. The card, which can be purchased for RM10 at major stations, can now be used on all lines except the airport express. Some particularly convenient stations include:
Bukit Bintang (KL Monorail), for shopping in the Golden Triangle
A few quirks to beware of:
City Shuttles
's newly introduced City Shuttle buses come in handy for tourists. The 15 routes cover most major areas in Kuala Lumpur city centre. The fare for City Shuttles is RM2 for the whole day. If you buy an integrated daily pass (SEPADU) for only RM7, you can ride any RAPID KL bus and LRT for as many trips as you like for the whole day. Buy a ticket on your first ride and just flash your ticket at the driver for all subsequent rides.
All City Shuttle buses can be identified by a red disk on the windscreen and side window near the front door. The bus routes are also numbered from 101 to 115.
buses depart from four "hubs", all of them thankfully served by rail. They are KL Sentral (Kuala Lumpur's main railway station), KLCC (where the Petronas Twin Towers are located), Titiwangsa (at the Pekeliling Bus Terminal) and Maluri (adjacent to the Maluri LRT station in an inner suburban area east of the city centre). Many routes converge at the heart of the city centre at a place called Medan Pasar.
Rapid KL promises 5 minute frequencies. It remains to be seen whether this can be kept.
Here are the routes:
Other services
Rapid KL also operates other bus routes which serve the far flung suburbs of the Klang Valley. There is little reason to use them unless you are going to be living in Kuala Lumpur for a period of time.
Because there are many bus operators besides Rapid KL (Metrobus, Len Seng, Permata Kiara, Selangor etc) and a severe lack of signboards and other forms of passenger information, Kuala Lumpur's bus network may be just a little too complicated for a short-term traveller to fathom.
Specific bus information is given at each place of interest on this page.
Try to get the driver to use the meter, although this may be difficult when demand exceeds supply as most cabbies consider the official rates too low. If you have to bargain, aim for RM5 for short trips, RM10 if going across town. If staying in a fancy hotel, tell the driver the name of the mall next to it to lower his expectations.
A few popular places (notably the airport, KL Sentral and Menara KL) enforce prepaid coupon systems, which generally work out more expensive than using the meter, but cheaper than bargaining.
If you get so off the beaten track that you need to call a cab, give Comfort Cabs a ring at +60-3-62531313 or Sunlight Taxi at +60-3-90575757.
Driving in Kuala Lumpur can be a nightmare, with heavy traffic, a convoluted web of expressways and poor signage to guide you through it all. Reckless drivers are common - Malaysia infamously has one of the highest road accident rates in the world. Suicidal motorcyclists will also keep you on your toes.
Do not park at the road of busy districts such as Bangsar, Bukit Bintang etc. Other cars might lock you in by parking next to you in the 2nd or 3rd lane. Use covered parking lots or park a bit off the beaten path and then walk back.
KL is a notoriously pedestrian-hostile city, with heavy traffic (and aggressive drivers), few pedestrian crossings / pathways, and poorly maintained foot-paths. Walking within some districts (eg. Chinatown and Bukit Bintang) is feasible but walking long distance generally is not. Lately, pick-pockets and bag-snatchers on motorbikes have been a problem, especially in Chinatown district, so care needs to be taken.
When it rains the side walks and streets turn into small rivers and crossing a street can be an adventure.
Kuala Lumpur is one of those cities which are a little short on must-see attractions: the real joy lies in wandering randomly, seeing, shopping and eating your way through it.
You may find that most attractions are only crowded on weekends/holidays and deserted on weekdays.
Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC, Jalan Ampang (Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC), . Until recently the tallest structures in the world, they are now second only to the newly built Taipei 101 building in Taipei (the capital of Taiwan), but are still among the most spectacular. Visitors may pick up passes to marvel at the view from the Skybridge (level 41-42), one of the highest suspended bridges in the world. Entry is free but limited to the first 1200 who show up, so get there early (best ist 7:45 to 8:00 AM)because available tickets are usually snapped up by 11:30 AM. Open 8:30 AM to 5 PM daily except Monday. In general you have about 10 minutes at the Skybridge.
Aquaria KLCC, KLCC Convention Center Basement Levels 1 and 2 (Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC),. A gigantic aquarium recently opened, housing 5,000 varieties of tropical fishes. Has an underwater tunnel, various exhibits of flora and fauna, and multimedia kiosks. Aquaria "offers a unique underwater 'edu-tainment experience", as stated on the KLCC website. Open from 11am to 8pm daily, including school and public holidays; last admission at 7pm. Entrance fee for adults: RM38 (RM28 with the Malaysian ID card - MyKad); Children 3-12 years old: RM26 (RM22 with MyKad); for those below 3 years old, admission free.
Petrosains, KLCC Level 4 (Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC), . A surprisingly well done exhibit of the science and technology behind the petroleum industry and more, and a great place to bring kids. Adults RM12, teens RM7, children RM4; you must book your tickets at least 30 minutes in advance (and expect queues on weekends).
KL Tower (Menara KL), Jalan Punchak, . The observation deck on the top floor provides great city views, and you'll be a few meters higher than the Twin Towers since the tower is built on a hill. Entry to the observation deck costs RM15 and is open from 9 AM to 10 PM daily; for a free bonus, check out the wonderfully bombastic free film on the tower's construction, screened in a little cinema on the tower ground floor.
Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka) Merdeka Square has a special place in the hearts of all Malaysian as it was here that the Union Jack was lowered for last time in 1957 and Malaysia gained her independence. Standing tall here is also the tallest flag pole in the world which measures in at 100m. Surrounding the area are host of historical structures like Sultan Abdul Samad building and Old City Hall. The Royal Selangor Club and St. Mary's Cathedral are two famous landmarks nearby.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Originally the offices of the Colonial Secretariat, they later served as the first administrative centre of the Malayan government. Built in 1848 by British architects, A C Norman and A B Hubback, this historical landmark is famed for its Islamic-inspired architecture. Today, it houses the Courts of Law. The 40-metre high clock tower is a popular gathering-point for New Year and National Day countdown celebrations and parades.
Jamek Mosque (Masjid Jamek) Located at the convergence of the Klang and Gombak rivers is the stately Masjid Jamek, one of the oldest mosques in the city since its construction in 1909. Inspired by the Mogul mosque in North India, this building's notable features are three elegant domes which dominated the KL skyline long before the popularity of skyscrapers.
Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association, Jalan Petaling (Monorail Maharajalela). The clan house (kongsi) of the Yuen family, this is the largest and oldest in KL, with the present version completed in 1906. Free admission (but donations welcome), open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. If you have trouble finding it, look for the green walled temple near Maharajalela monorail station (there are no English signs).
Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Jalan Tun HS Lee (in Chinatown). An elaborate Hindu temple known as the starting point of the yearly Thaipusam pilgrimage to the Batu Caves, where Hindu devotees haul portable altars pierced to their skin with 108 lances. Check out the elaborate gopuram above the entrance. Free admission (but donations welcome).
National Monument (Tugu Negara), Jalan Tugu Off Jalan Parlimen. This immense bronze structure was built as a memorial to the soldiers who gave up their lives for their country. This sculpture depicts seven soldiers holding the Malaysian flag, each symbolising one of seven qualities; unity, strength, leadership, sacrifice, courage, suffering and vigilance. It was sculpted by Felix de Weldon, who sculpted the famed Iwo Jima Memorial statue in Virginia, United States.
Muzium Negara (National Museum), Jalan Damansara, . Contains exhibits on traditional life among the various ethnic communities of Malaysia, numerous well-explained artifacts including fine clothing and shadow puppets, and a sizeable natural history section showing the range of flora and fauna native to the country. A visit to this museum can help you to understand more about Malaysian history, culture, and nature.
Muzium Kesenian Islam (Islamic Arts Museum), Jalan Lembah Perdana, . Situates both modern and traditional Malaysia as part of the larger Islamic world and, through exhibitions of objects of religious and aesthetic significance, shows both the connection of Malaysian Islamic culture to the Muslim lands to its west and its uniqueness.
Masjid Negara (National Mosque), Jalan Perdana. The Masjid Negara is unique in that it incorporates Malay-Islamic rather than the usual Arabic-Islamic architecture. It is known for its conspicuous turquoise umbrella-like roof. A yellow umbrella is usually part of the royal regalia of the sultans of Malay kingdoms.
The National Planetarium, Lot 54, Jalan Perdana, the attractions here include space science and astronomy exhibits, a theatre screening 3-Dimensional movies, a viewig gallery and an observatory. Admission is RM1 for adults and children over 12 (extra charges for all shows). Open Daily : 9:30am to 4:15pm.
Istana Negara (National Palace), Jalan Istana, . The Istana Negara is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the constitutional monarch and paramount ruler of Malaysia, which is a largely ceremonial post. Built in 1928 by a Chinese millionaire and occupied by Japanese officers during the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the palace, which sits on a 11.34 hectare site, was bought by the federal government at independence in 1957 and has since then undergone extensive renovations to become what it is today. Visitors can witness the changing of the guards daily from the main gate. The palace is not open to the public.
Batu Caves, 13 km north of the city (45 min on bus 70 or 349 from Puduraya. Also bus 11 starting next to Central Market (walkable distance from Puduraya)). Hindu priests have used these caves as temples since their discovery in 1878 by William Hornaday. Crowds of Hindus visit the caves in January/February for the spectacular Thaipusam festival, when devout Hindus skewer portable shrines to their bodies and carry them all the way from central KL. They contain a large number of beautiful and fascinating statues of the Hindu Gods. Beware of the smelly monkeys and bird/bat droppings in the cave, though. And discarded banana peels on the steps. The stairs that take you up to the cave is about 273 steps.
Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, KLCC, . The home of the well-regarded Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is nestled at the base of the Twin Towers, offering performances of classical music most Saturdays at 8:30 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM, with tickets starting at just RM 25. Advance bookings are possible online. Note that a strict dress code applies: long sleeve batik or lounge suit for gala and evening performances, "smart casual" (no jeans, shorts, T-shirts, sneakers and slippers) for other performances.
Istana Budaya, (near Titiwangsa and Kampung Baru LRT stations), . This is where most plays and theatre performances, both local and international, are held. The site covers 5.44 hectares and the auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,421. Tickets are available from the box office or online via Axcess .
Rock climbing, nearby Batu Caves features a great variety of Rock climbing |climbing on steep limestone routes. Over one hundred bolted lines contain features similar in nature to those found in Rai Leh, Thailand. Easy access from downtown and a simple street-level approach makes for a convienient and challenging day of climing.
Spa, while KL is not normally associated with extravagant spas |spa treatments like other destinations in Asia such as Phuket an Bali, the city delivers a variety of treatment centers (albeit within the cosmopolitan confines) to satisfy any expectation or budget. The spas tend to fit into two categories: affiliated or attached to high-end hotels or stand-alone facilities located in malls or commercial space. The top floor (Pamper) of Starhill Gallery hosts an impressive cluster of spas whose services offerings range from world class, all day treatments (600 RM), to affordable facials and one hour long full body massages (100 RM). Regardless of your spa selection, one this is common among all treatment centers in KL: few spas have web sites making advance research very difficult.
There's some great shopping to be done in Kuala Lumpur. Goods are available in every price bracket, and while electronics are a tad more expensive than in Singapore or Hong Kong they can still be much cheaper than Europe.
Due to KL's tin mining past, various pewter products remain popular as souvenirs, and a miniature model of the Petronas Twin Towers is probably the definitive only-in-KL gift. remains the world's largest pewter producer and has stores all over KL.
Kuala Lumpur's largest shopping district is the Bukit Bintang area, named after the street of the same names, although stores and hotels sprawl in all directions along Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Imbi.
Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi (Monorail Imbi), Bukit Bintang. A newly built gargantuan ten-story shopping mall that houses world's largest Borders bookstore, British department store Debenhams, the Cosmo's World theme park (see #Do|Do) plus an IMAX theater. The upper floors are still a bit sparse but it's starting to reach critical mass and can get quite packed on weekends.
Suria KLCC, beneath the Petronas Twin Towers (Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC), . An upscale shopping centre with plenty of designer labels and brands, KLCC has quickly become one of the top hangout-spots in KL. Some very good eating options too. You will see more tourists than locals here though. The LRT stops at another shopping mall called Avenue K. There is a tunnel from the train station which links to Suria KLCC.
Low Yat Plaza, Jalan Bukit Bintang (Monorail Imbi, walk past Melia and turn left into an alley before Imbi Plaza), Bukit Bintang. A good place for computer hardware, game consoles and handphones. A "must visit" for the tech inclined. All IT Hypermart (4th floor) is a good one-stop shop, but there are dozens of specialist computing boutiques for the enthusiast.
Sungei Wang, Jalan Bukit Bintang (direct bridge to Monorail Bukit Bintang), Bukit Bintang. A great place to buy cameras and watches (discounts are given for cash payments, although credit cards are accepted). Sungei Wang also hosts a concentration of tailors of men's and women's clothing.
Lot 10, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang. A favourite among Malaysians and tourists alike, Lot 10 is Bukit Bintang's very own "Emerald City", housing boutiques that will appeal to shoppers looking for goods in all price brackets. It houses the Isetan department store.
Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, adjoining J.W Marriott Hotel. Starhill is a literally an English translation of “Bukit Bintang”. A shopping centre that rivals Suria KLCC for designer goods. A must-visit for watch aficionados as the ‘Adorn’ floor (1st floor) houses the biggest selection of designer wrist-watch boutiques like, amongst others, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Roger Dubuis, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Tag Heuer, Omega, Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Patek Philippe and Rolex, of course. Great if you have lots of cash to splurge.
Some shopping malls of note can be found elsewhere...
Mid Valley Megamall, KTM Komuter Mid-Valley, . One stop south of KL Sentral, and near Bangsar, this really is "mega" with over 430 shops crammed into what claims to be South-East Asia's largest shopping mall.
Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya,. Sunway Pyramid is a distinctive retail landmark located in the heart of Petaling Jaya. Since its opening in July 1997, it is Malaysia's first themed shopping and entertainment mall.
One Utama, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya. A gigantic shopping mall that offers a numerous variety of shops as well as restaurants and high-end stores located near Mutiara Damansara's shopping heaven which includes Ikea and The Curve.
Bangsar Shopping Centre. Better known as BSC, this mini shopping centre is a favourite among expats and the locals staying around the Bangsar & Damansara Heights neighbourhood. Plenty of cafes & restaurants - a good spot to meet up with friends. BSC also features speciality stores plus the Cold Storage Supermarket.
Central Market (Pasar Seni), Jalan Hang Kasturi (LRT Pasar Seni). KL's grand old market dates back to 1936, although it may have lost a bit of its charm when refurbished in 1986, complete with air-con inside. Has a particular emphasis on local crafts.
Chinatown, Jalan Petaling (and nearby streets). Known as Chi-Chong-Kai to the local Chinese. Lots of food and souvenirs stalls here. A mosque known as Masjid Jamek is at walking distance. (Star LRT: Plaza Rakyat or PUTRA LRT: Pasar Seni). An excellent place to look around surreptitiously for pirated DVD vendors. Prices are sometimes exorbitant. Haggle furiously.
The full panoply of Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine is available in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur is particularly well known for dark Klang-style bak kut teh, nasi lemak and Ampang yong tau foo.
Head to Jalan Petaling anytime to sample cheap and tasty Chinese hawker fare. Pick any popular stall and try it out; there are particularly many bak kut teh joints around here. Jalan Alor off Bukit Bintang is another hawker center especially in the evening hours. The entire street is jammed on both sides with hawker stalls and restaurants (mainly Chinese) some of them open all night. Most places offers menus with photos of the dishes. Watch out if you order from the sit-down restaurants, as both areas have become somewhat touristy and prices can be a little high for hawker fare.
Raju's, Jalan Chantek, Petaling Jaya. Great Roti Canai!
Al-Esfan, Berjaya Plaza, Jalan Imbi (Monorail Imbi). 24-hour mamak joint offering rice, breads, curries, dips, tandoori chicken, noodles and even pizza (at least in name). Order what you will from any stall, they'll tally your purchases on a chit and you pay when you leave. Roti canai 80 sen/piece, a plate of rice with three curries under RM5.
Foong Foong Yong Tau Foo, Pekan Ampang (Star Ampang station, turn right onto main street, turn right at police station and walk for 15 minutes to end of street). Location: 3°8'39.86"N ; 101°45'47.69"E. One of three adjacent places competing for the title of The Original Ampang yong tau foo, a Hakka Chinese dish consisting of large pieces of tofu and vegetables, stuffed with fish paste, boiled in stock and served dipped into sweet and spicy sauces. 60 sen/piece plus 50 sen for a bowl of rice. Open every day for lunch only.
Kam Lin Kee (金莲記), corner of Jalan Petaling and Jalan Hang Lekir (opp Hong Leong Bank). No English sign, no menu in any language, and a kitchen you really don't want to look into - but it packs the crowds for its famous hokkien mee (fried noodles in dark sauce, RM5). Wash it down with a RM1 mug of cooling liang teh and soak in the busy market ambience.
Nasi Kandar Pelita, No. 149, Jalan Ampang (opp Corus Hotel), . A huge outlet of Malaysia's largest nasi kandar chain, with long queues snaking out at lunchtime. Ordering is easy, just choose and point, but be sure to ask for their specialty kuah campur (mixed gravy), meaning that you get half a dozen curry sauces splashed on top. Air-con available upstairs. Open 24 hours, most servings RM5-10.
Roti Boy, outlets in KLCC and all over the place. Famed for its buttery coffee buns (RM1.50), which took not just Malaysia but Singapore and Thailand by storm in 2004. They are, indeed, incredibly tasty when fresh from the oven but lose their delectableness fast. Outlets and imitators all over town, just follow your nose!
Steven's Corner, No. 18 & 18A, Jalan Hujan Rahmat 2 (off Old Klang Road), Overseas Union Garden, . A famous Indian bistro or locally called . Open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Yu Ai Segambut Seafood Noodle, No. 42, Jalan Segambut Utara, 51200 Kuala Lumpur (8am-5pm). Location: 3°11'5.41"N ; 101°40'33.54"E. Try your noodles with any of three soup options: their famous curry laksa, tom yam or qingtang (clear soup). Air-cond seating upstairs.
Teochew Porridge Restaurant, No. 276-278, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, off Jalan Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur (11am-4am). Location: 3°8'26"N ; 101°42'34"E. This restaurant serving plain rice porridge with more than 50 dishes including famous Teochew braised duck, braised tofu, braised intestines, salted vegetables, salted eggs and steamed salted Kembong fish.
Super Noodle House, LG-001, Lower Ground, Sungai Wang Shopping Centre, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Tel: +60-3-2142 4729. Location: 3°8'41.39"N ; 101°42'41.21"E. One of the best Hong Kong style restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. Cuisine like porridge, wantan mee or chicken rice. Good food with reasonable pricing.
If you want good food with air-con, Kuala Lumpur's many shopping mall food courts are among your best bets.
Lot 10 Food court, in the basement of the shopping mall at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Sultan Ismail. Provides an excellent spread of Malaysian food in hygienic and air-conditioned comfort at prices that are only slightly above those outdoors.
Asian Flavours Food Court (4F) and Signatures Food Court (2F) both in Suria KLCC mall next to the Petronas Towers. Both offer a very good selection of Malaysian specialities from throughout the country. During lunchtime very popular with the employees of the Petronas Tower.
Laksa Shack, 2F, . Specializes in nothing but the many forms of the Malaysian laksa noodle (all RM8.60), but the sour Assam Laksa is usually the top seller.
Some mid-range restaurants also stand out from the crowd.
Kim Gary Beyond, Avenue K B1F (KLCC LRT). Popular Hong Kong chain serving up very modern Chinese fare. The locals' favorite is the rather un-Chinese baked rice with cheese (from RM11.90), but how about some borsht, a plate of spicy noodles "Typhoon Shelter" style and a cup of boiled Coke with ginger. Set meals for RM10-20.
Madam Kwan's, Lot 420/421, Suria KLCC 4F (also Mid-Valley Megamall, Bangsar). Very popular restaurant offering excellent local fare in a pleasant ambience. Try the nasi lemak (RM12.80) or the meltingly smooth beef rendang (RM6.80), and wash it down with a bowl of sweet green chendol (RM5.50). Get there early to beat the queues.
Sahara Tent, 87 Jalan Berangan (Hotel Fortuna), off Jalan Bukit Bintang, tel. +62-3-2144-8310. Large, authentic and popular Middle Eastern eatery in Ain Arabia, KL's Little Arabia. The giant mezze platter (RM29) will leave two stuffed and a shisha water pipe at RM10 tops off the meal nicely.
Anna Lakshmi , Near Mid Valley Mega Mall. A very good place for authentic North and South Indian food.Its run by a social service organization and there is no fixed price for food you eat.You can eat as much as you want and pay as much as you want. But definitely the organization expects you to pay a decent amount as donation for charity. RM 10 for a full meal per person can be sufficient.
Chynna, Hilton KL 5F (at KL Sentral), tel. +60-3-2264-2264, . Wonderfully over-the-top modern Chinese restaurant that looks like it just stepped out of a kung-fu movie, with waitresses in thigh-slit cheongsams and plaited houseboys serving herbal tea from a pot with a meter-long spout. The menu is equally eclectic: try the pumpkin and shrimp dumplings or the chicken feet in black bean sauce, then finish off with coconut ice cream in avocado sauce. Lunchtime dim sum dishes a reasonable RM8-11 each, but dinner is far more expensive. Open daily 11 AM to 2:30 PM for lunch, 6 PM to 11 PM for dinner.
Coliseum Cafe and Bar, 98 Jln. Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Old hangout from colonial times that serves Western food, although the quality has gone down recently as management changes.
Seri Angkasa, atop the KL Tower, . A revolving restaurant that has a good reputation, but is (inevitably) fairly steeply priced. The RM55++ lunch buffet is comparatively good value.
Wasabi Bistro, Mandarin Oriental B1F (next to KLCC), tel. +60-3-21630968 . Excellent traditional Japanese with modern twists, or without, depending on how you navigate the menu. Surprisingly generous portions for a restaurant of this caliber, figure on RM100/head for a full meal. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
The Rama V, 5 Jln. U-Thant, tel. +60-3-2143-2428, has arguably the best Thai food in town. Main dishes are around RM60.
Jalan P. Ramlee, just south of KLCC, is Kuala Lumpur's central clubbing district, easily accessible from KL Monorail Bukit Nanas or Raja Chulan stations. Famous clubs in the area include:
Beach Club, 97 Jalan P Ramlee. Open-air club done up to look like a cheap beachside bar, this is the city's most infamous meat market and pickup joint. The club advertises itself as "Voted Best Bar in Asia" and is busy most nights. Popular with tourists and the well-dressed middle-aged crowd.
Rum Jungle, 1 Jalan Pinang (corner of Jalan P Ramlee & Jalan Pinang). One of the newest clubs in KL, features a spectacular outdoor-bar style area, with great music and hot bar maids.
Nouvo, 16 Jalan P Ramlee, . Nouvo seems to not be able to attract crowds away from neighbouring clubs, Beach Club (opposite) and the Thai club (next door).
Zouk, 113 Jalan Ampang, . A branch of the famous Singaporean club, opened in 2004. Plays dance/house style music on Friday nights and popular with younger clubbers. 40RM entry (incl. one drink), and 25RM+ per drink. Popular on Wednesday nights for Mambo where they play popular music from the 70s and 80s.
Poppy Garden, Jalan P Ramlee. Opposite Rum Jungle, Poppy Garden plays RnB & Hip Hip on Friday nights. A club reserved for younger Asian tourists and locals.
Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang is semi-clubbing area across the Radius International Hotel in Bukit Bintang. There are a few pubs who also have live music on Tuesdays and Fridays
Bangsar, to the south of the city, is one of the busiest places in Kuala Lumpur past midnight. The action is around Jalan Telawi and its side streets, definitely the place to go for clubbing and deafening music. Despite the name the Bangsar LRT station is rather far away and finding a place to park your own car can be difficult, so a taxi is the best option.
Alexis, 29 Jalan Telawi 3, tel. +603-2284-2880, . One of the more laid-back places in Bangsar, furnished in cool white with soft jazz playing in the background. Offer simple but tasty eats (pastas, sandwiches, nasi lemak), a good selection of coffee and a full bar.
Heritage Row is a row of refurbished colonial-era shophouses which is now home to one of KL's swankiest night neighbourhoods. Attractions include fusion and other gourmet restaurants as well as trendy bars. Strictly for well heeled visitors and locals. It is located on Jalan Doraisamy just off Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Dang Wangi. It also has the happy coincidence of having a Kelana Jaya Line station (Dang Wangi) and a KL Monorail station (Medan Tuanku) in the vicinity. Popular bars include SaVanh, The Loft and Cynna Bar.
Other zones with nightlife include:
Found all around the city, mamak stalls are wonderful places to hang out with locals and it is possible to stay at one far past midnight; many locals frequent mamak stalls to catch live coverage of sports events on a wide-screen projector/TV. They are run by Muslim Indians. They serve a variety of drinks and beverages (try the "teh-tarik"), and the non-alcoholic options are varied and inexpensive.
BB Bistro, Jalan Bukit Bintang (next to BB Plaza). A modernized take on the mamak stall concept offering food, drinks, Arabic shisha water pipes and the house band Kapitan playing everybody's favorites in Malay, English, Cantonese and Arabic. Great for chilling out.
Latino Grill, Jalan Bukit Bintang (in the Westin Hotel, side entrance). A modern bar with most nights live latin music. Very much upstyle and expensive. Attracts mainly the guests from the 5 star hotels around Bukit Bintang and Imbi
Most of KL's budget accommodation is clustered in Chinatown, where a bed for the night can be as little as RM20. Avoid any hotels marked Rumah Tumpangan instead of Hotel; these are dodgy boarding houses for foreign workers.
Bed bugs seem to be a common feature in most of the budget accommodation, Pudu Hostel is particularly famous for them.
Another center for budget accommodation is the Golden Triangle (Bukit Bintang area) where prices are slightly higher than in Chinatown. However, the area is the entertainment, shopping and dining center of KL. Budget accommodations here tend to be more spacious and cozy.
Le Village Tingkat 1 Banguan BSN 99A Jln Tun H.S. Lee. Two lots from the Bangkok Bank. Near the pudu raya bus station and sky train stations. Great Atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff. Painting sessions on Thursdays in the attic. Free Tea & Coffee, plus free to use kitchen facilities. Dorms for RM12 Doubles/Twins from RM25 and Triples RM36.
Heritage Hotel. In KL's beautiful old railway station (one stop away from KL Sentral). Offers backpacker packages starting as low as RM18 with breakfast. The facilities are modest but acceptable, and the old, slightly ramshackle building makes up for it. Full hotel rooms start at RM60.
Red Palm, 5 Tengkat Tong Shing (Bukit Bintang), tel. +60-3-21431279, . A small hostel in a historical 2-storey building in the Golden Triangle (Bukit Bintang). It has basic but clean rooms upstairs and offers broadband internet and a hang-out lounge downstairs. There is a bbq area in front of the house. Hawker center Jalan Alor (1 min walk), Shopping and Entertainment Center Jalan Bukit Bintang (3 min) and Puduraya Bus Terminal (8min) are close by. RM25-65 (dorm room to twin double).
Mid-range hotels are comparatively poor value in KL, and it's worth to it to spend a little extra (or look a little harder) for a true luxury hotel on the cheap. Mid-range hotels are listed here in alphabetical order.
Bintang Warisan Hotel, 68 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tel +(60)3-21488111 Fax +(60)3-21482333 . KL hotel that offers traditional look, feel and service. Rooms from RM109 (US$30).
Radius International Hotel, 51A Changkat Bukit Bintang, Telephone +60-3-2715 3888 . Great value KL hotel that delivers good service at an excellent price. Rooms come equipped with the necessities and some rooms have views of the Petronas Towers and the city skyline. Facilities include a Kopitiam, terrace restaurant and swimming pool. Well placed for Bukit Bintang's shopping malls and a short distance from most attractions. Great deals can be had on cheap accommodation websites a few weeks in advance.
Brisdale Hotel, No.65, Jalan Haji Hussein.Off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.50300, Tel: (60)3-26948833, . Budget hotel in Chow Kit. Rooms from RM100 (US$27).
Concorde, Jalan Sultan Ismail, . Three-star hotel getting a little scruffy around the edges, but still pretty good value in the RM150-200 price bracket. Pool and all you'd expect, plus the popular Hard Rock Cafe downstairs. Within easy walking distance of Jalan P Ramlee's nightspots and the Bukit Nanas monorail station.
Meliá, Jalan Imbi 16 (Monorail Imbi), tel +60-3-21428333, . Solid if unremarkable four-star hotel opposite Berjaya Time Square and with a Monorail station next door. "Deluxe" rooms are equipped with not just broadband access, but an entire PC! Regular rates from RM200 for two with breakfast.
Midah Hotel, 8, Jalan Kampung Attap, Tel: 60-3-2273 9999, . Midah Hotel a Superior Business City Hotel, is located within the commercial and business hub of Kuala Lumpur. 10 mins walking distance to China Town.
Quality Hotel City Centre, Jalan Raja Laut, P.O. Box 11586, 5070 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. Tel +60-3-26939233 Fax +60-3-26939634 . Member of Choice Hotels International, this 250-room hotel is more than decent for its price. Room rates online start at RM145 (US$40).
Seasons' View, Jalan Alor (near Bukit Bintang), . A mid-range hotel in the middle of the hustle and bustle of hawker street Jalan Alor, offering basic rooms starting at RM75.
KL has a deserved reputation as one of the world's cheapest places to experience five-star luxury, with rooms available (at the right time and with the right discounts) for as little as RM250 (US$65+). Most of KL's best hotels are located in the Golden Triangle, within walking distance of most things that people would want to do.
JW Marriott, 183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, tel. 03 2715 9000, . Marriott's flagship hotel in Kuala Lumpur, decorated in a Malaysian style and conveniently located on Jalan Bukit Bintang near the shopping district.
Mandarin Oriental, . This is a fairly new hotel in what is probably the best location in KL - adjacent to the Twin Towers, a 50 acre park, and the KLCC shopping mall (the largest in central KL and the most fashionable one of the moment). Whilst primarily for business travellers, tourists will be well accommodated for. The restaurants are some of the best in KL, there is a nice infinity pool over the park, and to top it all, the rates often undercut some of the other hotels, such as the Westin.
Prince, 4 Jalan Conlay (Monorail: Raja Chulan), tel. +60-3-21708888, . Large modern hotel and service apartment complex packed with restaurants, convenience store, spa, gym, pool, etc. Internet rates from RM300 with breakfast.
Ritz Carlton 168, Jalan Imbi . This hotel and residence is connected to Starhill Gallery and hosts the Spa Village, one of the best in Malaysia. All rooms have 24h butler service and most of them have access to an executive lounge with complimentary internet access and drinks/horderves. For a Ritz the rooms are downright frumpy, but service is outstanding. Internet rates from RM380++.
Renaissance, Corner of Jln Sultan Ismail and Jln Ampang, tel. 1800 807706, . Five-star hotel at the edge of the Golden Triangle, accessible by monorail (Monorail: Bukit Nanas) and LRT (Putra Line: Dang Wangi). The Renaissance Wing is older, while the New World wing is newer and more modern. Rates from RM300 and up.
Shangri-La, 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, tel. +60-3-20322388, . An oldie but a goodie, this hotel has been around for a while but has been kept up to date and the location right next to P. Ramlee remains unbeatable for nightlife and pretty good for shopping, with Bukit Bintang just a monorail hop away (Monorail: Bukit Nanas). Excellent gym and remarkable breakfast buffet.
Westin. Jalan Bukit Bintang (immediately adjacent to the Marriott), tel. 03 2731 8333, . 5-star hotel offering a splendid view of the Twin Towers. Extremely modern and well-equipped but a little anonymous, with nothing but the view to remind you that you're in Malaysia. Rooms are spacious with large bathrooms. Free internet (WiFi) available in the lobby and adjoining areas. Excellent gym.
Istana, 73 Jalan Raja Chulan, tel. +60-3-2141-9988, . The lobby is worth a visit in itself. Near the monorail (Monorail: Raja Chulan). It has all the facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel.
The hotels at KL Sentral are convenient for the business traveler but further away from shopping and most tourist attractions.
Hilton, 3 Jalan Stesen Sentral, tel. +60-3-22642264, . Stylish new luxury hotel adjacent to the KL Sentral train station and the Le Meridien. The Hilton has funky, trendy rooms with open bathrooms and plasma TV. Plenty of restaurants and a cool executive lounge on the 33rd floor. Excellent Clark Hatch gym and one of the best spa/pool complexes in KL.
Le Meridien, 2 Jalan Stesen Sentral, tel. +60-3-22637888, . Adjacent to the KL Sentral train station, this luxury hotel opened in 2004 has a splendid lobby and modern rooms with great views of the nearby gardens (or the roof of KL Sentral if you pick the wrong side). Shares spa and pool facilities with the Hilton next door. Rates from RM250, including free Internet.
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Internet cafes are quite plentiful in KL and you can find them in most malls. If you have your own laptop, Maxis' WLAN service is the best deal around: as of July 2005, a prepaid RM15 card gets you unlimited use for two weeks.
Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC), 109 Jalan Ampang (between KLCC and Dang Wangi), . Formerly MATIC, this tourist information centre has a wealth of information on Malaysia, occasional cultural shows, surly staff and semi-crippled but free PCs for browsing the Net.
Starbucks Coffee Company, selected outlets in KL (including KL Sentral). Selected outlets of Starbucks in KL have partnered with the Time telecommunications company to provide free Zone Wi-Fi service to customers who have Wi-Fi-equipped laptops or PDAs. Outlets which do not have free Zone Wi-Fi usually have commercial WLAN services such as Utopia in its place.
Putrajaya, Malaysia's new federal government administrative centre, often erroneously called the administrative capital or even the capital, is 30 km to the south along the way to the airport.
Genting Highlands, 40 minutes by road, has cooler weather, theme parks for the kids and a casino for the adults.
Fire Flies near Kuala Selangor. About 1 hour drive north-west of KL. In Kampung Kuantan and Kampung Bukit Belimbing (5 min outside of Kuala Selangor) you can do a river tour from 7pm until midnight to see the natural light show of the fire flies (Malay: kelip-kelip) in the mangroves. As their flashing becomes sychronised you can see entires trees flashing in the banks for Sungai (River) Selangor. There are also many good sea food restaurants in Kuala Selangor and you can play with monkeys in the park (the hill opposite the river).
By train
The high-speed links the airport directly with the KL Sentral transportation hub in Kuala Lumpur in 28mins. Trains run from 5am to 12 midnight. There is one train every 15mins between 5am and 9am, and between 4pm and 10pm; while trains run every 20mins outside those hours. The cost of a one-way ticket is RM35. There is no discount on return tickets. Those using this service to get to KLIA can check in their baggage at the Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal in KL Sentral. The city check-in service however is only available to those flying Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Royal Brunei Airlines. See "#get around|Get around" section below on how to get to/away from KL Sentral.
The , like the KLIA Ekspres, also links the airport with KL Sentral except that it stops at three intermediate stations - Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya, and Bandar Tasik Selatan. The journey takes 36mins. The fare from end to end is the same as for the KLIA Ekspres, which is RM35. Different fares apply for journeys to the intermediate stations. From KL Sentral, trains run every half hour from 5.33am to 0.03am, while from KLIA, trains run every half hour from 5.52am to 1am. Unlike the KLIA Ekspres, no city check-in facilities are available.
You can also catch trains to Nilai station and take a connecting bus to KLIA. The frequent Nilai-KLIA buses are operated by Airport Coach and Sepang Omnibus. The entire journey may take about two hours. The cost is considerably cheaper than the above two options. For example, the fare from KL Sentral to Nilai is RM4.70 while the bus fare is about RM2.50. You can also use the KTM Komuter to go to other destinations, such as Seremban in Negeri Sembilan. For other KTM Komuter destinations, see "#get around|Get around" section below.
runs direct services every half hour or so from KL Sentral to the LCC Terminal. RM9 one-way.
Aerobus also runs direct bus services every half hour from KL Sentral to the LCC Terminal. RM 9 one-way, free return journey.
Airport Coach runs half hourly express buses between KL Sentral and KLIA starting from 5am to 12 midnight. RM10 one way.
Sepang Omnibus runs local bus services directly to Seremban in Negeri Sembilan, Banting in Selangor and Sepang town where you can get connecting buses to/from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The buses may be a little basic and uncomfortable, and do not follow a timetable (at least, not one that is publicly known).
Both Airport Coach and Sepang Omnibus run frequent buses between KLIA and Nilai where you continue your journey on the #get around|KTM Komuter. See the "#get around|Get around" section below for details on the KTM Komuter.
From KLIA: Only Airport Limo limousines and budget taxis are allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. You buy coupons from Airport Limo counters just before you exit the international arrivals gate, or just outside the domestic arrivals gate. Ask for a budget taxi, which is perfectly fine and costs a fixed RM67.40 to get to Kuala Lumpur; otherwise you'll be given a misnamed "limousine" that costs an extra 20 ringgit.
To KLIA: Any taxi can bring passengers to KLIA, including Kuala Lumpur's metered red-and-white taxis, althought you will find it very difficult to get drivers to use the meters. Make sure you agree on a price before getting into the taxi.
If you have your own wheels, KLIA is well connected to Peninsular Malaysia's expressway network. The airport is directly linked with the North South Expressway Central Link (known by its Malay abbreviation "Elite") about 70km or nearly one hour away from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Exit the expressway at KLIA interchange.Subang Airport
The Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport () (), more commonly referred to as the Subang Airport, was the country's main international airport until KLIA was opened in 1998. It currently handles only chartered and turboprop aircraft. The main operator here is , which flies daily to/from Tioman Island, five times a week to/from Pangkor Island, and special flights to Redang Island. It also has two flights weekly to/from Ko Samui in Thailand. By road
By bus
Puduraya
Hentian Putra
Hentian Duta
Kuala Lumpur Old Railway Station
Others
By train
By boat
Get around
By train
Bukit Nanas (KL Monorail), for clubbing at P. Ramlee
KLCC (Putra), for the Twin Towers and the Suria KLCC shopping mall
KL Sentral (Kelana Jaya/KL Monorail/KTM Komuter), for intercity trains and the KLIA Ekspres to the airport
Masjid Jamek (all LRT lines), for LRT interchange as well as access to Chinatown and Little India
Plaza Rakyat (Sri Petaling/Ampang), for Puduraya bus station
# The Kelana Jaya LRT was formerly known as "PUTRA", while the Sri Petaling and Ampang LRTs were formerly known as "STAR". Signage is still inconsistent but is slowly being updated.
# The KL Monorail's "KL Sentral" station is in fact a poorly signposted station 250m away from the main station. Take note that the actual KL Sentral building can only be accessible from the Monorail stop by crossing a busy street; therefore visitors with much luggage will probably wish to opt for a taxi instead. By bus
101: Titiwangsa to Medan Pasar via Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
102: Titiwangsa to Medan Pasar via Kampung Baru
103: Titiwangsa to KLCC via Jalan Raja Muda (Chow Kit)
104: Titiwangsa to KLCC via Jalan Tun Razak (National Theatre, National Library)
105: KLCC to Medan Pasar via Jalan Ampang
106: KLCC loop service serving the Golden Triangle
107: Maluri loop service serving the Golden Triangle
108: Medan Pasar loop service serving the Golden Triangle
109: KL Sentral to Titiwangsa via Jalan Travers (National Museum, Islamic Arts Museum)
110: KL Sentral to Medan Pasar via Central Market
111: Maluri to Medan Pasar via Pudu
112: Maluri to KL Sentral via Jalan Loke Yew
113: Maluri to Medan Pasar via Golden Triangle
114: Maluri to KLCC via Jalan Tun Razak (Indonesian Embassy)
115 KL Sentral to Parlimen loop service passing the National Museum, Islamic Arts Museum, National Monument By taxi
With RM2 flagfall and RM0.10 for every 200m after the first 2 km, red and white normal taxis are not very expensive in Kuala Lumpur and are probably the best way to get around, at least outside the congested peak hours. Note that bright yellow premium taxis have a RM4 flagfall and also charge a bit more by kilometer. There are also various small surcharges for radio call (RM1), baggage (RM1 per piece), etc. By car
On foot
See
Do
Cosmo's World, Berjaya Times Square 4-9F (Monorail Imbi), . Malaysia's largest indoor theme park, located on the upper floors of the giant Berjaya Times Square mall and particularly notable for its hair-raising seven-story indoor roller coaster. The park is divided into two sections, one geared for small children, the other for those who want a little more excitement; one ticket gets you into both. Admission for adults/children RM25/15, open 12 noon to 10 PM daily. Buy
Shopping malls
Markets
Despite the onslaught of malls, the Asian tradition of markets isn't yet entirely gone in KL. Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Hakka Restaurant, 6 Jalan Kia Peng, (tel. +603-21431907 or +603-21431908). There are many Hakka restaurants in KL, but this has to be the most famous one and for a good reason. Located within a stone’s throw from the newly-opened KL Convention Centre and directly opposite Menara HLA (any taxi driver would know). Hakka Restaurant has been serving up its famous dishes for more than 40 years in KL. Try the chicken, sharksfin and shiitake wrapped in lettuce or the ever-popular stewed pork with steamed mantou dumplings. Patrons may opt for indoor air-conditioned seating or enjoy the breezy night air at the el-fresco section with a cold beer. A definite must-try for the ex-pat, most dishes RM10-20.
La Bodega, 18 Jalan Telawi 2 (Bangsar), tel. +60-3-2142-6338, . Excellent Spanish tapas at reasonable prices, on average RM10/14 for small/large portions. Indoor and outdoor seating, get in by 8 PM for happy hour pricing on sangria. Splurge
Bistro de Paris, 18-1 Jalan P. Ramlee, tel. +60-3-2141-8005. The French dining experience from aperitif to digestif, ranging from steak frites to crême brulée. Open daily from 11 AM until late. Lunch prix fixe at RM15.95, dinner prix fixe at RM69.95. Drink
Luna Bar, Menara PanGlobal 34F, Jalan Punchak (off Jl P. Ramlee), tel. +60-3-2026-2211. Super-chic breezy rooftop bar with a pool in the middle and the best night views in town. Show up early to grab a romantic windowside niche. Drinks RM20 and up, cover charge of RM50 (incl. one drink) may apply on weekends after 9:30 PM.
Sri Hartamas. More stall-vendors who sell beer, awesome hawker food at the Food Court (everything from Thai, Malay, Chinese, vietnamese, and Korean). Ask around, you really can't miss it.
Mont Kiara. Some nice bars and coffeeshops. On certain nights there are jazz performances etc. Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Long-term
Contact
Get out