kuala lumpur backpacking

Kuala Lumpur is a mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures. Terrific variety of food and a city to experience Malaysia.

Airport to City

If you’re by yourself, the best and quickest way to get from the International Airport (KLIA) to the city is the KLIA express. It takes 28 minutes and costs 35 RM one way.  

If you land at the KL Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCC Terminal) (budget airline travel operators such as Air Asia fly here) you can catch a bus to the city. It will take 1 hour and cost you 10 RM. It drops you off at KL Sentral. If you do land at KLIA, you can pay 2-3RM to take the bus to the LCCT and then take the bus to KL Sentral. It will take about an extra 20 minutes depending on how the buses line up but it is by far the cheapest way to KL from the airport .

Taxis to the city will cost you around 90-100 RM depending on where you are going of course.

Getting around Kuala Lumpur

If you’re close to the LRT, make sure you take this to get around. It’s far quicker than a taxi and more pleasant despite the crowds at times.

Taxis are notoriously bad in Malaysia. Drivers won’t use the meter, they will try to rip you off and will be selective about fares. It is incredibly difficult to convince a driver to take you a short distance. Avoid taking taxis if you can.

Long distance Buses from Kuala Lumpur – Pudu Raya

Pudu Raya is the place to go to catch long distance buses. Buses from Singapore and all around Malaysia leave or arrive here. Spend as little time here as possible if you can. It’s a dirty, busy, hot and unpleasant bus terminal. It is one of the worst I have been in. Highly disorganised as well. Vendors will oversell tickets compared to available bus seats so make sure you try to get onto the bus as soon as possible when it arrives. It basically operates on a first come first serve basis at busy times. Try to find out the number plate of the bus from the vendor so you know which bus you’re looking for because there will be usually 2 buses which arrive at the designated terminal.

Leading up to Chinese New Year (roughly Jan or early Feb each year), you’ll have to pre book trips in advance because everyone heads back to the area that they grew up in.

Pudu Raya is a short walk from either Pasar Seni LRT station or Plaza Rakyat LRT Station.

Petaling St, Kuala Lumpur

Make sure you spend an evening checking out the night market of Petaling St. You’ll find all the fake designer goods you’ll ever need. Like any other Asian market, make sure you bata. Spend some time talking to stall holders so you get an idea of the prices and how far you can push them. There are many stalls selling the same goods and most likely the stalls selling the same goods all have the same owners anyway.

Pirated dvds cost 10 RM. You should be able to get one free if you buy 5. The dvd sellers will charge different prices depending on whether you’re Asian or not. Some will only offer one free when you buy 10 but make sure you push for 5. Be prepared to wait 5-10 minutes for your dvds to arrive as for black market reasons, the seller doesn’t hold dvds with them.

Petaling St is a short walk from either Pasar Seni LRT station or Plaza Rakyat LRT Station which is the best way to get here.

KLCC

This is the commercial brands shopping centre of Kuala Lumpur. You’ll find all of your high end brands here and other brands that you would usually see anywhere around the world. KLCC is really no different to any mega shopping mall that you will find in any large city in Asia. The LRT train line stops right there at KLCC.

Jafatavel has visited Kuala Lumpur in July 2007, Feb 2006, Nov 2004 and January 2003.

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