Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - 5 hours in KUL... Anything to do?

I arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 4:25am and depart at 10:00am. Is there anything that is worth doing, close to the airport, and open early in the morning?

I'm afraid no. KLIA is surrounded by palm tree forest and it takes 25 minutes by KLIA Ekspress train to the city and I would say there's nothing to see during those early hours. Well, you could have some good breakfast though in the city area. Nice and cheap.

I arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 4:25am and depart at 10:00am. Is there anything that is worth doing, close to the airport, and open early in the morning?

Check out the airport info or tourist info desks when you arrive. There has, in the last couple of weeks, been talk of short guided KL City tours available to people who have either 4 or 5 hours to kill on a KLIA transfer. Dunno if this has started yet or, if it has started, whether you're gonna get a tour at 5/6am, but still worth a check.

MacSid

Thanks, I will definitely check the tourist info desks. Worst case, I will go catch some sleep in the Plaza Lounge.

5 hours doesn't give you much time to go to the city & do something especially since KLIA is far. I suppose if you still want to go, you have to allocate 1½-2 hr for traveling to/from KL Sentral. From there you can take the LRT metro to Central Market or Petronas Twin Towers & look around.

However, KLIA is quite a nice airport with free wifi, restaurants, shops and a transit lounge/hotel. You can either shop, eat or just relax :cool:

I arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 4:25am and depart at 10:00am. Is there anything that is worth doing, close to the airport, and open early in the morning?

That early in the morning I'd go get a shower in the lounge, get some breakfast and spend a couple of hours in the massage chairs (again in the golden lounge, free). That plus check a few emails here, read a few papers there and before you know it, it is time for your flight.

Is the Golden Lounge (free) better than the Plaza Lounge (membership)?

Is the Golden Lounge (free) better than the Plaza Lounge (membership)?

Never been in the plaza lounge, but the golden lounge (only if you're traveling business / first on MH, or have status with them) is wonderful. Makes rcc type lounges look like a homeless shelter, sometimes ..

Sounds like it! I am on MH, so I will have to check it out.

Is the Golden Lounge (free) better than the Plaza Lounge (membership)?

Been to both, and its like a 5 star hotel vs 3 star hotel.

At those times, it isn't worth it to even attempt to do something in KL. At most, I'd say go get some breakfast and ride the trains?

Yeah... I have given up on seeing KL in that short amount of time. I am just planning on going to the lounges and getting some food.

Yeah... I have given up on seeing KL in that short amount of time. I am just planning on going to the lounges and getting some food.

If you're a shutterbug, just taking the express train to town and back may be a worthwhile couple of hours spent.

The MH golden lounge is supposed to be one of the best so plan to take a shower and freshen up there. You can do some "heavy snacking" also, definitely much better than any of the UA, NW, AA and US club lounges I've been to states-side.

I take it the express train is easy to find and runs on a pretty consistent schedule?

If you're a shutterbug, just taking the express train to town and back may be a worthwhile couple of hours spent.

Considering that the OP is arriving at 4.25am and the train starts running at 5am, it will be pitch dark during these hours. There wont be much to see on the journey into town at these hours.

How long does the train take to go from the airport to the city? How often does it run?

I take it the express train is easy to find and runs on a pretty consistent schedule?

Check out
http://www.klia.com.my/index.php?ch=68&pg=191&ac=3751



Considering that the OP is arriving at 4.25am and the train starts running at 5am, it will be pitch dark during these hours. There wont be much to see on the journey into town at these hours.

From past experience, if the plane touches down at 0425 on the dot, it'll be around 5am by the time OP clears immigration & customs. It'll be close to dawn by the time he arrives in town; twilight conditions make for very interesting composition options. Grab a quick bite and local teh tarik then take the ride back when it's light. He'll still make it back in good time to chill out at the lounge.

Honestly, I'd grab a room at the transit hotel for a shower and a nap for a few hours before making my connection. Lounges are nice but having the privacy of a room after a long flight is worth it imo.

The Op has not stated if the connection is international to international or International to Domestic.

Just to flag that there are to MH lounges - one in the international section (one of the best lounges in the world - truely 5 star) and one in the domestic section (not as nice - would say 4 star in comparison but still up there amongst international airport lounges).

The premium plaza lounge is location in the international section.
There is no other lounge other than MH in the domestic lounge.

My connection is international (MAA-KUL-SYD). With a travel time of 28min and a frequency of every 15 minutes... I may just ride the train in to town and back (only stopping to switch directions). This seems like a cheap and quick "tour" / photos option.

I will also check out the lounges.

Thanks!

Personally I dont think its worth the time and money (USD20) to ride into Sentral and then back to the Airport.

You are almost certain not to see much on the way into Sentral at 5am, while even when the sun comes out there isnt much to see anyway apart from the view of Putrajaya (from a distance) midway through the journey.

If you still feel its worthwhile to take the ride, make sure you seat yourself next to a window without the decorative livery which obstructs much of the view.

The Shangra-la hotel is adjacent to the airport, you can either walk, or there is some kind of free shuttle... they should have a daily rate to use the pool, fitness center, showers, etc... very much a resort ambiance, and not expensive at all.

The town of Putrajaya is not far from the airport, it's the new modern administrative capital of Malaysia... kind of interesting to see the architecture... a taxi can drive you around, not expensive at all to do.

The Shangra-la hotel is adjacent to the airport, you can either walk, or there is some kind of free shuttle... they should have a daily rate to use the pool, fitness center, showers, etc... very much a resort ambiance, and not expensive at all.

There is no Shangri-la hotel adjacent to the airport.

The hotel attached to the airport main terminal is the Pan Pacific.

I stand corrected... it is a Pan Pacific Hotel.

So I ended up catching the very first KLIA Express train (5am) to the central station. I arrived at ~5:30am and paid a taxi 30rm (about $10USD) to give me a 45 minute tour of KL. I was back at Central by 6:30am, but missed the 6:30am KLIA Express, so I got on the 6:45am. I was back at KLIA by 7:15 and through immigration/security by 7:35am.

After taking the airport train to the remote terminal, I went to the Plaza Premium Lounge... which, was pretty bad. I used their wireless to check my email, used the bathroom, and looked at the food - but quickly changed my mind as I watched a cockroach scurry from the bread...

All around, it was a pretty good layover for only having 5 hours. Thanks for all the tips!