Long layover in KUL.
 

We're flying SIN/KUL/LHR. SIN to KUL on Malaysian in Biz, then KUL to LHR on BA in First. We have up to 10 hours in KUL. Should we stay in the airport? Go into KL? Head to the nearby mall? I believe the lounges aren't the best. All advice welcome.

Long layover in KUL.
 

At 10 hrs there is no reason you couldn't go in to KL. Use the rail link in to the city as it is cheap, fast , and frequent.

Take the train to downtown KL (KL Sentraal) and have a wonderful day in town - check out the Petronas Towers and/or the bird park, have a lunch/dinner somewhere nice, etc, etc

Would be a shame to spend 10 hrs at the airport

Yes, do go downtown. Has been a few years since my last visit but traffic can be bad so make sure you leave long enough to get back to the station.

As noted the area around the Petronas Towers is pleasant for a wander although eating options are a bit generic there.

This place is brilliant especially for steak and a bit of history https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g298570-d1164708-Reviews-Coliseum_Cafe-Kuala_Lumpur_Wilayah_Persekutuan.html and I think they have respected the old school atmosphere even though they have opened some more sanitised branches now.

Enjoy!

The nearest mall is right beside Sentral Station called Nu Sentral .

There are two monorail lines at KL Sentral; one at Sentral Station itself and one on the other side of the mall. The area outside the mall and Sentral station is known as Little India for obvious reasons.

If you are after dinner, there is a selection of restaurants at the Hilton Sentral and Le Meridean which are also next to Sentral Station.

Definitely go to the city. Delicious food, thriving coffee scene - even though there aren't many landmarks it's still fun to hang out for a few hours.

Definitely head into the city. It's not close but you'll be there soon enough.

You can be in the centre of town until 9pm if you want to push it; getting back to the airport by 10pm (I'm assuming you're on the flight that departs at 11.45pm). If so then you're well timed to enjoy dinner in the city. The F lounge at KUL is nice, but no more than that, and not the kind of lounge you'd make an effort to arrive at particularly early.

Great advice. Thanks to all.

If you want to see the Petronas Towers, go early as the tickets are limited and sell out quickly. Avoid taxis, especially around tourist areas as Malaysian taxi drivers were rated worst in the world for ripping off passengers.

Ten hours should give you plenty of time for a pleasant day out, and a good sleep in business class afterwards.

Long layover in KUL.
 

Or nip down to putrajaya the administrative capital closer than kl and compact with a couple of interesting landmarks

I went to the Batu Caves during a layover of the similar length.

Much as I love KL, I wouldn't recommend a transit visit unless you have something very specific in mind. It's not a wanderer's city: and unless you collect sights like the Petronas Towers or enjoy upscale shopping malls, there's not much for the casual visitor to see.

On the other hand there are spots like the Islamic Arts Museum (www.iamm.org.my) which has some stunning exhibits (and a good restaurant). Or the Batu caves. Or even the Suria Mall (Petronas towers) if that's your thing. Tripadvisor might help you decide.

But wherever you go, consider a taxi from the airport directly to your destination. Batu, or a central KL spot, should be around an hour/hour and a half. For two of you it will be cheaper than train, and you'll avoid the faff and problems associated with taxi transfers from the central station to wherever you are going. The penalty is traffic at peak times.

An alternative would be to get a day room and relax, use the pool. Prepare for your onward flight ....


Oh, and the lounges are absolutely fine - but can get crowded. The F section has a restaurant, but that too can fill up.

Im a native of KL and I disagree with your statement. The problem is many foreigners are not so familiar with attractions in KL. Most of them will visit the very cliche attractions such as Twin Towers, Chinatown, Batu Caves... and the same itinerary will be passed to the next traveler. You need to do more research, explore and discover the city further.

I just noticed about this, so I know its already too late. But just in case on the future you are having the same situation which is transiting in KL for many hours, here are some suggestion that I can give to you:

1) Depends on your timing and day of the transit, you can join the FREE guided tour courtesy of KL Tourism Bureau:
http://www.visitkl.gov.my/visitklv2/...?r=column/walk

2) Check out the Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park where there are more than 10 attractions located close to each other within this park:

3) Check out the Malaysia Tourism Centre (Matic) where you can watch the FREE cultural performance that is held at 3pm, Mon-Sat. You also can try the Batik painting, shop some local crafts and souvenirs:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...72819562202592

4) Watch MUD: Kuala Lumpur, a musical theatre about the history of Kuala Lumpur city. It is performed twice daily at 3pm & 8:30pm in the historical City Theatre-Panggung Bandaraya building in Merdeka Square. (It is a bit similar to the famous London Dungeon):
https://www.facebook.com/MUDKualaLumpur/

5) If you would like to see/do many things within a day, then you should go to KL Tower where you can experience modernity, tradition and nature all at the same time. The latest attraction of the KL Tower is the "Skybox", a fully glass deck located at the most top of the tower. There are also a mini zoo, aquarium, HD Motion Theatre and forest reserve equipped with a long canopy walk located there. Every day, there will be a cultural performance performed at the lobby of the tower. There is also a traditional village called "Flavours of Malaysia" where you can watch a traditional dance and sample some local cuisines:
https://www.menarakl.com.my/

6) As another person suggested, you can check out the Malaysia's administrative city of Putrajaya (which just a short drive from KLIA) where there are several landmarks and attractions including the prime minister's office and a palace. There is also an interesting musical cultural performance called "Fantasy Rainforest" which is held in the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) twice daily at 2pm & 6pm:
http://fantasyrainforest.com/web/

I hope other future travelers to KL will also take note about this =)

For the Petronas Towers, buy tickets in advance online for the time you want to visit.

I agree with the advice about about the Islamic Arts museum and Batu Caves. The Bird Park is also nice.