KLIA main to KLIA2 Transfer
 

Flying into KUL Main from HKG on CX at 12pm. Outbound at 6pm on Air Asia from KLIA2 same day. In the past I wouldn't consider this a big deal, but haven't traveled to Asia since Covid. I'm assuming that's enough time to deplane, go through immigration, collect bags, do customs, transfer to KLIA2 and recheck in?

You should have enough time to even take the train to KL and meander a couple hours before re-check in.

Did the reverse KLIA2 to KUL in with 4 hours back in 2019 and its was quite tight due to very long time spent at immigration on arrival at KLIA2, I stayed in line almost one and half hour. Probably 6 hours should be fine.

With carry-on only, is it possible to do this transfer KLIA-KLIA2 airside or immigration is necessary?

latter.

KLIA T1 arrival to KLIA T2 departure in under 3 hours - Is this connection possible?
 

I found this thread with some recent activity, lucky me :)

I previously bought a saver fare (non-refundable, and the change fee is ridiculous now) which includes a segment on MH 89, scheduled to arrive in KUL at 16:45. This would take place in April 2024. Due to some changes, my final destination is now SGN.

My original plan was to take MH 766, departing at 17:35, but it seems that with this under minimum connection time and possible delays in MH 89’s arrival, I would definitely miss this flight. A backup idea I have is to take Air Asia out of KLIA T2; AK 524, departing at 19:35.

Some questions I have are:

1. Is this idea reasonably possible? I have a passport that’s eligible for the auto gates, but I may skip that option if it means enrolling and taking extra time during immigration. I will also only have carry-on luggage, so I would not need to wait for any bags afterwards.
2. Is the fastest route from KLIA1 to KLIA2 the train? I also researched about the free bus option every 10 minutes, but I don’t mind paying a bit for assurance that I can reach AK 524 on time.
3. Would Air Asia check my carry-on luggage weight at some point during check-in or before boarding? I see 7 kg is included in all fares, and I would prefer not to check in my bag which could be 10-11 kg because of laptop and packed clothes.
4. Does buying the “fast pass” for check-in ensure that I will have minimal queue to check-in and make my flight on-time?

Sorry for the long list of questions, and thank you everyone for your replies in advance :)

Well, if you have a refundable ticket for the MH flight to SGN, it is conceivable you could make the (unprotected) connection if both MH flights use the satellite terminal.

Air Asia Fast Pass does also give you 14 Kg allowance. I think there was a recent report in the Other Asian airlines forum.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...ation-kul.html

Sadly, I have seen MH operate their short-haul ASEAN flights in the main concourse (G, H gates). Indeed, my flight should arrive at the satellite terminal, which means I will probably have to trek the walk from the gates to the bus transfer before reaching the immigration area. I think I will hope that my inbound MH 89 flight does arrive on time or with minimal delays, and then I head from KLIA1 to KLIA2.

This, along with the Air Asia Flight Pass and its fast check-in experience, would surely be enough to make the later AK 524 flight to SGN? I will risk it, but otherwise I will spend an overnight in Malaysia and head to KL city centre and enjoy the food at least :)

Unfortunately the AK fare is non-refundable and Fast Pass is limited in availability for last-minute purchase, and the AK fare may be exorbitant too last minute. Depends on how desperately/quiickly you need to get to SGN that night, i guess.

The trip will actually take place in a couple of months anyways, I should buy the AK fare now while it is cheap and hope for the best. Otherwise, I will also have the MH refundable fare for the next morning.

I shall share my experience about a 3 hour inter-terminal transit at KUL once I try this out!

Trying my best to answer your questions:
1. It may help, but from my experience, the immigration is not a problem recently. You need to budget only about 5 mins to get through immigration line. Your main problem is with the transfer process itself. The worst case scenario is if you land on KLIA1 satellite -> Take bus to KLIA1 main -> clear immigration -> grab your luggage -> Take bus/train to KLIA2 -> Check in your luggage -> clear immigration again -> get to your departure gate. There're so many different factors at play here, the whole process can take from 1 hr - 2hr. At the end of the whole thing, you'll be exhausted and cursing the whole transfer experience in KUL.
2. Trains may be faster, if they depart within 5 mins of your arrival at the train/bus terminal.
3. Yes, Air Asia in KLIA2 is pretty anal about checking carry on luggage. You can purchase the check-in luggage first even if you don't end up using it. You can also carry an extra laptop bag usually.
4. Again, this may help, but in my experience 3 hrs would be enough, albeit can be a little tight.

TLDR version, 3 hrs should be enough, but the whole process would make you swear you will never do a KLIA1 -> KLIA2 transfer again.

Haha indeed, I already feel fatigued from planning this entire transfer process! The good news is I do have a carry-on luggage that is under Air Asia's dimension limits, and that makes me less panicked about waiting for my checked bag arriving at KUL. I will definitely reconsider trying such a short connection in the future...

I have done the transfer last week and I agree with the above 100%. Immigration was the least of the problems, either in or out. In fact it was not a problem at all. I can only imagine, if it had been.

The process is horrendous even in some of the small details not mentioned above, such as very long queues simply to take elevator at KLIA to go to the floor which has bus transfers. Then the bus drop off point in KLIA2 is nowhere near the check-in area. In any normal airport, a taxi would drop you off right there besides where passengers check-in. But at KLIA2 you have to go inside a building, take elevators (again) and walk through what seemed to be a shopping mall (? I was rushing) before exiting outdoors and back indoors on the other side into another building.

The fact that both KLIA and KLIA2 use the same airport code is ridiculous. There are some airports which are a 30-minute drive apart, which would be easier and quicker to connect than this.

I guess you havent been to MNL :p

We had a 5 hour connection last year, and did the bus, apart from probably the world's most horrible signage, we didnt really mind, but definitely leave a long time.
We actually showed up too early to check in for Air Asia (they only allow 3 hours before flight to drop off bags), but there is a very nice priority pass lounge landside to the left of the checkin areas that lets you leave your luggage cart at the entrance.

I have been to MNL, but never to transit :D Thankfully

Yes I concur, the landside lounge at KLIA2 is nice. But the problem is exactly that: it's landside, and the airside lounge is far inferior. In 2023 the landside lounge used to give a free priority card for security/immigration to guests upon leaving the lounge, but earlier this month they told me they no longer do it since last month :(