8 hours in KUL - What to do?
 

My wife, my two adult children and I have about 8 hours in KUL. This will be our first time in KUL. Any ideas/tips on what to do or see? Thx.

Might be helpful if you could provide more details :

1) What time of the day do you arrive (watch out for KL's notorious traffic jam) ?
2) Do you need to check-in for your next flight ?
3) Do you have lounge access for a shower after your trip into town (KL is very warm and humid) ?

Grab a bite to eat.
From the local PNH food blogger: KUL streetfood stopover

- Michael

Take the KLIA Ekspres train to KL Sentral, and the light rail to KLCC to goggle at the Petronas Towers. Shop and eat a little at Bukit Bintang, check out Chinatown if you have some time left over, then head back to the airport. With four people, doing it this way will cost you a bit more than taking a taxi, but you'll avoid any traffic jams and miscellaneous taxi scams and hassles (KL's cabbies are a shifty bunch).

Various recommendations for KL: http://wikitravel.org/en/Kuala_Lumpur

Airport Transfers
 

The biggest rip-off in Kuala Lumpur is the KLIA Ekspress !

USD20 "per passenger" for a return ticket to the airport in a city where one can find a decent 3 star hotel room for around USD35 a night is nothing short of a legalised rip-off. And mind you the USD20 per passenger does not even get you into the city, the Sentral Station is outside the city centre and one has to take a cab into the city.

The monorail station is also not located in the Sentral Station. Its a long walk to the Brickfields station under the hot and humid weather. Taxis from the Sentral station to the city centre is "fixed and prepaid" and cost around MYR10 (USD3), hence I do not understand the monorail suggestion for 4 adults.

The airport taxis (also known as Airport Limos) has fixed fares. Fare into the city is around MYR70-80 (USD20-23) and MYR60-70 (USD17-20) to the airport. You prepay at the counter in the airport for trips into the city, and for trips to the airport they issue an official voucher/receipt showing the fare to be paid. I have never heard of scams by the airport limo drivers, my only gripe is that some of the drivers appear to be overworked.

For 4 adults the KLIA Express + taxi into/from CBD will cost around MYR300 (USD86); while the Airport Limo option will cost around MYR150 (USD43). As a KL resident, I also find it a lot less hassle taking the Airport Limo since it delivers you from door to door; I just cannot imagine a group of 4 first time visitors to KL with only 8hrs in the city trying to figure out the complicated, inefficient and downright stupid public transport system in KL.

1. We arrive into KUL at noon and then fly out at 9:45pm (to SIN).
2. Yes, we will need to check-in for our next flight (9:45pm flight to SIN on SQ).
3. We are flying "F" on SQ - I don't know if the SKL in KUL has showers or not

Thanks Michael.

Looks interesting!

I dont remember the SKL lounge in KUL having shower facilities, hence it may not be a good idea to spend to much time outdoors. And since you need to check-in for your SIN flight and you will spend 2-3hrs getting to/from the city; you are left with only 5hrs in the city :-

1300 My suggestion would be to take the Airport Limo into town (fixed fare and prepaid).

1400 You could perhaps spend an hour at the Menara Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower) first for a birdeye's view of the city www.menarakl.com.my.

1500 Then take a taxi to the nearby shopping mall Suria KLCC www.suriaklcc.com.my which is attached to the Petronas Twin Towers. Have a late lunch/early dinner at the food court at level 4 overlooking the city park or at one of the local restaurants on that floor.

1700 Take a walk at the park to view the Twin Towers, or if the weather is too harsh you can take a complimentary buggy service to the Traders Hotel where you can have a drink and view the twin towers from the Sky Bar
http://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpu...x.aspx?ID=6592

1845 Leave for the airport from the hotel lobby with your prearranged Airport Limo (arrange at the airport counter for pick-up at Traders Hotel Lobby). A city cab will also be willing to drive you to the airport for around MYR60-70.

2015-2030 Arrive at the airport to check-in for your 2145 flight to SIN.

Chinatown comes alive at night but I dont think you have the time for an evening visit.

Mario33, Thank you for the prompt reply and a very detailed itinerary. We will go with your suggested plan.

Haven't we had this debate before?

I'm not suggesting the monorail. I'm suggesting the Rapid KL (ex-PUTRA) light rail line, which goes directly from KL Sentral to the basement of KLCC in under 10 minutes. You never need to step out of the air-con.

I can't imagine taking risks with KL's notorious traffic jams if I only have 8 hours to spare, and taking a taxi from KLCC around 6 PM on a weekday is a recipe for getting stuck in one.

Other then that, though, it's a pretty good itinerary for a superficial but doubtless interesting visit to KL's touristiest bits. (I'd leave out the KL Tower though, it's really tourist-trappy.) And on a weekend the traffic should be fine.

True, but the OP's flight to SIN doesnt depart until 9.45pm and traffic starts easing off at around 7.00pm. I was suggesting leaving Traders Hotel at 6.45pm which I thought is more prudent than leaving at 7.15pm eventhough the OP may have to experience what most KL residents go through each working day (dont think you would describe KL's traffic jam as "touristy" ;) )

Being stuck in traffic in the privacy of an air-conditioned taxi is far better than being sardined amongst sweaty passengers in a train . While I am not a regular rider on these trains, those who rely on them to get to work often complain of air-con regularly breaking down (yes, Putra line) and unrealiable service. Ever wonder why KL residents prefer to drive and be stuck in traffic jams despite an extensive train network in place ?

The recent completion of the Smart Tunnel should also help ease southbound traffic leaving the city http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/opening_english.html

Just for information, we will be there on a Saturday (hopefully little less traffic).

The SKL lounge just about has seats - definitely not a shower in sight.

....and quite dreary as well. I was about to suggest that the OP change their SIN flight to MH which has a very nice lounge at KUL.

Traffic on Saturday evenings should flow quite smoothly.

Is it possible to use the MH lounge while flying SQ? If not, we will change to MH.

Not AFAIK.

However if you are arriving at KUL on a MH flight in C or F, you are entitled to use MH's Golden Lounge. But be prepared for funny looks when you enter the lounge at 8.30pm if your MH flight arrived at 12.00 noon :D

Thanks again.

I think we will change to the 10:30pm MH flight out of KUL.

Chinatown
 

and since its Saturday, you can actually include a quick look around Chinatown in your itinerary instead of having drinks at Traders Hotel. My suggestion as follows :

1730 Take a taxi from KLCC to Hotel Malaya http://www.hotelmalaya.com.my/index....34CC72DAB0D5A2 which is located in Chinatown. Set off on foot from Hotel Malaya to "Petaling Street" which is where the stalls are located. Have a look around and get back to Hotel Malaya before 7.45pm.

1945 Depart from Hotel Malaya to KLIA with your prearranged airport limo (or a city taxi)

2045-2100 Arrive at KLIA and check-in for your 2230 MH flight to SIN. (You will have one hour at the F section of the Golden Lounge).

You must have been reading my mind as I was thinking about Chinatown when I decided to change my flights. Still wasn't sure if it was safe (ie enough time) to include Chinatown in the trip.

Is Limo/Taxi really the best way to get to the city at $20?

No cheaper trains that arent a mess to take?

No, there are no cheaper trains -- you can take the (marginally) slower KLIA Transit instead, but it costs you exactly the same, RM 35. :rolleyes:

Again, I prefer the comfort and predictability of the trains over the lumpy KLIA limos and random KL traffic jams. But obviously some disagree, so it's your call in the end...

and the white-knuckle experience of a tropical thunderstorm which seems to be the key for some local drivers to put their foot down to try and get there quicker

What about if we are a group of 6, would it be possible to have one Limo/Van like the MPV? How much would that cost?

Actually some of the vehicles that they use for the standard (budget) service includes Renault Enviro MPV which I hate due to the uncomfortable seating. If you fold down the rear facing seat, you could fit up to 5 passengers but I am sure they will try to sell you a more expensive service.

They do have a "family service" which uses Kia Pregio van and I believe the van seat up to 8 passengers. I dont know the fare for this service (never used it before) but my "guess" would be MYR100-120.

Thanks a lot. BTW, we shall stay at Traders Hotel. How is the hotel and any "must go" in KL?

Traders Hotel is located above the KLCC Convention Centre and across the park from the Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC Suria shopping mall. They have a buggy service that brings you to/from the mall. The hotel is new and very modern; but I thought they tried too hard to be "hip". Its actually much nicer than what I expect a Traders hotel would be. This hotel also has the best view of the Petronas Twin Towers with direct frontage, giving a full "H-shape view" of the towers; so be sure to reserve a high floor twin towers view room.

KL is not quite a tourist city but popular tourist sites are :
1) Chinatown
2) Twin Towers/KLCC
3) Batu Caves
4) KL Tower
5) Bukit Bintang (shopping)
6) Selangor Pewter Centre (seems popular but never been)

Thanks a lot mario33

You should be fine if you take taxis everywhere. I wouldn't suggest negotiating the transit system in KL as the lines don't inter-connect as seamlessly as the maps suggest and the tropical heat and humidity is quite stifling especially during midday.

You should note that even on a Saturday, traffic in KL can get quite bad especially if there's a downpour (which would make an outing to Chinatown/Petaling Street quite wet). But the taxis should be able to find their way around jams. Whatever you do, make sure they turn on their meters when you get in a taxi. If they don't, get off immediately.

As previously suggested, Menara KL/KL Tower is a good place to start to get a fantastic view of the city (go by taxi). The view is far better than the view from the Skybridge of the Twin Towers but you still must go to the Twin Towers area for a look-see. The architecture is quite remarkable. If it rains, you could go to Central Market instead if you want to shop for souvenirs under a covered roof, or stay in Suria KLCC at the base of the Twin Towers. Or you can also wander up to the Sky Bar (it's partially covered) for a jaw-dropping view of the Petronas Twin Towers.

An additional suggestion for a place to go at Suria KLCC for a great sampling of Malaysian food is Madam Kwan's. No view, though, but the food quality is higher than that of the food court itself (which is not shabby either). Prices are also higher but not outrageously so. Or pop in next door to Lai Po Heen at the Mandarin Oriental for good Chinese food in refined elegance with prices to match.

Enjoy my hometown! I was just there last week :)

Thanks for the tips. Really looking forward to this visit next month.

the express train from the airport is the way to go....into sentral station, then grab the putra trains....efficient and fast....you also get to see some of the real KL. twin towers is good, nice park in the back..top flight eats up on top floor.

putra will also take you to china town/central market....(central market is) historical and great selection of affordable items.

traffic is terrible in KL, i always take the trains. the best time i ever did in a cab or limo from the airport was 65 minutes..the train is 26...and comfy.

batu caves....too far out of town....forget it.
KL tower is no big deal....just another CN or Space Needle ....and the city is hardley ever clear of haze....so you can almost forget the view.

the twin towers has the shopping, central market has the old world flavor, and china town has a couple of nice temples....one chinese....and one indian if i remember right. they are worth a look.

lots to pick from...enjoy your trip..

Indeed, KLIA Expres is a speed/convenience vs. cost trade-off that I don't find too unreasonable under certain circumstances. Now that Air Asia and others are operating from the LCCT, though, you've got competing BUSES to Sentral from that terminal for as low as RM 7 each way. The walk to the monorail is only long if you've got all your bags. PUTRA can get to KLCC (Petronas Towers), but you can't go to the top (explaining in part why the Menara is popular). It's a good view from the Menara and kids can't help but like it; back in the 70s many cities thought about building Menara-like structures but not that many actually did.

KL's taxis can be a pain if supply/demand is against you or they try to overcharge (like leaving the Menara). Traffic at certain times can be a real pain, too.

For a good meal, would recommend Eden Village in the Golden Triangle.

Actual fare KUL-KLCC MYR180.40 (Kia Pregio van)

Highly misleading post !

You have not factored in the waiting time for the KLIA Express train which can take up to 20min, and the taxi/city-train ride from Sentral into the CBD. Even if you are staying at Sentral, it would take up to 10min to get to your hotel from the time you alight from the KLIA Express train.

Another point to note about the KLIA Express is that although they advertise the ride as 28min, its not unusual for them to substitute the service with the slower and more crowded KLIA Transit service which takes up to 40min.

No doubt I do feel safer in the KLIA Express train, and for a single traveller its still cheaper than the airport limo option. However, the airport limo wins for convenience and to a certain extent comfort. I have used both options regularly over the last few years, and for the time being the airport limo is the preferred option for me.

highly misleading??? i doubt it !
i have indeed factored in those items which you have noted, you paint a pretty picture for ground transportation...have you also noted that taxi drivers will charge 100 us dollars if they think that you are unaware of the correct standard fares?
i would be curious to hear how you get thru a KL two hour traffic jam, even a 40 minute train ride will beat that anytime.

as a citizen living in KL, you know the ropes...and the language....a tourist with a language barrier has a far more difficult time and is at the mercy of the standard airport cons encountered in so many country's.

enjoy your tried and true ways of travel for you.... just appreciate that others have perhaps found other ways that work for them.... on this forum we try to present options...not pass judgement on solutions developed by others.

for someone who actually lives in KL, you seem to hold in very low esteem your own rapid transit system.

You quoted 65min as your fastest journey on an airport-limo and 26min on the train. This seems to give the impression that the train is more than twice as fast which is not true. The airport-limo delivers you from door-to-door while the KLIA Ekpress drops you off at Sentral which is outside the CBD. While I do not doubt the KLIA Ekspress ride did make it in under 28min; you failed to mention the long walk to the platform, the wait time for the train, the long walk/queue up the escalator at Sentral and finally the city-taxi ride into the CBD, all of which could add up to an additional 30-60min.

Your point that foreign visitors risk being charged USD100 for an airport-taxi ride into town is also very misleading. The airport-limo is a prepaid service and in the 10 years I have been using this service, I have never heard of any passenger being rip off by the drivers (but frequent complaints about their driving habits). You pay at the counter and before you board the attendant would actually jot down the registration number of the vehicle on your receipt. Please do not confuse the airport-limos with city-taxis which often refuses to use the meter when demand is up (irrespective of whether you are local or foreign).

It is also a common misconception that when one takes the KLIA Ekpress you wont have to worry about KL's notorious traffic jam. The Sentral station is located outside the CBD, and the worse traffic is along the bottle-neck getting in/out of the CBD. If it took you 2hrs to get to KLIA in an airport-limo, I can assure you it will take you no less than 1hr just to get from the CBD to Sentral during the peak hours.

If ever anyone here is "passing judgement on solutions developed by others", may I suggest you reread the entire thread here especially your own posts (USD100 taxi fare ?)The only negative comment I made about the KLIA Ekpress was the fare which I felt is a "legalised" rip-off considering the cost of living here. I did however mention that its still cheaper for solo travellers to opt for the train, though it may not necessarily be the most convenient way to travel.

And you are correct that I hold in very low esteem on "my" own rapid transit system. I would be terribly ashamed if I had planned the train network system here and the network certainly does not belong to me. When the system was designed the primary consideration was not convenience to the travelling public, but the benefits it would bring to certain politicians and their cronies who were awarded the right to build and operate each line. For the record, I am not one of the cronies and hence its not "my" rapid transit system !

mario33

you miss the point, i only draw from my own experience, i was not trying to "mislead" anyone.

i bow to your obvious expertise.

There are 4 of us travelling (with no luggage) on Saturday July 14th. A tour company has quoted me RM 920 for a private car - pickup at Pasarakyat Bus Terminal at noon, visit Batu Caves, visit Menara (KL Tower), visit Suria KLCC, Chinatown and then drop off at the airport around 8:30pm.

Is this price reasonable?

NO, sounds like a rip-off to me (OK I do it for MYR800 :D )

Pasarakyat Bus Terminal is at the edge of the CBD and all your sites are within 3mile radius except for Batu Caves which is about 10miles north of the CBD. If you take a taxi all the way, there is no way your fare would exceed MYR200.