I am going to have a several hour layover at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 8/14 and wondered if I would have time to see anything other than the inside of the airport. I have never been to Malaysia and it is always fun to cross another country off the list! Specifically, how long would it take to head out from the airport, see the Petronas Towers, and head back to the airport to catch my flight. So this would include Immigration in and out, ground transportation, and lets say at least 30 min at the towers. I am on a USA passport - any Visa required? What is best transportation method and what will it cost? Is there a place to check my luggage at the airport for the few hours I would be gone? I could have either about 3.5 or 5.25 hours depending on which flight I chose to SIN.

I'm sure someone here can tell you the exact distance/time it takes to get between the airport and downtown, but my recollection is it's quite long, as in about 45 minutes by taxi. The airport website says the train is 28 minutes each way, of course you need to add in time waiting for the train. There is baggage storage at the airport. I suppose I'd take the later flight to give yourself more time.

No visa requirement for U.S. citizens that I am aware of, at least we didn't need one when we went last.

There's plenty to do in the airport for 3+ hours, but if you are curious, you can take a taxi ride over to the Sepang circuit racetrack. It's within throwing distance of the airport. You can see it from outside the terminal, but take a taxi. This is where the Malaysia F1 Grand Prix is held. There is generally other activity going on at the race track. You can check online to see what's happening at the time you will be there, or you can just tour it in ghost town mode if there is no activity. I saw the F1 race there in 2000. Great seats at the start/finish line with a straight view of the Ferrari and McLaren pits. Michael Schumacher of course won for team Ferrari.

If you take the 5+ hour option, then you can get to KLCC by taxi and back. You can see the Petronas towers from the outside, but I think the touring policy has changed since I was last there. You can see the towers, walk the loop of the KLCC park and grab a bite at the KLCC shopping center.

M8

From my experience, the easiest and most effective way to travel from the airport to Petronas would be to take the KLIA express train from KUL to Sentral (about 35 min or so each way). At Sental, transfer to the Putra Line and take it to the KLCC stop which will drop you off right by the towers (10 minutes each way). Many nice restaurants and shopping to keep you busy. Retrace your journey to return to the airport. Vastly less expensive than a taxi and in traffic even faster. Have a marvelous visit.

To summarize:

1. No visa for US citizen
2. Immigration is relatively fast
3. KLIA express is fast, 28 minutes but factor in wait time for next train, 15 minutes or so.
4. From Sentral, train or taxi to Twin Towers will work - another 15-20 minutes depending on wait for train, traffic, etc.
5. 3 1/2 hours is cutting it close. If you figure one hour each way, 30-40 minute sightseeing, that gives you 30-40 minutes buffer time to get through immigration on the way out plus return check in, go through security and immigration before boarding....but doable.
6. IMHO, airport is far from a Changi Airport but it is modern, sleek and stylish. If you're on MAS, they have excellent lounge, the others are comfortable but nothing to brag about.

Note that it's unlikely you'll get to go up Petronas -- when we were there, tourists could only go to the bridge midway up connecting the two towers and free, limited tickets for that were handed out each day several hours in advance of the time when you could go up.