How To Get From Kuala Lumpur Airport To The City 2026

See here for details on how to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre, with all options available.

Wondering how to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city centre? You’re in the right place. After years of arriving in a new place and being surprised by the fact there’s no convenient public transport from the airport to the city, or being a victim of taxi drivers’ scams, I find it extremely important to share these tips with you.

In Kuala Lumpur, it’s important to separate Central/city centre/Sentral from Kuala Lumpur City Centre. These are two different places. The first, is the actual city central area. On the other hand, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) is the modern financial and commercial district where the Petronas Towers are located. It’s quite far from Sentral, so don’t get these two distinct areas mixed up!

To help you plan your trip to Kuala Lumpur, you can see here some tips on what to do in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days.

After many trips to Malaysia over the years, I wanted to share with you all the details on how to go from Kuala Lumpur airport to the city.

About Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Kuala Lumpur Airport, also known as KLIA, is Malaysia’s main airport and handled nearly 63 million passengers in 2019.

It is located 60km from Kuala Lumpur Sentral and has two separate terminals. Known as KLIA and KLIA2, the terminals are a few miles from each other and are connected by a rail system – the same one that connects to the city centre.

The airport is a hub for many airlines, including Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Malindo. Bear in mind that almost all low-cost airlines, including Air Asia, use KLIA2.

How To Get From Kuala Lumpur Airport To The City

There are a few different ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to the city centre (or Sentral, as it is spelt in Malay). The price difference between some of them is considerable if you’re travelling solo, but if you’re travelling in a small group, a private transfer or taxi may be the best option.

Kuala Lumpur Airport Taxi

The most obvious choice is using the Kuala Lumpur Airport taxi service. You can take taxis from both KLIA and KLIA2, using the taxi booths available at the airport.

However, beware of unlicensed drivers in the airport hall. They can be slightly pushy and not always honest. There are also licensed ones, but according to friends who live in the city, they will rarely use the metre and will charge you an inflated fare. Personally, I tend to avoid them.

Kuala Lumpur Airport Transfers To The Hotel

A good alternative to taxis in Kuala Lumpur is organising a private transfer, which can be booked online prior to your arrival.

The main benefit of booking a car transfer is that you’ll know the exact price, pay in advance and won’t have to deal with money as soon as you land, giving you the flexibility to get local currency after your hotel check-in. Add to that the safety aspect and guaranteed comfort.

This company offers affordable transfers from Kuala Lumpur airport to Sentral station – I used it a number of times now and partnered with them. This means that, if you book your transfer with my links, I will receive a small commission – you will not pay anything extra for that.

KLIA to Sentral Station: From 30USD in an economy car for up to 4 people and 3 bags.

The good thing is that you can either pay in full online or pay part online and part directly to the driver. The journey takes around 40 minutes in good traffic.

Train From KLIA To The City

KLIA Ekspres is the local express train that connects both Kuala Lumpur Airport terminals to the city’s central station (Sentral). It’s another convenient way to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city. KLIA Ekspres trains are modern, clean, reliable, and have good free wifi.

You can buy your ticket online in advance or once you arrive at Kuala Lumpur airport. You will be able to pay by credit card, as with any purchases online. A one-way ticket costs 55RM per person.

Alternatively, you can also buy from the self-service machines or the tills after you arrive. At the KLIA railway station, you’ll have two platforms, a pink one that says “KLIA Ekspres” and a blue one, which reads “KLIA Transit”.

As the name says, the Ekspres train is a direct train service from KLIA2/KLIA to KL Sentral station.

KLIA Transit stops at Satak Tinggi, Putrajaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan stations before reaching KL Sentral.

Traders Kuala Lumpur: 4-star hotel with the best views of the Petronas Towers

Kuala Lumpur Airport Train Schedule

The first express train from KLIA2 departs at 5:02am and 5:07am from KLIA. The last train leaves KLIA2 at 12:02am and KLIA at 12:07am.

From Sentral Station, the first train departs at 5:02am and the last one at 11:40pm.

The trains run every 20 minutes and the journey takes 30 minutes. Check KLIA Ekspres ticket availability here.

Bus From Kuala Lumpur Airport To The City

The cheapest alternative to get from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur Central is by shuttle bus. This option is only worth it if you’re really trying to save money, as the ticket costs 1/3 of the train ticket price.

The buses are modern and comfortable, with air-conditioning and reclining seats with enough leg space.

The downside of taking a bus is that you can get caught up in traffic. Heavy traffic jams are very common in Kuala Lumpur, especially during peak times.

To get to the bus terminal, follow the signs to “bas” (bus in Malay). At KLIA, it’s located on the ground floor. The bus terminal at KLIA2 is on Level 1.

You can buy tickets at the ticket desks at the airport bus terminal. Alternatively, you can also buy your ticket online. When buying online, make sure to choose the correct terminal, KLIA or KLIA2.

From Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Anywhere in Town

Kuala Lumpur Sentral Railway Station is the city’s main public transport hub and the only station that connects to every single railway line.

However, if you are paying for single tickets, it’ll mean you have to buy a separate ticket for every leg and connection you take. It’s very common to find long queues at the ticket vending machines.

Please note that KLIA Espres, Komuter and LRT train lines, have separate entrances at the station.

What about you, what’s your preferred way to travel from an airport to the city?