Kuala Lumpur Getting there & around

Getting around

KL Sentral in Brickfields, 1km south of the historic old train station, is the hub of a sophisticated rail-based urban network consisting of the KTM Komuter, KLIA Ekspres, KLIA Transit, LRT and Monorail systems.

Unfortunately the systems – all built separately – remain largely unintegrated. Different tickets generally apply for each service, and at stations where there’s an interchange between the services they’re rarely conveniently connected. This said, you can happily get around much of central KL on a combination of rail and monorail services, thus avoiding the traffic jams that plague the inner-city roads. And the Touch & Go stored value card (available at all LRT stations) can be used at the electronic gates to the LRT, train and monorail systems.

Bus & tram

Bus

KL has streamlined its confusing bus system. Now you’ll mainly see Rapid KL (1800-388 228; www.rapidkl.com.my) and Metroliner buses. There’s an information booth (7am-9pm) at the Jln Sultan Mohammed bus stop in Chinatown, where you can pick up a route map and information on various season tickets.

Local buses leave from many of the bus terminals around the city, including the huge Puduraya bus station on Jln Pudu, the Klang bus station, the Jln Sultan Mohammed bus stop, and from along Medan Pasar and Lebuh Ampang near the Masjid Jamek LRT stations. The maximum single fare is usually RM1 for destinations within the city limits. A RM2 ticket allows you one day’s unlimited travel on Rapil KL’s 15 different city routes.

Since KL’s inexpensive taxis and reliable LRT systems are more efficient, not to mention air-conditioned, there’s little point in using buses unless you’re going to be in KL for some time. You’ll only really need the bus for trips to outlying areas, such as the Batu Caves.

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Local transport

Taxi

KL has plenty of taxis, and fares are cheap, starting at RM2 for the first kilometre, with an additional 10 sen for each 200m. From midnight to 6am there’s a surcharge of 50% on the metered fare, and extra passengers (more than two) are charged 20 sen each. Luggage placed in the boot costs an extra RM1.

Even though the law mandates the use of the meter, you’ll often find taxi drivers unwilling to use it, citing KL’s traffic or the out-of-the-way location of your destination as a reason. Taxi drivers lingering outside luxury hotels are especially guilty of this behaviour. Stand your ground and, if necessary, walk off and hail another taxi. If you choose to bargain, fares around town start at RM5 and it should cost no more than RM10 to go right across the central city area.

Be aware that taxis will often only stop at the numerous officially signposted taxi stands and although it is possible to wave one down, some drivers are reluctant to stop.

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