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Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Kuala Lumpur
The KLIA Ekspres train reaches KL Sentral in about 30 minutes and is the fastest way into the city. Airport buses are much cheaper but take about an hour or more; Grab is popular for door-to-door trips.
KLIA has two terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, the former klia2 used by AirAsia); both are on the same rail line.
Best for most people: Train. KLIA Ekspres is non-stop, frequent and avoids traffic; KL Sentral connects to the LRT, MRT and monorail.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| train KLIA Ekspres from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to KL Sentral | about 30–35 min | every 15–20 min | about RM55 | about 05:00–00:30 | Tap a contactless card at the gates or buy at machines; the KLIA Transit train is slower with stops. |
| bus Airport coaches from the bus stations at both terminals to KL Sentral | about 60–90 min | every 30–60 min | about RM15 | very early to late night | Several companies; luggage goes underneath. |
| ride-hailing Grab from the designated pick-up point | about 50–75 min | about RM65–100 plus tolls | 24 h | Good value for groups and direct to your hotel. | |
| taxi Airport taxi counters in Arrivals (prepaid coupon) | about 50–75 min | about RM75–120 depending on car type | 24 h | Pay at the counter, not the driver. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Other airports
- Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang, SZB), close to the city, used by a few regional turboprop airlines.
Tips
- From KL Sentral, a short taxi or Grab gets you to Bukit Bintang or KLCC hotels.
- Allow extra time in heavy afternoon rain, when road traffic slows a lot.
- Check which terminal your airline uses before departure; they are a few minutes apart by train.
- Buy a local SIM at the arrivals hall for Grab and maps.
Common questions
How do I get from KLIA to the city centre?
The fastest way is the KLIA Ekspres train to KL Sentral, about 30–35 minutes, every 15–20 minutes. From KL Sentral you can connect to the LRT, MRT and monorail or take a short Grab. Airport buses are cheaper but take an hour or more.
How much is a Grab from KLIA?
Typically about RM65–100 to central Kuala Lumpur, plus motorway tolls, depending on the time of day and the car type. For two or more people it can be cheaper than the train. Pick-up is from the signed Grab zone at each terminal.
Is there a train at night?
KLIA Ekspres runs from about 05:00 until about 00:30. After that, some airport coaches still operate, and Grab and the official airport taxis run 24 hours. Check the last train time on the operator's site if your flight lands late.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. KLIA Ekspres accepts contactless bank cards at the gates, and ticket machines take cards. Airport taxi counters accept cards in most cases, and Grab charges the card in your app. Keep some ringgit for small purchases and buses.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.