Kuala Lumpur
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Kuala Lumpur travel guide, exploring the sprawling capital city of Malaysia. Not quite as polished as Singapore, but noticeably more cosmipolitan than Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur seems to bridge the gap perfectly and offer something for everyone. Historic landmarks dotted throughout the city sit next to towering skyscrapers and lush parks, and there’s always the lure of a vibrant street market around the corner. A melting pot of Asian cultures, Kuala Lumpur offers a diverse scene that’s hard to beat.
The Malay, Chinese and Indian communities live and work perfectly alongside each other here. Just meters from another are mosques and temples, while a street vendor selling Malay-Indian cuisine works alongside a Malay-Chinese food stall. The mixed population, developed over centuries, has created a food scene that’s difficult to match elsewhere in Asia. Paired with the buzzing nightlife, there’s no excuse not to sample some local treats. On the other hand of the city’s development are the large scale shopping centres and the ever changing skyline, highlighting the constant strive to be modern. But take a walk through the city streets and find temples and historic monuments sitting comfortably in this urban jungle.
kuala Lumpur Travel Guide Contents
Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide
How to get to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) is a large, modern and busy airport located approx 55km south of Kuala Lumpur city. It is a major connection hub and one of the largest airports in Asia. As a result, the airport has excellent facilities including shops, restaurants and hotels. It is formed of 2 terminals, KLIA1 and KLIA2 which are located 2km from each other. Here are the best options for getting to Kuala Lumpur from the airport:
Bus – The airport coach service is comfortable and cheap but leaves every hour to 90mins so is not an ideal option for most travellers. Tickets are RM10 ($2.50) for one person, one way and can be bought at the transport hub, counter 3. Takes approx 1 hour or more in rush hour and the last stop is KL Sentral
KLIA Ekspres train – The fastest and most convenient public transport option, this train gets you to KL Sentral in 28min. You can buy tickets online or at the station, follow the signs to level 1 at the airport to get the train. Tickets are RM35 ($8.50) for one person, one way. Further onward transport is likely at KL Sentral, so you can use the metro. For Petronas Towers take LRT Kelana Jaya Line (no.5) and take the KLCC stop, approx 15min ride. Metro ticket will be RM2.50 ($0.60)
KLIA transit train – Similar to the Ekspres train, tickets RM35 ($8.50), this train is the longer option stopping at Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya, Bandar Tasik and Selatan. The last stop is also KL Sentral so the same onward travel will apply
Taxi from taxi rank – A standard taxi will take approx 50min to the city centre (in normal traffic). The red and white taxis are regular or budget taxis and blue or yellow are executive taxis. A journey to KLCC should not cost more than RM75 ($18), but be sure to either check beforehand that your driver will use the meter or get a set price coupon from the taxi counter. Prices are 50% more between midnight and 6 am
Grab Taxi (ride-hailing service) – Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app in Malaysia, it is convenient, simple to use and cheaper than standard taxis. The ride from the airport to KLCC should cost approx RM65-75 ($16-$18). We would recommend this option as it’s the quickest and easiest and for two people or more will work out the same price or cheaper than the train
Areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a large city and therefore, has quite a varied selection of areas to stay in, depending on your needs and wants. Here is a breakdown of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur:
Bukit Bintang – This is the most popular area for tourists, with lots of choices for shopping, dining and entertainment. Staying here will put you at the heart of the action, as well as being close to MRT and monorail stations. Hawker streets such as Jalan Alor are close by if you want a street food fix
KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) – Another popular area to stay in due to its location near shops, restaurants and bars and attractions such as the Petronas Towers. As well as being close to public transport, there is also a covered walkway to Bukit Bintang
KL Sentral – A good location if you want to be close to the main train station, lots of restaurants and be able to get to any part of the city. There are also several nearby attractions including the lake garden, bird park and national mosque. Most roads nearby are quite large so it can be quite difficult travelling by foot
KL Tower – A central area located between KLCC and Bukit Bintang and walkable to both. High-end and mid-range hotels are located here but not much else
Chinatown – Chinatown (Jalan Petaling) is one of the best options for backpackers and budget travellers to Kuala Lumpur with plenty of budget accommodation options. The area is also close to Merdeka Square and lots of street food options
Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur
Accommodation options are endless in Kuala Lumpur. The prices are incredibly reasonable for western travellers and you can get a more high end experience on a lesser budget here. There are plenty of backpacker options including budget hotels and hostels, a ton of options for mid range hotels and apartments and a growing number of options for high end hotels.
How to get around Kuala Lumpur
Although a large city, Kuala Lumpur is best explored by foot, if possible, to appreciate and explore all the different neighbourhoods and streets. However, several attractions are harder to get to and the relentless heat can make it difficult to be on foot all day. So, if and when you do need a form of transport to make your way around the city, here are the options:
Monorail LRT – The most popular form of public transport in KL, but not necessarily the most convenient for the tourist spots of the city. Tickets cost between RM0.80 ($0.20) and RM8.00 ($2) depending on the distance travelled
MRT – There are a limited amount of stops in the city forming the MRT network as it is a growing line. Tickets cost between RM1.10 ($0.30) and RM6.40 ($1.60), depending on the distance travelled. It works out slightly cheaper when you use the TnG card
Go KL City Bus – This is a FREE option! A city centre bus service with 4 routes that cover most of the main tourist spots. Watch out for the pink buses that can be boarded at any of its stops, approx every 15mins. Buses are also air-conditioned and have free wifi
Taxi – We wouldn’t advise using these as you will need to make sure they use the meter, which can be a struggle. They accept cash only, the first 1km is RM3 ($0.75) and every 150 meters after is RM0.10 ($0.02)
Grab (ride-hailing) – A convenient option with no waiting times, the Grab app is the most widely used in Malaysia and is very useful for getting around the city
Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
As you’d expect from a large, capital city like Kuala Lumpur, there are lots of things to see and do. Likewise, we don’t want to bore you with a list of everything to see and do in the city, so here are our top 5 things to do in Kuala Lumpur:
Petronas Towers & KLCC Park – These towers are the tallest twin towers in the world. Inside the house is a large upscale shopping mall, a sky bridge and an observation level, amongst other things. KLCC park, an urban sanctuary, is just outside, covering 50 acres. At night, the fountains here have a light show. The observation deck in the towers is open 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays), with tickets costing RM80 ($20) each
Batu Caves – Located 11km to the north of the city, this limestone hill features 3 major caves and a host of smaller ones. An important religious site for Hindus, the main 100-year-old temple houses idols and there are an array of statues inside the caves. Open from 6 am-9 pm and accessible by public transport or taxi
Sultan Abdul Samad Building & Merdeka Square – Known as the best landmark of the city and a display of remnants from the rule of the British Empire
Taman Burung Bird Park – This is the world’s largest covered bird park covering 20.9 hectares and housing 3000 birds from 200 species. The free flight aviary is spectacular. The park is a great day out, away from the bustle of the city. Tickets cost RM63 ($15) and it’s open every day 9am-6 pm
Jalan Alor – One of the most famous hawker streets in KL, and located in the heart of the city. Wander through and feast on local street foods
What to eat in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian food is a tantalising mix of centuries-old Malay cuisine, Indian cuisine and Chinese cuisine. The mix of the three cultures makes for a real treat when it comes to trying a range of different foods and dishes that you can’t find elsewhere in Asia. There are lots of great hawker centres and hawker streets to try street foods here but, there are also plenty of mid-range restaurants and high-end establishments, where you can get something different. If you want to try some of the local dishes of Kuala Lumpur, then here are our top picks of the local cuisine:
Nasi Lemak – The official dish of Malaysia, it’s a combination of coconut rice, sambal paste, fried anchovies, peanuts and egg. Fried chicken is also common
Curry Laksa – A soup noodle dish consisting of a fragrant, spicy, coconut curry soup, commonly served with soft tofu, prawns and bean sprouts
Roti Canai – An Indian-influenced flatbread dish which is beautifully fluffy. Can be served plain or with a filling and usually comes with dhal and curries for a dip
Rendang – A curry-type dish, sometimes dry and sometimes saucy, made with spicy paste and coconut milk with large chunks of tender beef
Bak Kut Teh – A hearty dish of pork ribs in cinnamon, star anise, pepper and garlic broth with Gai Choy cabbage
Money - Kuala Lumpur Travel Costs
The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Kuala Lumpur in shopping malls, attractions and mid to high-end restaurants. Street vendors, budget food establishments and some local shops will only accept cash so make sure you always carry some. There are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards including any that are in 7-Eleven convenience stores. Tipping is generally not expected, but some restaurants will add a 10% service charge to your bill. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) for:
A local draught beer – RM10-17 ($2.50-$4)
A coffee – RM6-15 ($1.50-$3.50)
Nasi Lemak – RM3-6 ($0.70-$1.50)
Budget restaurant meal – RM10-20 ($2.50-$5)
Mid-range restaurant meal – RM25-50 ($6-$12)
High-end restaurant meal – RM60+ ($15+)
When to go to Kuala Lumpur and for how long
The best time to visit Kuala Lumpur is either between December and February or between May and July. Over these months, the rain is lighter and the weather not quite as humid, however, Kuala Lumpur is always reasonably hot and humid so be prepared for this. The city has lots to see and is a great stop if you’re nearby or at the beginning or end of your Malaysia trip, we would recommend allowing 3-4 days in the city to see the main sites.
Local language and phrases
The language in Malaysia is Malaysian, although English is widely spoken. Some useful Malaysian phrases are:
Hi/Hello – Helo
Bye – Selamat tinggal
Thank you – Terima kasih
Please – Sila
Yes – Ya
No – Tidak
Where is the toilet? – Di mana tandas?
Kuala Lumpur travel tips
– Kuala Lumpur is generally a safe city and is suitable for lone travellers, including lone females
– As with a number of other South Asian countries, scams for tourists do exist so be wary, particularly when it comes to taxis overcharging
– The tap water is not safe to drink in Malaysia, buy bottled water
Kuala Lumpur travel guide written in June 2021
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