KL Transport

[turtlemichael]

Two of us with a large suitcase each (part of a 7 week DONE4) are arriving at KUL from HKG on CX on a Wednesday at lunchtime. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza. Real options to get there appear to be a cab or, alternatively, the train and a short cab ride at the other end. The cost apppears to be similar(?) for two pax. While the train is a lot quicker I figure that the time will not be so great a factor when you take into account waiting and transferring at Central. Same issue for vice versa on a Friday morning for a 9.30am flight. My inclination is to take the cab both ways for convenience. Any KL frequenters have a view? Many thanks.

[Yada Yada]

Two of us with a large suitcase each (part of a 7 week DONE4) are arriving at KUL from HKG on CX on a Wednesday at lunchtime. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza. Real options to get there appear to be a cab or, alternatively, the train and a short cab ride at the other end. The cost apppears to be similar(?) for two pax. While the train is a lot quicker I figure that the time will not be so great a factor when you take into account waiting and transferring at Central. Same issue for vice versa on a Friday morning for a 9.30am flight. My inclination is to take the cab both ways for convenience. Any KL frequenters have a view? Many thanks.

I've travelled via both modes and found that the KLIA Express is much quicker. The trip is only 28 mins and the frequency of departures is every 15 mins. The city traffic can really slow you down in a taxi, as can the toll plaza.

The other benefit is that when you arrive at the city on the train , you pre-pay for your short taxi ride to the hotel and therefore avoid having to argue to get the meter turned on, etc.

The Express is very clean and safe. You are correct that the cost would be similar for two pax in a taxi (again, this is negotiable).

[JohnK]

I have not taken a train ride in KL so cannot comment there.

The roads in KL are very good and the taxi trip is pleasant and not very expensive. My only gripe is that the taxis are small (mainly protons) and when sitting in the back seat my head almost the touches the ceiling. So if you are over 6 foot tall sitting in the back of the taxi may be a little uncomfortable.

[Yada Yada]

...not to mention anything about the smell.

[NM]

Expect the taxi from KLIA to Crowne Plaza to be around MYR100. Train is MYR35 each to Sentral and taxi from there is going to be around MYR30 for a premium taxi.

If you are really adventurous you could lug you bags from the KLIA Ekspres to the Monorail station at Sentral (down the escalator, across the open lot through the mini markets and over the road) and take the monorail to the Crowne Plaza for about MYR3 each.

The train+taxi option will be quicker, but not a great deal depending on the time of day. The taxi is probably more convenient in that its only one vehicle. But plan on sitting in it for 45 mins or more.

Taxis at KLIA and Sentral are on a pre-paid basic. Follow the signs to the taxi (Teksi) service desk and tell them where you want to go and they will tell you the price and give you a receipt/voucher. Hand that to a drive and off you go.

I can't remember at KLIA (only used a Teksi once from there), but at Sentral there are two desks, one for regular taxis and one for premium taxis. Premium taxis cost more, but the cab is larger, newer, clean, the driver is likely to speak English, and the air-conditioning is likely to be working! Worth the extra money in my opinion.

I always use the train now since I stay at the KL Hilton which is right at Sentral and very convenient for me.

Note that for your return journey, you can check-in at Sentral and hence don't need to lug your bags out to the airport. You can only check-in for Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines and Royal Brunei flights at Sentral. You must be there at lest 2 hours before departure for them to take your bags. You could plan to get there 3 hours early, check in, then spend some time looking around the shops and markets around Sentral. Then hop the train out to KLIA. I always check-in there and find it very convenient and efficient.

Enjoy KL. Its a great place to spend some time.

[danielribo]

If you've got a little time to kill at Sentral I'd recommend going over to the markets just outside the station (opposite the Air Asia LCC bus stop). All fake stuff of course, but it's very cheap and a fairly relaxed atmosphere. I picked myself up some nice white leather shoes for about $AU20 and they're still going strong!

[infoworks]

I do this run all the time and use a limo driver on a regular basis, for the same cost as the usual ones. I stay at the CP too. If you have big bags, then this is a good option and saves futzing around on the KLIA Expres and then having to get a voucher at Sentral and then taxi to CP. Depending on time of day, there are traffic issues whichever way you go.

If you are interested, PM me and I can pass you the driver's name and number (I am travelling to DXB at the moment, so can't guarantee a response time). I will be in KUL second half of next week.

[turtlemichael]

Thanks guys for the advice. The KLIA site lists a pre-paid "budget" taxi at MYR67.40 and a premium one at MYR92.40 to Central, somewhat less the other way. You can pay for a return trip at the airport. All things considered, we'll probably go with that. If we were staying at the Hilton the train would be clearly the best option.