Getting Around in Kuala Lumpur By Public Transport

Are you going on a holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? Then make sure you read our Kuala Lumpur transportation guide prior to your trip! Travelling in Kuala Lumpur can be a breeze these days thanks to its recent development of public transportation, which sees the MRT railway line connecting hard-to-reach places in the city better than ever. If you’re a lone female traveler, issues like safety is always a high priority. Check out these transportation tips and info about Kuala Lumpur public transportation, and how you can best get around town safely as a female traveler on her own:

1.Metered Taxis

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If you’ve ever followed the news about traveling in Asia, chances are you’ve probably heard of Malaysia (and specifically Kuala Lumpur) being a notorious destination where its taxi service is one of the worst in the region. Cases like rude taxi drivers refusing to use the meter, or sleazy taxi drivers taking advantage of their passengers are cautionary tales for travelers getting around Kuala Lumpur by taxi. That said, if you’re wondering how to get around in Kuala Lumpur easily, your best option is metered taxis. Avoid rogue cabbies at all cost by getting on a legitimate metered taxi. Here are some tips for getting a safe and metered taxi in the city:

• Get a ticket or receipt at a taxi counter or operator, where you’re required to state your destination and pay beforehand.
• Only get on a taxi that has stickers on its passenger doors that read like this: “This is a metered taxi. Haggling is prohibited. Request for your receipt.”
• Taxis can be the best and fastest option if you’re going somewhere that has no railway stopping point.
• Depending on your destination when you visit Kuala Lumpur, a journey could cost you between RM5 to RM80 (a long journey that takes 40 minutes or more often costs RM30-RM80).
• If you can, avoid taking a taxi during rush hour (7am-9am and 5pm-7pm), especially if you’re passing by the Federal Highway, Petaling Jaya, Ampang, or any major cities within Kuala Lumpur with high population.
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2. Buses

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Considered to be the cheapest transport options in Kuala Lumpur, taking a bus can be the best choice for you if you want to travel by public transport in Malaysia on a budget. Major bus operators in Kuala Lumpur are the Rapid KL, Cityliner, Intrakota, and Metrobus. The best operator to date is the Rapid KL, as it connects the city center with the suburbs of the Klang Valley. If you prefer to get around town by bus, plan your journey in advance and calculate the fares accurately on the MyRapid website.

3. The Klang Valley Integrated Transit System

Picture Credit - www.myrapid.com.my

The number one choice for many city dwellers and travellers in Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System consists of an airport rail link to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), one bus rapid transit line, one monorail line, two KTM commuter rail lines (along with shuttle services), and two light rapid transit (LRT) lines. The KTM offers women’s coaches, noticeable by its pink color. Check out the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System map for more details and to calculate the fares. These are some of the city’s tourist attractions near major train stations:

• KTM Kuala Lumpur Station (Port Klang Line): Islamic Arts Museum, National Mosque, Dataran Merdeka, Central Market, and National Museum.
• KL Monorail Bukit Bintang Station: Pavillion Shopping Mall, Lot 10 Shopping Mall, Fahrenheit 88 Shopping Mall, Bintang Walk, Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall, and Sungei Wang Shopping Mall.
• MRT Putrajaya Sentral Station (Sungai Buloh – Serdang – Putrajaya Line): Putra Mosque, Perdana Putra (The Prime Minister’s Office), Putra Square, Natural History Museum, and Putrajaya Wetlands Park.

4. Major transit hubs in Kuala Lumpur

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There are different transit hubs for local and intercity travel:

• Local travel: Bandar Tasik Selatan Station, Masjid Jamek, and KL Sentral. Each of these transit hubs has a train interchange between the ERL Transit and KTM and LRT lines.
• Intercity travel: If you’d like to travel further out of Kuala Lumpur, head to one of these transit hubs: Duta Bus Terminal, KL Sentral, and Pudu Sentral. If you’re traveling intercity by train or bus, the journey could cost you between RM15 to RM50 per trip.

5. Transportation Passes

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Avoid the long queue at the ticket counter and get yourself an all-access transport pass to save time (and money!). For travelers, the most recommended pass is the KL TravelPass, which allows you to explore the city with 2-day unlimited train rides. The travel card includes KLIA Express airport transfer (Single or Return Trips) and 2-day unlimited rides on Rapid KL rail services (LRT, MRT, and KL Monorail lines). You can purchase the card at KLIA Platform (Level 1), Gateway@KLIA2 (Level 2), or KL Sentral Departure Hall (Level 1).

For more destination ideas on where to travel in 2018, check out our travel blog or download the Halaltrip Islamic Travel App to find locations of halal restaurants and mosques near you.