Public transportation in Kuala Lumpur is excellent. In the busy capital of Malaysia, it is quick and convenient to use the metro to get from A to B. This is also the cheapest option. Take note that it is forbidden to eat and drink on public transportation. Durians should not be taken with you because of the foul odor coming from the fruit. Read all about transportation in Kuala Lumpur below.
Content of this blog:
Taking the Metro in Kuala Lumpur
As mentioned above, the metro, called the MRT or LRT, is the most common form of public transportation in Kuala Lumpur. Traffic is often chaotic in the city, making it convenient to travel underground. There is also air conditioning in all subways making it a refreshment to get on these with the hot, humid climate of Kuala Lumpur.
The subway goes to all the famous neighborhoods and attractions in Kuala Lumpur. If you have access to a sim card with data, it is very easy to use google maps to see the exact route and subway line from your starting point. Should you not have an Internet connection, you can always ask a local as well. They will lovingly point you in the right direction.
You have a choice of two options for the subway:
- Single tickets
To buy a separate metro ticket, you need to have cash or a credit card in your pocket. You also have to know exactly which subway station you want to go to and buy a new ticket for each trip. If you plan to stay more than 1 day in Kuala Lumpur, it is not recommended to buy single tickets each time. Not only do you spend a lot of time doing this, it also costs more money.
- My rapid KL card
The Touch ‘n Go KL card is a kind of public transport chip card. You can buy this card at the kiosks near the subway. You pay 10 RM (€2) for the card, of which 5 RM (€1) is immediately deposited on the card. For a subway ride, you pay an average of 1 – 2 RM.
Through Kuala Lumpur by Bus
In addition to the extensive subway network, a number of buses also operate as public transportation in Kuala Lumpur. They are mostly double-deckers that can seat 50 people. Because of this, there is always a place. When you walk into the bus, you can buy a ticket from the bus driver for the route. A ticket costs between 1 and 3 RM on average. Due to the busy rush hour, it may take longer to arrive at your destination. This is not the best option for Kuala Lumpur, but for the rest of Malaysia’s transportation, you will use buses a lot.
To get from Kuala Lumpur to your next destination, you will also travel by bus. You do this from the TBS station, which is a half-hour subway ride outside the city. The TBS station is large but uncluttered and serves as the hub of transportation in Kuala Lumpur as well as Malaysia. You can easily buy a ticket at the ticket machines, where there is always a friendly staff member to help you with this. Then you can use your ticket to access the gate (yes it’s like an airport). The buses always leave exactly on time so be sure to arrive at the station well in advance.
If, for any reason, you have to spend several hours at the TBS station, it is possible to sleep or rest in a capsule here. This is regularly used (by locals and tourists alike). The cost is on the sign in front of the door. In October 2022, it was 15 RM (€3) for an hour and 70 RM (€15) for an entire day for a single capsule. A double capsule costs 20 RM (€4) for an hour and 90 RM (€20) for a day.
Transportation in Kuala Lumpur with Grab
Grab is the ideal invention. It is the Uber of Southeast Asia. It works very simply: you can create an account for free. You enter your name and email address here and your account is ready. After this, you can specify that you need a car. You enter where you want to go and Grab verifies that you want to be picked up where you are now. Grab then automatically calculates the price based on mileage and driver availability.
When you press “book,” the nearest Grab driver will be notified to pick you up. You see on your screen exactly where the Grab is and you can track the car live. You also get to see the license plate number and brand/make of the car. This allows you to easily recognize the car when it is nearby. The ride is tracked with Grab, so you won’t suddenly be dropped off somewhere else. This makes one feel safe. The driver is also reliable and verified by Grab. You can, if you wish, simply pay with cash or have the rides linked to your credit card.
Grab is cheaper than cabs, making it the perfect mode of transportation in Asia. We have already used Grab in Singapore, Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia and are very satisfied with the service, cost and speed.
In short, it is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to travel by public transport in Kuala Lumpur, also to get to the 15 most enjoyable sights of Kuala Lumpur. Grab is a good alternative to the subway as transportation in Kuala Lumpur and is also fairly inexpensive.
