How to Get to Kuala Lumpur: A Complete Guide for Independent Travelers

Overview of ways to get to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and its main transport hub. Unlike many other resorts in the country, you can get here by almost any means of transport: plane, bus, train, and even ferry (from Sumatra). Most tourists arrive via KLIA International Airport, and then transfer to local flights, buses, or trains to continue their journey around the country.

Below we'll tell you in detail about each method, and to start, here are some quick tips for the main routes:

• From cities in Russia, the CIS, and other countries. Only by plane with a connection, almost always to KLIA airport (code KUL). The most convenient connections are through Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Tashkent, Singapore. "The minimum total travel time with one connection is about 12 hours (e.g., Moscow — Doha — Kuala Lumpur). Usually the flight takes 14–20 hours.
• From Kuala Lumpur Airport. From KLIA and KLIA2 to the city center, there are high-speed trains (28 min, 55 ringgit), taxis (from 65 ringgit), and budget buses (from 10 ringgit). A full breakdown with nuances is in a separate guide: How to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city.
• From other Malaysian cities (from Langkawi, Penang islands, from Malacca, Johor Bahru, etc.). The most convenient and fastest way is by plane (from Langkawi or Penang it takes about an hour), especially if you don't want to waste time. Trains and buses are a good budget choice if you're traveling to immerse yourself in local life.
• From Singapore and Thailand. The best options are by bus or train. From Singapore, the train takes about 5-6 hours, the bus about the same. From Thailand, first get to the border station Padang Besar or the city of Hat Yai, and from there by train or bus to Kuala Lumpur.

More detailed routes for specific destinations are collected in our guides:

By plane

The country's main air gateway is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA, IATA code: KUL). Most foreign tourists enter Malaysia here: it's the most convenient and affordable option from long-haul destinations. Other airports in the country (on Langkawi, Penang, Borneo island) only handle regional flights.

Kuala Lumpur also has a second airport — Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Subang, IATA code: SZB), but it only serves turboprop aircraft of local airlines. If you see the destination SZB when searching for tickets, it means you'll be landing at a non-main international terminal. Always pay attention to the airport code — this will save you from unpleasant surprises with connections.

Flights from Moscow and Russian cities, where to buy tickets

There are no direct regular flights from Moscow and Russia in general to Kuala Lumpur, you can only get there with a connection. The minimum travel time from Moscow is about 12 hours. The most convenient connections are offered by Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Air Astana (flights with connections not only from Moscow), Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Arabia, China Southern, and others. If you're already in Asia, you can fly cheaply to the Malaysian capital with low-cost carrier AirAsia. And if you're traveling around Malaysia, check the cost of domestic flights — from Langkawi or Penang, a plane ticket is often not much more expensive than a bus or train.

The easiest way to search and compare tickets for your desired dates is through the trusted search engines Aviasales and Trip.com. Below is a form that will show current options and minimum prices:

ЦЕНА	ПЕРЕСАДКИ	АВИАКОМПАНИЯ	ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА	ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ
Купить от 48365 ₽	1 пересадка		30.06.2026	10.07.2026
Купить от 49144 ₽	1 пересадка		01.07.2026	16.07.2026
Купить от 48191 ₽	1 пересадка		27.08.2026	24.09.2026
Купить от 47640 ₽	1 пересадка		09.09.2026	23.09.2026
Купить от 48106 ₽	1 пересадка		06.10.2026	13.10.2026
Купить от 47427 ₽	1 пересадка		22.11.2026	03.12.2026

ЦЕНА	МАРШРУТ	ПЕРЕСАДКИ
Купить от 45727 ₽	Москва ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	1
Купить от 55993 ₽	Санкт-Петербург ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	2
Купить от 46358 ₽	Казань ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	1
Купить от 57637 ₽	Сочи (Адлер) ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	1
Купить от 39143 ₽	Владивосток ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	2
Купить от 64061 ₽	Екатеринбург ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	2
Купить от 59314 ₽	Новосибирск ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	2
Купить от 49136 ₽	Иркутск ⇄ Куала-Лумпур	1

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA and KLIA2)

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (IATA code: KUL) is one of the largest airports in the world, receiving all international flights to Kuala Lumpur. It is located 50 kilometers south of the city, in Sepang (Kuala Lumpur Airport on the map). Detailed info on Kuala Lumpur Airport here....

The airport consists of two terminals: the main KLIA and the budget airline terminal KLIA2 (replacing the former LCCT terminal, which is now closed). Both terminals are international, but from Russia and other countries you'll almost certainly arrive at the main KLIA.

• Main terminal, KLIA (pronounced K-L-I-A). Most long-haul international flights arrive here. After the Aerotrain, you'll find yourself in the arrival area of the main terminal. Here, when departing, there are duty-free shops and cafes.

• Budget airline terminal, KLIA2. This terminal is used by low-cost carriers: AirAsia, Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific, etc., including domestic flights. Check-in and baggage drop are often automated here – passengers print their boarding passes and baggage tags themselves. The infrastructure at KLIA2 is slightly simpler, but it has everything you need: cafes, shops, ATMs.

Inside the main KLIA terminal, there's an important feature: after landing, you first enter the Satellite terminal A, which is located inside the airfield. To go through passport control and collect your luggage, you need to get to the main terminal building on the automatic Aerotrain, which runs every couple of minutes for free. It's easy to navigate – signs and the flow of passengers will lead you to the train platform. In the main terminal, you'll go through passport control (with fingerprint scanning), baggage claim, and customs.

How to get from the airport to the city: taxi, transfer, train, bus

From both terminals (KLIA and KLIA2), you can get to Kuala Lumpur in several ways. Here's a comparison to help you choose the best option:

• Taxi (from 65 ringgit)

  The most convenient option: you'll be taken right to your hotel door, no need to figure out transfers. Downsides — relatively expensive and slower than the train due to traffic (travel time 60–120 minutes). Via the Grab app, a trip costs from 65 ringgit, official Airport Limo taxi — from 75 ringgit. At night, the fare is about 50% higher. Payment: cash (Russian UnionPay cards don't work in Grab — withdraw ringgit in advance from Maybank or CIMB ATMs in the arrival hall).

• Transfer (from 100 ringgit)

  An alternative to a taxi is a private transfer with a driver who will meet you with a sign in the arrival hall and take you directly to your hotel. The price is fixed and known in advance, online payment, no surprises with language barriers. It's usually more expensive than Grab, but convenient if you value predictability. Book a transfer on kiwitaxi.com or intui.travel.

• KLIA Express / KLIA Transit train (55 ringgit)

  The fastest way to get to KL Sentral station (28–35 minutes). Trains run every 15–20 minutes from 4:55 AM to 1:00 AM. A ticket costs 55 ringgit for adults, 25 ringgit for children. Downsides: KL Sentral is a transport hub, not a tourist center. From there to your hotel in Chinatown or KLCC, you'll have to take the metro or a taxi. If you're traveling with two or three people, train tickets will cost more than one taxi, and offer less comfort.

• Bus (from 10 to 15 ringgit)

  The most budget option. Buses go to KL Sentral (from 15 ringgit) or to Pudu Raya station in Chinatown. Travel time 1–1.5 hours. They run every 15-30 minutes, even at night but less frequently, about once an hour. Downside — it's the slowest. But from Pudu Raya, many hotels are within walking distance, and from KL Sentral you can take the metro to any part of the city.

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang, SZB)

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (formerly Subang, IATA code: SZB) was the country's main airport until 1998. Today, it only serves turboprop aircraft of two airlines: Firefly and Berjaya Air. Both operate flights within Malaysia and to nearby Asian countries:

• Firefly flies to cities in mainland Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and to Phuket and Samui in Thailand.
• Berjaya Air operates flights to Tioman and Redang islands.

It's better to buy tickets on the airlines' websites; sometimes profitable connecting routes can be found through search engines. If your arrival is at KLIA (KUL) and your departure is from Subang (SZB) or vice versa, allow at least 2-3 hours for the transfer between airports, and 5-6 hours for the entire connection.

Subang Airport is located 25 kilometers from the center of Kuala Lumpur and over 50 kilometers from KLIA (Subang Airport on the map). The easiest way to get from the city is by taxi (about 60 ringgit by meter, 45 minutes travel time).

By bus

Bus service in Malaysia is very well developed; it's the primary overland transport for traveling around the mainland. By bus you can get to any city: Penang, Malacca, Cameron Highlands, as well as to ports from where ferries go to Langkawi, Pangkor, and the Perhentians. International routes connect Kuala Lumpur with Singapore and Thai Hat Yai. Tickets cost 2–3 times less than in Russia for comparable distances. The buses themselves are comfortable: on long-distance routes, seats recline almost like sleeping berths, luggage compartment is free. Keep in mind that the air conditioning runs very powerfully, so a sweater or blanket in the cabin will come in handy.

Almost all intercity buses arrive at the main bus station Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS). The old Pudu Raya (Pudu Sentral) station has lost its former importance — it now mainly handles routes from the airport and to the Genting Highlands resort. When buying tickets, always check the departure point.

Main bus station TBS and how to get from it to the center

TBS is a modern transport hub, more like an airport. It has ticket offices, self-service kiosks, cafes, luggage storage, currency exchange, and even a hotel. Bus boarding is organized through gates using electronic tickets, like at an airport. The station is located 13 kilometers from the center (TBS on the map).

Directly from the TBS building via a covered walkway, you can reach the city transport station Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS). From here, the most convenient way to get to the tourist areas is by LRT metro (Sri Petaling line, brown line). The train reaches Plaza Rakyat station (Chinatown) or Masjid Jamek station (Little India, near KLCC) in 15 minutes, fare is 2.9 ringgit.

A taxi via Grab or Maxim will cost from 20 ringgit, which is comfortable if you're traveling with luggage. City bus #590 also goes to Puduraya, but the fare is only payable with a Touch n' Go transport card — not the best option for tourists.

How to check bus schedules and buy tickets

It's most convenient to check schedules and compare prices online — this will save you from going to the station blindly. Main resources:

• 12go.asia — the most reliable aggregator for tourists. Accepts foreign cards, and importantly — allows you to pay for the booking in cash at any 24-hour 7-Eleven store.
• redbus.my and busonlineticket.com — popular local sites, but they don't accept cards issued in Russia. You can use them to check schedules, and pay cash at the ticket office.
• Trip.com — sometimes it's possible to find bus tickets here and pay with a Russian card, but the selection of routes is more modest than on specialized aggregators and the search is inconvenient (they are located in the tours and transfers section).

If you're already at TBS station, you can buy a ticket at the ticket offices for cash ringgit — this way there's no agency markup. There are also self-service kiosks, but they only accept foreign cards and Touch n' Go, useless for tourists with Russian plastic.

By train

Rail transport is often the cheapest way to get to Kuala Lumpur from other Malaysian cities and neighboring countries. For example, from Butterworth (Penang) a train ticket costs from 60 ringgit. Trains are comfortable, air-conditioned, and let you see the country without traffic jams.

The railway line connects Kuala Lumpur with Singapore in the south and continues north into Thailand, all the way to Bangkok and further north to Chiang Mai. The route runs along the scenic west coast of the peninsula, with stops in key cities — Ipoh, Butterworth (near Penang), and others.

Kuala Lumpur's main station — KL Sentral

All long-distance trains arrive and depart from the city's main transport hub — KL Sentral station. When buying a ticket, note: in booking systems, the destination should be listed as «Sentral Kuala Lumpur» — that's how KL Sentral is designated. Be careful not to accidentally choose "Kuala Lumpur" (this is another, less convenient station).

From KL Sentral, it's easy to get to any part of the city: city metro lines (LRT, MRT, monorail), KTM Komuter commuter trains, and the KLIA Transit airport express all converge here.

Routes, prices and how to buy tickets

Tickets can be purchased in three ways:

• On the official website ktmb.com.my. You'll need a foreign bank card (Visa/Mastercard), Russian UnionPay cards may not work. Sales open no earlier than 30 days before departure.
• Through the aggregator 12go.asia. A convenient service for travelers: tickets for trains, buses, and ferries throughout Southeast Asia. You can pay with a foreign card or cash at any 7‑Eleven store, which is especially relevant for tourists with cards issued in Russia.
• At station ticket offices — sales for cash ringgit.

If you're planning to travel a lot by rail in Malaysia, we recommend checking out our big overview: Trains and railways of Malaysia — everything you need to know.

By boat

You cannot get to KL directly from the sea, as the city is located 30 kilometers from the coast. However, 40 kilometers from the capital is the city of Port Klang, which has a major seaport. There is a ferry connection to Sumatra Island (Indonesia).

From Port Klang, you can easily get to KL by bus or use commuter trains (KTM Komuter).

Bus and train schedules to Kuala Lumpur

🕒 28 April, 2026