A Comprehensive Guide to the Kuala Lumpur Airport

Whether you are a first timer to Malaysia or visiting the country for the nth time, navigating through its myriad airports will always hit you as an art that you need to master. With 39 airports—6 international, 16 domestic and 18 airport aerodromes—the country is a maze of airports, accommodating growing tourist demands with ease. Situated 50 kilometre away from Kuala Lumpur, the award-winning Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main and the largest airport, handling about 35 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo every day. Our Kuala Lumpur Airport Guide will help you gain mastery over this outstanding airport.    

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Terminals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport

The five-storied, ten-gated Kuala Lumpur International Airport has two main terminals – KLIA1 and KLIA2. KLIA1 is used by Malaysian Airlines while KLIA2 is the low-cost carrier terminal from where Air Asia operates. Both the terminals are about 1.5 km apart and can be easily covered by a 3-minutes train journey. In case you are landing at Subang Sky Park (SZB) Airport—another popular airport in Kuala Lumpur, then the travel from Terminal 3 of SZB to KLIA1 or KLIA2 will be about 45 minutes.

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Getting in and out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Taxis are the best option for travelling in and out of Kuala Lumpur Airport. Keeping the traffic in mind, have about an hour in hand to travel from the airport to closest areas like Bukit Bintang or Kuala Lumpur City Center. If you wish to avoid traffic, opt for train services—KLIA Express and KLIA Transit.

• KLIA Express starts from KLIA2, stops at KLIA1 and then moves non-stop to KL Sentral, Malaysia’s largest transit hub.
• KLIA Transit starts from KLIA2, stops at KLIA1, Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya, Bandar Tasik Selatan and finally terminates at KL Sentral.

Short City Tour

You can go on a short city tour but first check if you would need a visa. If you are travelling via Air Asia, you might need one as you clear immigration, collect bags and embark on the next flight. Also, keep in mind that the travel to the city will easily take an hour and traffic can be bad. So, plan your trip after taking all these into consideration.

Taking Care of Luggage

There are ample lockers and storage facilities at both the terminals. Feel free to use them once you have cleared baggage reclaim and immigration. Lockers are medium to large in capacity and even oversized items are accepted. These facilities are open 24 hours a day and you will be charged per bag. There are special discounts for storing for more than seven days. At KLIA1, you will find the locker facilities at Level 3 while in KLIA2, it is available at Landside Level 2.

Banking and ATM Services

There are many ATMs on almost all the floors and signage helps locate them easily. Banks are located on the third and fifth floor. CIMB Bank on the fifth floor offers complete banking services from 7.30 am till 10.30 pm daily, where you can even exchange foreign currencies. Other banks are RHB located on the third floor and fifth floor, and May Bank on the third floor. 

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Eating Options

On the second floor is the Food Court that serves local delicacies at affordable rates. The third floor has kiosks selling traditional fare. Treat yourself to a hot cup of coffee at Café Ritazza. For light snacks, head to Nelson’s or Delifrance. On the fourth floor, you will find options for local and international cuisines, while the fifth floor houses many restaurants, cafes and bars where you can relax and embark on a gastronomical journey. 

Shower Facilities

Take a refreshing shower at the Airside Transit Hotel’s private shower or at the gym facilities for non-guests. You will be provided towel, soap and shampoo at a cost.

Catching up on sleep

KLIA1 is a better option when it comes to getting some rest. There are plenty of chairs and benches where you can sleep but they often fill up fast.  The food court on the second floor is relatively quieter and is a good place to take a quick snooze. However, for some uninterrupted sleep, head for the transit hotels within KLIA1 Satellite building and Sama Sama Express at KLIA2. A word of caution! This is specifically for transit passengers who arrive and depart from KLIA1 or KLIA2 and do not cater to those clearing immigration or customs.

Care for specially-abled people

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a disabled-friendly airport. Almost all the terminals have ramps for their easy travel. Restrooms, elevators and other facilities have been so designed that the specially-abled people will be at ease.  

Medical Emergencies

In case of medical emergencies, rush to the clinic on the third floor for immediate consultations. It is open 24-hours. Beware! The prices may be a little steep!

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