Getting Around Kuala Lumpur
with the City's
Transportation Services

Getting around Kuala Lumpur is easy with the city's modern transportation services which has a large network of Buses, Commuter Trains, Light Rail Transit (LRT) services, Monorail services, and Taxis. With an estimated population of over 1.8 million, traffic jams are a norm here.

Therefore, if you're planning to do some sightseeing around Kuala Lumpur, try to stay away from taxis and buses during the early morning rush hours from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and the evening crawl from around 5:00 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

Stay away from buses and taxis? Then how am I suppose to be getting around Kuala Lumpur? Walk?? Well, you can do so if you want to. The weather here is beautiful in the morning, but I wouldn't recommend you walking in the afternoon when the Sun is scorching above you. The weather here in the afternoons can be quite humid.

Luckily for you, Kuala Lumpur's transport services are not only limited to taxis and buses. We have a wide range of different transportation modes to help make your travel an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

The other modes of transportation in Kuala Lumpur are:-

- PUTRA LRT (Light Rail Transit)

- STAR LRT

- KL Monorail, and

- KTM (Commuter trains)


Getting Around Kuala Lumpur with the PUTRA LRT

The PUTRA LRT service has a total of 24 stations from Kelana Jaya all the way to Gombak. The Putra line (also known as the Kelana Jaya line) passes through the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and joins up with the rest of the rail systems at the KL Sentral station. The fares range from RM 0.70 to RM 2.50. If you need the list of fares and the route map of the PUTRA line, you can easily obtain them from the counters at the LRT stations.

Getting Around Kuala Lumpur with the STAR LRT

The STAR LRT is the first LRT line to operate in Malaysia. It has a total of 25 stations from Sri Petaling all the way to Ampang and Sentul Timur. The Star line is also known as the Ampang/Sri Petaling line. The fares range from RM 0.70 to RM 2.50. These fares are displayed at the LRT Stations.

Getting Around Kuala Lumpur with the KL Monorail

KTM Komuter (Commuter Trains)

The KTM Komuter is an electrified commuter train service operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). Introduced in 1995 to cater to commuters in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding suburban areas, it is now a popular mode of transport for commuters working in Kuala Lumpur as they can now travel to the city without being caught in the traffic jams during peak hours.

The KTM Komuter serves 2 routes. One from Seremban to Rawang, and the other from Port Klang to Sentul.

To get a copy of the Kuala Lumpur Integrated Transit System Map, Click here.

Getting Around Kuala Lumpur on Taxis

Of course, if you're traveling during Off-Peak hours, do take a Taxi. It's definitely more comfortable and in my opinion, nothing beats being able to get off right at the doorstep of your destination.

Taxis are conveniently and easily available in KL. Taxi stands are located right in front of most shopping malls. The taxis here are required to use a meter to charge passengers. However, you may find that in KL, not many taxi drivers adhere to the rule. Therefore, be aware of taxi drivers who over-charge and insist on the driver using the meter.

Irresponsible and unethical taxi drivers can be reported to the authorities by taking down their personal particulars which can be easily seen on their car's left side of the dashboard as this is a requirement for taxis by law.

The minimum charge for taxis is RM2.00. If you're traveling between midnight and dawn, an additional surcharge fee will be applied.

Getting Around Kuala Lumpur on Buses

Buses are the cheaper alternative of getting around Kuala Lumpur. The popular and strategically located bus stops in KL that tourists should take note of are:-

- Kota Raya

- Jalan Silang, and

- Central Market

Rapid KL, a government owned company is the largest bus operator in the Klang Valley. Their white buses with red stripes are easily noticable from afar. There are no bus conductors in these buses as they are operated by a slot machine where you put in coins to get your tickets. The operation hours for the Rapid KL bus service is from 6:00 a.m. till 12:00 midnight.

If possible, try to stay away from the buses (with the exception of the "Hop-On Hop-Off Double Decker Services, which I will be introducing in a short while) during peak hours as the buses can get quite cramped (but it's definitely a good experience if you don't mind being packed up like sardines in a can!).

Getting Around Kuala Lumpur on the KL Hop-On Hop-Off Original Double Decker

The Kuala Lumpur Hop-On Hop-Off Original Double Decker is the latest and most comprehensive way to get around KL and experience the amazing beauty of the city. The bus service covers over 40 major tourist attractions and shopping malls within Kuala Lumpur such as the Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC, KL Tower, Craft Culture Complex, Central Market, China Town (Petaling Street), National Palace, National Museum and many many other amazingly beautiful places. It also stops at over a hundred hotels all over Kuala Lumpur.

During the tour, you will provided with a short pre-recorded commentary of the history of Kuala Lumpur and the places to go in eight major languages. So, you'll be able to listen, enjoy and experience the beauty of Kuala Lumpur in your own choice of language the whole day long.

The Hop-On Hop-Off Double Decker KL Tour operates 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. with a 30-minute interval between each trip. The tour works on the 'Hop-On, Hop-Off' concept whereby ticket holders are able to hop on and hop off the bus whenever and wherever they want at 22 stops all over KL.

Tickets can be bought on the bus itself, through the internet, or via authorised agents around the city. Ticket purchase comes with a travel booklet with information and a map of Kuala Lumpur. The tickets are valid for 24 hours. This gives you the freedom to view and explore the city at your own pace and leisure. The fares for the "Hop-On Hop-Off Double Decker" are as follows:

Adult (Standard) - RM 38

Adult (MYKad Holders) - RM 19

Family/Group of 5 - RM 160 @ RM32 each

Senior/Children/Disabled - RM 17

Children below 5 - Free

To get a copy of the KL Hop-On Hop-Off Route Map, Click here.

And of course, if all the modes of transportation above sound like too much hassle for you, you could always opt for a Hassle-Free Private Kuala Lumpur Grand Day Tour, where you would be able to enjoy a private day tour exploring the best of Kuala Lumpur.

Although it may cost a little bit more, I personally think it would be well worth it because you won't have to worry about which bus to catch, where to wait for a bus, how long you'd have to wait for the LRT trains and so on.

In addition to that, you would also have the privilege to travel comfortably in private air-conditioned vehicles and have a private guide attend to your traveling needs.

Whatever it is, the choice is yours. Choose whichever way of getting around Kuala Lumpur that best suits you.

Hope you enjoy yourself here in Kuala Lumpur!