Arriving at KLIA main terminal

Departure Hall, Kuala Lumpur International Airport
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Kuala_Lumpur_International_Airport#mediaviewer/File:KLIA_interior.jpg
SAM Cheong


KLIA, or the Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main gateway to Kuala Lumpur and to Malaysia. Its airport code is KUL. Opened in 1998, it comprises the main terminal (which handles mostly domestic flights) and the satellite terminal (which handles mostly international flights).

KLIA, at point of arrival

Upon arrival, follow the signages to either exit the airport or to transit to another flight. To exit the airport on an international flight, proceed first to clear immigration, and then join the domestic passengers to collect your baggages and clear customs. If you have nothing to declare then just head out the door into the Arrival Hall.

Interior of Kuala Lumpur International Airport
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Kuala_Lumpur_International_Airport#mediaviewer/File:Kuala_Lumpur_International_Airport,_Malaysia.jpg
Allen

Transit

If you are transitting to another flight at KLIA, look for the transit desk to collect your boarding pass, then continue to your next date.

If your next flight is at KLIA2, you will have to clear immigration and customs at KLIA as though you are exiting the airport, then take the KLIA Ekspres/KLIA Transit high-speed train from KLIA to KLIA2. The journey between the two airport terminals is just 3 minutes and presently (March 2015) costs RM2. Alternatively there are free shuttle buses between KLIA and KLIA2.

Getting out of KLIA

If you have not arranged for someone to pick you at the airport, there are a few ways of getting out of KLIA. Your options are trains, buses, taxis and rented car. Let's consider each of them.

KLIA Ekspres/Transit directional signs
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KLIA_Ekspres_-_directions.jpg
Superfast1111

Taking the Express Rail Link trains out of KLIA

The Express Rail Link trains, namely KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit, provide the rail link between KLIA and Kuala Lumpur. The most comfortable, uninterrupted journey by train is on the non-stop KLIA Ekspres. It takes just 28 minutes to bring you to KL Sentral, the transport terminus in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The fare is RM35 each way.

Next is the KLIA Transit which costs the same (also RM35) but makes stops at a few stations along the way, namely Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan en route. As a result, it takes 36 minutes to reach KL Sentral. Why take the KLIA Transit when you can take the KLIA Ekspres? Good question. I suppose if you intend to go to any of the aforementioned stations other than KL Sentral, that's the reason.

Oh by the way, if you take a train from KLIA to any of these enroute stations, disembark, and buy another ticket from that station to KL Sentral, the total fare is lower than the RM35 you would otherwise pay. Of course, the entire rigmarole means your journey is over an hour, as opposed to the 28 minutes by KLIA Ekspres. If you want to save a few bucks, that's what you could do (but as for me, I always opted for the KLIA Ekspres).

Taking the bus out of KLIA

Airport Coach buses cover the journey from KLIA to KL Sentral in one hour, and costs only RM10 each way. Star Shuttle buses take you from KLIA to Kota Raya and Pudu Sentral, also for RM10 one way. Sepang Omnibus has services to Seremban, Banting and Sepang town.

Taxis and tour buses lined up to fetch arriving passengers.

Taking the taxi out of KLIA

If you prefer to take the taxi, head for the taxi counter and buy your taxi coupon from there, completely ignoring the touts who would approach you as soon as you enter the Arrival Hall. I would recommend taking the budget taxi, which has a fixed fare of RM74.80 to Kuala Lumpur. Anything else is just paying extra for nothing more.

Taking the rented car out of KLIA

If you are renting a car and self-driving your way out of KLIA, I hope you are sufficiently familiar with the highways. The main highway linking KLIA to Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere is the ELITE Expressway (E6). From this highway, you can continue to Cyberjaya and Putrajaya from Exit 607, among others.

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