How to get from KL International to the KL City!

1. KLIA Ekspres> MRL
   Kuala Lumpur international airport is set up to make getting to and from the city simple. A short walk through the Airport to KLIA Ekspres rail link, you will be able to purchase a travel card that allows you to get to KL Sentral. Once at KL Sentral you can then use the MRL (Malaysia Rail Link) to get to your final destination! (We used the MRL from KL Sentral to Bukit Bintang, so easy!)
   Pros – Most common way of travelling from the KL International to the city, no traffic, reliable, cheaper and easy to get.
   Cons – The transitions! Remember to factor in time walking and waiting for the carriages, although they run frequently you can find them coming from as quick as 3 minutes to as long as 15 minutes. Remember how busy it can get during peak times – mornings and evenings.
   Journey time: 60+ minutes
   
2. Taxi
   We didn’t use a taxi for airport transfer, however they take roughly around 50 minutes (normal traffic) to KL Sentral and cost RM80 (£15). We chose to use the Rail links however possibly an option if arriving in the early or late hours.
   Pros – Will take you from the airport straight to your final destination, quicker and will keep you dry in the rainy season!
   Cons – Can become costly and time consuming due to traffic and can find difficulty talking to taxi drivers.
   Journey time: 50+ minutes

Accommodation

Dependent on what you are after and the reason behind your trip to this beautiful city in Asia will pretty much decide the type of place you stay at! Asia being the hot spot for back packers, provides anything from super low budget hotels to luxury skyline apartments. We decided to stay in Tribeca Serviced Suite Bukit Bintang which was perfect as we had a great balance high end accommodation and great location, oh and forgot to mention it was very affordable!

1. High End Hotel and Apartments– As mentioned above you can find a lot of 4&5* places to stay in KL City for as little as £50! (including breakfast). The prices also depend on how close you want to stay to specific attractions and the time of year you travel, so make sure you do a bit research before you go.
2. Budget accommodation- Doing a quick low to high filter on your accommodation comparison site is always worth while! We found a one bedroom apartment in the center of Bukit Bintang for £16! There are a ton of hidden gems at super low prices so if you want to stick to a budget or keep a little extra for exploring KL then this is definitely and option to consider.
3. Reviews- We definitely urge you to do some research into the places you are considering to stay and read reviews from previous guests! Tripadvisor and booking.com are just a few sites where you will get a good feel for a place before booking so worth checking it out. As it is Asia standards of basic hygiene may differ to those you are used to so be keen search and look for reviews regarding cleanliness.

Weather & Clothing

Kuala Lumpur is either Hot, Humid or both plus a tropical storm! When we visited KL our diary and annual leave meant it happened to fall in the monsoon season (mid November). Predominantly the weather was warm, dry and humid allowing us to walk around in our shorts and t-shirts from morning to night. When it rains, it pours! The heavens open to some of the worst downpours you’d ever see along with heavy thunder and blinding lighting, depending on what you like this will either make for a truly unique spectacle or terrifying ordeal.

• Hats- Keeping your head protected from the sun during the day
• T-shirts/ shirts/ vests- Light tops to keep you cool and comfortable
• Lightweight Waterproof jackets and trousers- Keep in your bag just incase you find yourself in the middle of downpour and no shelter!
• Shorts/ dresses- Keep you legs airy whilst you walk around!
• Sunglasses- Invest in a good pair of sunglasses to not make you look good but protest your eyes from the blinding sun! We have polarized lenses.
• Trainers and Sandals- Something comfortable as walking is the best mode of transport. Running trainers give your feet support and cushion and sandals allow for air and freedom.

Flights & Visas

Depending on where you are flying from will determine your flight, cost, etc. For Malaysia we didn’t require any Visa’s as UK Citizens and passport holders.

• Airport- As we are located in the center of England, London is primarily the best city to fly from as they offer direct and affordable flights! It is also worth looking at indirect flights as a short layover and Airplane change could save you hundreds of pounds!
• Airlines- A long haul flight to Asia means sitting in that seat for longer than 10 hours so we would recommend you research the airline for the type of plane you will be flying on as well as specs of the relevant seat classes you choose.
• Travel insurance- Asia can be a little more adventurous than other places and can be challenging with their cities and systems so it is always our rule for each place you go to, but especially Asia to have valid travel insurance covering you for you destination of travel!

Currency

Malaysian Ringgit is the currency you will require over there! We would recommend you shop around well in advance for the best exchange rates. The currency is usually only available to order so give yourself enough time (1 week at least) before your trip to make sure you get it!

• Cash- This is a must as many of the markets, food vendors, taxi’s and small shops do not accept card. Cash can also be a good bargaining tool in some market stalls because once they see it in your hand you can barter a bit more to get a better price.
• Card- We would recommend using travel cards such as Revolut and Monzo to give you the best exchange rates at the time! It is worth keeping a credit card with you as most accommodations will require some sort of deposit during your stay!

Safety

Overall, Kuala Lumpur is very safe! During our time there we didn’t feel uncomfortable nor worried about our safety. Locals mind their own business and others are very kind and willing to give you as much help if you need it! We asked a local for directions and although they didn’t speak English well they pointed us into the right direction. In the evenings we walked to and from as well as sit and ate in the street food market where it had all the hustle and bustle! Where ever you go we would always recommend staying a little vigilant as there is always a chance, but all in this is a safe place!

Where to eat in KL

Top things to see and do!