World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Kuala Lumpur has an increasingly fast, efficient and cheap public transport system, which comprises many different forms of transport. Public transport congestion is, though, becoming a problem that is exacerbated by broken ticket machines and the need to buy different tickets for individual transport providers, rather than a universal day pass.

Keretapi Tanah Melayu – KTM (tel: (03) 2267 1200; e-mail: callcenter@ktmb.com.my; website: www.ktmb.com.my) operates two KTM Kommuter lines. These electric trains run from Sentul to Port Klang and Rawang to Seremban, between 0500-2400. Fares depend on the distance travelled and cost RM1–RM4.80 for a single journey. Return fares and 12-trip tickets are also available. Each station has an easy-to-use ticket machine. KTM offers two day passes, the Kembara Ticket at RM10 for unlimited travel within the KTM network on weekends, school holidays and public holidays and the Mana Mana Ticket at RM6 for unlimited travel within the KTM network during weekdays, valid only after 0900. These are available from the KTM vending machines at the stations.
There are also two Light Railway Transit (LRT) lines in the city. Two separate conglomerates ran these mainly elevated electric trains until September 2002, when the people behind Putra LRT (tel: 1 800 388 228 (toll free in Malaysia from 0830-1730) or 017 331 7779 (1730-0830); website: www.putralrt.com.my) bought out STAR LRT. STAR LRT trains run south from Sentul Timur to Sri Petaling and Ampang in the east. Putra LTR trains run between the Putra Terminal in the northeast of the Lembah Subang Depot on Kuala Lumpur’s western outskirts. Services operate weekdays 0600-2400, weekends 0730-2300. Fares depend on which company is operating the service and distances travelled, costing from RM0.70 to RM4.50 for a single journey. This is slated to change after the full hand over of ownership and integration process, but nothing has yet been finalised. Each station has a ticket machine that is easy to use when it works and is accepting notes, which is often the case.

Cityliner (tel: (03) 7982 6904) and Intrakota (tel: (03) 7727 2727) are the main providers of Kuala Lumpur’s comprehensive and highly complex bus service. Although routes vary, main services generally run between 0500 and 2400. Each company operates a different fare system, with fares ranging from RM0.60 to RM1 and tickets are purchased on board (exact change is preferred). Bus route maps are displayed at many bus stops throughout the city.

Sections of the elevated KL Monorail (tel: (03) 2273 1888; e-mail: info@monorail.com.my; website: www.monorail.com.my) have opened four years after the original 1999 timescale. However, the service that is supposed to operate from 0700-2000 currently finishes at 1500. Single tickets cost from RM1.20-RM2.50 depending on the distance travelled. The monorail, when fully opened, will serve destinations from Titiwangsa in the north to a stop near Kuala Lumpur’s Sentral Station (tel: (03) 2730 2000; fax: (03) 2730 2020; e-mail: info@klsentral.com.my; website: www.klsentral.com.my) and will also cover destinations in the Golden Triangle.

Taxis
Taxis can be pre-booked from Destination Transport (tel: (03) 6235 1313), Public Cab (tel: (03) 6259 2020) and Sunlight Taxis (tel: (03) 9057 5757), or hailed on the street. Taxi ranks are also found throughout the city. Queues at the ranks are especially long during rush hour. All taxis have meters, which most drivers willingly use. If the taxi does not have a meter or the driver refuses to use the meter, it is advisable to wait for the next available taxi. Taxi drivers touting for business at main transport terminals should be avoided. During thunderstorms, many taxis will only take passengers for an agreed flat fare and will refuse to use meters.

The meter rate starts at RM2 for the first two kilometres and then it costs RM0.10 for each subsequent 200m (656ft). Pre-ordered taxis incur a surcharge of RM1. Journeys made between 0000-0600 incur a 50% surcharge. Surcharges of RM1 for each piece of luggage carried in the car boot and RM0.20 for more than two passengers are also levied. Passengers are responsible for any road tolls incurred. Tips are not generally expected or given.

Limousines
These can be hired at the airport at the Limousine Service Counter (Tel: (03) 8776 6753 or (03) 8787 4451), through Pelican Tours and Travel (tel: (03) 2096 1960) and at most luxury hotels. Limousines to the city from Kuala Lumpur International Airport cost around RM100 and hire for a day costs approximately RM400.

Driving in the City
Driving in Kuala Lumpur is increasingly becoming as hair-raising as driving in other South East Asian cities is. The roads are in good condition and driving standards are reasonably good, however, the maze of one-way systems in the city centre and the large number of fuel-choked traffic jams make patience and a good road map essential requirements.

Car parks are generally located at large hotels and city-centre shopping malls. Three central public car parks are Asia Park on Jalan Bukit Bintang, and the two car parks behind the Dorsett Regency Hotel just off Jalan Imbi (opening times 0700-0100). The cost is RM2 for the first hour and then RM1.50 for each subsequent hour.

Car Hire
A national driving licence is required to hire a car in Malaysia, it is also advisable to hold an International Driving Permit. Age limits apply and drivers must usually be at least 23 years old and have held a full driving licence for two years. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) from RM15 per day is usually compulsory, with Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) from RM6 per day and Theft Protection from RM15 per day as recommended extras.

Major providers include Avis (tel: (03) 8787 4087/4088 or 9222 2558; website: www.avis.com.my) and Hertz (tel: (03) 8787 4572, or 2148 6433; website: www.hertz.com.my). Hire of a standard saloon car costs from RM200 per day and RM950 per week.

Bicycle & Scooter Hire
Kuala Lumpur is not a safe city in which to travel around on two wheels. Road accidents involving bicycles, scooters and motorcycles are very common. The Malaysian tourism promotion board's official line is that two-wheel transport is not generally available for hire.