A Guide to Getting Through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Welcome to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, better known as KLIA. This bustling traveling and connecting hub is the gateway to Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur International Airport plays a pivotal part in getting people from one place to another effectively. Here’s some information about this airport and tips for moving about more easily.

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Location of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is Malaysia’s primary airport and is located in Selangor, Malaysia. It is approximately 28 miles, or 45 kilometers south of the city of Kuala Lumpur. In addition to being the main Malaysian airport, it is also a connecting point for many flights continuing elsewhere.

KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

This is a huge airport and the terminals are approximately 1.5 kilometers from each other. Terminal 1 is used mostly by Malaysian Airlines, since this is their hub. Terminal 2 is used by the discount Asian airlines servicing the area. I traveled with AirAsia, a discount airline, and should have always been inside Terminal 2.

Getting Dropped Off at the Wrong KLIA Terminal

I discovered this on my return trip home when the bus driver stated I was to disembark at Terminal 1. He had asked earlier where I was flying to and claimed this was the correct terminal. Who was I to argue with him? When nobody else got off the bus, I should have questioned him. I think he was getting back at me for questioning him about not helping put the luggage into the storage hold under the bus.

At the Malacca bus station he was standing by the open hold area when I walked up to the bus. You walked out to a platform to easily board the bus and the hold area was a good 3-4 feet down from the platform. I asked nicely if he could help me and he shrugged and walked away puffing on his cigarette. So I had to roll my luggage to the edge of the platform, go down around the platform and the bus to get to the other side. There was absolutely no way I could jump down from that height. My luggage went in and I walked back around to the platform again to board the bus.

Questions should have been asked, but I believed him. First mistake.

I got up and retrieved my bags from the storage bay by myself and he drove away. He was wrong. I quickly discovered I needed to get to Terminal 2. Thank goodness I got there with plenty of time to spare.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport Information Desk

A lovely woman at the Information Desk told me Terminal 2 was where I needed to be for my departing flight back to Chiang Mai, Thailand. She informed me a free shuttle bus traveled between the two terminals approximately every 20 minutes. An elevator brought me to the correct ground floor street level and I looked for the purple bus she described.

Other Ways to Get Around the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Upon further research, I discovered there is an Inter-Terminal Rail Transfer and an Airport Liner Bus to move between terminals. The information I read stated that these two options may require you to go back through Immigration again. You can read more about the services here. This site shows pictures of the shuttle bus and maps of where they can be boarded at each terminal.

I did not use the train or the Airport Liner bus so do not have any first-hand knowledge of how it works. Please check the link above if this is a method of transportation you might want to use.

Finding the Shuttle Bus

It was waiting at the outside lane since the inside lane is for personal pickup. The buses stopped at the outside lane and I walked over and got on board for the 10 minute bus ride to the other terminal. This is the easiest way to get between the terminals and you are expected to bring your own luggage on board for the short ride. If you need assistance, just ask someone to help you. I have found most travelers are very kind if they see you struggling to lift a piece of luggage onto the bus.

Remember, the Information Desk is always a great help if you have questions or are confused. I found the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to be well-marked with signs showing where certain places were located, but it doesn’t hurt to confirm with someone else. If in doubt, look about. Find the Information Desk.

Making Your Way Through Kuala Lumpur International Airport

I flew both in to KLIA on my arrival to Malaysia and then back out to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Here are the steps I took for both my arrival and departure, starting with my arrival from Chiang Mai International Airport.

Arrivals

Once we disembarked from the plane we walked up about 4 long slanted walkways to get to the main terminal building. Railings were there to use for assistance and I highly suggest a wheelchair if you have mobility concerns, especially after a long flight. There was probably an elevator nearby, but I felt fine after the flight and didn’t feel the need for alternative ways to get up to the next level.

Immigration

After a quick stop at the restroom, conveniently placed where new arrivals enter the terminal, I started the long walk to Immigration. I took my time walking easily and arrived in approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Moving walkways and escalators helped the distance seem a bit less than it actually was. At this time I was only dragging along my tote bag.

MDAC Online

Before you arrive at the immigration desk in Malaysia, make sure to complete the MDAC online. This stands for Malaysia Digital Arrival Card and should be completed within 3 days of your arrival in Malaysia. Some people were actually completing it while waiting in the Immigration Line. Posters with information and a QR code to scan for the form were clearly visible on large poles running alongside the waiting line of passengers.

Follow the simple steps to complete the arrival card which is required of most foreigners. There are some exceptions. Click here to access the MDAC.

Once it is submitted, you will receive a reply email with your details. You show this to the immigration officer and they scan the information on your phone, or printed out on a piece of paper if that is your preference.

Getting Through the Line

The line for Immigration was quite long, although it moved quickly with 5 officers checking people through. Signs are posted reminding people to complete the MDAC. Once it was my turn to go through Immigration, the officer raised his hand to indicate it was my turn. It all moved very smoothly.

Visa Requirements for Americans

No visa is required to enter Malaysia for US citizens if traveling there for less than 90 days. This was my situation and I just completed the MDAC online prior to my arrival.

I have only checked for US citizens with passports since that is my experience, but do check online if your country works the same. Click here for the official Malaysian government site to check for travel requirements.

The lines were clearly marked and I stood in line for about 25 minutes before reaching the desk. I moved through the actual immigration process within 2 minutes from start to finish, once I reached the front of the line. Handed the immigration officer my passport and MDAC info, sort of smiled at the camera, got my passport stamped and moved on through.

I’m still never sure if you’re supposed to smile for these official pictures. He asked me no questions, gave me no strange looks, and said thank you as he handed me back my passport. Now to follow the signs to the luggage carousel which are in front of you as you exit the immigration line.

Asking for Assistance at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

If walking longer distances are difficult for you, save your energy for your travels and request assistance before you fly. Arranging a wheelchair or a cart to bring you from the gate to Immigration should be done when you book your flight. If you have a travel agent assisting you, ask them to make sure there is assistance waiting every step of the way while you are in the airport. Some of these places are huge and getting from your gate to the exit can cover more than a mile of walking on hard unforgiving surfaces.

Assistance is available in Kuala Lumpur International Airport with prior arrangements with the airline. The equipment and people to help transport you are available, but make your requests to the specific airline. This can be done when booking your flight or by asking at the gate or the counter when you check in. Make sure to allow for extra time if you will need to be transported since you may have to wait for an available employee to assist you.

Luggage Pickup

Once through the Immigration line, signs direct you to luggage pick up. I checked the board for arriving flights and found my luggage carousel easily. By the time I made it there our baggage was already circling around. I found my small carry-on sized suitcase and placed my tote bag on top and hooked it through the handle.

The next step in this multi-stop process was to find Customs. Signs located at the far end of the luggage carousels indicated which direction to walk. After about 5 to 6 minutes of slow strolling, I reached the Customs area.

Customs

As usual, there were two separate lines for Customs. The lines were for declaring goods you were bringing into the country, and no declarations. I chose the second one since I wasn’t bringing anything of value, or on their list of required declaration, into the country. Please make sure to check the specific requirements for Malaysia if you are bringing in a large amount of money or goods/gifts into the country. There are penalties and fines for not declaring something you are legally obligated to declare and the rules are different for each country.

The last step was to place my bags on a moving belt to be scanned one last time before leaving this part of the airport. Put them up, they moved through, and I was on my way within 30 seconds. There were additional scanning machines available if there were more passengers needing bags to be checked, but the day I was there was not very busy.

I had made it through the entire process and was in desperate need of a coffee and then to find my way into the city.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport – Shopping and Eating

My need for a cool drink brought me right to a local Malaysian coffee chain for an iced caramel macchiato that hit the spot. As I left the coffee shop a man asked me if I needed a taxi into the city. He said he was with Grab and had the best prices. Grab is an app I have been using in Thailand and was very familiar with by this time. More about him in a minute.

The signs to the taxi stand point toward the exit Door 3 on Floor 2. Stickers are on the floor as you walk and on stand up signs showing which way to walk. The path travels right through the main walkway of a mini mall. I passed clothing shops, luggage stores, souvenir shops, cosmetic stores, and a chocolate shop. A multitude of other stores and services are available there. Check out this link if shopping at the airport interests you. And remember there are 2 separate terminals with shops and restaurants in each one.

Plentiful restaurants offering cuisine from different countries tempted me as I walked out. Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Western food, and many others were filled with hungry diners. Sandwich shops and cafes for a quick snack or drink are available. There is something there for every taste. Check out the food options here.

I continued my leisurely stroll through the main hallway and made it to the well-marked Door 3 to find a taxi into the city.

Transport into the City from Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Do not be conned by the independent drivers standing near the doorways looking for tired foreign visitors to scam. A Grab driver, and Grab is like Uber in the United States, quoted me what he said was an excellent price. This was a new country with a new currency, so I checked the conversion rate to USD (US dollars) to better understand the cost. He quoted me 245 Malaysian ringgits, which converted to $51.70 at the time of my visit. I had checked online earlier and saw an average taxi cost 100 Malaysian ringgits less than this. So I told him no thank you, I would find a better price. He did not get aggressive or angry and just told me that his was the best price. It definitely was not.

My plan was to find the taxi stand to get an exact price to the hotel in Kuala Lumpur. If it was close to the quoted Grab price or less, I would take the taxi. If a lot higher than I could always go back and request a Grab driver through the app. I strongly suggest downloading this free app onto your phone for quick transportation in the city.

Not All Grab Drivers Are Sketchy

I just want to say that I have used Grab drivers continuously throughout my stay in Thailand. Grab has been amazingly quick, efficient, safe, and cheap to use to get around the city. The app is so convenient and I never waited more than 10 minutes at a busy time to get a ride. I am not bashing Grab as a whole company, but just this driver at KLIA. (I love using Grab!)

Finding the Airport Taxi Stand

I followed the marked walkway through the full-scale mall toward Floor 2 Door 3. These directions were clearly marked stating you could get airport taxis and be picked up at this door. After 5 minutes of walking, I reached the door.

Several men sitting in front of waiting taxis indicated to purchase the fare at the kiosk just to the left of Door 3 when you exit. The lovely lady quoted me a price of 118 Malaysian ringgits, a huge difference from the Grab quote. I paid the price and walked back to the driver who immediately stood up to help put my bags into the trunk. Off to the big city of Kuala Lumpur in a comfortable, clean and modern SUV with lovely air-conditioning.

Ways to Get to Kuala Lumpur

Depending on where you are going, you can rent a car, take a taxi or Grab ride, take the KL airport bus to the city, or take a pre-arranged hotel shuttle or private car. You have options and it is best to know which one you will use before you arrive. Below are some links to check out for transporting you and your luggage into the city.

• 🚘 Grab – download the app to be ready to request a ride
• 🚕 Airport Taxi – pay for fare at kiosk outside of Door 3 Floor 2
• 🚌🚊🚖 Bus / Train / Metered Taxis – click here for more details
• 🚗🚙 Car Rental – click here for options

Currency Conversion Money App

I use an app I’ve had on my phone for years to convert the local currency to US dollars. It helps put prices into perspective, especially if you’re traveling between several foreign countries. I use Oanda Currency Converter which offers well over 100 countries to choose from, but there are many in the App Store or Google Play. Type your amount in either the new currency, or your home currency, and it will show the conversion. This makes it easier to understand the currency in relation wo what you are used to.

Checking In to Kuala Lumpur International Airport For My Return to Chiang Mai

I rode the bus from Malacca to KLIA for my return flight to Chiang Mai. After finally getting to the correct terminal, I checked the signs and overhead boards for my airline which was AirAsia.

Even though I only had a small carry-on suitcase, I still checked it and carried my tote bag on board. My ticket allowed for one checked bag so I definitely took advantage. AirAsia uses self-checking machines to weigh your checked bag and issue a boarding pass. An AirAsia employee kindly helped me attach the baggage tag to my small bag. I lifted my bag up onto the moving belt and armed with my boarding pass, I headed for Security expecting a long wait to get through.

Security

The Security line was quite short and several stations were available for passengers. They just requested my phone and other electronic devices, like my iPad, be put in a bin. My tote bag and my travel purse also went into the bin. I did not need to remove my shoes which pleased me greatly. A security officer guided me through the walk-through scanner and smiled as she said thank you. Within a minute I was through Security and had my belongings back in the bag and heading to the gate.

The Waiting Area at the Gate

I’m not sure if all of the airlines do this at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, but the waiting area was blocked off. Passengers waiting for the plane to Chiang Mai were all clustered around 10-12 seats when the entire waiting area was empty. My foot was feeing the pain and stiffness after walking through the airport and I just wanted to sit down. But there were no available seats.

I asked the man at the counter if they were going to open the seating area and he stated everyone had to wait. Adopting my firmest but kindest voice, I informed him I had an injured foot and needed to sit immediately. He was not impressed and did not offer me one of the hundred empty seats 4 feet from where I was standing.

Luckily for me, a lovely Chinese lady offered me her seat when she heard me speaking to the AirAsia staff member. As soon as I sat down another angry passenger came up to the desk asking when we could sit. It was another 10 minutes before he removed the chain blocking access to the seating area.

AirAsia Needs to Better Train Staff

This is definitely an area where AirAsia could better train their staff to deal with people with physical limitations, especially when a multitude of seats were mere steps away. Once we were able to use the available seats in the gate waiting area, we waited another 20 minutes to begin boarding.

Even though this is considered a discount airline, I had no complaints except the seating issue. AirAsia should look into ways to make it easier for passengers to travel. That includes all kinds of passengers, both able-bodied and differently-abled flyers.

In Conclusion – A Guide to Getting Through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Although this airport was unknown to me and quite huge, it was bright, clean and well-marked. Everyone I met was friendly and willing to answer questions or help if needed. I feel it was a well-organized airport and most lines moved quickly. Signs were visible and easy to spot so moving from one place to another wasn’t a hassle.

KLIA is the hub for the rest of the country of Malaysia, so if you travel here you will be better prepared. Enjoy your flight and safe travels to Malaysia.