Getting around Kuala Lumpur - taxis and metro
KL's metro system is fast, cheap and efficient
Kuala Lumpur’s public transport system is a extensive and a welcome relief compared with other Southeast Asia cities of similar size. However, there are still daily traffic jams at peak hours, changing metro lines can involve crossing perilous dual carriageways and pavements can flood after sudden downpours.
Walking is fine for getting around Kuala Lumpur within neighbourhoods such as Chinatown or the Golden Triangle, but longer strolls can prove problematic with immovable obstacles appearing in you path. In general, make the most of the clean, efficient, air conditioned metro wherever possible and take a taxi the rest of the way.
Kuala Lumpur LRT Metro system
Kuala Lumpur’s metro train system consists of three LRT (Light Rail Transit) lines, semicircular KL Monorail and the KTM Komuter for accessing outer north, west and south suburbs. It is an extremely cheap (from RM1.2) and quick way of getting around Kuala Lumpur although changing lines is laborious (many connections are uncovered putting you at the mercy of the elements) and normally involves purchasing a whole new ticket.
However, there is now a Touch ‘n Go card (RM10) which is accepted on all lines barring the airport express route. However, distances between stations are pretty minimal so if you are only planning to travel a single stop it may be quicker and easier to walk.
Don’t be confused by signs on the Kelana Jaya LRT calling it PUTRA, this is the former name of the line, and similarly Ampang and Sri Petaling LRTs is still referred to STAR. Getting between KL Sentral station and the Sentral monorail stop is a fair walk since the linking covered walkway closed.
Head down the stairs and around the parking lot to the left and then cross the main road. And remember, if you get stuck on a broken down train prepare yourself for a long wait. You could be there for hours and KL natives are surprisingly stoic about the occasional, if rare, chance of serious delay.
Travel tip
Important LRT stations include: Bukit Bintang (KL Monorail) for restaurants, shopping and hotels in the Golden Triangle; Plaza Rakyat (Ampang /Sri Petaling) for Puduraya bus station; Bukit Nanas (KL Monorail) for the P. Ramlee club scene; KL Sentral (KL Monorail/Kelana Jaya/KTM Komuter) for the KLIA airport Ekspres train and intercity connections; KLCC (Putra) for access to the KLCC shopping mall and Petronas Twin Towers and finally Masjid Jamek (all LRT lines) for Little India and Chinatown plus changing lines.
Taxis in Kuala Lumpur and minicabs
KL taxi drivers often refuse to use their meters
Getting around Kuala Lumpur by taxis is a relatively cheap method of travel and only tempered by cabbies’ reluctance to use their meters and demand a fixed price fare instead. This reprehensible practice is illegal but extremely common in tourist areas and outside the more expensive hotels.
If you want to return to your five star residence, it can be advisable to give the name of the shopping mall next door to avoid being ripped off. If they absolutely refuse to put on the meter then bargain hard about the fare, most journeys should cost no more than RM5. And when traffic is heavy it is sometimes quicker (not to mention cheaper) to take the metro as far as possible and then pick up a cab the rest of the way.
The white and red regular taxicabs start at RM3 and cost around RM0.90/km after that. However, the premium yellow cabs are slightly more expensive at with a RM4 flagfall and a little more per kilometre. Surcharges for baggage (RM1 per piece), radio call (RM2) and so on also apply. It also costs an extra 50 per cent on top of the meter fare after midnight, so you could well be better off bargaining a fixed fare at the start. Prepaid coupon systems are enforced at a few popular destinations such as KL Sentral, airport terminals and Menara KL. These are generally cheaper than bargaining but more expensive than the meter.
If you can’t hail a cab on the street then some useful numbers for getting around Kuala Lumpur include:
Public Cab +60 (0)3 6259 2020
Comfort Cabs +60 (0)3 6253 1313
Uptown Ace +60 (0)3 9283 2333
Sunlight Taxi +60 (0)3 9057 5757
Buses around Kuala Lumpur
RapidKL buses are cheap but difficult to fathom
RapidKL’s City Shuttle buses are useful for getting around Kuala Lumpur for those who are trying to do things on the cheap or who want to experience real Malaysian life. There are 10 routes which cover most of the city centre.
If you buy one City Shuttle ticket (RM2) then you can use this for the entire day, just wave it at the drivers. Integrated daily passes (Sepadu) cost RM7 and permit the barer unlimited rides on the LRT and RapidKL buses for a whole day of travel around Kuala Lumpur. They are available at stations and some bus stops.
Other than Rapid KL, other bus operators include Len Seng, Metrobus, Selangor and Permata Kiara. However, a lack of a comprehensive map detailing all routes, fares and companies makes fathoming all the options a little too complicated for even lengthy visits. For more about KL buses.
Car rental in Kuala Lumpur and driving
Getting around Kuala Lumpur by car is not for the faint hearted with a confusing glut of signposts, impenetrable traffic and convoluted network of motorways. And Malaysia has amongst the highest road accident rates on the planet for a reason, standards of driving are hardly the highest including kamikaze motorcyclists.
Navigating can also be a pain as many of the roads are identically named despite being in separate parts of the city. Parking can be problematic with getting blocked into spaces in busy areas commonplace. It is wise to use covered car parks in Bukit Bintang or Bangsar if getting around Kuala Lumpur by hire car.
Walking around Kuala Lumpur
Getting around Kuala Lumpur by foot can be a frustrating experience. The pedestrianised neighbourhoods of Chinatown and Little India are relatively easy to navigate with minimal chance of being run down upon crossing the street.
And the wide tree-lined boulevards of main drags such as Bukit Bintang have pavements five metres wide and plenty of eye-level street signs. However, there are many areas without adequate crossings, little or no pavement and sudden breaks in the continuity of routes.
It speaks volumes that few of the city’s own residents think getting around Kuala Lumpur on foot is a good idea. But depending on your physical fitness age and like for the city it can be a pleasant experience.
Also during one of the common sudden downpours you can find yourself wading across flooded streets and trying to avoid being drowned by the wake of passing taxi cabs. Generally KL is a very safe place and walking around it poses no significant danger. But like all big cities it pays to avoid dimly-lit alleyways especially at night, as there can be muggers and petty criminals lurking in the dark.
Updated and correct: Jan 2011
