Your KLIA Taxi Guide

Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) › Airport Taxis

Why Take an Airport Taxi from KLIA

Although Kuala Lumpur airport taxis are notorious for their unsafe services, they are still a popular transit option among travelers arriving or departing from KL Airport. KLIA airport taxi drivers are known for scamming passengers, especially tourists who aren’t familiar with Kuala Lumpur’s transit system, often have dirty and not well-maintained vehicles, and tend to overcharge for rides. Moreover, for safety reasons, female travelers traveling alone aren’t advised to catch a taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport. Instead, they should use one of the available taxi apps. In that way, they’ll have access to the KLIA taxi driver’s and vehicle’s data and track their rides.

That being said, not all Kuala Lumpur airport taxi drivers are unreliable, and many offer trustworthy and efficient services. Indeed, a taxi from KLIA Airport is one of the most convenient ways to travel from the airport to your destination, even more so after long and tiring flights. Once you’ve retrieved your luggage, you’ll have to reach the airport’s taxi rank and catch a cab to the exact location of your accommodation. There is no need to travel with overcrowded buses and trains, which may be a value-for-money option only if your lodging lies close to the train station or a bus stop. Otherwise, navigating the bustling Kuala Lumpur to reach your journey’s end or changing between lines to get to your hotel can be a real hassle. Taking into account the city’s tropical climate, with high temperatures and often high humidity, traveling in an air-conditioned taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport is incomparable in terms of comfort.

Our Tip: There are lady taxis available at KUL Airport with female drivers. They are a much safer and more convenient option for female travelers. However, they are limited, hence requiring a previous reservation.

The KLIA Airport Taxi Types

You’ll find three types of taxis available at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The red taxis are the most affordable option. They can accommodate up to 4 passengers and have limited luggage space. On the other hand, blue taxis are the premium ones. They are spacious, with ample baggage space, and can fit up to 7 passengers. They are more expensive than the red vehicles. Both the red and the executive blue taxis have the distinctive Teksi sign on their roofs and their company’s logo on their doors. Moreover, their license plates start with the letter “H” and offer metered services. Thus, you should never accept flat-price rides with a red or blue KLIA taxi.

Ride-hailing companies, such as Grab and Air Asia, are also present at KL Airport. They offer safe services, as passengers have all the necessary info and track their journey through the relevant apps. Moreover, they accept cashless payments.

On the other hand, Airport Limos (Airport Taxis) are black vehicles. Their fleet mainly consists of family cars and luxurious models, and their drivers are cherry-picked and well-trained. Overall, they offer budget (up to 2 passengers), premier (up to 3 passengers), executive premier (up to 4 passengers), and family (up to 8 passengers) options. Airport limos are said to be always available at the airport, ensuring minimum waiting time at the taxi ranks. They offer flat fares and operate on a coupon payment system. Airport taxis can also be booked. In that case, bookings are accepted up to 12 hours before the pick-up time.

Our Tip: It is strongly advised to avoid individual taxi drivers at Kuala Lumpur Airport. While you may risk getting scammed with a regular cab, opting for an unlicensed vehicle will almost certainly lead to overcharging or worse.

Kuala Lumpur Airport Taxi Price Lists

The red and blue (premium) KLIA taxis are metered. Thus, they charge via their taximeters based on the governmentally-set fares. Different fares apply to rides in red taxis (budget taxis) and blue cabs (executive). In detail, you can check out the KLIA taxi tariffs:

Various surcharges also apply to metered rides from KUL Airport. Thus, each piece of luggage is charged at RM1 ($0,23/€0,22), while if you call for your cab, you’ll have to pay an extra RM2 ($0,45/€0,43) fee. Additionally, some taxi companies charge an extra RM1 ($0,23/€0,22) for each passenger from the third onward. However, this isn’t always the case. Moreover, night journeys (from midnight to 06:00 am) are 50% more expensive, while if the route is a toll road, toll fees must be paid by the passenger as well. Finally, KLIA passengers wishing to catch a metered taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport first have to reach the taxi counters close to the taxi ranks and buy an RM2 ($0,45/€0,43) coupon. Once they buy the coupon, they must display it to the first taxi in line and board the vehicle to begin the ride. Please note that Kuala Lumpur airport taxis typically accept only cash payments in the local currency (ringgit). Some premium cabs are said to accept credit cards as well.

The black KLIA airport taxis (airport limos) offer fixed-price journeys. Therefore, travelers head to the taxi counters located close to the taxi ranks and pay the predetermined fare for the ride to their final destination, all extra charges included. Airport limos set their fares according to a zone list. Thus, rides are charged depending on the destination’s zone. In any case, their minimum charge is RM32,20 ($7,30/€7). Cash and credit card payments are accepted. That being said, if you book your airport limo, you’ll have to pay only in cash. Overall, airport limos are slightly more expensive than metered taxis during non-rush hours. Nevertheless, passengers can avoid the risk of getting overcharged by catching a flat-rate airport taxi, and journeys are independent of traffic conditions.

KLIA Taxi Rates to Popular Destinations

Taxis from Kuala Lumpur Airport connect the airport to the Malaysian capital as well as to every part of the Klang Valley. Do you want to take a look at the usual fares for taxi rides from KLIA to some of the area’s most popular destinations? You can check the prices for metered and flat-fare taxis:

*Prices refer to budget taxis during the day shift (06:00 am to midnight).

Where are the KLIA Airport Taxi Ranks

Both KLIA airport terminals feature taxi ranks. The taxi ranks of KLIA terminal 1, the terminal housing the conventional airlines, can be found in the main terminal’s Domestic Arrivals area (Level 3), while taxis are lining up outside the International Baggage Claim zone (Level 3) as well. On the other hand, the taxi stand of KLIA terminal 2, the low-cost terminal, is located on the first level of the Gateway@klia 2 Shopping Mall, which is adjacent to terminal 2’s main building. Thus, the KLIA 2 taxi rank lies on the Transportation Hub, close to Exit Door 4. Please note that the taxi counters of both terminals are situated close to the taxi ranks.

Airport Taxi from KLIA Airport to Hotel

There are a few more convenient options than a Kuala Lumpur taxi ride to your hotel. As long as you opt for a flat-price taxi or make sure that the driver of the metered taxi uses the taximeter correctly, you should enjoy a seamless and comfortable journey to your destination. That being said, although KLIA taxis are considered cheap, they still add to your travel budget. Thus, you should always check if your hotel offers complimentary airport shuttle rides. If that is the case, you should take advantage of the service and make your way from the airport for free.

Useful Info on KLIA Taxi Services

• If you choose to travel with a metered taxi, you should check that the taximeter is on and works properly. Moreover, you should never negotiate fares with drivers of metered taxis. Unless you are familiar with the usual prices, you’ll most likely be overcharged.
• Most Kuala Lumpur airport taxi drivers can communicate in English. Still, you should have the address of your hotel written on a piece of paper.
• If you opt for a metered journey, you should use GPS to check whether or not the driver uses longer routes to increase the taxi rate.
• Accessible taxis are available at KLIA Airport. In-advance reservations are necessary.
• Tipping the KLIA airport taxi driver is optional. Therefore, it isn’t expected. If you are pleased with your ride and feel like leaving a small tip, you should round up the final fare.

FAQs

Are there taxis at Phuket Airport?

Both terminals at HKT Airport (Domestic and International) feature taxi ranks. Thus, passengers can easily catch a Phuket airport taxi as soon as they exit the Arrivals hall of their terminal. Indeed, both taxi ranks are located on the terminals’ first level, right outside the exit doors.

Is it safe to take a taxi from Phuket Airport?

As long as you catch your taxi from the taxi ranks and visit one of the taxi counters located in the area, you should be certain about your cab’s legitimacy. That being said, you should avoid rides with old vehicles and deny any offer by individual drivers. Moreover, if your driver suggests taking you on a tour before reaching your hotel, you should be prepared for an overpriced journey if you accept the offer.

Can I take Grab from Phuket Airport?

Ride-hailing companies also provide their services at Phuket International Airport. Thus, passengers can book taxi rides through the relevant apps and even pay with a bank card. Grab is one of the companies present at HKT Airport. Therefore, you can use its services.

How much is a taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong?

Phuket airport taxis are metered. Therefore, their rides depend on factors such as traffic level, the exact location of the destination, and others. Overall, the approximate fare for the 70-minute ride from Phuket Airport to Patong is around THB 780 ($22,41/€21,18). Please note that the price is for journeys with taxis that can accommodate up to two passengers.