How to Get from KLIA to KL Sentral

Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) › Airport to KL Sentral

Transportation from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral

KL Sentral is the largest railway station in Malaysia. The intermodal transit hub handles rides on almost all passenger train lines in Kuala Lumpur, serving as a key point for local and intercity transit. So, do you have an upcoming train journey from KL Sentral after landing at KUL Airport? Is your hotel located close to the main railway hub? You’ll find plenty of transportation options from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral in both cases. So, if you are wondering how to transfer from KLIA to KL Sentral, the choice depends on your needs and budget. KLIA taxis and private Kuala Lumpur airport transfers provide door-to-door services, while airport car rentals are ideal if you value independence during your travels. Alternatively, the two KLIA train lines and four Kuala Lumpur airport bus routes link the airport to KL Sentral.

KLIA to KL Sentral by Taxi

Are you looking for a convenient way to travel from KL Airport to KL Sentral? KLIA taxi rides are comfortable and drive passengers straight to their destinations. However, they have a reputation for scamming and overcharging passengers, while travelers claim that some cabs are dirty and often not well-maintained. For all these reasons, you should never trust individual drivers touting passengers at the airport. You should catch your cab from the official taxi ranks instead. Taxis lining up at the KL airport taxi stands are less likely to scam you. In any case, you should bear in mind that the official metered taxis have a Teksi sign on their roofs and must clearly display their license number and the driver’s data on their interior. Moreover, their license plates start with the letter “H”.

Women on solo trips should avoid catching taxis. They should use a taxi app to keep track of their route or board a lady taxi driven by female drivers, which is considered a somewhat safer option.

KUL Airport houses taxi ranks at both terminals. The taxi stands at KLIA terminal 1 are located on Level 3 of the Main terminal outside the Domestic Arrivals and the Baggage Reclaim Zone of International Arrivals. On the other hand, KLIA terminal 2 features a taxi rank on the first floor of Gateway@klia2 Mall, which lies adjacent to the main terminal building. It can be found in the Transportation Hub, close to Door 4.

Once you reach the taxi rank, you’ll spot three types of taxis. The red taxis are the cheapest ones. They can accommodate up to 4 passengers with limited luggage. The blue cabs are the premium vehicles. They can take up to 7 passengers and offer more luggage space. Nevertheless, they are more expensive than red KLIA taxis. Both red and blue cabs are metered. Thus, their journeys depend on traffic levels. If you want to catch a metered taxi, you should approach the taxi counters at the taxi ranks and buy an RM2 ($0,45/€0,43) coupon. Once you purchase it, you must display it to the first cab in line to start your ride. Are you traveling with lots of luggage? You’ll be charged RM1 ($0,23/€0,22) per piece of baggage. Some taxi companies impose fees for each passenger starting from the third on. Moreover, toll fees are paid by passengers, while night journeys, from midnight to 06:00 am, are 50% more expensive. Overall, you should expect to pay around RM80 ($18,10/€17,40) – RM100 ($22,75/€21,86) for your 57-km/35.4-mile transfer from KL Airport to KL Sentral on a red taxi and slightly more on a blue cab (during the day shift). Tipping the driver isn’t obligatory. It’s important to remember that most cabs accept only cash payments. Hence, if you want to pay with a bank card, you should check with the driver.

You should under no circumstances negotiate fares with taxi drivers. Unless you are familiar with the local transit system and the usual fares, you’ll almost certainly get overcharged.

Apart from the metered taxis, Airport Limos (airport taxis) are also available at KL International Airport. The black cabs provide premium services, offering flat fares depending on the destination. Therefore, passengers wishing to catch a black airport taxi must head to the taxi kiosks and pay for their ride. The fare for the journey in a standard vehicle from KLIA to KL Sentral is RM74 ($16,84/€16,18). Both cash and credit card payments should be accepted.

Thus, your taxi ride from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral will cost from RM74 ($16,84/€16,18) to RM100 ($22,75/€21,86) depending on the chosen vehicle and last around 60-70 minutes. Nevertheless, if roads are congested, journeys to KL Sentral may take more than 1.5 hours, while metered rides are pricier.

Our Tip: Several ride-hailing companies (Grab, Air Asia, etc.) are also present at the airport, offering reliable and value-for-money services.

KLIA to KL Sentral by Bus

KLIA bus lines are the most affordable way to travel from KL Airport to KL Sentral. However, although a bus from KLIA to KL Sentral is a cheap option, it is also a time-consuming one, as buses make intermediate stops and are affected by traffic levels.

In any case, passengers on a tight budget typically catch a bus for their transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral. In detail, four bus companies provide routes from KLIA to KL Sentral:

• Airport Coach: The company offers available routes from 05:00 am to midnight from KLIA T1 and from 05:15 am to 00:15 am from KLIA T2.
• Skybus: Coaches run from KLIA T1 from 05:30 am to 00:30 am. They also depart from KLIA terminal 2 from 05:45 am to 00:45 am.
• Suasana Edaran: Buses operate from 06:00 am to 01:00 am from KLIA terminal 1. There are also available routes from KLIA T2 from 06:15 am to 01:15 am.
• Aerobus: Aerobus travels from KLIA T1 to KL Sentral from 04:30 am to 11:30 pm. It also offers available routes from KLIA T2 to KL Sentral from 04:45 am to 11:45 pm.

Buses linking KLIA terminal 1 to KL Sentral depart from the Short-Term Car Park (STCP), which lies next to the Main terminal building. In fact, it is connected to its premises. The KLIA Bus Terminal can be found on the first level of Block C of the STCP. KLIA terminal 2 also houses a bus station located at Gateway@klia2 Mall, adjacent to the main building of terminal 2. In detail, buses depart from the Transportation Hub, situated on the mall’s first floor.

Ticket counters are available at both bus stops. You should bear in mind that you can approach any ticket kiosk. Indeed, all ticket kiosks at KUL Airport give passengers tickets for the next bus to their destination, regardless of the bus company operating the route. You can pay for your bus ticket with cash or bank cards or use your e-wallet. You can also buy it online. However, although many bus companies offer discounted rates for children, only adult tickets can be purchased online. In any case, children up to 2 years of age usually travel free of charge.

The bus transportation from KLIA to KL Sentral takes around one hour to reach its terminus. However, the duration of the ride can be up to 90-100 minutes during rush hours. As for the cost of the journey, a ticket for the ride from KLIA terminal 1 to KL Sentral is priced at RM15 ($3,34/€3,27), while tickets from KLIA terminal 2 to KL Sentral cost RM16 ($3,57/€3,49).

KLIA to KL Sentral by Train

The two KLIA train lines are the fastest and the top value-for-money option for your transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral. They are air-conditioned and accessible, featuring quiet zones, luggage storage areas, and a digital infotainment system. Free 5G Wi-Fi is also available.

You’ll find train stations at both terminal buildings. The KLIA T1 Train Station can be found on the Main terminal building, specifically on its first level, while the KLIA T2 Train Station is located adjacent to the T2 main terminal, inside the Gateway@klia2 Shopping Mall. Explicitly, ticket counters lie on the mall’s second level. As soon as you buy your tickets, you’ll have to descend to Level 1 to catch your train.

As already mentioned, two train lines run from KL Airport to KL Sentral. KLIA Ekspres runs directly from KLIA T1 and T2 to KL Sentral, while KLIA Transit makes three in-between stops. Therefore, KLIA Transit to KL Sentral is more time-consuming by 7 minutes.

Do you want to catch a train from KLIA to KL Sentral?

KLIA Ekspres to KL Sentral: It operates every 20 minutes, offering available routes from 05:00 am to 00:05 am from KLIA T1 and from 04:55 am to midnight from KLIA T2. It takes 28 minutes to reach its terminus from KLIA T1 and 33 minutes from KLIA T2.

KLIA Transit to KL Sentral: The train runs at a 15-minute frequency during rush hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak hours, weekends, and holidays. It operates from 05:22 am to 00:34 am from KLIA T1 and from 05:18 am to 00:30 am from KLIA T2. Its travel time from KLIA T1 to KL Sentral is 35 minutes, while from KLIA T2 to KL Sentral is 39 minutes.

Both KLIA train lines run to KL City Air Terminal (KL CAT), an extension of KUL Airport located inside the intermodal KL Sentral.

Fares are the same for both KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit. However, tickets differ. Thus, you can’t use a KLIA Transit ticket for rides on KLIA Ekspres and vice versa. In both cases, tickets for the journey from KL Airport to KL Sentral are priced at RM55 ($12,26/€11,90). Children aged 6 to 15 pay a discounted fare (RM25 ($5,57/€5,40), while younger kids travel free of charge (three per paying adult). 

Automatic ticket machines can be found on the train platform of KLIA T1 (Level 1 of the Main terminal building) and the Domestic and International Arrivals of the Main terminal (Level 3). Moreover, KLIA T2 features self-service ticket machines on Level 2 of Gateway@klia2 (the shopping mall adjacent to KLIA T2) and Level 2 of T2’s main terminal building (International and Domestic Arrivals). Ticket counters are also available. However, they can be used to validate or redeem tickets and cards, as well as for informational purposes. Cash payments aren’t accepted on automated ticket machines. Thus, you can buy your ticket using bank cards, mobile devices, or e-wallets. Bank cards and Touch’n Go Cards can also be used to pay directly at the gates. Touch’n Go Cards (TNG) are rechargeable cards that can be used to pay for train and RapidKL bus rides, parking, and toll fees, while they are accepted at many retail stores as well. They are priced at RM10 ($2,23/€2,26) and must be loaded with at least RM20 ($4,46/€4,33). Finally, you can also buy your tickets for the train from KLIA to KL Sentral online.

Are you planning to use the efficient KL public transit network a lot during your stay? You should consider buying a KL TravelPass. KL TravelPasses are actually Touch’n Go Cards that allow one-way or return trips to KUL Airport ONLY on KLIA Ekspres and unlimited public transit journeys for two days. The KL TravelPass, which includes a one-way journey from the airport, costs RM88 ($19,61/€19), while the one offering return trips is priced at RM133 ($29,64/€28,74). Prices for Malaysian travelers are slightly lower. Apart from the one-way or return KLIA Ekspres ticket and the unlimited train and bus rides, the KL TravelPass includes RM5 ($1,11/€1,08), which is the minimum amount required to travel on RapidKL buses and trains. This fare is refundable. After the two-day period, travelers can load the pass with cash and use it as a Touch’n Go Card. 

Car Rental from KL Airport to KL Sentral

A KLIA airport car rental guarantees an independent ride from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral. You can begin your journey whenever you feel like it, stop wherever you please during the ride, and plan your overall itinerary at your own pace. KLIA Airport houses many car hire companies. International agencies and local providers are present at KL International Airport, with their desks located at both terminals, while other car rental companies also offer their services at KUL Airport, even though they can be found at off-airport locations. Overall, if you want to rent a car from the airport, you should compare the options and book the vehicle of your choice as early as possible to benefit from low rates.

Your journey with your Kuala Lumpur car rental from KLIA to KL Sentral should last about 60-70 minutes. Are the roads congested? You should expect a longer journey of about 90-100 minutes. Once you reach KL Sentral, you’ll have to park your vehicle. KL Sentral houses parking facilities, while numerous car parks can be found within close distance. However, street parking is difficult, and if you are looking for a free parking option, you’ll come up empty-handed. 

Private Airport Transfers from KL Airport to KL Sentral

Why waste your precious time trying to catch a taxi from KUL Airport, only to wonder if you’re going to get scammed by the driver? Moreover, why add the hassle of a bus or train ride to your journey from KLIA to KL Sentral? If money isn’t a problem, you should definitely think about booking a private Kuala Lumpur airport transfer from KL Airport to KL Sentral. Your driver will be waiting at the Arrivals hall of your terminal, ready to take your luggage and escort you to the vehicle you’ve selected during the booking process, parked a few steps from the terminal building. You’ll enjoy a pleasant journey to your destination, being given useful tips for your stay in Kuala Lumpur on the way. Moreover, you can add extra amenities to tailor the ride to your requirements. Therefore, although private KLIA irport transfers are the most expensive option for airport rides, costing slightly more than taxis, they fully justify that extra cost.

FAQs

How to get from KLIA to KL Sentral?

Passengers wishing to travel from KL Airport to KL Sentral can catch a taxi from KUL Airport or book a private KLIA airport transfer. On the other hand, if they value independence during their rides, they typically rent a car from KUL Airport, while if they want to save money on their transit expenses, they usually catch one of the KLIA trains or buses to reach the main railway hub in Kuala Lumpur.

How long is the train from KLIA to KL Sentral?

There are two trains from KLIA to KL Sentral. The KLIA Ekspres takes 28 minutes to reach KL Sentral from KLIA T1 and 33 minutes from KLIA T2. On the other hand, the slightly slower KLIA Transit reaches its terminus in about 35 minutes from KLIA terminal 1 and 39 minutes from KLIA terminal 2.

How much is a taxi from KLIA to KL Sentral?

Both metered and fixed-price taxis link Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral. The red metered taxis (the most affordable option) charge around RM80 ($18,10/€17,40) – RM100 ($22,75/€21,86) for the ride from KL Airport to KL Sentral. On the other hand, if you catch one of the flat-price black airport taxis, you’ll pay about RM74 ($16,84/€16,18) for the 60-minute journey.

How much is the bus fare from KLIA to KL Sentral?

Four bus companies provide routes from KL Airport to KL Sentral. The bus fare for rides from KLIA terminal 1 is RM15 ($3,34/€3,27). On the other hand, journeys from KLIA terminal 2 cost RM16 ($3,57/€3,49).