Car Rental at KLIA and Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) › Car Rentals

Car Rental in KL (Kuala Lumpur)

Kuala Lumpur car rental is a popular transit option among visitors. Kuala Lumpur houses a wide variety of car hire companies, from local providers to international agencies. Therefore, travelers can take their pick among numerous rental cars, from sedans, economy, and family cars to luxurious models, SUVs, and even minivans. While the KL public transit network is efficient, it entails hassle, as passengers have to reach the train station or bus stop, board the most suitable line to their destination, get off the right stop, and make their way from that location to their journey’s end. What’s more, trains and buses tend to become overcrowded during rush hours, making rides tedious and increasing the risk of pickpocketing. On the other hand, Kuala Lumpur taxis are cheap and provide door-to-door services. Still, taxi drivers are known for overcharging and scamming passengers, especially first-time comers who aren’t familiar with the local transit system. Thus, it is evident that a KL car rental is ideal for travelers who enjoy independent and comfortable rides and plan to explore the exotic Kuala Lumpur as well as the magnificent Malaysian countryside.

Do You Need a Car When Visiting Kuala Lumpur?

If you plan to stay within the city limits, car hire in Kuala Lumpur depends on your priorities and personal preferences. KLCC, the city center, often gets congested, roads are complex, and parking is difficult, while local drivers tend to drive recklessly. On the other hand, a KL car rental is ideal if you enjoy autonomous rides and want to avoid using cheap yet often uncomfortable means of mass transit or unreliable Kuala Lumpur taxis. Moreover, you should definitely rent a car in Kuala Lumpur if you want to explore its surrounding areas and countryside. Nothing beats a KL car rental in terms of convenience for journeys outside the city or long-distance rides. Rent a car and explore enchanting destinations, such as the Uptown Mines Wonderland, the Batu Caves, the thrilling Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, the “Intelligent Garden City”, Putrajaya, or the popular Genting Highlands, at your own pace. You can also cross the borders and expand your journey’s list of destinations. The futuristic Singapore can be found a 4.5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. Overall, there are numerous things to do in Kuala Lumpur as well as within a few hours’ drive, after all. And the best way to discover them is via a Kuala Lumpur car rental.

Can you rent a car in Kuala Lumpur?

Numerous car hire companies are present in Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, car hire in Kuala Lumpur is an easy task. Both Malaysians and foreign travelers can rent a KL car rental and explore the city and the surrounding destinations as they please. All they have to do is check the available options, settle on the car hire provider, and make their reservation by filling out a booking form. Once the reservation is confirmed, customers receive a confirmation email, which is typically used as their booking voucher.

How to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur?

Do you want to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur and are looking for the most suitable model at the best price? Wondering how to make the most of the KL car rental experience? You can check out tips and hints to optimize your car hire deal:

• Early reservations are always recommended to benefit from the lowest prices and ensure availability.
• Facing difficulties in selecting a Kuala Lumpur car rental provider? You can take a look at previous customers’ comments and ratings to help you make up your mind.
• The fuel-to-fuel policy will save you money, as Kuala Lumpur car rental companies usually overcharge fuel.
• A rental day lasts 24 hours, starting from the pick-up time. Therefore, you must return the vehicle on time to avoid extra charges.
• You should be held responsible for any damage when you drop off the KL rental car. Thus, you should take pics or videos of the vehicle while picking it up to capture existing conditions.
• Do you want to fully explore Kuala Lumpur and as many Malaysian destinations as possible during your stay? Check that your car rental in KL doesn’t have mileage restrictions.
• Many car hire companies allow one-way car rental. Thus, you can pick up the vehicle from one location and drop it off at another. Extra charges may apply.
• Do you want to customize your KL car rental experience? Add-ons, such as additional driver, GPS, luggage rack, children’s seats, etc, can be extremely handy but increase the car hire cost.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur?

The cost of car rental in Kuala Lumpur varies depending on several factors, such as the time of the year, the rental duration, the reservation time, the type of selected vehicle, etc. That being said, the price of an economy car rental in KL is around RM140 ($32/€30,80) per day. Extra amenities (luggage racks, GPS, etc.) raise the overall rate of the rental car. On the other hand, the average cost of a rental car from KLIA Airport is about RM182 ($40,80/39,30).

Does Car Rental in KL Include Insurance?

Car hire in Kuala Lumpur includes a minimum level of insurance. Thus, basic protection is typically included when renting a car in Kuala Lumpur. However, all KL car rental companies provide various insurance packages. You should check the available options and choose one of the more comprehensive packages, even though it will raise the final cost, to be on the safe side in case of damage, theft, or accident.

How Hard is Parking in Kuala Lumpur?

Street parking in Kuala Lumpur is next to impossible, while it comes with parking fees and time limits. Thus, travelers are advised to choose a hotel offering parking services. However, if that isn’t an option or the hotel lies outside the city center, you should keep in mind that various car park facilities can be found in KLCC. Moreover, motorists often park their vehicles in the mall’s parking facilities or the outer city center area and catch a train or bus to downtown Kuala Lumpur.

KLIA Car Rental

Car hire at Kuala Lumpur Airport is widely favored by passengers. The airport houses various car rental companies, offering numerous efficient services and a wide variety of vehicle types and models. There are available services at both terminals. Indeed, even though they operate as separate airports, both KLIA terminal 1 -the one housing all the conventional airlines- and KLIA terminal 2 (the low-cost terminal) have car rental desks from international agencies and local providers. On the other hand, taxis, buses, and KLIA Ekspres also link the airport to KL and other surrounding destinations. So, why should you decide to rent a car at Kuala Lumpur Airport?

• KLIA car rentals offer independence and flexibility

Car rental at KLIA Airport allows travelers to plan their journey schedule exactly as they please. They can follow their planned itinerary or change their minds and go to another location, all without worrying about transit options. Moreover, although public transit is an effective alternative for traveling around Kuala Lumpur, it can only take you so far. Thus, if you want to explore the countryside or reach destinations such as Batu Caves, Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Genting Highlands, Melaka, Senai, or even the neighboring Singapore, car hire from Kuala Lumpur Airport should be the most suitable transit option to get to your journey’s end comfortably and hassle-free.

• Car rentals ensure tailored journeys

If you choose to rent a car from Kuala Lumpur Airport, you’ll be able to add the necessary amenities to fully customize your ride. To begin with, you can select the vehicle that suits your needs and preferences. Are long trips on the way, or are you traveling with your family or friends? A spacious car such as an SUV should be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you are on a tight budget or plan to stay within the city limits, a mini or economy car will help you navigate busy Kuala Lumpur without overburdening your pocket. Moreover, add-ons, such as children’s seats, luggage racks, additional drivers, and GPS, ensure seamless and smooth rides.

• Car rentals are more convenient than buses and trains

You’ll find bus lines and the KLIA Ekspres trains linking the airport to the city and many surrounding areas. Although they are the most affordable options, they can be tedious, as they often get congested during rush hours. Moreover, bus and train rides can be overwhelming for first-time visitors who don’t speak the language and don’t know the city. Indeed, finding the right stop as well as your way to your accommodation from that point can be challenging in a vibrant city such as Kuala Lumpur, especially if you are traveling with children or lots of luggage.

• KLIA car rentals are more affordable than taxis

Kuala Lumpur airport taxis are considered cheap. That being said, scamming incidents are often, while taxi drivers tend to try to overcharge travelers. However, even if you aren’t overcharged by the taxi driver, relying on taxis for all trips during your stay in Kuala Lumpur will add a significant amount to your travel expenses. Therefore, taxi rides can end up being much costlier than car hire at Kuala Lumpur Airport.

The Options for Car Rental at KLIA Airport

Both KLIA terminal buildings house car hire companies. Indeed, local agencies and major international providers are present at KUL Airport, with fleets consisting of various vehicle types.

In detail, the car rental companies at KLIA terminal 1 can be found in the main terminal building. Alternatively, car hire desks are also located in the Short-Term Car Park (STCP), next to the main terminal building and interconnected to its second level. The KLIA car rental companies of terminal 1 are:

*Sundays and during public holidays: 08:30 am – 05:00 pm

**Sundays and during public holidays: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm

***Weekends and during public holidays: 08:00 am – 06:00 pm

There are available car hire desks inside the low-cost KLIA terminal 2 as well. KLIA terminal 2 handles flights operated by domestic and international budget airlines and houses the following car rental companies, located on Level 1 (Transportation Hub) of the Gateway@klia2 Shopping Mall, adjacent to the main terminal building:

• Asia Car
• Avis
• Europcar
• Hawk
• Hertz
• Kasina
• Mayflower Car Rental
• PRAC – Pacific Rent A Car
• Xplore Drive

Additionally, various car rental agencies provide their services at KL Airport, even if their desks are located off-airport. In that case, complimentary shuttle rides from and to Kuala Lumpur International Airport are provided. 

More Info about Car Rental in Kuala Lumpur

• You’ll find automatic car rentals in Kuala Lumpur, as well as vehicles with manual transmissions.
• Do you want to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur but feel reluctant due to the local driver’s road behavior? You can rent a car with a driver!
• Most KL car rental companies accept only credit cards. Still, some may also accept debit cards, while in a few cases, cash payments are also permitted.
• Do you want to travel to Singapore during your stay in Kuala Lumpur? You should check if your KL car rental company sets restrictions for cross-border journeys.
• The city often gets congested. Try to avoid driving during rush hours, that is, from 07:00 am to 10:00 am and from 04:30 pm to 08:00 pm.
• Rainy weather often leads to traffic jams. What’s more, you should keep in mind that on rainy days in Kuala Lumpur, visibility may be limited.
• Most highways around Kuala Lumpur are toll roads. Toll fees can also be paid using a rechargeable Touch ‘n Go (TNG) Card.
• You should always respect the speed limits. The speed limit in expressways is 110km/h (68mph) and 90km/h (56 mph) on Federal and State roads. Drivers must drive at an up-to-60km/h (37mph) speed in urban areas. It’s important to remember that the speed limits apply unless road signs indicate otherwise.
• Please note that according to Malaysian law, all passengers must wear seatbelts.
• Children under 12 years of age, or shorter than 136 cm (53.54 inches), or weighing less than 36kg (79,3 pounds) must be seated in designated children’s seats.
• The use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden while driving. However, hands-free kits are allowed.
• The legal alcohol limit in Kuala Lumpur is 0.05%.

FAQs

Is it easy to drive in Kuala Lumpur?

Overall, driving around Kuala Lumpur can be challenging. Thus, if you plan to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur, you should bear in mind that local drivers often don’t respect traffic regulations. For example, turn signals aren’t often used, and priority is frequently not respected, especially at crossings and roundabouts. Moreover, motorists tend not to maintain the necessary distances on highways, while motorbikes seem to be everywhere, often weaving recklessly through vehicles. On the other hand, the road network can be complex in some places, and even though the road signage is written in both English and Malay overall, it is often written only in Malay in some remote countryside destinations. That being said, if you drive carefully, follow traffic laws, and use GPS (Google Maps works perfectly in Malaysia), you should enjoy a pleasant driving experience in Kuala Lumpur.

Is Kuala Lumpur right-hand drive?

Drivers in Kuala Lumpur drive on the left side of the road, while the steering wheel can be found on the right side of vehicles. Therefore, if this isn’t the case in your country of origin, you should spend some time familiarizing yourself with the Malaysian driving system. Selecting an automatic KL car rental should make the driving experience more comfortable.  

What is required to rent a car in Malaysia?

Do you want to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur? You’ll have to hand over some documents as soon as you reach the desk of your KL car rental company. Hence, the car hire agency will ask you for your ID (locals) or passport (international travelers), your driver’s license, a credit card in your name, and possibly your reservation’s voucher. Additionally, you’ll have to issue an International Driving Permit (IDP). However, ASEAN citizens whose driver’s licenses aren’t written in English can present an English translation of their licenses instead.

How old do you have to be to rent a car in Malaysia?

Although the age limits of Kuala Lumpur car rental companies may differ, you generally need to be at least 21 to rent a car in KL. However, higher age limits may apply for some types of vehicles (such as luxurious cars), while a young driver’s fee is often added to the car hire cost for drivers between 21 and 25 years of age.

What is The Most Popular Car Rental in KL?

Although families and groups of travelers consisting of 4-5 persons typically opt for an SUV or a larger vehicle, economy and compact cars are the most popular Kuala Lumpur car rentals. Navigating through traffic and changing lanes on the busy KL highways is easier in an economy or compact car, as is parking in bustling Kuala Lumpur. Moreover, economy and compact KL car rentals are the most affordable car hire options. In detail, Proton Saga, Perodua Axia, Perodua Bezza, and Honda City are some of the most popular car models.