How to Catch a Train from KLIA Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport is efficiently connected to the city via two train lines. KLIA Ekspres is the fastest way to reach KL, while KLIA Transit includes a few intermediate stops, making rides slightly more time-consuming. Both ERL (Express Rail Link) lines feature modern, fully-equipped passenger cars with comfortable seating and spacious luggage storage areas and offer free 5G Wi-Fi. Moreover, the two KLIA train lines are fully accessible with designated zones for passengers with disabilities and accessible washrooms. Plus, quiet zones can be found inside the trains.
KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit trains run from KUL Airport to the Malaysian capital. They terminate their routes at the KL City Air Terminal (KL CAT), which is part of the KL Sentral Station and is located in the heart of the city. The KL CAT is considered an extension of KL Airport. Thus, passengers flying with Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Batik Air Malaysia can check in and check their luggage at the KL City Air Terminal before catching the KLIA Ekspres or the KLIA Transit Train, saving time and avoiding long lines at the airport.
The KLIA Ekspres Train
KLIA Ekspres runs directly from KL Airport to KL Sentral (KL City Air Terminal) in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It starts its route at KLIA T2 Station (KE3), making a brief stop at KLIA T1 (KE2) for one minute before traveling to KL Sentral (KE1). KLIA Express Train (KLIA Ekspres) is part of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System, numbered 6. It is the fastest way to travel from KUL Airport to Kuala Lumpur.
Our Tip: KLIA Ekspres offers VIP services. Hence, passengers opting for the VIP service enjoy welcome services at the airport and a seat in specially designated zones inside the KLIA train. Moreover, they are offered a limousine ride from KL Sentral to their final destination.
The KLIA Transit Train
The KLIA Transit Train is a commuter train that shares the same tracks with KLIA Ekspres. It is part of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System and is numbered 7. The train follows the same route as the KLIA Express Train but makes three in-between stops. Thus, it departs from KLIA T2 Station (KT6), stops for one minute at KLIA T1 Station (KT5), and makes the following three stops before reaching its terminus in KL Sentral (KT1):
- Salak Tinggi (KT4)
- Putrajaya/Cyberjaya (KT3)
- Bandar Tasik Selatan (KT2)
Our Tip: Passengers who want to travel as fast as possible between KLIA airport terminals catch the KLIA train lines. KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit Train take 3 minutes to travel from one terminal to the other. The journey costs RM2 ($0,45/€0,44) for adults and RM1 ($0,22/€0,21) for children between 6 and 15 years of age. That being said, the airport shuttle bus connects the two terminals free of charge.
The KLIA Train Schedule
KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit Train have different timetables. KLIA Ekspres runs from KLIA T2 Station from 04:55 am to midnight, while it has available routes from KLIA airport terminal 1 from 05:00 am to 00:05 am. It operates every 20 minutes, even on public holidays. Its traveling time to KL Sentral is 33 minutes from KLIA T2 Station and 28 minutes from KLIA T1 Station.
On the other hand, the KLIA Transit Train runs from 05:18 am to 00:30 am from KLIA terminal 2. The first train from KLIA T1 Station departs at 05:22 am, and the last train leaves KLIA terminal 1 at 00:34 am. KLIA Transit trains operate at a 15-minute frequency during peak hours and every 30 minutes at other times (during non-rush hours, on weekends, and on public holidays). The slightly slower KLIA train takes 35 to travel from KLIA T1 to KL Sentral and 39 minutes to reach its terminus from KLIA T2 Station.
KLIA Train Stations
KL International Airport features train stations at both terminals. The two terminal buildings serve as separate airports, after all, with KLIA terminal 1 handling conventional airlines and KLIA terminal 2 housing low-cost air carriers. The KLIA Train Station at terminal 1 can be found on the Main terminal building’s first level, while the Kuala Lumpur Airport Train Station at terminal 2 is located in the Gateway@klia2 Shopping Mall, lying adjacent to the terminal building, inter-connected to its premises. Passengers can buy their tickets at Level 2 of the Gateway@klia2 and board KLIA Ekspres or KLIA transit descending to Level 1 of the shopping mall. Please note that both KLIA train lines depart from the same island platforms. Thus, KLIA Ekspres departs from the tracks on one side of the platform, while KLIA Transit runs from the tracks on the opposite side.
The KLIA Train Tickets and Fares
Passengers can easily buy their tickets for the Kuala Lumpur airport train lines from the automatic machines lying at both terminals. In detail, automatic ticket machines can be found on the platform of KLIA terminal 1 (Level 1 of the Main terminal building) and Level 3 of the Main terminal (Domestic and International Arrivals, close to the Baggage Claim Zone). On the other hand, self-service ticket kiosks can be found on Level 2 of the Gateway@klia2 Mall and Level 2 of terminal 2’s main building (International and Domestic Arrivals, close to the Baggage Reclaim Area). Please keep in mind that ticket counters are also situated in those areas. However, you can’t buy tickets from the ticket counters. You can only redeem your voucher there in case of online reservations and get monthly passes or concession cards. Therefore, ticket counters can only be used for validation, redemption, or information. Alternatively, travelers can buy their KLIA train tickets online through the relevant website or application. In that case, fares are 10% lower than on-site ticket purchases. It’s important to remember that if you purchase an online ticket, you’ll have to approach the ticket counters at KLIA and redeem your voucher. Tickets can be bought up to 6 months before the travel date. All tickets are valid for one month starting from the selected travel date.
Bank card payments are accepted at automated vending machines. E-wallet and mobile payments are also accepted at the self-service ticket kiosks, while passengers can pay contactless (via credit or debit cards or mobile devices) at the gates. Therefore, cash payments aren’t an option.
A one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral costs RM55 ($12,26/€11,90) for adult passengers and RM25 ($5,57/€5,40) for children aged 6 to 15. Return tickets are priced at RM100 ($22,30/€21,60) for adults and RM45 ($10/€9,70) for children. Kids younger than 6 travel for free (three per paying adult).
Although tickets for KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit are similarly priced, they differ. Thus, you can’t use KLIA Ekspres tickets for rides with KLIA Transit Train and vice versa.
Touch’n Go and KL TravelPass
Touch’n Go Cards (TNG) are rechargeable cards that can be used for rides with trains and public buses, as well as to pay for toll and parking fees. Moreover, they are valid for purchases at participating retail stores. The reloadable Touch’n Go Card costs RM10 ($2,23/€2,16) and must be loaded with a minimum of RM20 ($4,46/€4,33). TNG Cards can be used for rides on the KLIA train lines. Passengers can tap them directly at the gates to pay for their train fares.
Full fares are charged when paying with Touch’n Go Cards.
Passengers planning to catch KLIA Ekspres can also buy a KL TravelPass. It is a Touch’n Go Card that allows one-way or return trips to KUL Airport and two-day unlimited rides with RapidKL buses and trains. One-way KL TravelPasses cost RM88 ($19,61/€19) for non-Malaysian travelers, while return KL TravelPasses are priced at RM133 ($29,64/€28,74). Each card has a stored value of RM5 ($1,11/€1,08), which is the minimum amount required to travel on RapidKL buses. It is refundable. However, the KL TravelPass offers rides only on the KLIA Ekspres. Once the two-day time frame expires, travelers can reload the pass with cash and use it for KTM Komuter rides, purchases at participating stores, or even to pay for parking fees.
Our Tip: Weekly and monthly Travelcards are available for rides on KLIA Transit Train.
FAQs
Is there a train at Kuala Lumpur Airport?
Two trains link Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the city center. Thus, the KLIA Ekspres and the KLIA Transit Trains depart from the two airport stations (located in both terminals), heading to KL Sentral, lying centrally in Kuala Lumpur.
How long is the train from KLIA to KL Sentral?
The ride with KLIA Express Train (KLIA Ekspres) from KLIA T2 to KLIA Sentral lasts 33 minutes, while KLIA Transit train journeys take around 39 minutes. On the other hand, the rail journey from KLIA T1 Station to KL Sentral lasts 35 minutes on KLIA Transit and 28 minutes on KLIA Ekspres.
What is the difference between KLIA Express and KLIA Transit?
KLIA Express Train (KLIA Ekspres) runs directly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to KL Sentral. On the other hand, the slightly more time-consuming KLIA Transit Train makes three in-between stops before reaching the KL City Air Terminal in KL Sentral.
How fast is the KLIA Express?
The fast Kuala Lumpur airport train (KLIA Ekspres) runs at a top speed of 160km/h (99.4mph). Thus, it takes just 28 minutes to travel from KLIA terminal 2 to KL Sentral in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.