Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a thriving metropolis that attracts over 29 million tourists from around the world. The city is spread over 243 sq. km with a population of over 1.8 million. With world-class road and transport infrastructure and a hub of air traffic to Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur has become a major starting point for exploring Southeast Asia for many travellers flying from Europe and mainland Asia.

Cheap airline tickets and over 50,000 rooms in KL alone make it a very popular tourist destination. KL provides easy and efficient roads as well as air access to popular regional destinations like Singapore and Southern Thailand. 

Whether you want to travel by train, road, or sea, Malaysia is a very affordable travel destination.   I have travelled to KL over 30 times in the last 15 years and explored most of the areas of this interesting city in detail. I have seen Kuala Lumpur evolve over the last decade and enjoy the great cultural mix, culinary experience, and interesting historical places to visit. Here is some useful information I have compiled over the years. 

Kuala Lumpur is a great destination for a family holiday or honeymoon.

These are some of the great reasons to explore this amazing city:

1. Get Cheap Flights to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the hub of AirAsia, one of the largest budget airlines in the world. Along with AirAsia, Batik Airline, and Firefly offer amazing travel fairs to some exotic regional destinations. Planning to travel to KL? Find a Cheap Flight online with JedRadar. Flying in from Australia, I normally book flights with Scoot Airlines or AirAsia, flying to Kuala Lumpur City. Scoot offers amazing deals, but the only caveat is a layover in Singapore, which can be from 3 to 11 hours.

Check Budget Airlines Online with

2. Kuala Lumpur offers Cheap Accommodation

Kuala Lumpur has hundreds of cheap budget hotels and hostels in all major tourist areas like Bukit Bintang, Chinatown and KL Sentral. The most popular places to stay for budget travellers in Chinatown, Bukit Bintang and the KL Sentral area, which offer a wide range of cheap hostels and 1-2 star hotels offering all basic amenities. Keep your safety in mind while booking. Consider the hotel rating on popular booking engines like booking.com and agoda.com. Here is an average price range for hotels and hostels in Kuala Lumpur

Check for amazing Hotel Rates Online.

3. Great Road Infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur & Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is connected to all major cities in Malaysia through a major road network. You can drive to Melaka and Ipoh in one hour from KL City. Most popular destinations like Pangkor, Penang, and Taman Negara are easily accessible by road networks. Rent a car and explore off-the-beaten paths along the major city centres in Malaysia. I have taken road trips across mainland Malaysia and East Malaysia, and I highly recommend booking a car and starting to plan your travel itinerary. Popular travel routes in mainland Malaysia include:

a. Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh and Penang

b. Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands

c. Kuala Lumpur to Melaka

d. Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu

4. Amazing Cultural Diversity

Malaysia has a good mix of Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian populations that add colour to the diverse cultural heritage of Malaysia. With Muslim and non-Muslim populations living in perfect harmony, Malaysia is equally attractive to the Muslim population from around the globe as well as foreigners seeking rich cultural and travel experiences.

Halal food is easily available in most restaurants across Malaysia, which is a plus for Muslim travellers exploring Southeast Asia. The Straits of Malacca have been an important sea trade route for over 1000 years, and cities like Melaka and Penang have rich cultural histories dating back to Portuguese and Dutch occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries. Peranakan culture evolving through the 19th century has a great impact on Malaysian society, and you can experience rich architecture, design and culinary flavours across Melaka and Penang.

5. Affordability

Malaysia is a relatively affordable destination as compared to its neighbouring countries. Budget-conscious backpackers and young travellers find Malaysia an ideal destination where they can travel for under $30 a day. This is possible due to affordable transport, food, and accommodation available across the country. 

KL Travel Guide: Useful Links

Best Areas to Explore in Kuala Lumpur | Transport Guide from KLIA Airport | Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has since become a hub of expats seeking work and business ventures, and travellers who want to explore the mixed culture of Southeast Asia while enjoying the modern-day facilities, eat-outs, accommodation, and travel destinations. 

Most popular places to visit in KL

Bukit Bintang – The Heart of Kuala Lumpur

Bukit Bitang is the tourist hub in Kuala Lumpur City

Whether you want to enjoy the nightlife at Changkat or indulge in some amazing culinary adventures in Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang is a Mecca for tourists seeking late-night adventures, crowds, sports bars and plenty of shopping options.

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historical adventure in Kl

CHINATOWN & CENTRAL MARKET AREA

This part of the city is popular with backpackers and budget-conscious travellers, as the old streets of Chinatown and the Masjid Jamek area are home to many budget hotels and hostels. This area is ideal if you are looking for cheap eats and easy access to transport.

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The most popular neighbourhoods with tourists in Kuala Lumpur are KLCC (KL  City Centre), Bukit Bintang, Masjid India, Chinatown, and Bangsar. The city is quite spread out, and you will need a good couple to explore KL in detail. Whether your interest is shopping, exploring restaurants, or cultural exploration, all suburbs in Kuala Lumpur have something unique to offer. With an effective transport network, you can travel to most sections of the city hassle-free, as the transport within the city is quite cheap.

How to travel from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the City centre

There are several ways to travel to KL City Centre and the Bukit Bintang area from the Airport: 

1. Private Airport Transfers from KLIA/KLIA2

The easiest way to travel from KLIA and KLIA2 airports is to book PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFERS online. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to travel to your hotel in Kuala Lumpur City. If you have already booked a hotel in the city, it’s best to organise transfers with the hotel. Most 4 & 5-star hotels offer these services to the guests.

2. Travel from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kuala Lumpur City By Bus 

Travelling by bus is by far the cheapest way to travel to KL Sentral, which is the hub of all transport in Kuala Lumpur. The bus ticket is RM 10, and the travel time is a little over one hour, as the slow traffic on the road during peak time can take more time to get to the city centre. The airport bus drop-off point is in KL Sentral. If you are staying at a different location, you will need to catch a taxi or GRAB to your hotel.

3. KLIA to KL City By Train ( KLExpress) 

KLExpress is the quickest way to reach KLIA, KLIA2, and Putrajaya from KL Sentral. The ticket, however, is around RM 58. It takes only 28 minutes to reach KLIA from KL Sentral using KLExpress. Onboard Wi-fi is available free of cost, making this trip quite enjoyable. If you are running short on time or catching a flight in peak hours, KLExpress is the best way to reach KLIA.  

4. Catch a taxi from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur City

Taxi is the second-best option after KLExpress. It is most convenient for locations like KLCC and Bukit Bintang, as if you are carrying bags, switching trains from KL Sentral can be hectic at times, as you will need to climb up the stairs at most Light Rail Stations.

Premier Taxis at KLIA

There are three types of Taxi Services Available at KLIA/KLIA2:

You can catch this taxi from the ground floor of KLIA Airport. The fare is charged by the meter. If you are familiar with the directions and know how much it costs to reach your destination, there can be no issue. A tourist or unwary traveller might be in for a rip-off. Late-night rates are much higher than the regular taxi fare rates in the morning. 

Walk up to the taxi coupon counter and get a price for a red taxi if you do not have many bags. Premier taxis are a bit costly and can take up to five passengers and bags. These are blue-coloured SUV taxis.

This fixed-price taxi is the best option. You are required to give your destination at the counter, and the clerk will quote you a price. Upon payment, you will get a coupon that is handed over to the first driver in the queue.

Another convenient way to explore Kuala Lumpur is to charter a private car online. This saves the hassle of driving in an unknown area and enjoying the comfort of an air-conditioned car driven by a professional driver. 

A small taxi from KLIA to Bukit Bintang costs around RM 80. Premier taxi costs from RM 120-140.   

5. Renting a Car at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Renting a car is probably the easiest way to travel in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding areas. There are many services available upon arrival on the ground floor at KLIA2 Airport. To get the best possible rates, book online in advance. 

Car Rental – Search, Compare, and Save up to 70%

Car rental booths at KLIA2

Finding Cheap Hotels in Kuala Lumpur City

Kuala Lumpur offers cheap hotels for budget-conscious travellers. The average 2-3 star hotel ranges from $25-$30 per night. Most affordable hotels are located around KL Sentral, Brickfields, and the Jamek Masjid area.

In late 2024, I spent two weeks in Kuala Lumpur and stayed in budget hotels located in the Chinatown area. I highly recommend these two hotels, which offer quality accommodation and easy access to most places of interest in the old part of Kuala Lumpur

1. Travelodge City Centre Kuala Lumpur      — [Read more about my stay]

2. Avenue J Hotel Central Market —     []  

Some quality budget and boutique hotels are also in KLCC, Bukit Bintang and Bangsar Area. These areas are comparatively more expensive because of modern architecture and location close to the most popular places in KL.  

If you are exploring some quality budget hotels in Kuala read more about my Stay in Budget Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

Serviced Apartments in Kuala Lumpur

Serviced Apartments are a better option if you are travelling with family. Serviced apartments offer more space and better amenities. When travelling with family, I prefer to stay at Serviced Apartments in and around Bukit Bintang. Most family holidaymakers from the Middle East travel with large groups and prefer to stay at 2-3 bedroom serviced apartments in Bukit Bintang. 

Read online about my stay in some of the Best Serviced Apartments in Kuala Lumpur

Conclusion

Kuala Lumpur is one of the most-travelled destinations in Southeast Asia. With over 29 million visitors in 2018 alone, the city caters to a wide range of international visitors from digital nomads to honeymooners and families. Planning your trip can save you a substantial amount of time and money.

Booking your hotels and tours in advance can help you save 20-30% over the markup price. Last-minute walk-in rates at the hotel are always higher than the ones advertised online. Kuala Lumpur is one of my all-time favourite cities to visit in Malaysia, and I suggest you plan your next stopover in KL if you are planning to explore the ASEAN region. 

This Kuala Lumpur travel guide will help you plan your transport, tours, and accommodation when visiting Kuala Lumpur.  

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