Kuala Lumpur Airport Guide: Sim Cards to City Transfers

duty free area of Kuala Lumpur airport just after the security checks — Duty free area of Kuala Lumpur Terminal 2

Whenever we land on a new destination, the first things that we need mostly is getting a SIM card, exchanging money and find out the options to reach the hotel or city center. In this guide, I’ll tell you about everything you need to know about Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Last month I arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Krabi on an AirAsia flight that landed at Terminal 2 (KLIA2). KLIA has two terminals, Terminals 1 and 2, but they are connected, and it is easy to navigate between them. After going through the immigration process, I was in a large hall, which is part of a duty-free area. This is where you will find various shops, including those offering SIM cards.

picture is taken at terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur airport just after security checks, where you will find information about the different facilities of the airport and where they are located — sign boards can be seen to find the desired information

SIM Card

SIM card options at KLIA are so many, with several providers offering different packages. I chose the Hotlink prepaid SIM, which has unlimited data for seven days for just 29 Malaysian Ringgit. There are several other options available as well, so you can pick which fits your needs.

Popular providers in Malaysia are
i) Hotlink
ii) Digi
iii) Celcom

You can easily compare the prices and plans at the counters near the duty-free area or outside baggage claim in both terminals.

Money Exchange at KLIA

Money exchange service is also available at both terminals, as you get the baggage from the belts, so just after these belts you will find money exchange kiosks. Popular options are Travelex and Maybank, which usually give the best possible rates. Exchanging rates are good, but if you want better rates, consider exchanging a small amount for immediate needs and doing the bulk of the exchange from the city. There are then a lot of ATMs throughout both terminals.

money exchange shop and the rates can be seen in the picture, at Kuala Lumpur airport terminal 2. — a money exchange shop at Kuala Lumpur airport terminal 2

Getting to The City Center: Transport Options

Once you have bought your SIM card and exchanged the money, the next important step is how to reach the city center or the hotel. Luckily, KLIA offers several transportation options that suit various needs and budgets.

1. Bus

If you are traveling on a budget, the bus is the most economical option. Buses run regularly from KLIA 2 to the city center, with tickets costing around 15 MYR. To catch the bus, you need to head towards Level 1 of the terminal, where you will find the bus ticket counters. Once you have purchased the ticket, it will indicate the bus stand where you need to board the bus. Be ready to wait for the buses, as the timings of the buses are different according to the destination. The travel time of these buses to reach the city center is approximately 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the traffic.

sign board showing the direction for different faicilites at Kuala Lumpur airport terminal 2. — escalator going towards level 1 where you will find bus ticket counters

2. KLIA Ekspres

For a faster and more comfortable journey, the KLIA Ekspres is the best option. This train service also connects both terminals to KL central station (city center) in just 30 minutes. The standard one-way ticket costs around 58 MYR, but if you book it through their official app, you can get a discount as well for the first time, as I paid just 44 MYR. The trains run frequently, with services operating from 5 AM to midnight.

seating arrangements of KLIA Ekspres can be seen in the picture — inside view of the KLIA Ekspres train

Sign board showing the way towards KLIA Ekspress terminal at KL Sentral. — heading towards KLIA Ekspres station at KL Sentral

In the picture,, you can see the KL Sentral Hall, where you will find all the trains and buses to go anywhere in Kuala Lumpur — view of KL Sentral hall

3. Private Taxi

There are taxis available as well, which is best for those who have more luggage or want to reach directly to their hotel or those who are traveling with the family. You can book a taxi directly from the airport, or use ride-hailing services apps like Grab or MyCar, which are popular in Kuala Lumpur. Fares usually depend on traffic and distance, but you can expect to pay 65 MYR to 100 MYR from KLIA to the city center. And these taxis operate 24/7.
Travel time from 45 minutes to 60 minutes.

Choosing the Best Option

For Solo Travelers: The KLIA Ekspres is the fast and efficient option, which offers ease at a reasonable price.

For budget travelers: The bus is the cheapest option to reach the city center but it takes longer and you have to wait more for the buses as well.

For families or small group of people: Taxi may be little expensive but best for those who want door to door service and for those who are traveling with multiple people.

So, Whatever option you will choose, all are reliable and you will be in the heart of the city in no time.

And this is all for this blog. Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment below.