Kuala Lumpur flights and travel guide

Kuala Lumpur (KL), the dizzying, glittering capital of Malaysia, is a city where the old collides with the new, traditional with modern. Travellers taking cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur will get an advance peak of this at the international airport. The hub is ultra modern, but has a section of transplanted rain forest in its satellite building.

KL's architecture is a mix of old colonial buildings, Malay, Asian, Islamic and modern of which the most stunning is the Petronas Towers. The towers are the tallest twin buildings in the world. For a few years in the early 2000s, they were the tallest buildings in the world. To enjoy the view from the Skybridge on the 41st floor (at 170 metres), snap up one of the 1,300 timed free tickets given out each morning. The KL Tower offers fantastic views too, from 276m above ground level.

Down on the ground, KL is a great city for shoppers. The Bukit Bintang area is where most bargain hunters go. Central Market is the destination for souvenir hunters. It's a wonderful, atmospheric starting point for a walk through Chinatown (Petaling Street, home to bustling night markets, is its heart) and Little India, a bustling area of sari stalls and food stands.

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Kuala Lumpur climate

Kuala Lumpur has an equatorial climate - humidity levels and temperatures are high and there is lots of rain. Daily temperatures range between 30 and 34 degrees Celsius while night-time temperatures are not much lower - between 25 and 28 degrees. The southwest monsoon occurs between September and April, the eastern monsoon between October and January. May, June and July are the driest months.

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When to fly to Kuala Lumpur

Peak Season: 
December to January, June to August (the driest months). 

Off Season: 
February to March, September to October. 

Shoulder Season: 
April-May and November.

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Getting into town Kuala Lumpur

The Express Rail Link train provides the fast transportation to the city centre. The KLIA Express and the KLIA Transit links the airport to Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral - City Air Terminal) and vice-versa. At the City Air Terminal departing passengers have the option of checking-in their luggage, receive their boarding passes and proceed to board the train for the airport. Immigration clearance will be completed there. Travel time between KL Sentral to the airport is 28 minutes on the KLIA Express and 37 minutes on the KLIA Transit. 

Taxis are also available; they should be paid for in advance at the ticket counter in the arrivals hall. Many hotels can arrange for a car to pick up guests, though this is generally more expensive than taking a taxi.

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Getting around Kuala Lumpur

The heat and humidity can make walking around Kuala Lumpur (KL) seem arduous and the sights farther apart than you thought. The traffic is such that even crossing a street can be a hair-raising experience; when you are walking, join a group of pedestrians and cross with them.

KL’s public transport is fast and easy to learn. Most visitors use the monorail and light rail. The KL Monorail serves the main shopping and hotel districts, and the Putra LRT serves Chinatown.

There is an abundance of taxis, except during rush hour or when it is raining. You can hail taxis, pick them up at stands, or call them, although calling imposes a surcharge. Before you set off, make sure that the driver understands where you want to go and how to get there and that the meter will be used. There is a surcharge for late night and early morning trips. You can also hire a cab for an hour or more.

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Kuala Lumpur insider information

• For a respite from the city bustle, Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana) are green, verdant and home to monkeys. 
• If visiting a local's home, it's polite to take your shoes off inside their home and avoid eating with your left hand. 
• Petaling Street has some amazing bargains - behind the stalls. The clothes shops there offer great savings and good quality. Along Petaling Street, sample the Hokkien noodles from the stall outside Hong Leong Bank. 
• If you're not fast getting to the Petronas Towers for a free sky walk you'll be last. The box office opens at 8.30am and the 1,400 daily timed tickets are usually gone by 10.30am. It's not free, but the Menara tower has a revolving restaurant and a viewing platform. Admission is 38 ringgit (about $13) for a visit to the KL Tower Animal Zone, Observation Deck, Forest In the City (day visits) and Light & Sound show (night visits).

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Kuala Lumpur airports

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