From Bus Stop to Airport – Transport in Malaysia
Table of contents:
- Urban Transport in Malaysia – Metro, Trams, and Buses
- Taxis and Grab
- Intercity Transport in Malaysia
- How to Get from KUL Airport to the City Center of Kuala Lumpur
- Apps for Getting Around Malaysia
- A Few Practical Transport Tips in Malaysia
Urban Transport in Malaysia – Metro, Trams, and Buses
Getting familiar with public transport is essential in a new place. In Malaysia, public transport is divided into buses and rail, which is why getting around both large and small cities is really easy. What is more, buying a ticket is extremely simple and does not require any prior preparation. At the beginning, however, it is worth understanding the abbreviations, so that you immediately know which means of transport is which.
- LRT – light rapid transit (elevated rail)
- MRT – mass rapid transit (metro)
- BRT – bus rapid transit (buses)
- ERL – Express Rail Link (train)
- KTM – Malaysian National Railway Operator (train)
Public Transport in Kuala Lumpur
In the capital of Malaysia, there is an extensive public transport network that includes LRT, MRT, and BRT. In addition, many private operators are also in service, which is why getting from point A to point B is really easy, even without knowing the city. The lines are well connected with each other, and transfers usually do not cause any problems. The network covers most districts as well as the main tourist attractions, so public transport is fully sufficient for sightseeing. What is important, signs and announcements are available in English, which makes the system clear also for tourists. The carriages and buses are air conditioned, which in this climate significantly increases travel comfort. However, you should expect heavier traffic during peak hours, especially in the morning and in the afternoon.
The best way to get around the city is to use Google Maps. The app searches for possible routes in real time and includes all available means of transport. It is also worth having the Rapidly app as a backup. It shows nearby stops and metro stations, allows you to check current fares, and helps you plan your route.
Tickets can be purchased in the Touch ’n Go, app, however, it can only be downloaded once you are already in Malaysia or after changing the country settings on your phone. I personally recommend using the standard MyRapid card, which can be bought at every metro station, from ticket machines, in 7-Eleven stores, and at kiosks near the stations. The card can be topped up, and since you have it physically, you can continue getting around the city even when your phone runs out of battery. It covers LRT, MRT, and BRT, so all public transport is available in one place. A one day pass costs 25 RM, and a three day pass costs 55 RM. There is no option to pay with cash.
Local Transport in Smaller Cities in Malaysia
In smaller cities, public transport also operates largely cashless. In most parts of the country, the Touch ’n Go card is used, however, on many buses you can also pay with a regular payment card or via Google and Apple Wallet. You simply hold your card or phone to the reader and wait for confirmation.
Outside large cities, the number of routes is usually limited, and buses run less frequently, which is why planning your route is especially important. Timetables at stops are often unavailable or only indicative, and punctuality can vary. In many places, most connections are operated by private carriers.
In every city, I used Google Maps and the Rapidly app, which made it easier to search for routes, check departure times, and locate the nearest stops.
Taxis and Grab
In Malaysia, taxis are mostly red and white, while blue ones are considered a premium version, and other colors depend on the specific company. In cities, there are designated taxi ranks, however, you can also hail a taxi directly from the street. Unfortunately, you need to carefully check whether the driver has turned on the meter and whether they are not taking a longer route. For many years, there were quite a few abuses here, which is why today fewer and fewer traditional taxis are in service. As a result, most passengers now choose rides ordered through apps.
The most popular app is Grab, which is the equivalent of Uber known in Europe and America. It is easy to use and very intuitive, which is why using it does not cause any problems even on your first ride. The app shows a live preview of the route both when ordering and during the journey itself, and payment is made directly through your phone. What is important, in Grab you can pay not only by card but also in cash, which is convenient outside large cities. Thanks to this, the service is safe and offers a rather small chance of fraud. Prices are really affordable, which is why many people choose Grab instead of public transport. The app works throughout the whole of Malaysia.
Intercity Transport in Malaysia
Intercity transport in Malaysia works quite efficiently. Across the entire country, you can travel by trains, buses, ferries, and planes. Prices are affordable, and transport is usually comfortable, often with air conditioning and WiFi access. The infrastructure is at a good level, which is why traveling between cities does not cause major difficulties. Trains and flights are usually quite punctual, whereas buses can be less reliable in this regard. A plane works best for longer distances, for example between the Malay Peninsula and the islands or on the Kuala Lumpur to Singapore route. Ferries also play an important role, connecting the mainland with islands and seaside resorts.
| Platforma / operator | Bus | Train | Ferry | Airplane | Use / purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Online Ticket | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🔴 | Domestic buses, some ferries, local routes |
| redBus | 🟢 | 🔴 | 🟢 | 🔴 | Long distance buses throughout Malaysia |
| Transtar Travel | 🟢 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | Malaysia – Singapore connections |
| 12Go Asia | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | Comparison of all means of transport |
| KTMB | 🔴 | 🟢 | 🔴 | 🔴 | Official railway and high speed ETS trains |
| Easybook | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🔴 | Buses, trains, and ferries in one place |
| AirAsia | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🟢 | Domestic and regional flights |
| Malaysia Airlines | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🟢 | Domestic and international flights |
| Scoot | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🟢 | Regional flights, mainly Malaysia – Singapore |
How to Get from KUL Airport to the City Center of Kuala Lumpur
The best option is to take the train. There are two lines available: KLIA Transit and KLIA Express. The difference between them lies in the number of stops. Transit stops more often, which is why the journey takes about 40 minutes. Express runs faster and reaches the center of Kuala Lumpur in about 30 minutes. The price of both connections is the same and is around 55 RM one way and 100 RM for a return ticket. At the airport, you should follow the KLIA Express signs, which lead directly to the platforms. It is worth buying your ticket online, because it is often cheaper than at the airport.
An alternative option is to take buses running from the KLIA and KLIA2 terminals to the city center, mainly to KL Sentral station. In this case, however, you should expect a longer travel time. The ticket usually costs from 12 to 17 RM, which is why this is the cheapest way to get there. You can also use a taxi or the Grab app. The ride to the city center usually costs around 70 to 80 RM. This is a good option, especially if you are traveling with at least one other person.
Apps for Getting Around Malaysia
During my travels in Malaysia, I used several apps that truly made planning journeys and getting around cities much easier. Below, I have gathered the ones that worked best in practice.
Google Maps shows all possible transport options in Malaysia, including metro, trains, and bus connections. The app displays current arrival and departure times, which makes planning journeys much easier. In practice, it worked better than dedicated apps such as KL Metro or Rapidly. It is simple to use and well known, which is why for me it was the most convenient solution for using public transport in Malaysia. In addition, it works perfectly for finding restaurants, bars, and attractions nearby, along with reliable user reviews.
Grab is the equivalent of the European and American Uber. It is a convenient option when you need to move quickly or when public transport does not reach your destination. The app offers a live route preview, which makes it easier to control the ride. In addition, prices are very affordable, which is why Grab worked perfectly while getting around Malaysia. The app also allows you to order food, which can be convenient after a long day of sightseeing.
redBus offers a wide selection of routes from many operators in Malaysia and beyond its borders. The app is intuitive and allows you to quickly buy bus tickets with online payment. After the purchase, you can download the ticket offline to your phone. Thanks to this, you do not need to check offers from individual carriers, because one app is enough to plan many journeys.
Transtar Travel operates services of an operator running between Singapore and major cities in Malaysia, such as Kuala Lumpur or Melaka. The frequency of departures is high, however, the range of routes remains quite limited. It is a good, though more modest, alternative to redBus when planning bus journeys on this route.
Other apps that may be useful while traveling around Malaysia:
- Rapidly shows routes for metro, LRT, MRT, ERL, and BRT. It allows you to check nearby stations, ticket prices, and plan your journey.
- KL Metro includes maps of KTM, LRT, MRT, and ERL lines and allows you to quickly search for connections within the rail network. However, you should expect a large number of ads.
- K.K.K.L. Express allows you to buy tickets from the operator K.K.K.L. Travel & Tours on domestic routes and between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
- 707 Inc allows you to buy tickets on selected routes between Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Pahang, and Singapore. The range of connections is limited to a few directions.
- Moovit shows available means of transport and allows you to plan journeys from point A to point B. In Malaysia, it works unevenly, and the free version contains many ads.
- Touch ’n Go eWallet enables payments in the metro, buses, and urban rail. It allows you to top up your balance and use transport without buying single tickets.
- MyRapid Pulse shows LRT, MRT, and BRT routes as well as current departure times. It allows you to check line status and possible delays.
- KTMB Mobile allows you to check timetables and buy tickets for long distance trains and ETS. It makes planning journeys between larger cities in Malaysia easier.
- Skyscanner allows you to search for and compare domestic and international flights. It helps you find the cheapest connections and check available dates.
I also encourage you to read my article “Useful Apps in Malaysia. What to Install Before Your Trip”, which will help you prepare for your journey not only in terms of transport.
A Few Practical Transport Tips in Malaysia
1. In most cities, transport operates cashless, which is why it is worth having a Touch ’n Go card or a contactless payment card.
2. For route planning, Google Maps works best, because it shows real connections and current departure times.
3. During peak hours, the metro and urban rail can be very crowded, especially in the morning and in the afternoon.
4. Outside large cities, buses run less frequently, which is why you should always check the timetable in advance.
5. Grab is a safer and more convenient option than traditional taxis, especially if you do not know the local fares.
6. In trains and the metro, there is a ban on bringing durian, which is very strictly enforced.
7. On some trains, there is a pink zone for women only, which is very convenient when traveling solo or in a female group.
8. It is always worth checking the name of the final station, because not all lines go to the city center.
9. In smaller towns, most connections are operated by private carriers, and punctuality can be only approximate.
10. On longer routes, it is often faster and cheaper to fly than to travel by bus or train.
If my article helped you plan your route and gather the necessary information, I would be grateful for your support in making my dreams come true by buying me a coffee!
