Kuala Lumpur International Airport - Kuala Lumpur International Airport

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the largest airport in Malaysia. It is served by various well-known international airlines, but not a single American airline is among them. In addition to the well-known transfer points Singapore Changi and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, the KLIA transfer point is a somewhat less well-known option in Germany to fly to Australia or New Zealand. There may be a stopover in Kuala Lumpur (short KL) and a flight with Malaysia Airlines, an inexpensive and worth considering alternative on the way to "down under", compared to a flight with Thai or Singapore Airlines via their hubs in Bangkok and Singapore.

background

The international airport of Kuala Lumpur is one of the best in the world and received the "World Best Airport" award in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The airport is located almost 70 km outside the city center in the Sepang district. All full service airlines use the designated part of the airport, which is divided into the contact pier and the satellite terminal. All international airlines use the satellite terminal, and long-haul flights from Malaysia Airlines are also handled there.

getting there

By train

From the main terminal, the "KLIA Ekspres" takes you to KL Sentral (main station) in just 28 minutes. The journey costs MYR 55 per person (approx. € 12). The KLIA Ekspres is the fastest and most efficient way to get from the airport to the city.

For only MYR 155 (approx. € 33) you can get the KLIA Ekspres VIP service book, which makes the journey to the hotel much easier, especially if you have a lot of luggage. A concierge greets the passenger directly in front of the baggage carousel and a porter loads the luggage onto a trolley. You will then be escorted to the KLIA Ekspres platform, where your luggage will also be loaded. The KLIA Ekspres takes you to the station in just 28 minutes KL Sentral and is greeted there again by a porter, who takes the luggage from the train and then accompanies the passenger to the limousine that is waiting. This limousine will then take you to your hotel, office or any other address you wish within the urban area of ​​Kuala Lumpur. A very efficient and comfortable way that is offered professionally and inexpensively!

By bus

At Kuala Lumpur Airport there is also a so-called Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) which is served by Air Asia and Tiger Airways. The LCCT is connected to the Kontakt Pier by a bus service that runs every 15 minutes. The journey takes about 20 minutes, as the terminals are only 300 meters apart (as the crow flies), but the bus uses the public airport road and first has to go around the airport to get to the main terminal. If you are planning to switch from a full service airline (for example Malaysia Airlines) to Air Asia (or vice versa), you should plan a transfer time of at least 3 hours.

Unfortunately, the LCCT is not connected to the KLIA Ekspres, so a shuttle service has been set up with buses to KL Sentral. This costs with the Air Asia buses MYR 9 (approx. EUR 1.80). Tickets are available on the bus and on board Air Asia flights. There is also a competing company that operates the same route for MYR 8. The journey time is between 60 and 75 minutes, depending on the traffic situation. Especially Mondays to Fridays, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., you should expect a journey time of around 90 minutes, as there is a high volume of traffic in Kuala Lumpur at this time.

Since October 2009, KLIA Express has also been offering the KLIA transit a special regular shuttle bus transfer from the LCCT to the nearby train station Salak Tinggi, where you can then change to the fast KLIA Transit to KL Sentral. The unit price, including train and bus, is RM 12.50 one way (RM 6 for children), RM 22 two way (RM 11 children). The driving time after KL Sentral is 26 minutes and the train also stops in Putrajaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan.

With the taxi

You can also take a taxi from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur. In order to prevent the passengers from being charged overpriced fares, a cupon system was introduced. The passenger informs an employee of the taxi company of the destination and receives a coupon after payment (credit card payment is possible). With this he goes to the taxi stand in front of the terminal and is assigned a vehicle. The prices are based on a zone system and range between MYR 70 and MYR 120. There is a 50% surcharge from midnight to 6 am. The counters are located in the international terminal after customs control in front of the sliding doors or in the arrival hall by the rental car counters.

For security reasons, offers from free drivers so-called "touts" who are in the arrivals area should be rejected. If you do not buy a coupon, you have to insist in the taxi that the taximeter is used. Otherwise, especially guests who are unfamiliar with the location, will be charged prices between MYR 300 and MYR 500.

In the street

Various highways lead from the airport into the city, all of which are subject to tolls. At toll stations you can pay in cash (in MYR) or with the "Touch and Go Card" available in KL. (When paying with "Touch and Go" you have to use the corresponding lane at the toll station). Depending on the traffic, the journey time is between 50 and 90 minutes.

Airlines and Destinations

Flies from Germany Malaysia Airlines non-stop to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines is one of the 5-star airlines awarded by SKYTRAX and has received the "World Best Cabin Staff" and "Best Economy Class" awards several times. A flight from Frankfurt / Main to Kuala Lumpur takes about 12 hours and the landing takes place in Kuala Lumpur around 6.30 a.m.

In addition to Malaysia Airlines, the German one also serves Lufthansa the route, but Lufthansa flies first to Bangkok and from there - after a short stopover - on to Kuala Lumpur. The travel time is 14½ hours and the landing in Kuala Lumpur takes place between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Landing in the evening can make it easier for people who suffer from jet lag to adjust to the local time.

You can also use Singapore Airlines Get to Kuala Lumpur twice a day via Singapore and Thai Airlines via Bangkok. The cheapest airline is Qatar Airways, but you have to expect a 4-hour stay in Doha for this connection.

One of the larger airlines at the airport Air Asia, which has flights across Southeast Asia, China, Macau, India, England and Australia.

Terminals

Main Terminal / Contact PierThis is where flights within Malaysia and intra-Asian flights from Malaysia Airlines are handled. Check-in for all airlines (except Air Asia and Tiger Airways) is also located in the Contact Pier (Level 5). Unlike other major international airports, check-in for most long-haul flights is only possible up to 60 minutes before departure.

Satellite TerminalAll Malaysia Airlines long-haul flights begin and end at the Satellite Terminal. Furthermore, the flights of all other international airlines (except Air Asia and Tiger Airways) are handled here. The satellite terminal is connected to the Contact Pier by an aerotrain. This Aerotrain is free and runs approximately every 90 seconds to the Contact Pier (main terminal) - Note: Aerotrain operations at Kuala Lumpur Airport will be suspended from November 1st to March 15th due to construction work and improvements to the airport facilities. The fully automatic driverless shuttle train connects the main terminal of the airport with the satellite terminal. During the work on the train, traffic will be handled by shuttle buses. The travel time is extended by approx. 15 minutes. Travelers with short transfer times and passengers who check in relatively late should therefore plan the additional travel time. Long-haul flights that are handled at gates C1 to C37 are affected.

Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT)Only Air Asia and Tiger Airways flights are handled at the LCCT. For a change from the LCCT to the Contact Pier or Satellite you should plan at least 3 hours!

Arrivals

All international airlines (except Air Asia and Tiger Airways) arrive at the Satellite Terminal. In addition, long-haul Malaysia Airlines flights end at this terminal. Malaysia Airlines domestic and intra-Asian flights terminate at the Contact Pier. Air Asia and Tiger Airways only end at the LCCT.

departure

Malaysia Airlines intra-Asian flights are handled at the Contact Pier. All international airlines (except Air Asia and Tiger Airways) handle their flights at the Satellite Terminal. The same applies to long-haul flights operated by Malaysia Airlines; Air Asia and Tiger Airways only depart from the LCCT.

Change

Realistically, you should allow at least 45 minutes to change between flights from the Contact Pier and / or Satellite Terminal. This does not include time to check-in baggage again. You should plan at least 3 hours for changing between LCCT and Contact Pier and / or Satellite Terminal.

security

As at all major international airports, the usual safety instructions should also be observed in KL. That means: watch out for abandoned luggage and report it, watch out for pickpockets, not watch out for the luggage of foreign passengers, etc. In Malaysia - as in all countries of Southeast Asia - possession and trafficking in drugs is severely punished with the death penalty is also imposed on foreigners. Therefore, you should urgently stay away from drugs and take care of your luggage. Likewise, one should not rely on the help of the Federal Foreign Office in such a case, as Malaysia generally forbids any interference by the perpetrator's home country. Furthermore, the import of pornography (including Playboy) is prohibited by law. The import of DVDs is subject to high customs duties and the import and export of pirated copies is completely prohibited. Furthermore, e.g. the export of tropical mussel shells, corals, protected plants etc. is strictly prohibited and is punished with high fines. Baggage checks rarely take place, but you shouldn't rely on being able to enter or leave the country uncontrolled.

mobility

The above-mentioned Aerotrain runs between the Contact Pier and the Satellite Terminal (free of charge). A (chargeable) bus shuttle runs between the Contact Pier and the LCCT every 15 minutes. Travel time is 20 minutes and the ticket costs MYR 2.20 (approx. EUR 0.45).

The Contact Pier and the Satellite Terminal are equipped with a large number of elevators, escalators and electric treadmills, which guarantee quick and comfortable travel at the airport. Furthermore, all flights at the Contact Pier and Satellite Terminal are generally handled via passenger boarding bridges. Therefore, the Contact Pier and the Satellite Terminal can be used by wheelchair users without any problems.

There are no elevators or treadmills at the LCCT. Furthermore, Air Asia does not have any lifting facilities for wheelchairs. Since boarding in Air Asia flights at the LCCT always takes place via the gangway on the apron, wheelchair users who fly Air Asia must be able to leave the wheelchair at the gangway and be able to climb the gangway stairs.

City Air Terminal KL Sentral

Airline passengers Malaysia Airlines,Cathay Pacific, Emirates andRoyal Brunei You can check-in in the so-called City Air Terminal in KL Sentral if you want to travel to the airport KLIA Ekspres use.

The check-in counters are in the immediate vicinity of the KLIA Ekspres, and you have to go IN FRONT bought the ticket for the train at check-in in order to check-in (will be checked). A ticket counter and machines are available in the immediate vicinity.

The option of check-in at KL Sentral is particularly recommended for passengers who have booked a flight to Europe, as these flights usually depart around midnight (Malaysia Airlines). You can check in your luggage in KL Sentral in the morning, spend the day in Kuala Lumpur and drive to the airport in the evening without having to worry about your luggage during the day.

Last check-in for all flights (regardless of whether they are intercontinental or not) is 120 minutes before departure. If you exceed the 120-minute limit, you will be checked in, but you will have to transport your luggage to the airport yourself and drop it off at the "Luggage Drop Off Counter" there.

Unfortunately, this convenient way of transporting luggage currently only works in the direction of KL Sentral -> KLIA. It is planned that in the near future you will also be able to receive your luggage from flights of the above-mentioned airlines at the City Air Terminal after landing in KLIA. Preparations for the start of this service are already underway.

activities

Lounges

All lounges are located on the mezzanine floor of the Satellite Terminal (Mezzanine Floor - towards Gates C11 - C17). Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways only operate their own lounges. Passengers from other airlines (e.g. Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, JAL, KLM, etc.) use the Plaza Premium Lounge. For the use of the lounge, passengers in First or Business Class receive a voucher from their airline upon check-in, which must be given when entering the lounge. All lounges are equipped to a very high standard and exceed the services of lounges at some major European airports many times over!

Planespotting

Airplane fans (plane spotters) get their money's worth in KLIA, as you can observe what is going on on the apron and the view of the satellite terminal behind a huge panoramic pane of glass. In contrast to many other international airports, spotters in KLIA are not forced to pursue their hobby outdoors, but can instead enjoy the view in an (air-conditioned) part of the airport, where there is also sufficient seating and WiFi. Unfortunately, only one of the two runways is visible. Access to the viewpoint is located directly above the passport control counters. (At the point where the passengers take the escalator down to the passport control upon departure, you have to look to the right and left and look for the connecting bridge to the viewpoint).

shop

The Contact Pier and the Satellite Terminal have a large selection of shops, boutiques and shopping opportunities. There are also money changers, banks and a massage parlor (satellite terminal) available.

There is a selection of fast food restaurants at the LCCT. The shopping possibilities are limited to a shop with travel supplies (food, drinks, newspapers, books, etc.). There is also a switch for changing money.

kitchen

The Contact Pier and the Satellite Terminal have a large selection of restaurants in the departure area. There are also numerous restaurants in the Contact Pier directly behind the check-in counters of the various airlines. At level 3 of the Contact Pier there is also a large food court, in which Asian dishes are offered.

There is a selection of fast food restaurants in the LCCT. You can also buy snacks or a small snack in both the national and international departure areas.

accommodation

• The is located directly in the satellite terminal and therefore ideally located for transit travelers with a long stay Airside Transit Hotel. Rooms start at RM 170 and can be booked via the airport's website.
• The 5-star hotel is located directly at the airport PAN Pacific KLIA. Furthermore, this is Le Meridien Hotel Kuala Lumpur a good stopover option, as this international 5-star hotel is right next to KL Sentral and you can "go to bed" with the KLIA Ekspres in just 28 minutes from the airport, so to speak.
• The. 7 minute walk from the departure hall of the LCCT terminal Tunehotels group, a subsidiary of Air Asia, built an inexpensive and clean budget hotel with 222 rooms. Near the post office: Lot PT 29, Jalan KLIA S4, 64000 KLIA Selangor Darul Ehsan. Overnight stay from approx. 50.00 RM; Towel and soap, air conditioning, hair dryer, wireless LAN are charged extra. Check-in from 2 p.m., check-out 10 a.m. Bookings are made via the Tunehotels website. A good solution if you arrive at night or have to leave the LCCT very early in the morning.
• An alternative is one Hotel in the immediate vicinity of the KL Sentral station so that you can take the Air Asia buses or the KLIA Express or KLIA Transit to the airport or LCCT terminal at night without using a taxi.

health

As usual at international airports, pharmacies and medical assistance are also available in KLIA.

Practical advice

KLIA is one of the airports in the world, which are almost perfectly signposted. There is a sufficient number of signposts, monitors and information desks. Furthermore, every departure is announced bilingually (Bahasa Malaysia and English) in all terminals. The same applies to passengers who did not arrive at the gate on time for boarding time.

Baggage retention

• Both KLIA and LCCT have luggage storage. Both charge from RM 18.00 a day for a small piece of luggage.
• KL Spare Room is a private retention service that is better suited for longer retention periods. A smaller suitcase costs just under 20 euros a week. If the storage time is 4 weeks, it will also be picked up at the airport free of charge. Sports equipment costs around 120 euros per month including collection. The warehouse is about 15 kilometers from the airport.

miscellaneous

In all terminals (Kontakt Pier, Satellite Terminal and LCCT) there is a free one, but sometimes a little slow wireless Internet access. There are several computer terminals available in the departure areas of the Satellite Terminal, which allow free access to the Internet.

There are enough public ones Telephoneswhich work with coins, phone cards or common credit cards. There are a number of in the terminals Cell phone charging stations. The loading terminals sponsored by Maxis have small lockers with a combination lock. There is a mobile phone charging cable in each.

Web links

• http://www.klia.com.my - Official website of Kuala Lumpur Airport
• KLIA Ekspres
• LCCT - Low Cost Carrier Terminal
• Skybus LCCT - KL Sentral