Flights are already stressful enough, but if you’re catching flights at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), you have to worry about the infamous KLIA gauntlet.
With its spectacularly inconvenient location far south of Kuala Lumpur – so far you’re basically in Negeri Sembilan territory – you’re looking at a long, congested and expensive car ride from the city center to catch your flight.
Thankfully, there’s a simple way to get to KLIA that’s free from the above headaches – our ambitious (if flawed) MRT and ERL trains!
So, let’s take a look at how to get to KLIA by train.
And just to spice things up, we’ll do a little budget breakdown at the end to see just how much driving, rideshares and public transport actually cost.
What to Prepare
TNG Card or Cash: For use on MRT trains. For cheaper fares, bring a Touch ‘n Go Card (preferably NFC-equipped).
KLIA Transit Ticket: You can buy a ticket onsite, but why not save time for booking earlier at the official website?
Smartphone: Pre-booked ERL tickets are delivered via email and QR code. Holiday-goers to China should really download these must-have China apps for travellers.
Luggage & Passport: Don’t forget why you’re going to KLIA in the first place! If you’re holidaying in winter, check out our winter layering guide for Malaysians.
Step 1: Get to MRT Putrajaya Sentral
Time: 1.5 hours or less
Cost: ~RM4.6 (cashless) from MRT Muzium Negara
Depending on where you are in the Klang Valley, this might be the quickest or most time-consuming leg of your KLIA journey.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a MRT station, simply hop on the Putrajaya line or transfer from the Kajang line before riding to Putrajaya Sentral. There are also plenty of connecting stations on the KTM and LRT lines as well, as can be seen on MyRapid’s official transit map.
The challenge is estimating how long or short your journey will be, particularly with infrequent trains (looking at you KTM) and off-peak service during weekends.
But based on personal experience, 1.5 hours to get to Putrajaya Sentral is a safe bet.
Tip: If you have the My50 Unlimited Travel Pass, your MRT ride is basically free!
Step 2: Transfer to KLIA Transit (& Book Tickets)
Time: 5-10 minutes
Next, after exiting Putrajaya Sentral, head down to the ground floor and take a hard left U-turn to the KLIA Transit station.
If you’re feeling hungry, now’s a good time to buy some snacks from the nearby stores! But save some space for delicious Xinjiang kebabs or German mulled wine.
Make another right then you’re at the gates. You can purchase a ticket at one of the booths here or book earlier via their official booking website. If you purchase a return ticket (valid for one month), you’ll also save around RM2.
Tickets are also served via QR codes sent to your email. Simply open the ticket on your smartphone and scan at the gates.
Tip: If QR scanner is having issues, try upping your phone’s brightness.
Step 3: Board KLIA Transit
Time: 20 – 30 minutes (excluding wait)
Cost: RM8.50 one-way / RM16.90 return
*NOTE: Make sure to book tickets for KLIA Transit and NOT KLIA Express, as KLIA Express only has express service to and from KL Sentral.
Once you’re at the platform, it’s pretty much smooth sailing to KLIA from here.
Frequencies vary, but based on the official timetable, you’ll only be waiting 30 minutes at most. Once you’re onboard, it’s about 20 minutes to reach KLIA and 25 minutes for KLIA2. Also, remember to press the green button on the doors to open them!
Once you’ve arrived at KLIA, simply take the escalator or lift up to Level 5 for the departure floor. For KLIA Terminal 2, departures are at Level 3.
If you’re taking late night or early morning flights, make sure to double check operation hours for both MRT (6am-12am) and KLIA Transit (5am – 12am).
Scared of missing the train? There is another option:
Alternative: KLIA Express
Time: 30 minutes (excluding wait)
Cost: RM50 one-way / RM90 return
If you’re worried about making it to Putrajaya Sentral on time and have cash to spare, the next best option is KLIA Express.
This express service between KL Sentral and KLIA Express takes only 30 minutes, skipping the need to transfer at Putrajaya Sentral.
The problem is the cash: RM50 just for a 30-minute ride is crazy expensive, especially when you can hitch a one-way ETS ride to Ipoh that takes 2.5 hours for the exact same price.
But, if you’re already at KL Sentral, can’t be bothered to ride all the way to Putrajaya Sentral and have the cash, then KLIA Express is perfectly fine.
The Return Ride
Once you’re back from vacation, make sure to take the right train back to Kuala Lumpur!
Since all airport ERL platforms serve both KLIA Transit and KLIA Express, BE VERY CAREFUL of which train you board.
An easy way to differentiate is to check the signs and colours; turquoise or teal is for KLIA Transit while purple is for KLIA Express.
You may think I’m being hyperbolic, but I once boarded the wrong KLIA Express train back to KL Sentral without a valid ticket. In the end I had to fork out a cool RM50.
Trust me, not a cool way to bookmark a holiday!
Counting Costs
So, now that you know how to take the train to KLIA. Is it worth it? Let’s do some quick maths:
Time & Cost for a One-way Trip from KL Sentral to KLIA Terminal 1
| Cost | Time | Notes | |
| KLIA Transit | RM13.10 | 1.5 hours | From MRT Muzium Negara to MRT Putrajaya Sentral (RM 4.60)1 |
| KLIA Express | RM50 | 30 minutes | |
| Express Bus | RM13-15 | 1 hour (excluding wait and traffic) | |
| Private Car | RM11.6~ *excludes cost of idling, traffic, parking | 1 hour | KL Sentral – KLIA1 = 62km Perodua Bezza Model X with 21km/litre fuel consumption = 2.95l RON95 price as of 8 July = RM1.99/l Petrol: 2.95l * RM1.99 = RM5.8 Toll fare (estimated) = RM5.8 |
| Rideshare/Taxi | RM80-RM100+ | 1 hour (excluding wait and traffic) | Fare, meter charge, tolls included Potential late night surcharge not included |
Note 1: You can take KLIA Transit from KL Sentral to Putrajaya Sentral (RM12.60), but you will have to book a separate ticket for the second leg to KLIA.
As you can see, although driving a private car to KLIA is nominally the cheapest, this doesn’t include the cost of traffic jams, parking and the hidden costs of owning a car.
Time-wise, KLIA Express is the quickest but also the second-most expensive. It can be a lifesaver if you’re in a hurry though.
KLIA Transit takes only 30 minutes more compared to driving while having no tolls or other hidden costs. With a reasonably good compromise between time and cost, I highly recommend KLIA Transit.
Who knows? A ringgit saved is a ringgit secured for your European autumn adventure!
Caught the travel bug? Then check out our Ultimate KTM ETS Travel Guide, a rail trip into Japan’s Nikko region or the world’s most gorgeous shopping malls and arcades!
Links
KLIA Express/Transit Schedule
https://www.kliaekspres.com/schedule/
MyRapid – Rail Integrated Fare Table and Calculator
https://myrapid.com.my/bus-train/rapid-kl/integrated-fare-table/
