Kuala Lumpur International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Kuala Lumpur airport stands in Sepang, about 50 km south of the capital, and is split into two terminals a long way apart: KLIA for traditional carriers, klia2 for AirAsia and the low-cost airlines. For a dawn flight or a night layover it is best to stay at the airport, choosing the hotel linked to your own terminal. Those with at least one free day do better to sleep in the city: the KLIA Ekspres makes the return predictable, while the road depends on traffic. From late afternoon on a weekday you need more margin.

At the airport (KLIA and klia2)

At the airport · On foot along a covered walkway: a few minutes from the Sama-Sama to KLIA, about 10 minutes from the Tune Hotel to klia2.

Best for: Those with a flight before 8, a long layover, or who arrive in the dead of night and leave the next day.

Pros

No transport to take: you walk to check-in, under cover
One hotel for each terminal, with very different price ranges
You avoid the expressway traffic towards Kuala Lumpur

Cons

Around you there are only terminals and car parks: in the evening you dine at the hotel or the airport
If the hotel is at the other terminal you need the inter-terminal train between KLIA and klia2
To see the city it is still 28-33 minutes by train each way

Recommended hotels in this area

Sama-Sama Hotel KLIA: Joined to the KLIA terminal by a covered skybridge, with a free electric shuttle running 24 hours for those with heavy luggage.
Tune Hotel KLIA-klia2: Budget hotel linked to klia2 by a covered walkway (about 8-12 minutes on foot): suited to those flying AirAsia early in the morning.

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KL Sentral

Near the airport link · KLIA Ekspres direct from KL Sentral: 28 minutes to KLIA, 33 to klia2.

Best for: Those who want to see the city but leave without surprises, stepping off the train straight into the hotel.

Pros

The hotels in the area are linked to the station by covered passages
LRT, MRT, monorail and KTM trains to the rest of the city also depart from here
The airport train is unaffected by traffic

Cons

A district of offices and stations, less lively in the evening than Bukit Bintang
For KLCC or the bars you still need to change lines

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Kuala Lumpur: An air-conditioned corridor leads from the lobby to the KL Sentral walkway: suitcases to the train without going outdoors.
Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral: Linked by a bridge to the NU Sentral shopping centre, above the station: handy for those arriving by train with luggage.

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KLCC and the Petronas Towers

City centre · KLIA Ekspres to KL Sentral (28 minutes), then the LRT Kelana Jaya line to KLCC in 5-7 minutes; by taxi or Grab 45-60 minutes.

Best for: Those with one or two days in the city who want the Petronas and KLCC park on their doorstep.

Pros

Petronas Towers, KLCC park and Suria shopping centre on foot
You reach Bukit Bintang on foot along the covered pedestrian walkway
Just one train change for the airport

Cons

With luggage the change at KL Sentral lengthens the journey
By car the return to the airport at peak hours is unpredictable

Recommended hotels in this area

Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur: Overlooking KLCC park and the Petronas Towers, with covered access to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre; SkyBar on the 33rd floor.

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