Spend any time walking the tangled streets of Kuala Lumpur and you’ll soon understand why a parasol is indispensable. Rain or shine, a little protection from the elements is in order, especially if you’re visiting the major tourist sites, most of which are within walking distance of each other. To get started, however, take advantage of the city’s mass transit trains. They’ll get you where you need to go, with no bartering, beating sun, or traffic jams to slow you down.
Kuala Lumpur is chockablock with fascinating places to walk including Bukit Bintang, the golden triangle of KL and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, where you’ll find the Petronas Twin Towers, Aquaria KLCC, a café-studded esplanade and a beautiful park complete with 1.3 kilometres jogging track.
Tourists should look out for the green circle that signifies Rapid KL’s City Shuttle busses. They cover 15 routes through the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, including stops at KLCC, where Mandarin Oriental is located. A full-day fare is just MYR 3.00. In addition, Hop-On Hop-Off double deck buses that cover 42 KL’s major sights and attractions are also available at KLCC for MYR 38.00 per ticket.
Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in KL, but passengers should be prepared to barter because many drivers ignore the meter. Flagfall for a red and white taxi is MYR 2.00; followed by MYR 0.10 for every 115 metres after the first 2 kilometres. As for executive taxi also known as blue taxi, flagfall is MYR 6.00; followed by MYR 0.20.
At any time during your stay you can book a chauffeur-driven car, available per trip, for hourly or daily hire. Rates vary, but for Mercedes E-Class, fees begin at MYR 200 per hour (minimum 2 hours) or MYR 2000 for daily hire.
KL’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) system is extensive and easy to navigate. There is a major LRT station at KLCC, home to Mandarin Oriental, as well as a monorail that loops through the Golden Triangle, and commuter trains that go into the suburbs. Fares start at MYR 1.20
When making your reservation, let us know if you’d like limousine transfer to and from the airport. The journey takes about 1 hour in normal traffic conditions. Rates vary according to car type and location, starting at MYR 350 for a one-way transfer.
Be advised to ignore the touts and get a pre-paid coupon at the Airport Limousine counter when you arrive in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. For the 1 hour journey, a budget taxi will cost MYR 64.40. A premium taxi will cost MYR 77.70.
The fastest way to town is the Express Rail Link, which transports passengers to KL Sentral Station in 28 minutes. From KL Sentral, take the Light Rail Transit (LRT). The fourth station is KLCC and you’ve arrived at Mandarin Oriental. The express fare is MYR 35 per person, per trip. The LRT fare from KL Sentral to KLCC is MYR 1.60. However, this option is only recommended for light travellers.
Road signs are clearly marked in Malaysia, but traffic is notorious. Travelers usually rely on taxis and public transport to get around town, but if you’re planning a road trip out of the city, hiring a car might be in order. See car rental information box on the right for more details.
MYR 300 per hour (Mercedes S Class)
MYR 200 per hour (Mercedes E Class)
MYR 80 per hour (Hotel Taxi)
MYR 38 per person (Hop On Hop Off KL)
Sky Train, not more than MYR 5 (depending on destination)
MYR 350 per car per day
MYR 550 per car per way (Mercedes S Class)
MYR 350 per car per way (Mercedes E Class)
MYR 180
MYR 35 per person (To KL Sentral LRT Station)
MYR 550 per car per way (Mercedes S Class)
MYR 350 per car per way (Mercedes E Class)
MYR 180
MYR 9 (LCCT to KL Sentral)
