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| Home > City Guide - Kuala Lumpur - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport Kuala Lumpur has a fast, efficient and cheap public transport system, which is comprised of many different forms of transport. Keretapi Tanah Melayu – KTM (tel: (03) 2267 1200; website www.ktmb.com.my) operates two KTM Kommuter lines. These electric trains run from Sentul to Port Klang and Rawang to Seremban, between 0500-2400. Fares depend on the distance travelled and cost RM1.50-RM5.50 for a single journey. Return fares and 12-trip tickets are also available. Each station has an easy-to-use ticket machine. KTM offers two day passes, the Kembara Ticket at RM10 for unlimited travel within the KTM network on weekends, and the Mana Mana Ticket at RM5 for unlimited travel within the KTM network during weekdays. These are available from the KTM vending machines at the stations. There are also two Light Railway Transit (LRT) lines in the city. Two separate conglomerates ran these mainly elevated electric trains until September 2002, when the people behind Putra LRT bought out STAR LRT. STAR LRT (tel: (03) 4294 2550; e-mail: star@starlrt.po.my) trains run south from Sentul Timur to Sri Petaling and Ampang in the east. Putra LTR (tel: (03) 469 8228; website: www.putralrt.com.my) trains run between the Putra Terminal in the northeast of the Lembah Subang Depot on Kuala Lumpur’s western outskirts. Services operate weekdays 0600-2400, weekends 0730-2300. Fares depend on which company is operating the service and distances travelled, costing from RM0.70 to RM4.50 for a single journey. However, this might change after the hand over of ownership is finally completed. Each station has an easy-to-use ticket machine. Cityliner (tel: (03) 7982 6904) and Intrakota (tel: (03) 707 7771; website: www.transweb.com.my/intrakota/destination.htm) are the main providers of Kuala Lumpur’s comprehensive and highly complex bus service. Although routes vary, main services generally run between 0500 and 2400. Each company operates a different fare system, with fares ranging from RM0.60 to RM1 and tickets are purchased on board (exact change is preferred). Bus route maps are displayed at many bus stops throughout the city. The elevated KL Monorail (tel: (03) 2272 3801; website: www.monorail.com.my) should have opened in 1999. However, after numerous delays, it appears that it might finally open this year (2003). The monorail will serve destinations from Titiwangsa in the north to Kuala Lumpur’s Sentral Station (tel: (03) 2260 6322; e-mail: info@klsentral.com.my; website: www.klsentral.com.my) and will also cover destinations in the Golden Triangle. Taxis Taxis can be pre-booked from KL Outstation Taxi (tel: (03) 238 3525), or hailed on the street. Taxi ranks are also found throughout the city. Queues at the ranks are especially long during rush hour. All taxis have meters, which most drivers willingly use. If the taxi does not have a meter or the driver refuses to use the meter, it is advisable to wait for the next available taxi. Taxi drivers touting for business at main transport terminals should be avoided. During thunderstorms, many taxis will only take passengers for an agreed flat fare and will refuse to use meters. The meter rate starts at RM2 for the first two kilometres and rises RM0.10 for each subsequent 200m (656ft). Pre-ordered taxis incur a surcharge of RM1. Journeys made between 0000-0600 incur a 50% surcharge. Surcharges of RM1 for each piece of luggage carried in the car boot and RM0.20 for more than two passengers are also levied. Passengers are responsible for any road tolls incurred. Tips are not generally expected or given. Limousines These can be hired at the airport through Airport Limousine (tel: (03) 8787 1010; e-mail: tarrif@airportlimomalaysia.com; website: www.airportlimomalaysia.com) and at most luxury hotels. Limousines to the city from Kuala Lumpur International Airport cost RM91.20. Hire for a day costs approximately RM360. Driving in the City Driving in Kuala Lumpur is increasingly becoming as hair-raising as driving in other South East Asian cities is. The roads are in good condition and driving standards are reasonably good, however, the maze of one-way systems comprising the city centre and the large number of fuel-choked traffic jams make patience and a good road map essential requirements. Car parks are generally located at large hotels and city-centre shopping malls. Three central public car parks are Asia Park on Jalan Bukit Bintang, and the two car parks behind the Dorsett Regency Hotel just off Jalan Imbi (opening times 0700-0100). The cost is RM2 for the first hour and then RM1.50 for each subsequent hour. Car Hire A national driving licence is required to hire a car in Malaysia, it is also advisable to hold an International Driving Permit. Age limits apply and drivers must usually be at least 23 years old and have held a full driving licence for two years. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) from RM15 per day is usually compulsory, with Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) from RM6 per day and Theft Protection from RM15 per day as recommended extras. Major providers include Avis (tel: (03) 8787 4087 or 2141 7144; website: www.avis.com.my) and Hertz (tel: (03) 8787 4572 or 2148 6433); website: www.hertz.com.my). Hire of a standard saloon car costs from RM190 per day and RM950 per week. Bicycle & Scooter Hire Kuala Lumpur is not a safe city in which to travel around on two wheels. Incidence of road accidents involving bicycles, scooters and motorcycles are high. The Malaysian tourism promotion board's official line is that two-wheel transport is not generally available for hire. |
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