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 Little India, Chinatown, the historical city centre and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, where you’ll find the Petronas Twin Towers, a café-studded esplanade, and a beautiful park complete with 1.3km 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 RM2.
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; followed by MYR 0.10 for every 200m after the first 2 km. Hagglers should expect to pay MYR 5 for a quick trip, MYR 10 to get across town. Yellow cabs cost more and there are surcharges for baggage, extra passengers and phone booking.
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 170 per hour (minimum 2 hours) or MYR 1700 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 45 minutes in good traffic conditions. Rates vary according to car type and location, starting at MYR 320 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. For the 45-minute journey, a budget taxi will cost approximately MYR 68. A premium taxi will cost about MYR 93.
The fastest way to town is the Express Rail Link, which transports passengers to KL Sentral Station in 28 minutes. From Sentral, take the Light Rail four stops to KLCC and you’ve arrived at Mandarin Oriental. The express fare is MYR 35 per person, per trip. Fare from Sentral to KLCC is MYR 2.10
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)
