The KLIA express (the official name is KLIA Ekspres) is a fast and relatively affordable way to travel to and from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Sentral Station. I recently stayed at the excellent Hilton Kuala Lumpur hotel which is next to the Sentral Station.
Getting from Hilton Kuala Lumpur to KLIA Express Sentral Station
How easy is it for you (who stay at Hilton KL) to go to Sentral Station to catch a train to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) by the KLIA express train ?
From the lobby of Hilton KL, you can see this sign.
In the lift, you can see that the lower floor is the linkway to KL Sentral Station.
Just follow the signs inside the KL Sentral Station for the KLIA Express. This is because the KL Sentral Station is the station not just for KLIA Express but also other mass transit lines (the KL Monorail and the KTM). This makes it a transport hub where you can connect to other locations to KL if you are taking the KLIA Express to this station. Fantastic, right ?
Saw this at the station. An interesting offer from Grab. RM 55 from KLIA to Sentral Station and then Grab the taxi to another location ?
You will see this sign at the end of the walk across the Sentral Station. This sign shows you where to go to take the KLIA Express to the airport.
Getting KLIA Express Train Tickets to KLIA
Once you are inside the rather small ticketing area, you can use the ticketing machine to purchase a ticket using your credit card.
My ticket was RM49.50 (99 RM for two tickets). It makes me think.. what is that offer from Grab that is only RM55 !?! :). Anyway, for your information, it is cheaper also (10% discount ?) if you buy online.
Boarding the KLIA Express Train
You then walk to this lift which will take you down to the train platform itself.
The platform is rather quiet and follow the signboards to the KLIA Express train
Inside the train, there are luggage cages to hold your luggages.
The train inside is very quiet, clean and comfortable.
For certain airlines (I believe it is Malaysian Airlines, Cathay Airways and Malindo Air. Not Singapore Airlines though), you can actually check-in at the Sentral Station itself and travel without luggages to the airport. This is very similar to the Hong Kong airport and its Hong Kong Airport Express Service.
Along the way….
Arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
The whole train ride is about 30 mins (VERY FAST !) and we arrived right at the terminal we needed.
Exit through these gates so you still need your original tickets.
Take the lift up to level 5 (Departure) and you will be right in the middle of the departure terminal !
This is also the lift you should take IF YOU ARE ARRIVING at the KLIA and going to take the KLIA express DOWN TO Kuala Lumpur itself.
Conclusion
I find this way of travelling to be very convenient and fast. Recently I found that when I order a Grab Taxi at the KLIA airport, it takes almost 20 mins to 30 mins for the taxi to arrive at the pick up point. My understanding is that there is a huge traffic jam coming up to the pick up point.
If you are staying at the Hilton KL or you are able to use the KL monorail or even grab a taxi from the Sentral Station to your location in KL, the KLIA Express is a good way to travel from Kuala Lumpur Airport to downtown Kuala Lumpur.
