From KLIA Terminal 1 to KL Sentral Station: A First-Time
Visitor's Transit Guide
The Fastest and Easiest Way from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the City Centre
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| KL Sentral Station. |
Destination
KL Sentral Station is Kuala Lumpur's main transportation
hub and the gateway to the city for many international visitors arriving by
train from KLIA. The station connects the KLIA Ekspres, KLIA Transit, MRT, LRT,
Monorail, KTM Komuter, and intercity rail services, making it one of the most
important transit centres in Malaysia. It also provides convenient access to
popular destinations such as Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Petaling Street, Merdeka 118,
and Mid Valley City, as well as numerous hotels located within walking distance
of the station.
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| Authorized Airport Taxi Ticket Counter at KLIA1 Arrival Hall on Level 3. |
Arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for
the first time and wondering how to get to the city centre?
The KLIA Ekspres is the fastest and most convenient way to
travel from KLIA Terminal 1 to KL Sentral Station, Kuala Lumpur's main
transportation hub. The non-stop airport train takes just 28 minutes and
connects you directly to MRT, LRT, Monorail, KTM Komuter, and intercity rail
services.
This guide walks you through every step, from the Arrival
Hall at KLIA Terminal 1 to boarding the train and arriving at KL Sentral
Station.
Directions
Step 1: Proceed to Level 1
From the Arrival Hall on Level 3, head down to Level 1
using the escalator or elevator.
Follow the signs for:
- KLIA
Ekspres
- KLIA Transit
The clearly marked signage throughout the airport makes the
station easy to find.
Head to KLIA Ekspres Station on level 1.
Step 2: Purchase Your Ticket
Once you arrive at the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit
Station, purchase your ticket from the ticket machines.
KLIA Ekspres Fare
- Current
one-way fare: RM55 (RM100 for return fare)
- From 1 January 2027, the one-way fare will increase to RM65, while the return fare will be RM118.
- Enjoy 10% discount for online booking on KLIA Ekspres.
Step 3: Purchase a Touch 'n Go Card
Before entering the platform, consider purchasing a Touch
'n Go (TnG) Card from the Touch 'n Go vending machine located at the station.
Touch 'n Go Card Price
- Card
Fee: RM10
After purchasing the card, you can immediately reload it
using the same machine. Simply insert the card and add credit according to your
travel needs.
Once reloaded, the card is ready for use and can be used
immediately upon arrival at KL Sentral Station for:
- MRT
trains
- LRT
trains
- Monorail
services
- RapidKL
buses
Having a Touch 'n Go card ready before leaving the airport
can save time and make it easier to continue your journey around Kuala Lumpur
without having to purchase separate tickets or tokens for each trip.
Travel Tip: Buy and reload your Touch 'n Go card at KLIA Terminal 1 before
boarding the KLIA Ekspres. When you arrive at KL Sentral Station, you'll be
ready to hop straight onto the MRT, LRT, Monorail, or RapidKL buses and
continue your journey across Kuala Lumpur.
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| Touch 'N Go Card Vending Machine at KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit Station. |
Step 4: Board the KLIA Ekspres
After purchasing your ticket, proceed through the fare
gates and head to the platform.
Board the KLIA Ekspres train (Platform A) bound for KL Sentral
Station.
Journey Information
- Destination:
KL Sentral Station
- Travel
Time: 28 minutes
- Stops:
Non-stop service
Frequency: 20 minutes from 5:00 to 22:40. (23:00 onwards via KLIA Transit)
Sit back and enjoy the ride as the train takes you directly
from the airport to the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Board the KLIA Ekspres train at Platform A.
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| Board the train at Platform A heading to KL Sentral (non-stop). |
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| Board the KLIA Transit train at Platform B. KL Sentral is four stops away from KLIA T1. |
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| KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit KLIA T1 Station. |
Step 5: Arrive at KL Sentral Station
After approximately 28 minutes (33 minutes from KLIA T2), the train arrives at KL
Sentral Station.
From KL Sentral, you can easily connect to:
- MRT
Kajang Line
- MRT
Putrajaya Line
- LRT
Kelana Jaya Line
- Monorail
Line
- KTM
Komuter
- Major
hotels in the KL Sentral area
It also serves as an excellent starting point for visiting
popular destinations such as Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street, KLCC, and Merdeka 118.
Travel Tips
- Purchase
a return ticket if you'll be flying out from KLIA, as it offers better
value than two separate one-way tickets.
- Buy
a Touch 'n Go Card before leaving the airport to enjoy seamless travel on
Kuala Lumpur's public transportation network.
- Keep
your KLIA Ekspres ticket until you exit the fare gates at KL Sentral
Station.
- If
you're staying near KL Sentral, many hotels are within walking distance of
the station.
- Bus: Fare range RM13 to RM15, ~1 hour depending on traffic.
- Grab/Taxi: Direct to hotel, ~45–60 minutes depending on traffic, cost between RM65 and RM90 during off-peak hours
Note: RM1 = ~USD0.25
Quick Guides from KL Sentral to Major Hubs in Kuala Lumpur
KL Sentral Station is Kuala Lumpur's main transportation
hub, providing direct connections to the MRT, LRT, Monorail, and KTM Komuter
networks. From here, you can easily reach many of the city's most popular
districts and attractions.
Bukit Bintang
Take the MRT Kajang Line from MRT Muzium Negara Station to
MRT Bukit Bintang Station.
Journey Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Bukit Bintang is Kuala Lumpur's premier shopping, dining,
and entertainment district, home to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Lot 10, Jalan Alor,
and Fahrenheit88.
Refer to:
KL Sentral to Bukit Bintang
KLCC
Take the LRT Kelana Jaya Line from KL Sentral Station to
KLCC Station.
Journey Time: Approximately 15 minutes
KLCC is home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Suria
KLCC, KLCC Park, and numerous hotels and office towers.
Refer to:
KL Sentral to KLCC
Petaling Street (Chinatown)
Take the LRT Kelana Jaya Line from KL Sentral Station to Pasar Seni Station.
Journey Time: Approximately 3 minutes
Petaling Street is one of Kuala Lumpur's oldest districts,
known for its street food, heritage shophouses, temples, and bustling market
atmosphere.
Refer to:
LRT KL Sentral to Pasar Seni
Merdeka 118
Take the MRT Kajang Line from MRT Muzium Negara Station to
MRT Merdeka Station.
Journey Time: Approximately 10 minutes
Merdeka 118 is currently the tallest building in Southeast
Asia and home to the impressive 118 Mall development.
Refer to:
Hotels Near KL Sentral Station
KL Sentral is one of the most convenient places to stay in
Kuala Lumpur, offering direct access to the MRT, LRT, Monorail, KTM Komuter,
and KLIA Ekspres airport train.
Popular hotels within walking distance of KL Sentral
Station include:
- Hilton
Kuala Lumpur
- Le
Méridien Kuala Lumpur
- Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral
- Hotel
Sentral Kuala Lumpur
- Sg. Regis Kuala Lumpur
- Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur
Whether you're visiting Kuala Lumpur for business or
leisure, staying near KL Sentral provides convenient access to major
attractions, shopping districts, and transportation hubs throughout the city.
Related Walks
Related Guides
Continue your journey with these step-by-step walking guides:
From KL Sentral to Monorail KL Sentral
KL Sentral Station to Little India
Whether you're visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first time or returning to explore more of the city, the KLIA Ekspres offers the fastest and most convenient connection between KLIA Terminal 1 and KL Sentral Station. With a journey time of just 28 minutes, you'll arrive at Kuala Lumpur's main transportation hub ready to continue your adventure. Don't forget to pick up and reload a Touch 'n Go card at the airport to enjoy seamless travel on the MRT, LRT, Monorail, and RapidKL bus network as you explore the city.
Enjoy your trip in Kuala Lumpur!









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