Getting From KLIA To City

Landing at KLIA, I realized that is an unfamiliar territory for cheap way to the city.

I used to rely on KLIA Express, but that was before the ridiculous fare hike by 57%! RM 55 fare is not acceptable in my book. Since then, I had boycott them, even though it comes at the expense of longer traveling time.

Not my usual efficient self, I had to look up for bus info at the very last-minute. And two things came out of it:

a) Location of the KLIA Bus Station, at Ground Floor, Block C

b) Airport Coach plies between KLIA and KL Sentral

Walking direction to KLIA Bus Station

At KLIA, walking out from Arrival Hall, I kept a lookout for directional sign to the Bus Station.

Signage says Bus Station at Level 2. Scratching my head … isn’t it supposed to be at Level G? I decided to follow the direction to Level 2, and play be ear.

At Level 2, I followed another directional sign, and walk towards Parking C and D area.

Ahh … This is where Block C is, and the Bus Station is located at Block C, Ground Floor. Take the escalator to Ground Floor. And only then, that I remembered that I have been to KLIA Bus Station once.

KLIA Bus Station

Location: Ground Floor, Block C, KLIA (Annexe to main terminal building MTB)

There’s nothing “international” nor premium about this Bus Station, as though I have landed at KLIA2. I approached the bus counters, and these people look bored and not interested, and some of them look like touts.

I made a beeline for Airport Coach counter, for my tix to KL Sentral. and it strikes me that I did not manage to check reviews. I wasn’t even sure whether there is any other bus coaches to KL Sentral.

RM 10 for 1-way bus ride to KL Sentral, versus KLIA Express RM 55-28-minutes ride … it’s something that I can definitely tolerate. But, I had to wait for another 25 minutes for the next departure. Dang!

I was toying with a cuppa of teh tarik, or walking around. And I chose the latter, walking around the station.

Noticed that Star Shuttle buses go to Jalan Ipoh! This will be slightly closer to home, I thought. Perhaps I will give this a try next time.

Didn’t know that there are buses to Paradigm Mall, Kelana Jaya and Bukit Tinggi, Klang. Aerobus also go to Genting Highlands, and I thought that RM 35 fare is really affordable.

YOYO buses go to Johor, Ipoh, Taiping, etc.

Airport Coach

Overall, the experience was alright … nothing bad, nothing extraordinary.

10 minutes before the scheduled departure time, I board the bus.

Bus departed on the dot at 2pm. Bus condition is alright. Wifi password indicated on the bus, but both my iPhone and iPad were not able to detect Airport Coach wifi. Took around 1 hour to KL Sentral.

KL Sentral Bus Station 

I expected us to be thrown into pitch-dark, from my previous experience arriving at KL Sentral. True enough, it happens again. For goodness sake … let there be light!

The nearest escalator leading to KL Sentral, was out of order. And this, did not surprise me. If same problem happens again, and again, why is this not fixed? As I am familiar with this station, I walked a bit further, with the intention to use elevator, but elevator was out of order as well. I then walked further ahead, and used another escalator. I would have walked up the first stair, but I was traveling with 3 pieces of luggage this time.

KL Sentral Taxi Station

If I am not mistaken, there are altogether two taxi coupon counters at KL Sentral. The counter at Level 2 is cheaper, than the one at KLIA Express Arrival Hall at Level 1, which charges higher fare.

The location of the taxi counter at Level 2, is between the exit facing Hilton and Le Meridien, and is beside the KTM (long-distance train) ticket counters.

It is still more expensive than hailing from the street (if you are lucky), but at least I know for sure that the rate is fixed.

I paid RM 26 for a 14km, approximately 20-30 minutes journey. I am supposed to give the ticket to my driver, for him to tear off his portion, and for me to keep the remaining stub.

Once you have bought your coupon at the counter, walk out towards the taxi stand. Taxis are assigned accordingly here.

Ride home was pleasant enough. Thank you, pakcik (uncle) driver.