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Mooching around Malaysia or kicking back in Kuala Lumpur soon? Lucky you! If you are flying to or from Kuala Lumpur airport (KLIA) and need to hop between terminals, there is a free KLIA to KLIA2 shuttle transfer bus that loops between the two terminals.
KLIA (terminal 1) and KLIA2 (terminal 2) airports are easy to transfer between and navigate, even when you have lots of luggage or backpacks.
We most recently did this journey in December 2023 so all the information and photos below are very up-to-date.
From the the KLIA transfer bus schedule to where to pick up the airport shuttle buses, here is our guide to transferring between KLIA and KLIA2 by bus:
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Table of Contents
How much does the KLIA to KLIA2 transfer bus cost?
The bus between KLIA to KLIA2 is free of charge and is hop on hop off so no prior booking is required.
Try this – treat yourself to a private transfer from KLIA to downtown Kuala Lumpur >
When does the KLIA to KLIA2 shuttle bus operate / frequency?
The KLIA shuttle bus that runs between KLIA and KLIA2 runs for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The KLIA to KLIA2 shuttle bus runs very regularly, departing around every 10 to 15 minutes.
How long does the KLIA shuttle bus take to run between terminals?
KLIA to KLIA2 shuttle bus
It takes around 15 minutes to go from KLIA to KLIA2 by shuttle bus – the journey is direct.
KLIA2 to KLIA shuttle bus
The shuttle bus going in the other direction from KLIA2 to KLIA takes 20 to 25 minutes. It takes slightly longer as the bus stops for a little while (around 5 minutes) at the Long Term Car Park to pick up other passengers.
It is advisable to allow plenty of time to get from KLIA to KLIA2 and vice versa as the buses depart every 15 minutes and take up to 25 minutes to go between both airports.
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On board the KLIA to KLIA2 airport shuttle
The KLIA bus shuttle is easy to spot as they are generally purple / pink in colour and also have an LED sign board on the front and side showing where they are going to e.g. 001 for KLIA1 and LTCP for Long Term Car Park.
The bus is also branded with a Malaysia Airports Logo.
The KLIA/ KLIA2 free shuttle bus is roomy with around 25 seats, standing room plus lots of space at the front to allow for large luggage and suitcases.
Note that you need to pick up and drop off your own bags.
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Where can I pick up the KLIA2 to KLIA bus shuttle?
To get the KLIA2 to KLIA bus shuttle, head to level 1 of the transport hub / Gateway shopping mall at KLIA2 and then go through exit 3 – the bus departs from Bay A10.
There are lots of KLIA2 to KLIA bus sign posts dotted around level 1 with arrows all pointing to exit no.3 and A10 – so it is very easy to find.
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Where can I pick up the KLIA to KLIA2 transfer bus?
The KLIA to KLIA2 shuttle bus departs from door 4 on level 1.
Once you get to door 4, you’ll see the bus stop approximately 10 metres away on the road in front with the bus facing to the right.
There is also a pick-up point saying ‘Free Shuttle Service to KLIA 2 and LTCP’ (the long term car park at KLIA) / Tempat Ambil Penumpang.
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What is the difference Between KLIA1 and KLIA2?
Both KLIA and KLIA2 airports are located close to each but they are separate airports.
KLIA is used more for full-service and international flights whilst KLIA2 is mainly for AirAsia and domestic flights.
Nearest KLIA2 airport hotel to the KLIA/ KLIA2 free bus shuttle
If you are arriving or departing very early in the morning or very late at night, we would recommend staying at the KLIA2 Tune Hotel.
It is literally a 1 minute flat walk from KLIA2 Tune Hotel to the KLIA2 / KLIA bus transfer stop at Bay 10 on level 1 of the KLIA2 transport hub.
We’ve stayed at KLIA2 Airport Hotel on over a dozen occasions and it is fine for a one night stay and quite inexpensive.
We recently upgraded to a garden view room at KLIA2 Tune Hotel and the extra cost was so worth it and the furnishings were nicer. Room rates include breakfast too.
Check out the Tune KLIA2 room rates with booking.com here >
Nearest KLIA1 airport hotel to the KLIA/ KLIA2 free shuttle bus
The hotel that is closest to the KLIA1 free shuttle bus pick up point is the Sama Sama Hotel KLIA, less than a 5 minute walk from the bus stop.
Check out the Sama Sama Hotel KLIA, room rates with booking.com here >
Other things to know about the KLIA airport shuttle
- The drivers sometime jump off at either terminal for a quick smoke / drink break – it is fine to jump on whilst they taking their break
- The bus can get full at busy / peak times so do allow extra time to your journey in case you need to wait for the next shuttle
- There is room for wheelchairs and buggies on the KLIA airport shuttle bus
- Whilst the KLIA / KLIA2 airport terminal shuttle is 24/7, not all of the shops and restaurants are so if you are arriving very early in the morning, you may want to bring some water or snacks.
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Other free shuttle buses at KLIA and KLIA2 – Mitsui Outlet Park / KLIA Sepang
There is also another free shuttle at KLIA that runs between KLIA, KLIA2 and the Mitsui Outlet Park (a Kuala Lumpur designer outlet shopping mall around a 10 minute drive from KLIA1).
The Mitsui Outlet Park shuttle bus at KLIA is a brightly coloured orange bus that runs from 8.30am every day until 11pm.
Mitsui Outlet Park at KLIA Sepang has big brands at discount prices like Adidas, Levis and Nike and is quite similar to the Genting Highlands Outlet Mall.
Is there another way to transfer between KLIA and KLIA2
Yes, you can hop on the KLIA Express / KLIA Ekspres train which goes between KLIA and KLIA2 before going to / arriving from KL Sentral train station.
The KLIA Express train between KLIA and KLIA2 takes 3 minutes and costs 2 MYR from 5:18am until 00.30am.
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How to get from KLIA 2 / KLIA to Kuala Lumpur City
There are four main modes of transport to get from KLIA / KLIA2 to downtown Kuala Lumpur:
Grab taxis at KLIA / Kuala Lumpur airport
The fastest and most efficient way to get to downtown Kuala Lumpur from KLIA is to take a GRAB taxi which you can easily book via the Grab app.
There are clear Grab pick-up points at both KLIA1 and KLIA which are labelled as ‘ehailing’.
The Grab taxi pick up point at KLIA2 is door 5 at level 1 of the transport hub at KLIA2 (next to a KK supermart).
The Grab taxi pick up point at KLIA is door 3 and 4 on level 1 of the KLIA terminal.
Note no waiting is allowed so you must be at the KLIA / KLIA2 Grab taxi pick-up points when they arrive.
Grab taxi fares from KLIA2 to downtown Kuala Lumpur usually cost between 60 to 70 MYR plus a few additional motorway toll fares (less than 10 MYR). Kuala Lumpur airport Grab taxi fares and prices correct as of December 2023.
Airport bus to Kuala Lumpur City Centre from KLIA / KLIA2
Buses run from:
KLIA1 airport to KL Sentral station from 5:30am until around 12.30am
KLIA2 airport to KL Sentral station from 6.30am until around 12.30am
The bus journey from KLIA to downtown KL Sentral takes around 1 hour (but may take longer in peak / rush hour traffic).
The KLIA to KL Sentral bus fare costs from 13 MYR per person one way, as of December 2023.
Bus fares can be booked from the ticket offices at the airport or in advance online via at redbus.my.
KLIA Train Service – KLIA Ekspres
There is also a regular train service – KLIA Ekspres / Express that runs from KLIA to KL Sentral station.
You can also hop on the train for a speedy 4 minute ride between KLIA Terminal 1 and KLIA Terminal 2 (but unlike the bus, this is not free – it costs 2 MYR).
The first train and last trains for KLIA to Kuala Lumpur city centre:
KLIA airport – First train departs at 5.22am and last train departs at 00.34
KLIA2 airport – First train departs at 5.18am and last train departs at 00.30
The KLIA Express / Ekspres Train costs 55 MYR from KLIA to KL Sentral station.
If there is more than one of you travelling, it is more cost effective to get a Grab Taxi which can also drop you right at your hotel.
KL airport transfers
Finally, you can also book private transfers from KLIA airport to downtown Kuala Lumpur via Klook or Viator.
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