Malaysia Travel Guide: Grab, Intercity Buses & Budget Airlines
Transport Guide
2026-10-02
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Kuala Lumpur’s rail transit, intercity buses, and low-cost carriers — the three essentials for getting around Malaysia.
Arrival & Getting into Town
| Airport | Getting into Town | Time/Price |
|---|
| KLIA / KLIA2 | KLIA Ekspres | 28 minutes, 55 MYR |
| KLIA / KLIA2 | Airport bus | About 60 minutes, 12 MYR |
| Penang (PEN) | Grab / Bus | About 30 minutes, around 30 MYR |
| Kota Kinabalu (BKI) | Taxi / Grab | About 15 minutes, around 30 MYR |
Domestic Transport
- Grab: The most widely used ride-hailing option, with transparent pricing — the top choice for getting around cities.
- Intercity buses: Depart from Kuala Lumpur’s TBS terminal to destinations nationwide; Kuala Lumpur to Penang takes about 4.5 hours and costs 35–50 MYR.
- Budget airlines: AirAsia and Batik Air connect Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, and Sabah — book early for lower prices.
- Train (KTM): Routes such as Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur to Singapore are good for the experience.
- Ferries: Island routes including Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Pangkor and Kuantan to Pulau Perhentian.
Tips
- In Kuala Lumpur, options include the Rapid KL MRT, monorail, and BRT — it’s recommended to get a Touch ‘n Go card.
- George Town in Penang is walkable, and you can take a cable car up Penang Hill.
- Langkawi is a duty-free island — you can find cheap chocolate and alcohol at the airport.
- Public transport in East Malaysia’s Sabah is limited, so it’s best to hire a private car or join a day tour.