What To Do On A Layover In Kuala Lumpur

Layovers might sometimes be boring, but there are many things to see and do in Kuala Lumpur, beyond being confined to the airport. It takes less than an hour to get from the airport to many popular spots in Kuala Lumpur. Here are some ways to fill your hours until your onward flight.

3 Hours

There are various shops and restaurants to enjoy at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA 2. Browse the specialty stores, pharmacies, book stores, and duty free stores. Discover Malaysian handcrafted souvenirs at Discover Malaysia, Karyaneka, and Experience Malaysia. Dine on local delicacies at cafes and restaurants such as Bibik Heritage (Peranakan cuisine), Old Town White Coffee, and PappaRich. Stop over at the Rest, Relax, Reflex or sit on one of the massaging chairs at Rest N Go for a relaxing massage.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport: 64000 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia, +60 3-8776 2000

5 Hours

Grab a taxi and head to Batu Caves, a series limestone caves with shrines dedicated to Hindu Lord Murugan. A 42.7-metre gold statue of Lord Murugan welcomes you before you climb up 272 steps. Make sure your food and water aren’t taken by the monkeys. You can see the city skyline, including the KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers, from the top. Explore the Temple Cave at the top, which consists of temples and cave formations.

Batu Caves: Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia

Lord Murugan statue in front of Batu Caves

7 Hours

Take the KLIA Transit down to KL Sentral, and then take the Kelana Jaya Line to KLCC (a journey of about an hour). Spend a few hours shopping and dining at the Suria KLCC. There are six floors full of international brand outlet stores. We recommend trying some local delicacies (including nasi lemak) at Madam Kwan’s and Signatures Food Court.

Make your way to the KLCC Park for a photo opportunity with the Petronas Twin Towers. Relax by the fountains if the weather is fine.

Suria KLCC: 241, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2382 2828

12 Hours

Head down to KL Sentral via KLIA Transit; from there, take the Kelana Jaya Line to Dang Wangi, then take a five minute walk down to the iconic KL Tower. From the ground, look up at the magnificent 421 metre tower reaching into the sky.

Walk further down to Masjid Jamek via Jalan Raja Chulan (about 30 minutes), an old mosque consisting of three domes surrounding the prayer hall.

Take a ten minute walk to Dataran Merdeka, right next to Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Royal Selangor Club. Here, learn about the history of Malaya during the struggle for independence. The Malaysian flag flies tall.

KL Tower: Jalan P Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Masjid Jamek: Jalan Tun Perak, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2691 2829

Dataran Merdeka: Jalan Raja, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2693 7905

Sultan Abdul Samad Building next to Dataran Merdeka

14 Hours

Explore the older part of Kuala Lumpur at the Pasar Seni (Central Market) and Petaling Street, where you will see that old shophouses still exist in the modern city. Visit the Taoist Kuan Ti Temple and Hindu Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Shop for souvenirs at the Central Market and enjoy brunch at cafes such as Merchant’s Lane, Chocha Foodstore, and Leaf & Co. Cafe.

Hop on the KL City Bus to Pavilion, in the heart of Bukit Bintang, to do shop till you drop. Savour the local street food (such as satay and grilled fish) at Jalan Alor, before heading back to the airport to catch your flight.

Petaling Street: Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2032 5988

Kuan Ti Temple: Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2072 6669

Sri Mahamarianmman Temple: Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2078 5323

Central Market: Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Merchant’s Lane: 1st Floor, 150, Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2022 1736

Chocha Foodstore: 156, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2022 1100

Leaf & Co. Cafe: 53, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2020 2220

Pavilion: 168, Bukit Bintang Street, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +60 3-2118 8833

Jalan Alor: Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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