Kuala Lumpur (KL) Travel Tips for Visitors

Kuala Lumpur has a tropical rainforest climate which is hot & sunny, along with abundant rainfall.

Bring or purchase an umbrella for unexpected rain showers.

The Weather can be humid in Kuala Lumpur (KL).

Bring a good pair of walking shoes as you will be walking a lot. 

Rain can be torrential in the morning or late afternoon so bring an umbrella or plastic poncho and plan accordingly.

Bring clothes that absorb sweat and dry fast!

Shopping in the malls can be very expensive.  If you want souvenirs, go shopping in Chinatown.

Tips for Bargaining:

Begin with asking the price of the item you are interested in.

Once the merchant states the price, ask if there is a discount? Or state that it is too expensive and walk away.

If the merchant goes down in price, bargain away.

Make sure to bargain, but only if you intend to purchase. 

Determine the price that you are willing to pay and is fair to the merchant. Then, don't go beyond that price!  

Be ready to walk away politely, and there is usually another stall carrying the same item.

If you are buying multiple amounts of an item, make sure to ask for a discount!

Preparation for the Chinatown shopping:

Have cash on hand.

Bring small bill denominations.

Bring a bag to carry your goods.

Tourist attractions are connected very well either by LRT light rail, Monorail, KTM Komuter trains network, and/or bus system.

Kuala Lumpur mass transit trains and public buses are inexpensive, organized, clean, efficient, and the fastest way for local commute in Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas.

Kuala Lumpur Taxi cabs are inexpensive; however, the taxi experience can be hit and miss as many drivers don't turn on taxi meters and ask for a flat fee. Use a taxi that agrees to charge you the metered fare.

Consider using GRAB (an App-based ride-hailing service like Uber) in KL as an alternative to Taxi.

GRAB provides an easier and secure way to travel in the KL area.

Consider a  hop-on hop-off tour bus if you don't want to figure out the public transport system.  

They are more expensive but convenient for going to tourist places around town.  

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KL LRT, Monorail and KTM

The LRT, Monorail, and KTM are frequent, travels to most attractions, are organized, and are fairly inexpensive.

Both are easy and efficient once you get the hang of its network & transfer stations between different lines. 

For your convenience, buy the Touch 'n Go or MyRapid card  (stored value smartcard) at a Train Station Ticket Office if you plan to stay for a few days in KL. 

It saves the time of purchasing new tickets every time you go on the subway or bus.

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Malaysian food is a fusion of Asian cultures.  Best of all, it is delicious and affordable!

For Breakfast, try a paratha with egg or cheese.

Chili Crab is a must-try! 
Crab cooked in a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce.  Dip fried or steamed buns, called mantou, to soak up the sauce.  Other dishes include Fish Head Curry, Fried Coconut Cake, Laksa, Nasi Lemak, and Rojak.

Don’t forget to go to one of the many malls for delicious and affordable food.

The food courts are very affordable and tasty.

Keep track of all your things at all times. 

Don't flash cash or expensive jewelry around!

Keep small denominations of cash in a separate place than in your main wallet with all your money.

Malay (Bahasa Malaysia ) is the official language in Malaysia.

English is spoken in hotels, mall shops, big restaurants, tourist attractions, and popular tourist places in the KL area. 

In addition to English, many Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow) and Indian (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi) dialects are spoken.

All Street signs are in English in KL.