Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL), officially Kuala Lumpur International Airport and widely known as KLIA, is the airport for Malaysia's capital and the main hub of Malaysia Airlines. It is in Sepang, Selangor, about 45 to 50 km south of the Kuala Lumpur city centre, and it is run by Malaysia Airports. There are two terminals, both handling domestic and international flights: KLIA Terminal 1, home of Malaysia Airlines, and KLIA Terminal 2, also called klia2, where AirAsia is based. Three runways serve both terminals.

Kuala Lumpur also has a second, separate airport, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport at Subang (SZB). If your booking says KUL, you are flying from KLIA. This guide covers which airlines use which terminal, how to move between them, the trains and buses into the city, parking, facilities and tips for flying between Australia and Malaysia.

Terminals and airlines at Kuala Lumpur Airport

The key question at KLIA is which terminal your airline uses. The two terminals are separate and are linked by a shuttle bus and the airport trains, so heading to the wrong one costs time. The lists below come from the airport's own flight boards and show the carriers operating at each terminal. They name the airline that operates the flight, so on a codeshare ticket check the operating carrier on your e-ticket. Terminal assignments can change, and less frequent carriers may not appear, so always confirm the terminal on your booking.

KLIA Terminal 1

KLIA Terminal 1 is made up of the Main Terminal Building, the Contact Pier and the Satellite Building, which is reached by the Aerotrain. It handles both domestic and international flights for these operating airlines:

• Air Algérie
• Air Arabia
• Air China
• Air India
• Air Mauritius
• AirBorneo
• ANA
• Batik Air Indonesia
• Batik Air Malaysia
• Biman Bangladesh Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Citilink
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• EVA Air
• Firefly
• Garuda Indonesia
• Gulf Air
• Himalaya Airlines
• IndiGo
• Japan Airlines
• Jiangxi Air
• Juneyao Air
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Korean Air
• Lion Air
• Malaysia Airlines
• Myanmar Airways International
• Nepal Airlines
• Oman Air
• Philippine Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Regent Airways
• Royal Brunei Airlines
• Saudia
• Shanghai Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• SriLankan Airlines
• Starlux Airlines
• Super Air Jet
• Thai Airways
• TransNusa
• Turkish Airlines
• Turkmenistan Airlines
• US-Bangla Airlines
• Uzbekistan Airways
• Vietjet
• Vietnam Airlines
• Xiamen Airlines

Terminal 1 has by far the longer list. It also includes Malaysian and Indonesian carriers such as Batik Air Malaysia, Batik Air Indonesia, Firefly and Lion Air, so do not assume a lower-cost airline means Terminal 2.

KLIA Terminal 2 (klia2)

KLIA Terminal 2, known as klia2, is the base for AirAsia and several other airlines. It handles both domestic and international flights for these operating airlines:

• 9 Air
• AirAsia
• AirAsia Indonesia
• AirAsia X
• Cambodia Airways
• Cebu Pacific
• FitsAir
• Hainan Airlines
• Qingdao Airlines
• Scoot
• Shandong Airlines
• Spring Airlines
• Thai AirAsia

If you are flying AirAsia or AirAsia X, this is the terminal you will use. The airport's boards show no airline operating at both terminals, so once you know your operating airline, you know your terminal.

Moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

A free shuttle bus runs round the clock between the two terminals. Its loop goes from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, then the Long Term Car Park, and back to Terminal 1. At Terminal 1, wait at Door 4 on Level 1. At Terminal 2, the waiting area is at Bay A10 on Level 1 of the Transportation Hub in the Gateway shopping mall.

The KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit trains also link the two terminals in a short ride. If you are connecting between airlines at different terminals on separate tickets, you may need to collect your bags and check in again, so allow generous time.

Getting to and from Kuala Lumpur Airport

KLIA is a long way from the city, so the train is the quickest and most predictable way in. Fares are set by each operator and shown at the station, at the counter or in the operator's app.

KLIA Ekspres train

The KLIA Ekspres is the non-stop train to KL Sentral, the KL City Air Terminal. Board at the ERL station at either terminal. The trip takes about 28 minutes from Terminal 1 and about 33 minutes from Terminal 2.

KLIA Transit train

The KLIA Transit uses the same line but stops on the way, at Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya/Cyberjaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan. It takes about 35 to 39 minutes to KL Sentral and is useful if you are heading to Putrajaya or Cyberjaya.

Bus and express coach

At Terminal 1, buses leave from Level 1, Block C of the Short-Term Car Park and from Level 1 of the Main Terminal Building. At Terminal 2, they leave from the Transport Hub on Level 1 of the Gateway shopping mall. The Terminal 1 express coach to KL Sentral takes about 1 hour, and other operators run to destinations across Peninsular Malaysia.

Taxi

Taxis at KLIA work on a coupon or metered basis. At Terminal 1, you will find taxi counters in the Domestic Arrival Hall, the International Baggage Reclaim Area and at the kerbside, all on Level 3 of the Main Terminal Building. At Terminal 2, taxis are in the Transport Hub on Level 1 of the Gateway shopping mall. The drive time depends heavily on traffic.

Car rental

At Terminal 1, rental counters are in the Arrival Hall and in Block D of the Short-Term Car Park. Several rental companies also serve Terminal 2.

Parking at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Each terminal has its own parking. At Terminal 1, the options are:

• Terminal 1 Car Park, in Blocks A to D, a few minutes' walk from the Main Terminal Building and suited to short stays
• Preferred Parking, on Level 2 of Blocks B and C
• Long Term Car Park, with a free 24-hour shuttle to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

Terminal 2 has its own car park. You can pre-book parking online. Rates vary by car park and length of stay, so check the airport's parking pages before you go.

Facilities at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Both KLIA terminals are large, with plenty to fill a layover. Here is what to expect, starting with the topics travellers ask about most.

Shopping and duty free

Both terminals have duty-free shops, luxury boutiques, fashion, beauty and chocolate stores, and convenience stores. Gift and souvenir shops are in both terminals too, if you want something Malaysian to take home.

Terminal layout

At Terminal 1, Malaysia Airlines check-in and departure screening are on Level 5 of the Main Terminal Building. Arrivals, baggage reclaim and the taxi counters are on Level 3. The domestic gates and some others are in the Main Terminal, and further gates are in the Satellite Building, reached by the Aerotrain. The Satellite Building is known for its indoor rainforest. At Terminal 2, departures are on Level 3, arrivals are on Level 2, and ground transport is on Level 1 of the Gateway shopping mall.

Lounges

There are several airport lounges in both terminals. In Terminal 1, Malaysia Airlines runs Golden Lounges for eligible passengers: a Regional lounge on the Level 4 mezzanine of the Main Terminal, a Satellite lounge in the Satellite Building, and a Domestic lounge on Level 3. Check with your airline whether your ticket includes lounge access.

Food and drink

You will find bars, cafes, fast food, food courts, grab-and-go counters and restaurants in both terminals, from a quick snack to a full meal before a long-haul flight.

Luggage storage

KLIA offers left luggage and baggage lockers, plus baggage wrapping and porters, which helps if you want to head into the city during a long layover.

Smoking areas

Smoking is limited to smoking lounges. At Terminal 1, they are in the domestic departure and arrival areas and in the Satellite Building. Terminal 2 also has smoking lounges.

Currency exchange and ATMs

ATMs of the major local banks are located throughout the airport, and there are several bureaux de change if you need Malaysian ringgit on arrival.

Prayer rooms

Muslim prayer rooms are on all levels of the Main Terminal Building in both terminals, and in the Terminal 1 Satellite Building.

Showers and rest areas

At Terminal 1, showers are available at a transit hotel airside in the Satellite Building. At Terminal 2, there are showers on Level 3 of the Main Terminal Building and on Level 2 of the Satellite Building. For a rest, KLIA has napping zones and sleeping pods, as well as a lounge for transit passengers who are not entering Malaysia.

Clinic and pharmacies

A 24/7 clinic operates in both terminals. At Terminal 1, it is on Level 3 of the Main Terminal Building and Level 1 of the Satellite Building. At Terminal 2, it is on Level 2 of the Main Terminal Building and in the Satellite Building. Pharmacies are also available.

Wi-Fi and charging

Wi-Fi is available at both terminals. Charging stations are in Terminal 2's domestic and international departures and are also provided in Terminal 1.

Families and accessibility

Baby care rooms are in selected toilets of the Main Terminal Building and Satellite Building at both terminals. Each terminal has sensory walls and a calm room: on Level 5 of the Main Terminal Building at Terminal 1, and on the Level 3A mezzanine of the departure hall at Terminal 2. Terminal 2 also offers a free buggy service in its domestic and international areas.

Tips for departing and arriving at Kuala Lumpur Airport

The operator does not publish a single arrival time for KLIA. Your airline sets the check-in and bag-drop cut-off, and it is shown on your booking. Allow extra time to get to the airport, because it is well outside the city, and check whether you need Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 before you set off.

Departing from Terminal 1, you check in, go through departure screening, pass passport control if you are flying internationally, then head to your gate. If your gate is in the Satellite Building, you will ride the Aerotrain, so leave a few extra minutes. At Terminal 2, departures are on Level 3.

Arriving from Australia, you pass immigration and customs before reaching the arrivals area. Entry requirements for Malaysia, and for returning to Australia, are set by each government, so check the official guidance for your passport well before you fly. Live departure and arrival details are on the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Kuala Lumpur Airport

If you are booking a trip from KUL, start with the tools on this page. The fare cards show fares from Kuala Lumpur to popular destinations, so you can compare routes back to Australia and onwards across Asia. Each schedule table covers one date, listing upcoming departures and arrivals at Kuala Lumpur Airport with the airline and the scheduled times. They are a selection of flights, not a full timetable.

Choose a route, compare airlines and times, and note which KLIA terminal your flight uses. If you want to wait for a better fare, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will tell you when it moves. Your e-ticket is emailed to you and saved in the app.

Popular routes from Kuala Lumpur Airport include:

• Kuala Lumpur to Sydney flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Perth flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Brisbane flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Adelaide flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Bali flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Singapore flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Penang flights

Heading home or carrying on through Asia? Compare flights from Kuala Lumpur Airport on Traveloka and book the one that suits your trip.