KLIA, or Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), is the main airport serving Malaysia's capital, for flights within the country and abroad. It is not inside the city. The airport sits in the Sepang district of Selangor, roughly 45 to 50 km south of central Kuala Lumpur, and is run by Malaysia Airports. There are two passenger terminals: KLIA Terminal 1, the hub of Malaysia Airlines, and KLIA Terminal 2 (klia2), where AirAsia is based. Both handle domestic and international flights, and they are separate buildings, so the terminal matters more here than at most Malaysian airports.

Here is the catch that trips up first-time travellers. Both terminals share the code KUL, so a ticket that says KUL does not tell you which building to go to. Your airline does. Kuala Lumpur also has a second, much smaller airport, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang (SZB), so check which of the two your booking names before you set off. This guide covers each KLIA terminal and its airlines, the train, bus and taxi links into town, parking, the facilities inside, and a few tips for departure day.

Terminals and airlines at KLIA

Three runways serve the two terminals, but passengers only deal with the buildings. No airline in these lists uses both terminals. Assignments can still change, so always check the terminal printed on your e-ticket.

KLIA Terminal 1

KLIA Terminal 1 is the original terminal and the home of Malaysia Airlines, for both its domestic and its international flights. It is made up of three parts: the Main Terminal Building, the Contact Pier and the Satellite Building. The Satellite Building is reached by the Aerotrain, and it is known for the indoor rainforest in its centre. Many foreign full-service carriers fly from this terminal, along with several Indonesian and regional airlines. These passenger airlines fly from KLIA Terminal 1:

• 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

That is a long list, and it reaches well beyond Asia. If you hold a codeshare ticket, the airline that sold your seat may not be the one flying the aircraft. The operating carrier is printed on your e-ticket, and its check-in counters are the ones you need.

KLIA Terminal 2 (klia2)

KLIA Terminal 2 is where AirAsia is based, and most of the airlines here are low-cost carriers. It handles domestic and international flights for the airlines below. The terminal is joined to the Gateway shopping mall, and the train station, bus and taxi services all sit on Level 1 of that complex. It also has a Satellite Building of its own. These passenger airlines fly from KLIA Terminal 2:

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

Several AirAsia group airlines share this terminal, and their brand names look alike. Your e-ticket names the airline actually operating the flight and confirms the terminal.

Moving between KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

The two terminals are some distance apart. A free shuttle bus links them around the clock, running a loop from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, on to the Long Term Car Park and back to Terminal 1. At Terminal 1 you wait on Level 1. At Terminal 2 the waiting area is in the Level 1 transportation hub of the Gateway shopping mall.

The KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit trains also make the short hop between the two terminals. If you are connecting from a Malaysia Airlines flight at Terminal 1 to an AirAsia flight at Terminal 2, treat it as a change of airport building and leave generous time for it, especially if you need to collect and re-check bags.

Getting to and from KLIA

Because KLIA is a long way from the city, most travellers choose between the airport trains and the road. Fares are shown at the ticket counters and in each operator's app, so check them there before you travel.

KLIA Ekspres (non-stop train)

The KLIA Ekspres is the quickest way into Kuala Lumpur. It runs non-stop from the airport rail station at either terminal to KL Sentral, the KL City Air Terminal. The ride takes about 28 minutes from Terminal 1 and about 33 minutes from Terminal 2. It suits anyone heading to the city centre with luggage and no wish to sit in traffic.

KLIA Transit (stopping train)

The KLIA Transit uses the same line and the same stations at both terminals, but it stops on the way. It calls at Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya/Cyberjaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan before reaching KL Sentral, which takes roughly 35 to 39 minutes. Pick it if you are staying near one of those stops, or if you are going to Putrajaya rather than central Kuala Lumpur.

Bus and express coach

Buses are the budget-friendly option. At Terminal 1 they leave from Level 1 of the Block C Short-Term Car Park and from Level 1 of the Main Terminal Building. At Terminal 2 they depart from the transport hub on Level 1 of the Gateway shopping mall. The Terminal 1 express coach reaches KL Sentral in about an hour, depending on traffic, and other operators run to towns and cities across Peninsular Malaysia.

Taxi

Both coupon and metered taxis serve the airport. At Terminal 1, look for them in the Domestic Arrival Hall, at the International Baggage Reclaim Area and at the kerbside, all on Level 3 of the Main Terminal Building. At Terminal 2, taxis wait at the Level 1 transport hub in the Gateway mall. The drive into town depends heavily on traffic, so allow plenty of margin at peak hours.

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. A car is handy if you are heading somewhere the trains do not reach, such as the coast or the southern states.

Parking at KLIA

Terminal 1 has its own car park for short stays, spread over Blocks A to D and a few minutes' walk from the Main Terminal Building. Preferred Parking is on Level 2 of Blocks B and C, closer to the doors. For longer trips, the Long Term Car Park has a free 24-hour shuttle bus to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Terminal 2 has a separate car park of its own, so park at the terminal your airline uses. You can pre-book parking online. Rates change and depend on how long you stay, so check them on the airport's parking pages.

Facilities at KLIA

Both terminals are large and well equipped. These are the facilities Malaysian travellers ask about most, starting with lounges and the layout.

Lounges

There are several lounges in each terminal. At KLIA Terminal 1, Malaysia Airlines runs three Golden Lounges: the Regional lounge on the Level 4 mezzanine of the Main Terminal, the Satellite lounge in the West Zone on the Level 2 mezzanine of the Satellite Building, and the Domestic lounge on Level 3 near the domestic gates. Entry depends on your ticket class, frequent flyer tier or lounge membership, so confirm it before you go.

Terminal layout

At KLIA 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. Domestic flights board from gates A and B on the Contact Pier, international flights from gates G and H, and the C gates are in the Satellite Building, a short Aerotrain ride away.

KLIA Terminal 2 is stacked differently. Departures are on Level 3, arrivals are on Level 2, and ground transport is on Level 1 of the Gateway shopping mall. Knowing your level saves a lot of walking in a terminal of this size.

Food and drink

You will not go hungry at KLIA. Both terminals have bars, cafes, fast food, food courts, grab-and-go counters and sit-down restaurants, so there is something for a quick bite or a proper meal before a long-haul flight.

Shopping and duty free

Duty-free shops, luxury boutiques, fashion and beauty stores, chocolate shops and convenience stores are found in both terminals. Gift and souvenir shops are there too, useful for a last-minute present on your way out of Malaysia.

Smoking areas

Smoking is limited to dedicated smoking lounges. At KLIA Terminal 1 they are in the domestic departure and arrival areas and in the Satellite Building, and Terminal 2 also has smoking lounges. Follow the signs rather than lighting up anywhere else.

Left luggage and lockers

Left luggage and baggage lockers are available if you want to drop your bags for a few hours, for example on a long layover with time to visit the city. Baggage wrapping and porters are also listed among the airport's services.

Prayer rooms

Muslim prayer rooms are on every level of the Main Terminal Building in both terminals, and there are more in the Terminal 1 Satellite Building, so you are never far from one.

Money exchange and ATMs

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

Showers, rest areas and wifi

At Terminal 1, showers are at the transit hotel airside in the Satellite Building. At Terminal 2, showers are on Level 3 of the Main Terminal Building and on Level 2 of the Satellite Building. For a rest between flights there are napping zones and sleeping pods, plus a not-to-land (NTL) lounge for transit passengers. Wi-Fi is available in both terminals, and charging stations are dotted around the departure areas.

Clinic, families and accessibility

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

Baby care rooms are in selected toilets in both terminals. Each terminal also has sensory walls and a calm room, on Level 5 of the Terminal 1 Main Terminal Building and on the Level 3A mezzanine of the Terminal 2 departure hall. Terminal 2 offers a free buggy service in its domestic and international areas, which helps with the long walks. For a very early departure, a night at a hotel near the airport is worth considering.

Tips for departing and arriving at KLIA

Start by confirming your terminal. It is the single most useful thing you can do before leaving for Kuala Lumpur International Airport, because the train, bus and taxi all stop at a specific terminal. Your airline sets its own check-in and bag-drop deadline, which is shown on your booking. Allow for the 45 to 50 km trip from the city on top of that, and for the walk or Aerotrain ride to your gate once you are through security.

International departures go through check-in, then immigration and security. If you are arriving from overseas, you will pass immigration on arrival. Malaysia's entry requirements, including any arrival card, are set by the government, so check the official guidance for your passport before you fly. For live departure and arrival times, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from KLIA

This page also helps you plan a trip from KUL. The fare cards show fares from Kuala Lumpur to popular destinations, so you can spot good routes quickly. The flight schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at KLIA by date, with the airline and the scheduled times. They show a selection of flights rather than every service.

To choose a flight, pick a route and your dates, compare airlines and departure times, then check which KLIA terminal the airline uses. If the fare is not right yet, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will let you know when it changes. Your e-ticket arrives by email and in the app once you book.

Popular routes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport include:

• Kuala Lumpur to Penang flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Kuching flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Singapore flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok (Don Mueang) flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta flights
• Kuala Lumpur to Bali flights

Whether it is a weekend in Penang or a trip across Asia, compare flights from KLIA on Traveloka and book the one that fits your plans.