Kuala Lumpur’s rapid transit system comprises six metro lines, operated by four operators, out of which RapidKL and Keretapi Tanah Melayu are the most important. Though they can be referred to as metro lines, they sometimes extend far beyond the greater Kuala Lumpur area and are sorted into three different types: light rail transit, commuter rail, and monorail.
Kuala Lumpur Monorail
One of the most widely used public transportation system in Kuala Lumpur is the monorail service, spanning a length of 8.6km, connecting KL Sentral with the Golden Triangle area. Managed by RapidKL, it has 11 elevated stations.
Light Rail Transit
Kuala Lumpur has two light rail transit systems: the Kelana Jaya Line and Ampang Line, both of which are operated by RapidKL.
The Kelana Jaya Line connects Kelana Jaya and Gombak: it primarily serves the south Petaling Jaya and southwest and central KL areas. The 29km rail system is the third longest fully automated driverless metro system in the world: it has 16 elevated and five underground train stops.
Meanwhile the Ampang Line is divided into two routes: the first sub-line is Ampang and the second is Sri Petaling. This 27km-long route begins at these two different stations, connects at an interchange stop and ends at the same station up north.
Airport Train
Linked to the city centre by major expressways and bus services, KLIA is easily accessible via ground transportation but it is the KLIA Express train service that really tops the list as most convenient way to travel to and from the airport. The journey takes just 30 minutes to KLIA and 33 minutes to KLIA2, operating at 15-minute intervals during peak hours and 20 minutes during off-peak hours.
You can catch this train at Level 1 and it will take you all the way down to KL Sentral – a one-way trip will cost RM35 while a round-trip ticket is RM70. Once you have arrived in KL Sentral, it is very convenient to hop on a KTM Komuter, LRT, Monorail or even taxi, to get to your chosen destination.
Similar to the KLIA Express, the KL Transit train connects KLIA and KLIA2 with KL Sentral at RM35 but this service makes several stops along the way, making it convenient for travellers who are not heading toward the city centre. The journey is slightly longer at 35 minutes as it makes four intermediate stops along key townships, namely Bandar Tasik Selatan (RM26.50), Putrajaya and Cyberjaya (RM6.20), as well as Salak Tinggi (RM3.20).
Commuter Rail
Kuala Lumpur has the most extensive commuter rail system in the country: the first is operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu and the second by Express Rail Link. They service four routes: the Sentul-Port Klang Line, Rawang-Seremban Line, Rawang-Kuala Kubu Bharu Shuttle Service and KLIA Transit, all of which run routes past KL Sentral.
The most famous of these lines is the KLIA Transit: it is operated by Express Rail Link while the remaining three routes, called the KTM Komuter system, are operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu. It is one of the most economical and comfortable ways to travel around Kuala Lumpur.
