The Malaysia and KL master thread

[qc]

e14 wrote:

qc wrote:

If staying at the IC is it better to just take a Grab or taxi all the way to the hotel or take the train to Sentral and taxi or Grab from there.

We will be arriving at KUL at 18.20 on MH1.

Grab

Thanks – and next question is where the Grab pick up is. Last time it was at the hotel nearby.

[e14]

qc wrote:

e14 wrote:

qc wrote:

If staying at the IC is it better to just take a Grab or taxi all the way to the hotel or take the train to Sentral and taxi or Grab from there.

We will be arriving at KUL at 18.20 on MH1.

Grab

Thanks – and next question is where the Grab pick up is. Last time it was at the hotel nearby.

You can change your Grab location by clicking the relevant flag in this case Malaysia and setting your location to Klang Valley

You can then dummy book a car selecting KLIA as the departure and it will say T1 doors 4 or 3, T2 door 5. Handily directions will also appear on the App with screen directions such as food court walk towards H&M

Not sure why anyone would want to stay in the dated dump that the IC is, even given my corporate rate of $74 a night I’m not staying there

[qc]

Thanks!
I need the nights to get lounge access for the next couple of years when we have trips to SIN, SYD, MEL, and DPS where lounge access will compensate!

[TJones]

qc wrote:

If staying at the IC is it better to just take a Grab or taxi all the way to the hotel or take the train to Sentral and taxi or Grab from there.

We will be arriving at KUL at 18.20 on MH1.

Another good option to get to that part of the city is to take KLIA Transit (instead of KLIA Ekspres) for two stops to Putrajaya & Cyberjaya station, and then take the MRT Putrajaya line. Ampang Park station is close to the Intercontinental and Doubletree. There are a lot of stops on the MRT and the total journey will take just over an hour, but it’s straightforward and avoids passing through KL Sentral. It’s certainly the cheapest option (about MYR9 for the KLIA Transit and MYR4 for the MRT).

[e14]

TJones wrote:

qc wrote:

If staying at the IC is it better to just take a Grab or taxi all the way to the hotel or take the train to Sentral and taxi or Grab from there.

We will be arriving at KUL at 18.20 on MH1.

Another good option to get to that part of the city is to take KLIA Transit (instead of KLIA Ekspres) for two stops to Putrajaya & Cyberjaya station, and then take the MRT Putrajaya line. Ampang Park station is close to the Intercontinental and Doubletree. There are a lot of stops on the MRT and the total journey will take just over an hour, but it’s straightforward and avoids passing through KL Sentral. It’s certainly the cheapest option (about MYR9 for the KLIA Transit and MYR4 for the MRT).

That’s my preferred route back to the airport when not in a hurry ! But after a 14 hour flight for two people with luggage the $20 grab fare is money well spent.

[Jon]

Possibly worth knowing that, while the KLIA Ekspres is generally the quickest, most convenient way to get to Sentral, and cheaper than Grab if there’s only one of you, getting an onward Grab from Sentral to wherever can be painful after about 6 or 7pm (and the on-station taxi desks are absolute rip-off merchants in my experience).

For the IC I’d probably Grab direct from the airport. Should cost around 70-75rm (65rm flat fare plus tolls).

Grab pickup point is downstairs from arrivals. Cars have to wait off-site and usually take about 10 minutes to arrive – that’s if the driver hasn’t gone for a break and left their Grab app on auto-accept. They’ll likely also message you before setting off to check you’re already at the pickup point, and may even ask for photo evidence 😉 They’re not allowed to wait at the pickup point, so don’t order your Grab while still in the immigration queue 😉

[qc]

Thanks all – I wasn’t trying to save money – I was just thinking of the traffic at that time of the evening.

Grab it is – especially after the long flight.

[qc]

If connecting on a domestic flight to an international flight do you have to pick up baggage and clear customs? All on one PNR on MH.

And what are duty free alcohol prices in KUL like in comparison to LHR?

Thanks

[Aston100]

qc wrote:

If connecting on a domestic flight to an international flight do you have to pick up baggage and clear customs? All on one PNR on MH.

I did Kuching > Kuala Lumpur > Bangkok. Bags checked through but if I recall correctly we had to go through security again at KUL.

[e14]

qc wrote:

If connecting on a domestic flight to an international flight do you have to pick up baggage and clear customs? All on one PNR on MH.

And what are duty free alcohol prices in KUL like in comparison to LHR?

Thanks

Why would you have to clear customs coming off a domestic flight ?

[Jon]

qc wrote:

If connecting on a domestic flight to an international flight do you have to pick up baggage and clear customs? All on one PNR on MH.

And what are duty free alcohol prices in KUL like in comparison to LHR?

They should be able to check you all the way through.

From memory, LHR duty free is generally cheaper, but on arrival at KUL is one of the cheapest regionally.

Aston100 wrote:

if I recall correctly we had to go through security again at KUL.

Security is indeed at the gate (so no point buying e.g. water in the terminal shops to take on board).

[qc]

Thanks all – we’re now in a very nice (considering it cost 20,000 points a night) room with club access at the IC!

However I am here with a husband who forgot to pack any shorts🤦🏻‍♀️😳 – where can one buy shorts that aren’t too short or sporty in KL. I recall a couple of contributors here live in KL – I imagine sizing will be a problem as most of the local guys are smaller than 34in waist – we’ll be in Penang and then up to Hoi An so he could get more made there but for the next 3 days he needs something cooler than jeans or chinos?

[The real Swiss Tony]

Depends what you’re up for but a quick cab ride over to the market at Petaling Street would find you something. Certainly used to be open until midnight or so.

[qc]

Thanks – we’ll try there in the morning. I’ve been before but wouldn’t have been looking for shorts!

[The real Swiss Tony]

qc wrote:

Thanks – we’ll try there in the morning. I’ve been before but wouldn’t have been looking for shorts!

Seeing mixed reports as to what time things get going there. Mornings may not be best. Otherwise I see there’s a mall diagonally across from the IC. Has a Sports Direct and a golf shop in there so you should find something.

[Aston100]

Sports Direct in Malaysia definitely sell shorts.

[TJones]

It’s less than 10 minutes walk from the IC to Avenue K mall, which has an H&M. Otherwise loads of choices just across the road in Suria KLCC. Size 34″ is easy to find.

[e14]

TJones wrote:

It’s less than 10 minutes walk from the IC to Avenue K mall, which has an H&M. Otherwise loads of choices just across the road in Suria KLCC. Size 34″ is easy to find.

There is a Decathlon opposite the Ave K Mall, so no need to even cross the road and inside the KLCC there is an M&S and a Polo Ralph Lauren which I know from experience has at least size 42.

[qc]

Thank you all – he got a couple of pairs in Giordano in KLCC earlier. You’re not a waist 42 are you e14😉

[e14]

qc wrote:

Thank you all – he got a couple of pairs in Giordano in KLCC earlier. You’re not a waist 42 are you e14😉

Er no, a colleague with an aversion to hotel laundry + a naff hotel iron = his requirement to get new chinos before walking next door to the office from the IC.

[qc]

e14 wrote:

qc wrote:

Thank you all – he got a couple of pairs in Giordano in KLCC earlier. You’re not a waist 42 are you e14😉

Er no, a colleague with an aversion to hotel laundry + a naff hotel iron = his requirement to get new chinos before walking next door to the office from the IC.

3 free items of laundry per day if in a club room at the IC.

[Keely]

Afternoon all . Looking to book a trip to Malaysia in January – last minute change. My research tells me west Malaysia weather isn’t great in Jan so was thinking KL, Penang & Langkawi . 2 nights in KL, then the rest in the other two and fly home from Langkawi (appreciate will be indirect) . First question – is there enough to do? Love beaches, snorkelling, swimming and a boat trip (or two) but also like to look around, see and experience different things so any suggestions on things to do etc welcomed.

Secondly as we have left it so late we will be flying (whisper) economy (sorry if that’s ‘triggering ‘ for some people 😂) and will pay for extra leg room /emergency exit seats. Appreciate there’s prob limited experience on here, but any suggestions on which carrier and best value please? We don’t mind indirect (I’d prefer to get off and stretch my legs but OH would prefer direct). Can fly from LGW but would prefer LHR as it’s nearer and we can park for free. We could fly from within Europe if it makes our options better . I’ve had a look around, did look at PE but wasn’t that much difference between that and CW. A colleague has suggested Singapore Air and they do seem to have one of the biggest seat pitch. Emirates seem very competitive on price.

Thank you!

[Aston100]

Keely wrote:

My research tells me west Malaysia weather isn’t great in Jan so was thinking KL, Penang & Langkawi

Think you meant ‘East Malaysia weather’

We did 5 nights in Langkawi just before Covid.
Found approx 2.5 days worth of stuff to do, which included a half day jet ski tour around the nearby islands, the obligatory sky bridge and surrounds and a half day visit to Kuah town (inc the Legenda park).
But we didn’t go there to do stuff. It was mostly a lazy beach holiday.
If you get out of your resort and head to somewhere like Pantai Cenang, you’ll find ridiculously cheap restaurants and services (massage, laundry, scooter hire etc).

EDIT: forgot we did a fantastic kayaking trip around the mangroves with Wendy Chin.

[Keely]

@Aston100 – oops yes I did mean East but can’t edit now as too late .
Thanks for your post- kind of confirms what I was thinking. I wonder if we should add a third stop in…

[BBbetter]

Keely wrote:

Afternoon all . Looking to book a trip to Malaysia in January – last minute change. My research tells me west Malaysia weather isn’t great in Jan so was thinking KL, Penang & Langkawi . 2 nights in KL, then the rest in the other two and fly home from Langkawi (appreciate will be indirect) . First question – is there enough to do? Love beaches, snorkelling, swimming and a boat trip (or two) but also like to look around, see and experience different things so any suggestions on things to do etc welcomed.

Secondly as we have left it so late we will be flying (whisper) economy (sorry if that’s ‘triggering ‘ for some people 😂) and will pay for extra leg room /emergency exit seats. Appreciate there’s prob limited experience on here, but any suggestions on which carrier and best value please? We don’t mind indirect (I’d prefer to get off and stretch my legs but OH would prefer direct). Can fly from LGW but would prefer LHR as it’s nearer and we can park for free. We could fly from within Europe if it makes our options better . I’ve had a look around, did look at PE but wasn’t that much difference between that and CW. A colleague has suggested Singapore Air and they do seem to have one of the biggest seat pitch. Emirates seem very competitive on price.

Thank you!

It’s good to spread the days between a place for culture (Penang) and beach (Langkawi).
If you haven’t visited Thailand before or if you may not return to south east Asia often, I’d recommend Phuket or Krabi instead of Langkawi. The beaches are nicer and more things to see and do. Langkawi is not a bad option, just that there are better beaches.

On intra Asia flights, airasia and MH are better than malindo or batik air. But remember no consumer protections there. Obviously Singapore airlines is the best, if you can get it.