KL Transit

Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the capital of Malaysia and is on the peninsular mainland.

KL is easy to get around and has a pretty good public transit system, although not as good as Singapore. We got Grabs to many places as it can be quicker, easier and cheaper (if you share a ride). For example, we got a Grab both ways to Batu caves (although there is a train) and from Sentral station after getting the KLIA express in from the airport (there is a cheaper stopper called KLIA transit).

KL has a monorail, which although interesting is actually a pretty poor form of public transport. It’s small (hence packed), slow and tilts (making it hard to stand up).

The rail lines are great though, particularly the new line that isn’t even on Google maps yet (but then they’re still missing parts of the DLR built for the London Olympics). We didn’t bother getting a card like in Singapore, as for our short stay it’s cheaper to pay in cash. The ticket machines deposit a chip coin that you use on the gates and return at the exit.

We booked a coach to Butterworth online through red bus then picked up our tickets at the TBS bus terminal. We were told KKKL Express were the best but they didn’t have buses when we wanted so we went with Mara Liner, which is pretty comfortable and similarly good value.

Our double-decker coach with reclining seats and USB power stopped on the way to Butterworth at a motorway service station. There were lots of open-air stalls selling a wide variety of food for lunch, which was tasty. From Butterworth you can get a very cheap (23p) ferry to George Town on Penang island, although there are also a couple of bridges.