Transfer at Kuala Lumpur Airport
Kuala Lumpur is very often the gateway for travellers to Southeast Asia, who use it for its ideal conditions for transit to other locations not only in Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia.
The airport operates 2 terminals, the first of which is for conventional carriers and the second for low cost carriers such as Air Asia.
Both terminals are modern, large and well laid out. Both also have a satellite building in the middle of the airport area, accessible only to passengers with boarding passes.
A free automated train runs from Terminal 1 to the satellite building every 3-5 minutes. The ride takes approximately 3 minutes.
From Terminal 2, a pedestrian overpass above the tarmac leads to the satellite building; the walk from security takes approximately 5-10 minutes.
Which terminal?
The terminals are referred to by the numbers 1 and 2, but the former designations "KLIA" for Terminal 1 and "KLIA2" for Terminal 2 still remain.
The buildings are divided according to the airlines that check in at them.
- Terminal 1 (KLIA) - all airlines except those that check in at Terminal 2
- Terminal 2 (KLIA2) - Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, Scoot
Transfer between flights
If you are connecting within the same booking at Kuala Lumpur Airport, in the vast majority of cases you do not need to change terminals.
What checks do I go through when transferring?
Be prepared for different types of checks for each type of transfer.
- International -> International: security check
- International -> domestic: immigration and security check
- Domestic -> international: immigration and security check
- National -> national: no check
Do I have to leave the transit zone when I transfer?
If you have a guaranteed transfer (connecting flight is purchased on one booking), you do not need to leave the transit area.
You only have to leave the transit area if you are not checking in for the connecting flight or if you are changing terminals during the transfer.
Do I need to collect my luggage?
Baggage will be transferred automatically if you have purchased both flights as one booking. This also applies if you are changing from an international flight to a domestic flight or vice versa.
You will only collect your luggage if you combine the transfer on your own from two separate tickets.
What is the average transfer time?
- International -> International: 40-45 minutes
- International -> Domestic: 60-70 minutes
- Domestic -> Domestic: 30 minutes
- Domestic -> International: 50-60 minutes
Do I need a visa for Malaysia?
If you are transferring between two international flights, you do not go through immigration control and therefore do not need a visa.
How long does the immigration check take?
There are often long lines for immigration checks, however the process tends to be very efficient and you will rarely wait longer than 30 minutes.
Transfer accommodation
If you have a long layover at KLIA but don't want to leave the transit area, there are special transit hotels in both terminals.
Terminal 1 (KLIA)
- Sama Sama Express Transit KLIA ** - hotel inside the international transit zone (airsdie), prices from 85 usd
- Capsule Transit Sleep Lounge KLIA - capsule hotel inside the international transit zone (airsdie), prices from 70 usd
Terminal 2 (KLIA2)
- Sama Sama Express Transit KLIA2 ** - hotel inside the international transit zone (airsdie), prices from 85 usd
- Capsule Transit KLIA2 (airside) - capsule hotel inside the international transit zone (airsdie), prices from 70 usd
Transfer between terminals
As transfers between terminals are not common, it is not possible to move between KLIA and KLIA2 via the transit zone. You always have to exit to the outside public area.
A free airport bus runs between the terminals every 15 minutes. The journey takes 10 minutes and the buses run 24/7.
- Terminal 1 - stop on level 1 by door 4
- Terminal 2 - stop on Level 1, Transportation Hub, Bay A10
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
Hi, I am flying from Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur airport in July with Air Asia, I guess I will arrive at Terminal 2. Then I have to catch an international flight, which I guess is departing from Terminal 1, so I will have to take the bags from the flight I am arriving, change terminals, go through immigration, security and check in the bags. Between the 2 flights there are 3 hours, I am afraid that the time is insufficient, I have heard that the immigration control is long.... Would you recommend me to take an earlier flight to Kuala Lumpur or do you think it is enough?
Thank you
Hi, I personally would prefer more time between flights in case of delays. However, if the first flight from Kota Bharu arrives on time, 3 hours is plenty of time.
Net transfer time between terminals even with long queuing or waiting for a transit bus will be around 1.5 hours.
I'm at KUL quite often. 1.5 hours even with a long wait? After all, only checked baggage has to be deposited at Terminal 1 no later than about an hour before departure. I could see the 3 hours being just right unless the plane is delayed. I spent over an hour in line at immigration last year. This year they've already e-gated, so a matter of minutes. The gentleman is Spanish I assume, so his passport is eligible. That saves a lot of time.
Well, he's coming in on a domestic flight, so immigration won't be there.
How come he won't? The interviewer arrives at Terminal 2, has to re-check his baggage at Terminal 1 and go through exit immigration for the next international flight (as he says in his question).
There are automatic gates everywhere. Exit immigration is at 1-5min. It's just a matter of catching the bus and whether the plane will be delayed. 1.5hrs is realistic.
I wrote that they've had e-gates since last year in my first post, didn't you read it? However, they may be out of order, or one may not fill out the necessary eform in advance, or one may not have an eligible passport. Either way they have to go through immigration. Also, I wrote that the OP has to drop off the luggage at Terminal 1 at least an hour beforehand. So from arriving at Terminal 2, picking up his bag, walking to the bus (and waiting up to 15 minutes if he just missed it), taking the bus, walking from the bus to the Terminal 1 hurdle, he would have 1.5 hours 30 minutes to do all of that if the plane arrives on time. You can't do that. We are advising a specific person here on a specific query.
The net transfer time of 1.5 hours I meant that from the boarding gate to the departure gate can be reached in 1.5 hours, even with queues, so with a transfer time of 3 hours I think it's fine if the first plane arrives on time.
The exit immigration check is usually (not only in KL, but perhaps everywhere in the world) incomparably shorter than the entry one.