Things to see in Kaula Lumpur during transit

"Matthew Brealey" wrote:
Miguel Cruz wrote:
From the airport you could take a taxi into town though it's a slow
way to go. With a family the taxi will be cheaper than the faster
and more comfortable train (KLIA Ekspres, RM35/person).

The train is not such a good idea with any number of persons greater
than one, as when you get to the main train station you will probably
end up up taking another taxi from there anyway.

The train is still a big win with multiple people in every way but cost,
because you minimize your time in the taxi. Instead of over an hour, you
spend 5 or 10 minutes.

- It's much faster.

- It's much safer (bad driving, not robbery).

- It's much more comfortable.

miguel
--
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Miguel Cruz wrote:
"Matthew Brealey" wrote:
Miguel Cruz wrote:
From the airport you could take a taxi into town though it's a slow
way to go. With a family the taxi will be cheaper than the faster
and more comfortable train (KLIA Ekspres, RM35/person).

The train is not such a good idea with any number of persons greater
than one, as when you get to the main train station you will probably
end up up taking another taxi from there anyway.

The train is still a big win with multiple people in every way but cost,
because you minimize your time in the taxi. Instead of over an hour, you
spend 5 or 10 minutes.

- It's much faster.

By the time you've gone down and waited for the train, got out at the
other end, hauled your bags out, stand in the taxi queue at the other
end, and paid 10RM (there's a surcharge) to get from the train station
to your hotel, there's unlikely to be any saving. The taxi definitely
does not take over an hour. It's perhaps 45 minutes.

- It's much safer (bad driving, not robbery).

Not sure that's statistically significant.

- It's much more comfortable.

Not sure I'd agree. Most travelling couples/families can walk out of
the airport with their bags, put them in the taxi, and be taken
directly to their hotel. This to me is greater in comfort than hauling
bags between train platforms and taxis.

We did get the train last time, but won't do it again. Public transport
really should be cheaper than private, and when you get to the train
station with bags, etc., you don't have much choice other than to go
catch a taxi to your hotel anywhere.

There is of course the bus, which I have caught, but don't remember it
being a very good option unless you are a solo traveller.

All in all KLIA is the most expensive airport to get to in the region,
and there really isn't an option that saves you much over the taxi,
unless you are a solo traveller.

"Matthew Brealey" wrote:
Miguel Cruz wrote:
- It's much faster.

By the time you've gone down and waited for the train, got out at the
other end, hauled your bags out, stand in the taxi queue at the other
end, and paid 10RM (there's a surcharge) to get from the train station
to your hotel, there's unlikely to be any saving. The taxi definitely
does not take over an hour. It's perhaps 45 minutes.

You've been lucky (how often have you done it? I go between KLIA and the
city centre almost once a week). I've spent as long as 2 hours. The
train is the same duration every time. I can leave my apartment 2 hours
before a flight and know for an absolute fact I'll get on the plane.

- It's much safer (bad driving, not robbery).

Not sure that's statistically significant.

Maybe not. But the driving is crazy enough here that I prefer to stay
off the roads whenever possible.

- It's much more comfortable.

Not sure I'd agree. Most travelling couples/families can walk out of
the airport with their bags, put them in the taxi, and be taken
directly to their hotel. This to me is greater in comfort than hauling
bags between train platforms and taxis.

There are porters who will carry your bags to and from the train for
free.

The main comfort issue is how cramped the cars are, though. Someone my
size (pretty skinny but tall) cannot fit in a Proton for very long
without starting to feel folded up. The train is spacious (and has a
clean toilet).

We did get the train last time, but won't do it again. Public transport
really should be cheaper than private, and when you get to the train
station with bags, etc., you don't have much choice other than to go
catch a taxi to your hotel anywhere.

There is of course the bus, which I have caught, but don't remember it
being a very good option unless you are a solo traveller.

The bus is not great. Slower than a taxi, even. But cheap.

All in all KLIA is the most expensive airport to get to in the region,
and there really isn't an option that saves you much over the taxi,
unless you are a solo traveller.

Agreed, airport transportation in KUL is a choice between imperfect
options. The airport is ridiculously situated (part of the Putrajaya
project).

miguel
--
Photos from 40 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Malaysia; Thailand; Singapore; Spain; Morocco
Airports of the world: http://airport.u.nu

In article spam-6B2940.21533907082006@localhost, Miguel Cruz says...

The train is still a big win with multiple people in every way but cost,
because you minimize your time in the taxi. Instead of over an hour, you
spend 5 or 10 minutes.

Well no, unless they significantly increased its speed. It used to take
20-25 minutes to get from KLIA to KL Sentral.
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - Photos of Asia, Africa and Europe

Alfred Molon wrote:
Miguel Cruz says...
The train is still a big win with multiple people in every way but
cost, because you minimize your time in the taxi. Instead of over an
hour, you spend 5 or 10 minutes.

Well no, unless they significantly increased its speed. It used to take
20-25 minutes to get from KLIA to KL Sentral.

Right, but the time you have to spend in a taxi goes from over an hour
to 5 or 10 minutes.

miguel
--
Photos from 40 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Malaysia; Thailand; Singapore; Spain; Morocco
Airports of the world: http://airport.u.nu