Kuala Lumpur stopovers

[waimarie]

Everybody has been very helpful with information for our trip to NZ later in the year. I am now hoping to include a one or two night stopover in Kuala Lumpur which should split the journey quite nicely.

There have been earlier questions on this subject but now would ask for an update bearing in mind our party consists of two ladies and one gent all just over 70 but pretty fit and healthy for all that !!

I see the city is some 45 minutes from the airport and would ask for any suggestions for hotels, places to visit and things to see. We understand about the heat and humidity so prepared for that, any other suggestions would be very welcome from the wealth of talent out there in AB land !! Many thanks in advance.

[mrsann]

We didn't do a stopover as we were warned it's quite a difficult journey from the airport which is huge and confusing so I admire your spirit.It can take a lot longer than 45 minutes depending on what time you arrive at K..L. Glad to hear there are more of us out there as my partner and I are 71 and 65 respectively and still wandering the world Good Luck

[auntiebertie]

Spend the morning in shopping heaven at KLCC [the Petronas Towers], go up the towers for the view, eat at one of the cafes on the ground floor, visit the Central Market, and then in the afternoon go to Carcosa for a traditional colonial British tea experience - http://www.carcosa.com.my/dining/drawing.htm

Yes it is a good 45 min journey from KLIA to the centre of KL. No idea of your hotel budget but suggest you look on tripadvisor.com and see what hotels people have raved about!

[auntiebertie]

ps: KLIA itself is huge but well worth a few hours before your fight for some serious cheap shopping!

[flipflop104]

KL airport isn't at all hard to navigate!!

We checked our luggage all the way through to Oz when we flew there from Manchester via KL and it was great as we got off the plane and just left the airport carrying our hand luggage with a spare change of clothes in it.

Flying out of KL was great as well as we didn't have to check in and just walked straight the the boarding gates as we were given our boarding cards, from KL to Oz, in Manchester (there were queues that took a good half hour to get through at imigration just before the boarding gates).

We stayed at the Pan Pacific which was right in the centre (nr the towers) and was right next to a monorail stop (which was handy) and the Hard Rock Cafe.

[heathfield]

Trust you know about the taxi routine at KLIA? Purchase a fixed price taxi coupon from the counter by the exit and use that. Don't just head for the exit and get a taxi as they'll jump at the chance to rip you off.

[Trotbot]

Think about gettet the train into the centre of town as it is quicker and cheaper. At the central station, get an executive taxi to your hotel (it's not expensive, and the normal ones are held together with sticky tape). However, if you have your luggage and are feeling tired, the fixed price taxi is the best bet, even if it takes longer (up to 90 minutes in the rush hours).

Hotels in KL are really cheap, and a five star hotel such as the Mandarin Oriental can be less than US$100 per room per night depending when and where you book.

If you are buying duty free for your holiday, KL airport is one of the cheapest in the world for tobacco and alcohol.

[Nemesis9]

The trip from the airport to the city centre, like many in the world (London being an obvious example), involves a journey that can take about an hour. Unlike the journey from Heathrow to central London however, this can be achieved cheaply using a variety of clean, efficient and safe local public transport options.

Another point to bear in mind is that KL airport is one of the best in the world. Clean, modern and well planned (again, not at all like Heathrow). Combine this with the fact that KL is a beautiful, safe, friendly and vibrant city, and it makes it a 'must see' place if you have the opportunity.

Like earlier contributors I would recommend opting for a better class of hotel, as they are excellent value, and would suggest the Shangri-la for location and service. I found the local taxis easy to use, with trips in the centre roughly 50p to a pound (sterling). The market is a must see (as is the view from the KL tower), take a spare suitcase or buy one when there. Enjoy.

[waimarie]

Many thanks everybody. As I anticipated, lots of first class suggestions and tips. Being able to draw on people's personal experiences and knowledge is a great benefit when trying to make the right choices. Just about everything is now in place, : itinerary, schedules, stopovers, travel insurance etc. Must remember to check out the credit cards !! Thanks again.