Franz ElizI travel a lot – whether for work or holidays – so I often go to the airport. A one-way taxi trip to the Malaysian airport can easily cost nearly RM100. It’s not cheap. So I always try to cut down costs by taking local trains instead.
There are two train options: KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit. The first goes directly to the airport, hence quicker and more expensive, while the latter makes a few stops before arriving at the airport. When I am not in a rush (or have a lot to carry), I always take KLIA Transit instead of KLIA Ekspres.
If you, too, want to save on travel costs to the airport, keep reading. Here’s how I travelled to the airport via KLIA Transit in 2024. Don’t worry; this article is still relevant in 2026.
Train From TRX to Putrajaya Sentral
First, I took the MRT to TRX (Tun Razak Exchange MRT Station) from my home in Petaling Jaya. I had a Touch ‘n Go card. With it, I took advantage of Rapid KL’s MyCity pass (now rebranded as Rapid Kota Pass) for unlimited rides. I would always do this if I knew I’d spend more than RM10 on my MRT rides.
If you don’t have a Touch ‘n Go card yet, go and get it. It’s convenient to have one, and your train rides are cheaper than over-the-counter tickets. With the card, you can purchase the Rapid KL 1-Day Pass for only RM10.
From TRX, I took the MRT to Putrajaya Sentral. I only spent RM3.60. I don’t think the price has gone up much – or even at all.
My journey from Petaling Jaya to Putrajaya Sentral took about an hour. From Putrajaya Sentral to KLIA, the journey was 16 minutes. All in all, I spent roughly 2 hours travelling by train.
Putrajaya Sentral to KLIA
From Putrajaya Sentral, I boarded KLIA Transit to get to the airport. Tickets to the airport can be purchased via the KLIA Ekspres app. I recommend getting your KLIA Transit ticket via the KLIA Ekspres app to enjoy a 10% discount on a standard single trip. That was what I did. My ride to KLIA a few years ago was RM8.50.
Was It Worth It?
In total, my journey cost less than RM20. I would’ve spent more than RM55 if I had taken KLIA Ekspres or close to RM100 if I had taken a taxi. So, travelling with KLIA Transit was definitely worth it for me.
Keep in mind that everyone’s journey is different. If you can’t take KLIA transit for whatever reason, take KLIA Ekspres if you must, as long as you get to your destination on time. If you’re travelling to KLIA2, you can opt for AirAsia-endorsed airport buses, also known as Sky Bus. They’re an affordable option as well, costing only RM13.
If you’re already staying in the city centre, you can take KLIA Transit from KL Sentral. The journey from there is pretty straightforward. There’s no need to change trains. Just take the train from KL Sentral to KLIA, and you’re good to go. If your plane departs from KLIA2, then just stay on the train until the last stop.
Final Thoughts
Should you take KLIA Transit? Absolutely! Even foreigners can take it. No problem. However, I don’t recommend taking KLIA Transit if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage. Many locals take KLIA Transit. So the trains can get crowded sometimes, considering that they make several stops before reaching the airport. Take it if you’re not pinched for time or have overwhelming baggage.
