What you should know before hiring a car in Kuala Lumpur
Distance from Kuala Lumpur city centre |
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18 km | ||
46 km |
Practical information
Where can travelers rent a car in Kuala Lumpur?
The capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is also the largest city in the country. As one of the principle points of arrival for visitors to Malaysia, renting a car in Kuala Lumpur is a popular option as travelers can use the city as a starting point for a road trip to other destinations in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the point of arrival for a large number of international flights, and car rental is offered at the airport. Therefore, travelers can collect their rental car at the airport before driving into the city center. Other ways to reach central Kuala Lumpur from the airport include the KLIA Express train, which transports passengers into the city center, arriving at Kuala Lumpur's principle train station, KL Sentral. There are also taxis and buses available from KLIA to the city center.
Car rental companies in Kuala Lumpur include Avis, Europcar, First Car Rental, Prima Odyssey, Sixt and Suria Car Rental.
Driving in Kuala Lumpur: parking and other tips
Finding a place to park in any city is always a priority for those traveling by car. Many hotels offer free car parks for guests; there are also paid car parks at shopping centers such as Suria KLCC, which also offers a valet parking service. Parking on the street is not advised, unless it is specified that it is legal to do so; heavy fines may apply to those caught parking without permission, or your car may be towed away. Websites such as ParkMe aim to help visitors find available parking spaces, letting users know if a car park is full, and what the rate is to park there.
There is a large number of motorcyclists on the roads in Kuala Lumpur; stay focused and always check your blind spot before making a maneuver. Traffic jams are a common occurrence; while remaining safe, it pays to be assertive when stuck in gridlock.
Road trips from Kuala Lumpur
As the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a great base from which to take a road trip to other destinations in the country. Whether a day trip away from the city, or a few days spent exploring Malaysia by rental car, these are some road trips to take from Kuala Lumpur.
Road trip to Taman Negara National Park
Located around 150 miles away from Kuala Lumpur, the Taman Negara National Park is a large natural area filled with interesting wildlife; it's especially well known for its rainforest. The largest national park on the Malaysian peninsula, driving from Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara National Park can take around three and a half hours – and the park's sheer size means it's worth taking more than a day to explore. Within the park, some of the main attractions include the stunning Lata Berkoh & Waterfall Cascades; the Kelah Fish Sanctuary; and the Canopy Walk (which is also the longest suspension bridge in Malaysia, with a distance of 530m).
Road trip to Bukit Tinggi
Just 33 miles from Kuala Lumpur, necessitating a one hour drive, the small town of Bukit Tinggi, located in the state of Pahang, is a popular day trip by car from Kuala Lumpur. Located on a hill and standing at 2,000 ft above sea level, Bukit Tinggi is home to Colmar Tropicale – a French style area, with hotels and restaurants. It's modeled after the town of Colmar in Alsace, France, and is a charming tourist destination. Elsewhere in Bukit Tinggi, sights worth seeing include the Japanese Garden and the Botanic Gardens.
Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands
Around 128 miles north of Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands are one of Malaysia's many popular tourist destinations. Driving from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands takes around 3 hours, and the road trip is best enjoyed over a few days to allow for time to truly enjoy the destination. A hill station area known for its stunning natural scenery and tea plantations, there are also plenty of hiking trails to enjoy. Thanks to its popularity as a tourist destination, there are also plenty of places to stay in the Cameron Highlands, from guest houses to hotels.