KL Trip Tips: Hotels, Payments, Currency & Cheaper Airport Train Routes
I just returned from Kuala Lumpur and want to share practical tips that made my trip smoother—especially about hotels near KL Sentral, payment methods, currency exchange, and cheaper ways from KLIA to the city.
Where I stayed — near KL Sentral
I booked a hotel beside KL Sentral; the property was clean and had a gym on the 6th floor. It's a convenient area with many hotel options and easy access to trains and malls.
Important payment note — bring cash
Although I booked through an online site, when I arrived the hotel only accepted payment in cash and would not take cards. I also noticed a few small eateries that still take cash only. Because of this, bring some Malaysian ringgit (RM) with you or be prepared to withdraw/cash up on arrival.
Card payments and exchange rates
When I used my VP-issued card for purchases, the effective exchange rate worked out to about 64 VND per 1 RM, which was generally better than converting cash beforehand. If you prefer cash, most shopping malls have currency exchange counters you can use in a pinch.
At the time of my trip (early November 2025), the cash exchange rate I observed was roughly 1,000,000 VND → 145 RM—use this only as a directional reference and check current rates before you go.
Getting from KLIA to the city — save on train fare
- Option 1 — KLIA Express: Fast direct train from KLIA to KL Sentral; convenience but higher fare (roughly equivalent to about 300,000 VND per person when I traveled).
- Option 2 — Cheaper two-leg route I used: Take transit from KLIA to Putrajaya Station, then transfer from Putrajaya Station into the city. The combined fare for both legs was about 150,000 VND total, roughly half the direct express price.
Practical checklist before you go
- Bring some RM cash for hotels or small vendors that don't accept cards.
- Carry a card that has reasonable foreign-exchange fees—I found my VP card's rate favorable.
- If on a budget, consider the Putrajaya transfer route from KLIA to save on transport.
- Use mall currency exchanges only if needed; compare rates before exchanging a large amount.
Final note
Hope these tips help—have a great trip to KL!
