Luxury holidays in Kuala Lumpur

When to go

Kuala Lumpur’s equatorial climate keeps the city warm, sunny and humid all year round, but the occasional evening storms get more intense between September and April. In summer, ‘the haze’– a dense dusty fug created by Sumatran forest fires – often comes to town and stays for one or two weeks.

Getting there

• Planes

  International flights touch down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA; www.klia.com.my). The main carriers plying these routes include Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com), AirAsia (www.airasia.com) and Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com). It's worth noting that AirAsia flights land at a second airport, a 20-minute taxi ride from the main hub.

• Trains

  The non-stop, high-speed KLIA Ekspres service (www.kliaekspres.com) whooshes from KLIA to KL Sentral Station. It’s zippy (faster than a taxi at any time, let alone rush hour), air-conditioned and reliable. When you leave, do it in style: check-in alongside savvy jet-setters at the Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal (KL CAT) inside KL Sentral Station before getting on the KLIA Ekspres.

• Automobiles

  If you prefer to catch a cab from the airport, don’t bother negotiating a fare with a random cabbie outside: buy a fixed-price taxi ticket to ensure that you arrive at your hotel without a case of haggle-induced stress.

• Taxis

  To get around town, taxis are a cheaper option than in many capitals. Insist on paying for a metered fare, or negotiate a price before getting in. Although you should be able to hail a taxi easily, keep an eye out for taxi ranks, usually in front of shopping malls.