Hindus and Hin-don’ts: Tips for your 14 hr layover in Kuala Lumpur
En route from Tokyo to Bali I had a 14 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur. Layovers are the worst. Locked in an airport with nothing to do but fight over comfy couches and power outlets with other travelers, like hyenas on a dead wildebeest.
This time around Alex and I decided we weren’t gonna waste a day just sitting in the food court at the KL airport. Without knowing much (or anything) about the Kuala Lumpur, we set out to make the best out of our long layover. In the end we learned a lot about touring the Malaysian capitol city.
Allow me to share. Here are my Hin-dos and Hin-don’ts for your 14hr layover in Kuala Lumpur.
Do: Talk to airport information.
Our first worry was the language barrier, but as soon as you step off the plane you will realize that english isn’t that foreign in this fairly western city. Most of the signs and airport announcements are provided in english, and most people speak at least a little.
So do yourself a favor and talk to the information desk / concierge at the airport. The lady we spoke with spoke better english than me and was very helpful. The people at these desks are paid to help you, but more importantly they live here. They can be really helpful with finding the lockers to store our bags, suggestions of what to do in the city, transportation, any information you think you need, and surely some you didn’t know you would.
Don’t: Take out / exchange too much cash.
The USD goes a long way in Kuala Lumpur and airport currency exchanges are a famous rip off, and I think I got extra screwed this time around. So do yourself a favor do a little research on costs of transport (the wifi in the airport is lightning quick) and don’t get carried way when pulling out your ringgit (Malaysian currency) for the day.
Also, this is a layover, not a main feature on your trip. Challenge yourself to spend as little money as possible on your day so you can have a fun story without digging too far into your budget. I think my whole day, including transit to and from the airport and three meals was well under $30.
Do: Take the bus into town from the airport.
It is really easy to find, very clean, and only takes about 30-40 minutes. The train saves you maybe 10 minutes but costs way more ($3 vs about $15 I believe). No brainer, if you ask me.
Don’t: Go straight to the Patronas Twin Towers.
The tallest twin towers in the world are the symbol of KL and really are pretty amazing to see. They top most of the online lists of “Things to do in Kuala Lumpur” and I am sure the view is amazing. But at 80 ringgit (about $20 when I was there) I would rather stuff my face with Malaysian street food all day then take an elevator up the countries tallest tourist trap.
Now that I have told you to stay away from a pricey tourist trap, please make sure you make time to go to this free one. The Batu Caves is the most visted Hindu Temple outside of India. Now, admittedly I am a bit of a snob about cultural experiences that seem overrun with tourists, as many people are. But don’t let that fear stop you from making the trip to the Batu Caves and climbing the 272 steps to the main Temple Cave.
The train from the KL Sentral Station is only about a dollar and drops you off right in the middle of the action. Take the time see the caves, the markets, take photos of and with statues, and swap smiles with the countless Hindus using this beautiful monument as a daily place of worship. Just keep your eye on those monkeys, they are crafty devils.
Dont: Just hang out around Sentral Station and the mall all day.
We got trapped in the mall for a little during our brief time there. It is attached Sentral Station and is a labyrinth of western shops and information desks offering bad directions. We wanted to grab a quick bite to eat in the area around the station and long story short, we stumbled around Little India for a while before finding anything that seemed authentic. Doing any city in 14 hours is a tough task as it is, so unnecessary delays are the enemy.
Happy accidents though, we made friends with some local kids in Little India and watched them play soccer for a while before moving on (the game ended 1-1 and was admittedly much more entertaining than the Manchester United game that same day).
Do: Partake in the local customs.
I was eyeing a street side barber shop that was shaving heads and faces of worshippers before they entered the temples. One of the barbers asked if I wanted to shave my head. These gorgeous locks? You’re dreaming bro. I laughed and told him maybe my face (my travel beard is pretty uninspiring). He replied “Yeah, make you would look better. 10 ringgit?” thats like $2.10 for a straight shave. Hell yes.
Smooth as a baby’s bottom. I kept the mustache, though.
Don’t: Rush Back to the airport.
The bus from Sentral Station gets you to the airport really quickly even in traffic, and leaves just about every 20 minutes or so. We didn’t have trouble checking in at the airport and made it to our gate in plenty of time (thanks to the life saving English signage).
In conclusion, Hin-Do Kuala Lumpur. Always Hin-Do while you are traveling. It is why you came, no? So lock up your bags at the airport next time you get stuck with a long layover, and stumble out into the wide world out there. Don’t let the highlight of your story about a once in a lifetime stop in Malaysia be the airport bathrooms.