To & From
There are plenty of travel options from Dublin to KL, nothing direct so it is really a question of two mid-range flights via Middle East hub or one short one long through Europe, either way it will take 16-18 hours, note 7 hours GMT variance, so you will arrive roughly 24 hours later.
We chose Qatar airlines for convenience leaving and arriving mid-day, with overnight back not to mention fabulous modern planes, we travelled on Airbus A380’s & Boeing 787 Dream liners.
Kuala Lumpur has a hot tropical climate with no dry season, so it is always humid and less wet at certain times, on the stats, drier Dec-February when prices are generally at a premium.
Woke Tip:Chance Turkish Airlines in November for better overall value and pack a poncho and sun cream.
Awake Tip:Travel light no need of heavy clothing on this trip.
Day 1 Arrival ( KUL )
The airport is a major passenger transit hub, so it will take time to get your bearings after a long flight with a lot of fellow travellers going in all directions. Fastest transfer to downtown is via train – about 35-40 minutes.
See 1 under Useful Links where you can buy train tickets ahead.
Awake Tip : Book a hotel transfer so you can relax in an air conditioned car and get delivered direct to hotel door, it will cost approx. € 25 one way standard saloon car if you use booking.com, you can pay more if you want a more luxurious car. It can take over an hour to the Mandarin Oriental in the City Centre.
Woke Tip: If you do arrive in at rush hour the train may well be a better option.
Chances are arrival at the hotel will be as day light fades, day light hours are relatively short roughly 7am to 7pm with some small variation during the year.
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel ticks all the boxes, great location, great hotel full stop with everything you require and more.
See 2 under Useful Links
As the hotel is centrally located the first night you can explore directly outside around a pedestrianised park area with a selection of bars and restaurants under the spotlight of the Petronas Twin Towers–Imperial Chakri Palace is worth a look.
See 3 under Useful Links
Day 2
KL is not a pedestrian friendly city, so be careful on foot crossing roads and walking down paths that just fizzle out. One place to walk to is the Petronas Buildings across from the hotel. However, these are a busting commercial centre and the tours are expensive and timed for Group visits
Better option is to go to the sky deck of the KL towers –the tower is situated in Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, famed as one of the oldest forest reserves in the country, a rather sad fact is that they celebrate a single 100 year old Jelutong tree, once widespread now almost extinct across Malaysia, as with many other native forest species.
Figure 1 View of Petronas Towers from KL Tower
See 4 under Useful Links
Figure 2 Wildlife in Bukit Nanos Forest Zoo
After leaving the KL tower area head towards the Dataran Merdeka, where members of the Royal Selangor Club would watch cricket in the tropics, testimony to foreign influencers who introduced the sport in the nineteenth century.
See 5 under Useful Links
Figure 3 Cricket pitch in Downtown.
Following a hot day out and about head back to the pool for some chill time at the Mandarin Oriental, before heading out to Healy Macs pub for a few drinks and excellent dinner.
See 6 under Useful Links.
Day 3
The highlight of any trip to KL is a visit to Batu Caves – images below.
Take the KTM Komuter train from KL Sentral all the way to Batu Caves Komuter station which is located a few steps from the entrance to the attractions, only a 30 minutes ride.
See 7 under Useful Links.
The caves are spectacular, and one of the most popular tourist attractions near the Capital.
Awake Tip : Leave early to miss the crowds and the main heat of the day
Woke Tip : Catch the train and don’t worry about a guide the cave networks are easily navigable, and you can chose to see more or less depending on your level of interest.
Back to KL in time to relax in the hotel by the pool, for a few days before heading home.
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