transportation Archives

Asia January 11, 2023

How To Get Around Kuala Lumpur

Discover how to get around Kuala Lumpur in this post. The capital of Malaysia is very organized and the public transportation is clean and easy to use. So don’t miss these tips on how to move inside the city, as well as how to get from the airport to the city center.

Planning a visit to the city? Don’t miss the best attractions in Kuala Lumpur.

Transportation from the airport to the city:

Airport train to the city:

KLIA has a fast train service, the KLIA Ekspres, which connects the airport to KL Sentral (yes, with S). KL Sentral is Kuala Lumpur’s central station, bringing together train, metro, monorail, and bus services in one place. It’s a big hub that connects the entire city. Also, the station has an area with Malaysia Airlines remote check-in counters, for those who want to check in and drop off their bags even before arriving at the airport.

The trip by KLIA Ekspres takes less than 30 minutes. The service is very comfortable and the ticket costs 55 Ringgit, the equivalent of approximately 12 dollars. Children pay a half ticket. For those arriving at the airport, the Ticket Counter works from 6 AM to 11 PM daily. But the transfer and train run from 5 AM to 12:15 AM.

You can buy tickets in advance online or in the App of KLIA Ekspres. The frequency of the trains you can check below in the picture.

Picture showing frequency of the trains from the airport to the city. Monday to Friday, from 5 to 7 AM and 9 AM to 5 PM the train passes every 30 minutes. From 7 to 9 AM and 5 to 7 PM it passes every 15 minutes. Saturday, Sunday and holidays the train pass every 30 minutes.

Bus from Airport to City:

At KLIA, the airport bus station is underground, just follow the signs to get there. The bus services available provide travelers with transportation to many places such as Kuala Lumpur areas and other cities, such as Ipoh, Malacca, and Johor.

Uber/ Grab Car from Airport to City:

To take an Uber or Grab Car to the city center, you need to be on the third floor, gate 5. It’s right in front of arrivals and the cars will stop in the second line. Grab Car, for those unfamiliar, is a very popular service in Malaysia and other Asian countries. Includes transportation as well as food delivery.

When we arrived at the airport, the Uber application didn’t work. So we quickly registered and used Grab to go to our Airbnb. The journey cost about 80 Ringgit. Which is a reasonable price as the airport is far from the city.

Transportation within the city:

Car rental:

If you are staying outside the city center, or if you have plans to travel to other cities around Kuala Lumpur, renting a car is recommended. This was the option we chose to travel around Malaysia. The traffic is well organized, nothing compared to other countries around like Thailand and Indonesia.

However, you will need to drive on the right side, so be aware and prudent in traffic. We managed to drive to Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, and Malacca during our stay in Kuala Lumpur. About one to three hours maximum by car. The daily rental was around 190 Ringgit (40 to 45 USD). The company we choose was Goso Rent a Car, which had really good reviews and we also recommend it.

Public transport (train and metro):

Public transport in Kuala Lumpur is clean, easy to use, and serves all tourist areas of the city. That’s why I recommend using it. We ended up staying further away from the center, in an area without much access to public transport. However, our savings in the price of the apartment didn’t compensate.

If we were in the city center, we would have saved on private transport, despite paying a little more for accommodation. Public transport options in KL include the metro, bus, and monorail.

Metro, train, and monorail

Also very easy to use, these options are connected serving all of Kuala Lumpur’s main attractions. All stations have maps with the metro lines (check the picture below). The price will depend on your destination. This means that the ticket is calculated according to the distance you will travel. A ride between KL Sentral and KLCC will cost around 4.30 Ringgit.

Picture of the map showing the metro lines operating in Kuala Lumpur.

Besides the single ride ticket, you can also purchase a 1, 3, or 30 days pass. The Travel Pass coast RM50 for unlimited rides in 30 days. MyCity 1 is a day pass that coast RM 15 (RM 5 is the card price). The modality of 3 days coast RM 25. They are valid for rides on all Rapid KL rail and BRT networks.

Kuala Lumpur Free Transportation: Go KL Bus

Yes, you didn’t read it wrong! This is an amazing option for any tourist looking to save on transportation. This purple bus serves 7 lines and passes through all touristic areas of the city. Just get on the bus without any cost. In addition, the bus has Wi-fi. However, for some distant destinations, such as Batu Caves, you will need to use a train connection.

Uber/Grab Car:

Using transport apps like Grab in the city can be very affordable if you are traveling in a group. Generally, the trip cost around 10 to 20 Ringgit. So make sure o download it on your phone before your trip. Late at night, this will be the only option available.

Check our list of the best travel Apps you always need on your phone here.

Keep Reading

Dubai December 11, 2022

How to get around in Dubai: Tips and Prices for your Trip

Here you will find several tips for travelers on how to get around in Dubai. The city may seem small, but due to the intense heat, it’s very difficult to get around on foot. Therefore, it is worth finding out about the main means of transport in Dubai before making your trip.

How to get around in Dubai?

Dubai has a very efficient public transport system. It’s easy to use and connects all the main points of the city. For tourists, the best and most economical means of transport is the subway. In addition to being cheap, it has air conditioning, is clean, and is easy to use. Check below all the transport options that the city offers.

TRANSPORTATION IN DUBAI VIA Metro:

Using the metro in Dubai is easy and comfortable. The city has two different lines that arrive close to the tourist attractions. The metro also connects to the tram and monorail. All public transport (with the exception of the monorail) is interconnected and you pay with the same card.

The Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Avenue, reaching the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach areas. Some of the attractions that you can access with this line are Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Mall of Emirates, as well as Dubai International Airport.

The Green Line of the metro runs through the oldest part of Dubai. Along the Dubai Creek, with access to the Souks. The tram connects the red line to Dubai Marina. In addition, with the Tram, you can reach the monorail station, which must be paid separately.

Monorail

The Monorail gives access to the island of Palm Jumeirah. The price of the trip is 20 AED one way and 30 AED round trip. If you are accompanied, it is worth sharing a taxi. The price will be cheaper than the monorail.

Photo of the subway in Dubai. Several skyscrapers to the right of the canal. Over a bridge the subway passes, in addition to other cars. Some yachts are cruising under the bridge. — Picture by Ling Tang on Unsplash.com

Transportation in Dubai by Private Car:

Dubai is made up of major highways. In addition, nearly all attractions have private parking. This makes it super easy for anyone who wants to use a private vehicle as a means of transport. I recommend renting a car for anyone who wants to get around various attractions or even just hop around Abu Dhabi.

Rent a car in Dubai

If you have an International Driving Permit, renting a car is affordable in the city. Dubai also requires the driver to obtain a temporary driver’s license, which can be carried out upon arrival in Dubai. For this, it’s necessary to take the passport, the international driver’s license, and two photographs.

Many agencies have pick-up points at the airport and you can drive your car. I recommend using Booking or other sites before your arrival in the city to compare prices between agencies. Most economy cars cost no more than 35 USD per day (no mileage limit).

Photo taken at one of the metro stations in Dubai on an avenue. Several skyscrapers are on either side. — Picture by Adryan RA on Unsplash.com

Taxi or app

A taxi can be a good option if you are traveling with a group, as the fare can be split. To avoid surprises in the cost of the journey, I always prefer to call a vehicle through an app, such as Uber. However, in Dubai, as well as in other Arab countries, the Careem application is usually cheaper. Download it on your cell phone and compare prices before your trip.

tourist bus (hop-on hop-off):

For those who want practicality, the tourist double-deck buses cover all the important attractions in the city on a rotating basis. With a single ticket, you can make as many trips as you need between attractions. In addition, you get a map with the sights and an audio guide in several languages to learn more about the place.

The buses have air-conditioned cabins or open-air seats for a better view of the city. Dubai has a total of 20 boarding points at attractions. If you don’t mind paying a little extra for convenience, this is the ideal option for sightseeing in Dubai. At Get your Guide you can find tickets valid for 24 hours for AED 218.

Transportation in Dubai by Bus

Conventional buses may not be very intuitive to use. However, the advantage is the price and also the coverage of the lines. The same metro pass is used for buses in Dubai. So be aware that paying in cash is not allowed. I recommend using the Google Maps application to check which buses to use to get to your destination.

Check out other essential travel apps here.

How it works and how much it cost the transportation card in Dubai

The price of the metro is calculated according to the distance traveled. Every time you get on and off the metro or tram, you’ll find swiping machines. For a distance of 6 stations, you will pay around 5 AED. As for the tram, most of the time you pay an additional 3 AED. When you pass the card at the exit of the subway, the amount debited from the card already appears.

You can buy tickets for just one trip or buy a card with unlimited use. For purchasing your tickets, go to a vending machine or to the ticket office directly at one of the stations. The card costs 5 AED and you can load as much as you like and as many times as you like.

Was this post helpful to you? Check here for other important tips before traveling to Dubai.

FAQ How to get around in Dubai

Best neighborhood to stay in Dubai

To visit Dubai’s main attractions, stay in the downtown area. Around Sheik Zayed Avenue there are several hotels. In addition, there are several metro stations in the area. To learn more about accommodation in Dubai check out this post.

Transportation in Dubai

Although it is difficult to visit attractions on foot, it is easy to get around with public transport in Dubai. The stations are connected to several tourist spots. Check out how to use public transport in the city in this post.

How much does transportation cost in Dubai

The cost of the ticket to use the metro will depend on the distance you are going to travel. Therefore, you need to know the name of the station when buying the ticket. Check out how to use public transport in the city in this post.

Keep Reading

Europe November 30, 2022

How to get to Venice (bus, train, and plane)

There are three ways to get to Venice. For those traveling from Rome to Venice, or traveling between other cities within Italy or Europe, it’s more common to use a bus, train, and plane. However, Venice is also a stop for several cruise ships. So you can get there by boat.

In this post, we won’t mention the use of rented or private cars. Since it’s not possible to transit around Venice with them and the cost-benefit for your trip wouldn’t compensate. Wondering how to get to Venice? Then check out our transport tips here.

How to get to Venice by Plane:

It’s possible to reach the city of Venice by landing at Marco Polo Airport. For those who want a quick and comfortable way to get around, a plane or train are among the best options. However, it’s necessary to consider that the nearest airport is eight kilometers away from the city center.

To get from the airport to the island of Venice, there are four options:

1. By Bus

This is the cheapest way to get to the center. The journey costs around 8 euros and takes you to Piazzale Roma, the city’s bus station. The bus station it’s around 1 km from the train station, right at the entrance of the island. Two companies make this route, ACTV, and ATVO.

Be aware, because some of the ACTV buses make more stops, which will add more hours to the route. Also, the quality of ATVO buses is better. However, a plus point of ACTV is that you can buy tickets that also work with Vaporettos inside the city. Check out more about day passes on the VeneziaUnica website.

2. By boat

The AliLaguna boat takes you from the docks to the regions of San Marco, Rialto, Fondamenta Nuove, and Le Guglie. The docks are located in the airport departure area (about 5 minutes walking). The cheapest tickets are around 15 euros and the journey can take up to an hour.

I only recommend using the boat if your hotel is close to one of the drop-off points.

3. By Transfer:

For those who don’t give up comfort and don’t mind paying a little more for the service, transfers are a good option. The water taxi starts at €32 and takes you from the docks to the pier at your hotel, or the nearest one.

How to get to Venice by Train:

Santa Lucia Station is the arrival station for those arriving by train in Venice. It’s right at the entrance of the island, in the neighborhood of Cannaregio. Our hotel was only 5 minute walk from the station. So it was easy to move around the city with suitcases.

For those staying in hotels outside this neighborhood, you may need to take a Vaporetto or a water taxi to reach your destination. There is a Vaporetto terminal right in front of the train station. From there, boats depart for all areas in Venice.

The Google Maps application shows all the Vaporetto lines. So it’s easy to know which station will take you to the closest station to your destination. Check out a list of the apps you need to plan your trip here!

Santa Lucia Train Station in Venice. @– Wikimedia Commons

HOW TO REACH VENICE BY BUS:

We chose to travel from Rome to Venice by bus. This was by far the cheapest option. Although it took us about 7 hours to reach the city, we used this to our advantage. We traveled overnight and saved a hotel night stay.

We chose the Flixbus company, as the buses are new and we can track the travel information online. If you want to know a little more about traveling by bus within Italy, check out this post.

Venice’s bus station is Piazzale Roma, which is close to Santa Lucia train station. We arrived in the very early morning and walked to our hotel. Something around 25 minutes to Santa Lucia Train Station, and another 5 minutes to reach the apartment.

It’s also possible to leave the Venezia Tronchetto bus station or the train station by boat. There are several lines of Vaporettos and you can take one of them to the point closest to your accommodation. Next to the bus terminal, there is also a parking lot for those arriving in Venice by car.

Bonus tips on how to get to Venice:

Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia Station are the last points you can reach Venice by land.
Piazzale Roma, or Venice bus station, is the destination for all buses that come to the city, in addition to cruises and cars.
The monorail in Piazzale Roma takes you to the Cruise Terminal and the Tronchetto parking lots, next to the cruise terminal. But it only works during the day.
On the VeneziaUnica website, you can purchase, in addition to transfers between the airport and the bus station, single tickets for one, two, or three days with unlimited use of Vaporettos. Admission to some museums and other tourist attractions is also included.

Are you planning a trip to Venice? Check out our article with a two-day itinerary in the city.

FAQ How to get to Venice

Can I go to Venice by plane

Yes. Venice airport is 8 kilometers away from the city center. From there you need to take a transfer, bus or boat to your accommodation.

Which is the airport in Venice

Venice’s airport is Marco Polo Airport. It’s located eight kilometers away from the city center. Check out how to get to the center in this post.

Is there a bus station in Venice

Venice’s bus station is Piazzale Roma, which is close to Santa Lucia train station. The bus station is about a 25-minute walk from the train station, which is located at the entrance to the island.

Keep Reading

Travel Tips November 1, 2022

Best travel Apps that you need to have on your phone

Searching for the best Apps for traveling? Find here the Apps you need to have on your cell phone.

Traveling is getting easier and easier. For this reason, more and more people travel solo, without buying agency packages. Much of this we owe to the internet and other technologies. Since they are making it simpler to search and compare prices, locate and move around, in addition to receiving information from anywhere.