Using the KLIA Aerotrain replacement bus at T1

Travellers arriving at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 will pull into either the main terminal or a satellite complex 1.3km away. The two are connected by a rail link, which, until February 2023 was used by the KLIA Aerotrain to carry passengers between the Main terminal building and the Satellite building. Buses are currently taking this role and we show you where to go in our video above.

Using the KLIA Aerotrain Replacement bus

During the two years we’ve been waiting for the replacement of the old red trains to the new, larger white trains they’ve been using 37 replacement buses. These are on continuous rotation in both directions. The new China made trains can carry 270 passengers each way, compared with 230 carried by the older version.

If you are arriving at the Satellite building, you will need to make your way to the Centre Court and head to the arm with Gate numbers 1-6. If you arrive at one of these gates you’ll still need to walk towards the centre. The Aerotrain station is in the middle of the arm but until the Aerotrain service resumes, it is boarded up. When you reach the Central Court, keep to the left of the new station and follow the signs.

This process has always been used when there is any disruption to the services, so this information will continue to be useful even after the new trains start running by June 2025 if there are any disruptions.

When you arrive at the main terminal, you’ll need to go up to Arrivals on Level 3, using the escalator or the lift and proceed to Immigration directly in front of you. Departing passengers, once you have cleared the Immigration and Security checks, follow the signs directing you to the KLIA Aerotrain station behind the shop in front of the Security checks.

The three new driverless trains will have two in service at any one time, with the third as a spare. The trip between the two buildings will take around three minutes, with trains currently undergoing testing which is expected to be completed by June 2025.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was opened in 1998 and after more than 25 years is currently being made more user friendly, with easier check-in and bag drop facilities and smoother movement through Immigration. It’s also in line to undergo a major refurbishment with expansion of the current terminal, additional new terminals and the addition of a fourth runway. This was announced by Malaysia’s Transport Minister in Parliament in December 2024.

The KLIA Terminal 1 main building is used for arrival and departure formalities, with immigration counters. Smaller aircraft at T1 are used mainly for domestic and regional flights, with international flights using larger aircraft located in the satellite complex. KLIA Terminal 2, just under 2km away, is used by budget airlines and opened in 2014.

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