Many travelers prefer to fly into Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport (KUL) when visiting the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur. However, there are a few airports in the region, so bear that in mind when arranging your travel plans.

Lengthy commutes don’t have to be stressful if you plan ahead for them. Downtown Kuala Lumpur is 40 kilometers from KUL, so it’s wise to know how you’ll get into the city before you arrive.

There are two major airports that service Kuala Lumpur. KUL is around 40 kilometers from downtown, while SZB is approximately 16 kilometers away. After you have a look at prices and get a place to stay, you’ll have a better idea of which to fly into.

There are 49 air carriers that fly to Kuala Lumpur from 87 airports around the world.

AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines frequently fly to Kuala Lumpur. Catching an AirAsia flight from Bayan Lepas is one of the most popular ways to travel there.

With roughly 2,846 direct flights running each week, you’ll be arriving in Kuala Lumpur before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

The most popular flights to Kuala Lumpur depart from Singapore, Kuching and Jakarta airports.

Which city you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you’ll get to see. From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, the average flight time is 1 hour and 4 minutes. From Penang it usually takes 1 hour and 1 minute, and from Padang Matsirat it’s 1 hour and 14 minutes.

If you want to have some extra spending money on your trip to Kuala Lumpur, then listen up! As any experienced jet-setter will tell you, don’t book at the very last minute. Airfares are usually more expensive close to the departure date. Another fantastic way to grab a bargain is to shop around. If where you’re headed has a few airports, don’t forget to look into the cost of flying into a smaller terminal. Finally, another easy way to save some cash is be ready to book at a moment’s notice. If you spot a terrific deal, don’t think twice — snap it up while you’ve got the chance.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your journey to Kuala Lumpur could be simple and straightforward or it could go on forever. We’ve pulled together some useful travel tips that will help you start your next big adventure on the right foot.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, pack your passport, travel docs, bank cards and vital medications. Next, you’ll need some entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling novel and a phone filled with your favorite shows are good options. If you intend to catch more than just forty winks, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you’ll arrive looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don’t have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Layer up in breathable clothing and pack a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin. Always opt for roomy, flat shoes as it’s possible that your feet and ankles will swell a little during the journey. Leave the stilettos and chunky boots in your checked luggage.
• Unfortunately, one risk of flying long-haul is developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity. To avoid this, take every opportunity to walk around and give your legs a stretch. Compression socks and tights are also a great idea to help minimize this risk.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you’ll be hopping onto that plane to Kuala Lumpur in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• Your ID and travel documents will need to be presented to airport security. Have them close by so you don’t hold up the queue.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything on you that is likely to beep. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They’ll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic devices will need to go through the scanner.
• Don’t forget to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a sensible footwear choice as you’re less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked luggage. They won’t be allowed in the cabin.