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Hop-on hop-off is quite popular in tourist cities and is very familiar to backpackers worldwide, but few Vietnamese people use it. In Kuala Lumpur, hop-on hop-off will take tourists to must-see attractions, but you can explore them in your own way instead of depending on a tour guide or a pre-planned itinerary.
The roof seats are always the most sought-after.
The buses are equipped with guides in nine languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish, making them quite convenient for foreign tourists. Each bus has a very dedicated and multilingual customer service representative who can assist tourists with any questions or inquiries. For destinations requiring entrance tickets, these staff members are also happy to sell tickets at the listed price.
Schedule
The bus will stop at 22 points, visiting approximately 40 famous landmarks throughout the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Tourists can choose any stop they want from the list, rather than visiting all destinations, and are free to explore each location according to their own preferences.
In other words, with this type of tour, you have complete control over where you visit and how long you stay, rather than depending on anyone else. This is really helpful for those who enjoy backpacking, because you can research destinations online beforehand and choose places that truly interest you. If you go on a guided tour, you will waste a lot of time and energy at places that aren't really suitable for you.
You also don't have to worry about being left behind or constantly checking your watch because there's a bus every 20-30 minutes. At some stops, the bus will pause for 5-10 minutes before departing again. During this time, you can take the opportunity to briefly visit the location to see if it's interesting; if not, you can return to the bus immediately to continue your journey, instead of waiting for the next one.
View the hop-on hop-off schedule in Kuala Lumpur.
The Petronas Twin Towers are stop number 22 on the map.
Must-see stops along the journey include: Petronas Twin Towers, Aquaria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Merdeka Square, Central Market, Little India, Chinatown, Lake Garden Park, Orchid Garden, Berjaya Times Square, Bukit Bintang Walking Street, Pavilion shopping mall, and the Royal Palace...
Time
Your hop-on hop-off ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours, depending on the type of ticket you purchase. During this time, you can hop on and off the bus and travel to the scheduled destinations an unlimited number of times within the bus's operating hours.
The first bus departs at 8:30 AM and stops operating at 8:30 PM. The buses run 365 days a year, including holidays.
Where to buy tickets?
You can choose to buy tickets at three locations: the official ticket office of the bus company, a ticket agent, or at some hotels affiliated with the bus company.
The official ticket offices of the bus company are located on Jalan Bukit Bintang (stop number 6 on the map), at the Malaysia Tourist Centre on Jalan Ampang, at the KL Sentral bus station (arrival station), and at Central Market.
A quicker way is to buy your ticket directly at the stop on the schedule from the customer service staff on the bus. The staff will punch a hole in the ticket to indicate your boarding time.
There are two types of tickets: a 24-hour ticket priced at RM 45 (approximately VND 300,000) and a 48-hour ticket priced at RM 79 (approximately VND 550,000). Children under 5 years old are completely free, children aged 5 to 12 pay half price, and children over 12 are charged as adults.
This type of tour is quite economical for those who don't have a budget for a truly relaxing trip. Instead of taking expensive taxis to get around, a hop-on hop-off ticket will take you around the city for a considerable distance. You only have to pay entrance fees at some of the destinations.
Note
- Hop-on hop-off buses are double-decker buses, with an open-top section on the second floor. If you're sightseeing in the early morning or after 5 am, you should choose this seat to fully appreciate the atmosphere and scenery along the way. However, due to its prime location, it's often reserved.
- Although the ticket is valid for one or two days, each day only actually runs for 12 hours. Therefore, you should choose a suitable time to board the bus to make the most of your time. According to the experience of some travelers, you should start boarding around early afternoon and travel until the end of the operating hours. Rest overnight, and the next morning you can still explore the city until the time indicated on the ticket expires. If you buy your ticket early in the morning, a full day of activity will quickly tire you out and you won't have enough energy to explore in the final hours.
- The only downside to this type of trip is the lack of tour guides, so first-time backpackers might find it a bit challenging. You should research online beforehand and choose a few destinations that genuinely interest you. Actually, all the places are worth visiting and exploring, but stopping at 22 places in 12 hours by car, including travel time, seems a bit overwhelming. Selective sightseeing is a smart choice.
- You shouldn't stay in one place for too long because it will leave you with insufficient time to visit other attractions.
- The bus company also advises passengers to avoid boarding during peak hours from 4 PM to 6 PM to avoid long waits due to traffic jams. During this time, you should have a light snack or go sightseeing and take photos.
