KL Tower is one of the most impressive sights in Kuala Lumpur, and a must visit attraction for any visitors to the city. Standing at 421 meters, the tower can be seen from all over the city. While the nearby Petronas Twin Towers are a natural drawcard for visitors and locals alike, KL Tower, in my opinion, has even better panoramic views!
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Table of Contents
- About KL Tower
- Ticket Prices for KL Tower
- How to get to KL Tower
- What to expect at KL Tower
- Other things to do at KL Tower
- What else is nearby?
- Where to stay for KL Tower
- Summary
About KL Tower
KL Tower, or Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower, is a telecommunications tower in Kuala Lumpur city. It stands at an impressive height of 421 meters, and is ranked the 7th tallest tower in the world. This is not to be confused with the “tallest buildings”, “tallest structures”, etc. The actual tallest “Tower” in the world is the Tokyo Skytree in Japan.
Construction on KL Tower began in 1991, and was completed in 1996. It is built on the beautiful Bukit Nanas, a hill in central Kuala Lumpur that is also home to several other tourist attractions, all of which can be visited as part of a trip to KL Tower.
Many visitors to KL Tower, myself included, will wonder at why it is only 421 Meters tall, yet from the Sky Deck you seem to be looking down upon the 451.6 meter tall Petronas Twin Towers. The reason for this is that KL Tower sits upon a hill, making its height an actual 515 meters above sea level. There is no wonder that I consider it to have the best views in Kuala Lumpur!
Ticket Prices for KL Tower
When you arrive at KL Tower, you will have the options for different tours of the tower itself. Each has a different price attached, and it is better to be prepared for this, rather than standing at the ticket window trying to decide.
Basically, you can buy a ticket to the Observation Deck, or go all the way with a ticket to the Sky Deck, which includes admission to the Observation Deck, as well as photos in the Sky Box. I will explain a little more about each a bit later in this Guide to KL Tower.
You can also bundle your ticket with admission to a few of the other attractions around the hill at the base of KL Tower. They can be fun add on’s, to make the most of your day.
Here are the ticket prices at time of writing. (2022)
Observation Deck
- International Visitor: RM 49 Adult, RM 29 Child
- Malaysian Visitor: RM 30 Adult, RM 20 Child
Sky Deck (Includes Observation Deck and Sky Box)
- International Visitor: RM 99 Adult, RM 52 Child
- Malaysian Visitor: RM 71 Adult, RM 37 Child
Observation Deck + Upside Down House
- International Visitor: RM 55 Adult, RM 36 Child
- Malaysian Visitor: RM 36 Adult, RM 26 Child
Observation Deck + Mini Zoo
- International Visitor: RM 66 Adult, RM 47 Child
- Malaysian Visitor: RM 47 Adult, RM 38 Child
Observation Deck + Blue Coral Aquarium
- International Visitor: RM 52 Adult, RM 31Child
- Malaysian Visitor: RM 31 Adult, RM 22 Child
Observation Deck and XD Theatre
- International Visitor: RM 55 Adult, RM 36 Child
- Malaysian Visitor: RM 36 Adult, RM 26 Child
All the combination ticket options above are able to be customized to include the Sky Deck instead of the Observation Deck. Make an enquiry on the day.
How to get to KL Tower
This isn’t as easy as getting to Petronas Twin Towers, as they are located at KLCC. While in Kuala Lumpur, I was reminded of the saying, “all roads lead to Rome”. In KL, it almost seems as if everything leads to KLCC. It is a very easy place to find.
Not so much for KL Tower, and Bukit Nanas that it sits on top of. The good news? KL Tower isn’t actually too far from anything, so getting there isn’t that much of a hassle. In fact, I visited the tower on two occasions, and both times I walked from KLCC. it is only about 20 – 25 minutes, and mostly flat or downhill. Just make sure that when you reach the entrance at the bottom of Bukit Nanas, that you either take the shuttle up to the Tower, or the stairs that are hidden behind the signs as you enter. They cut the uphill slog down considerably.
Grab and Taxi would be the next choice, and you can get them to take you all the way to the base of the tower, so that makes it really easy.
If you want to take public transport, the best two options would be Bus 79, U24 stop Menara KL.
Otherwise, jump on the monorail and head to the Bukit Nanas station.
Neither option are perfect, however, as you still have a walk ahead of you, and have to get up the hill to the tower itself.
What to expect at KL Tower
Once you arrive at the foot of the tower, you will head toward the stairs through a small security gate. This is a simple Xray such as you might walk through at the airport, although without all the bells and whistles. Proceed up the stairs to the first level, where you will find a ticket counter, and a small bank of self service ticket machines. If there is a line for the counter, then I can tell you that the self service is very easy to use. As a matter of fact, when I was there, the attendant offered to help and did it all for me. So much for self service!
All you really have to do here is choose what ticket package you require. The best is to pay the RM 99 for the Sky Deck access, which also gives access to the Observation Deck and Sky Box. Even if you are not interested in these, the Sky Deck gives the very best, uninterrupted views of the city and surrounds. And that is why you are there, right?
Take your ticket and head to the line into the tower. Your ticket will be checked by an attendant, and you will be directed to the appropriate elevator. It’s as simple as that.
I was rather taken aback at the lack of security and how relaxed everything is at KL Tower. Especially after being at Petronas Twin Towers, and having to jump through many more hoops, security everywhere, Xray machines etc etc. It seems like KL Tower is the poor cousin in the scenario, and all the attention is given to the Twin Towers. Which is wrong, as KL Tower is such a wonderful experience. I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to the similar scenario between Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower.
On the level you buy your tickets, there are a few restaurants and gift shops. Keep this in mind if you are looking for lunch afterwards, because the café up top, and especially the Atmosphere 360 Restaurant, were made for those that arrived in a Lamborghini, not by bus.
One thing you should be aware of before heading to KL Tower, is that access to the Sky Deck and the Sky Boxes are weather dependent. During bad weather, and especially storms with lightning, they will be closed. So check before you go.
The top of KL Tower
If you got a ticket for the Sky Deck, then your elevator will take you there, though you may stop first at the Observation Deck to drop off some passengers. Once at the Sky Deck, head to your left where you will scan your ticket again, and head through a door onto the Deck itself.
This observation platform is amazing. Simply put, it is an open air deck that runs completely around the top of the Tower, giving mostly uninterrupted views of the city and surrounds. On a clear day you can see for miles!
The edge of the deck is protected by a glass fence, plastered with warnings not to lean on it. I don’t know why you would really want to, even though beyond the fence is a smaller wire fence and a bit of infrastructure anyway.
Make your way around the deck and take photos as you go. I was able to use my Insta360 on selfie stick, which was great, seeing as at Petronas Twin Towers it is against the rules to take selfie sticks or tripods up the tower. You can get some really amazing photos from this tower, and can do so without having to peer through glass to do it. Panoramas are great too, without window struts to break the shot apart.
Midway around the tower, on either side, are two Sky Box’s. These are glass boxes that you can get inside of to take some pretty great photos feeling like you are in mid air. Be aware that there might be a decent sized line up though, and security are strict. You will have to take off your shoes to enter the box, and the time taken to do so eats into your actual allocated time IN the box. So at the end, you may get some very rushed shots.
This is ok, seeing as you already paid for the use of the box. My tip is to get up the tower early, and on a weekday to cut down crowds. I have been up there during periods with hardly anyone else, but I think that is luck more than really good management. And EVERYONE wants a shot for the Gram in that box!
One of the boxes faces the Petronas Twin Towers, and is obviously the most popular box. The second faces what was once just boring city, albeit with great views. Now, though, it also faces the new Merdeka 118, the second highest building in the world. So why not opt for that, rather than the shot everyone else is getting?
Also up top you will find a small café, that is bound to be packed out, if it is open at all. It is located right next to the “Petronas” box, so personally I stayed right away from it.
Once you are finished on the Sky Deck, you can head down to the Observation Deck. To be truthful, once you have seen the views from upstairs, you get a little “blah” with seeing it all from lower and through glass. Even the big binoculars didn’t really entice me.
I personally opted on my last visit to just skip it and head straight back to the bottom. There are a lot more people on the observation deck, as you have all those that just opted for the cheaper ticket as well. So more people equals more crowd, and that means more people trying to catch the lift. Fun times.
Once again, with the lack of security, on my last visit there weren’t even lift attendants for the trip down. I called the lift myself, and with a few others just made our way down and out of the tower!
Once at the bottom, you emerge among the restaurants once again, and pass by a couple of gift shops. Have a good look around, and if you bought a combination ticket with another attraction, you can head there back down the stairs you came up.
One note about the Atmosphere 360 Revolving Restaurant. Personally I have not been up there and eaten. From all reports, and I can only imagine, it is expensive. Check it out if you like, and maybe you can let me know!
Other things to do at KL Tower
In recent times, the local tourism board have done their best to try and promote tourism to KL Tower. In my opinion, the views speak for themselves, but with everyone going to the more popular Petronas Twin Towers across the way, I can understand their thinking.
This is why Bukit Nanas has now become home to several other attractions. All of these can be combined with a tour of the tower itself as a “Combo Package”. See the pricing above for further details.
For now, let’s take a look at what there is to offer in the immediate vicinity of KL Tower.
- The Canopy Walk through KL Forest Eco Park – This impressive walkway is made from 200 meters of suspension bridges that stretch above the rainforest that covers Bukit Nanas. Try this walk when you leave the tower, and you can exit the Eco Park at the road entrance below.
- The Mini Zoo – This small but fun little petting zoo is great for the kids, both big and small. Have the chance to get up close and personal with rabbits, llamas, parrots, and even hang a couple of pythons around your neck!
- The Upside down house – This is the newest addition to attractions on Bukit Nanas, but is also one of the most fun. A completely upside down house sits near the entrance to the Tower carpark. Inside, all the furniture and contents are also upside down. A visit will make for some great photos!
- Jelutong Tree – This massive tree sits right on top of the hill, and not too far from the base of KL Tower. It is 100 years old, and is held in such high regard that the original plans for construction of the tower had to be changed as to not upset it. As they should be!
- Blue Coral Aquarium – A small aquarium set on the ground floor of KL Tower, that is home to many species of tropical fish including the ever popular clown fish. Come and visit Nemo!
What else is nearby?
If you are visiting KL Tower, and want to stay in the neighborhood, then I have good news for you. There is plenty to do around the area. This is the central part of Kuala Lumpur, and one of the reasons that I love it is because everything is so close! I don’t mind walking, and found that most things were only 20 minutes apart. In many big cities around the world, you could be walking for hours!
Add to this the free bus service that gets around the main city areas, monorail and trains, and you have no reason to miss out on anything. Here is a list of some of the top things to do around Kuala Lumpur and KL Tower.
- Petronas Twin Towers – It goes without saying that if you enjoyed the views on KL Tower, then you will love them at the Twin Towers. The Skybridge is unique just in itself!
- KLCC Park – This beautiful park right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur has a great jogging track around the entire circumference, an amazingly huge kids playground, fountains, lakes, mischievous squirrels and even free filtered water fountains!
- The KLCC Dancing Fountains – Come down to the park at night time, and right below the towers you can see an amazing fountain show. The lake comes alive to a colorful symphony as the fountains dance in perfect choreography.
- Jalan Alor – The most popular street in the city for finding a bite to eat at night. If you like Thai food, or Seafood in particular, then this is your spot!
- Pavilion Shopping Precinct – One of the premier spots to shop till you drop in Kuala Lumpur. I was impressed by the shops, but to tell the truth, I kept returning for the food court!
- Chinatown – The place to find all of your knock off handbags, jewelry, shoes and t-shirts.
- Central Markets – The best place to find all the rest of your souvenirs in Kuala Lumpur!
Where to stay for KL Tower
There are plenty of places to stay around KL Tower, and between it and Petronas Twin Towers you will find some of the premier hotels in the city. Here are my picks for the best places to stay within easy reach of KL Tower.
Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur
These suites are not only rated above 4 stars, but are also so close to the tower that you could almost touch it. With a rooftop pool and dining, and built right beside the rainforest eco park, how could you go wrong?
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Luxury plus, the Shangri-La at Kuala Lumpur is set right beside the KL Tower Precinct, and only 1km from the Petronas Twin Towers. The best of both worlds!
Holiday Inn Express, Kuala Lumpur City Centre
The popular Holiday Inn Express is only a couple of minutes stroll from the base of Bukit Nanas, where you can take the shuttle up to KL Tower. It is also a quick 10 minute walk to the Twin Towers, Pavilion Shopping Centre, and KLCC Park.
Summary
If you are in, or going to visit Kuala Lumpur, then you have to take the time to visit KL Tower. It has the best views of the entire city, and offers solutions for a full days activities. You will not be disappointed!
Did you find this article helpful? Then please drop me a line in the comments below to let me know!
Thank you very much for the details which are not often noticed by others. Like the steps behind the sign boards..
Visiting in September. Staying at shangri-la. You have recommended.
No Problem! I hope you enjoy your trip. J