Looking at getting an Emirates flight back to the UK, but there is a 9 hr wait for the connecting flight in KL. Anyone know if there are any shopping centres or things to do near the airport and if we need a visa to leave the airport, is this easily done online.
Thanks

no need for a visa if AU passport holder (probably same for UK) - KLIA is near the express train ... 45 minutes to KL Sentral... get subway to Bukit Bintan or KLCC for shopping then head back ?

You can just about stretch KL airport to 3-4 hours inc a meal but no more. Either get a hotel airport room or head into the city but guess it depends on what time of day you are there!

Get a taxi in to the city,but just watch your time traffic wise.As far as I remember you need to buy a taxi ticket inside the airport and give to the taxi driver.You should have plenty time to have a look round the shops and get something to eat.Make sure your taxi driver knows which airport to drop you back at.

The airport is a long way from the city but as has been mentioned the train takes half an hour to KL Sentral. You could also get a taxi into the main shopping areas e.g Bukit Bintang, Pavilion Shopping Centre, KLCC. We got a cab a couple of months ago and at about 5pm on a Friday evening it took well over 1.5 hours in a cab to Bukit Bintang area...the traffic was horrific upon hitting the city! You buy a taxi ticket as you exit the customs area...should be about 75RM to the city.

My vote is the train to KL Sentral, modern and fast and do some sight-seeing. There are sight-seeing tour buses that do tours around the city (Google)

Have you been to KL and seen the Twin Petronas towers etc? You may have time for a bit of shopping, but there are parks etc to relax.

Allow 2 hours for travelling (including getting off the 1st aircraft and getting through the airport to the train) 4 hours sightseeing.
You'll want to ensure you are back in the airport in good time for the connecting flight. That should add up to around 6-7 hours (you can judge for yourself on the day) and an hour waiting for the connection, boarding will take an hour(ish)

We did check in to the Tune hotel next to the airport and have a sleep, but that was because of the flight times and we were heading back to Australia and back to work.

One other thought, can't you get a direct flight to Dubai? What airport are you flying from?
By the time you look at connections in KL AND Dubai, it's gonna be a long flight!
We are flying Malaysia airways 4th July to the UK. 1st of July they start an A380 service overnight to LHR

I agree with everything that the others have said. In addition, allow yourself some time before boarding your next flight to freshen up. A few hours in KL and you will be quite sweaty!

The KL Express train into the city is very good and takes 28 minutes - well worth the trip. No visa required, just fill in the form and go through immigration.

There is a lounge at KLIA that you can pay to use. I think it was $30-odd for 3 hours - food, beer, soft drinks, showers, internet, neck massage, TV all included.

Thanks for your replies. We were wondering if it was worth getting the cheaper flight with Emirates, which is almost $900 cheaper than the direct flight, or have the experience of visiting KL. The flight gets into KL 8.45am and the connecting flight isn't until 7.30pm, only thing putting us off doing this is there is a 4 hr wait in Dubai too.

where are you flying from?

I would also recommend KLIA express over taxis. Train to KL Sentral will take 28 mins, taxi takes 50 mins if there is no congestion. From Sentral you can jump on the MRT to KLCC or get a taxi there or to the Bukit Bintang area (Pavillion mall recommended and Sungai Wang for cheaper bargains!)

Interesting for me too, as we're going to KL for the weekend on Friday (husband going for conference, so Mini and I tagging along).

Haven't been there for about 10 years so any more recommendations for shopping (housey shite) and food and things to do with a 5 year old boy? (Looking foward to re-visiting Peter Hoes)

Flying from Melbourne to Manchester

Yes, I was about to mention Peter Ho, until I saw your last line (but I'll mention it anyway!). IMO the best place for home deco here - all their stuff is commissioned so not the same old you will see everywhere else. Central Market is ok, but you have to work your way through the tat - and their asian pieces are overpriced (tourist price).

Where are you staying? For your son there is the water play area in KLCC park, Indoor theme park at Berjaya Times Square. Kidzania has just opened at The Curve Mall in Mutiara Damansara (taxi ride to the 'burbs), Petrosains science centre at KLCC.

For hawker food at night try Jalan Alor, for restaurants and bars with a buzz try Changkat Bukit Bintang. For air conditioned places there is an enormous amount available in the malls and food courts. You won't have a problem finding something good to eat :-)

And his sister, Crack