From Brunei to Seoul (tips for Transfer at Kuala Lumpur airport)
















This is the last time I transfer at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for this 3-month Asian trip. I always find something new about this city and this airport. Since I have 19-hr layover (3/17 7 pm to KUL to 3/18 2 pm to Seoul), I was tempted to go in downtown in the morning and use the free GO KL buses. However, a KL local told me Monday morning downtown traffic is super heavy and a better option is to take light-rail. I looked via downtown info and determined nothing interesting enough to justify the hassle, so I stay in the airport.

I also tried to book a hostel easy to get to and low cost train ride (total cost $8 per night), but it stopped accept booking after 9 pm. I asked the airport service to call but no one answered. I will book ahead next time (if ever) transfer in KUL. I simply can’t force myself to spend $30 for the Capsule Transit at the landslide of the airport.

After flying so many time with AirAsia with 9 kg luggage, my bags were first time weighted on the flight out of Brunei. I was warned to finish all my food and water before security check, and then I spent 15 minutes to fit my 1-lt plastic toiletries bag into one down coat pocket, my electronics bag into the other pocket, and swapped from sport sandals to trail running shoes to cut my bag weight to 6.85 kg to qualify 7 kg carry-on total limit by AirAsia. I then spent 25 minuets to reverse the weight arrangement before boarding. BTW, I attached the photos of the simple yet beautiful Brunei Airport. I got window seat this time, so great views of Brunei and KUL; however, AirAsia does allow electronics usage taking off or landing, so I couldn’t take photos.

AirAsia usually checks foreign passports 4-hr before flights and then issues the boarding passes. I did not get the boarding pass at 8 pm, and got it with another sympathetic agent at 9:30 pm. I then ate a beef rice pot (after so many chicken meals in Brunei), changed Malaysia currency into USD, used last 1.6 MY ringgits to buy cucumbers in the landside supermarket, got in the airside after security check, used free shower, and slept on a 3-seat chair from 11 pm to 6 am (while air dry my towel) until waking up by boarding announcements. The 3-seat chair is not as soft as the one-person sofa I slept last time, but I could stretch my legs and slept much better. In addition, I was very sick last time but healthy now! An important note: one main reason I got sick was from the various strengths of AC in different areas. Had I paid attention, I would varied the layers of my clothings and avoided catching a cold.

I am researching for my 7-day trip in Seoul using KUL airport 24-hr free WiFi.

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