{"id":54372,"date":"2026-05-22T11:02:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T03:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=54372"},"modified":"2026-05-22T11:02:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T03:02:35","slug":"first-time-using-kuala-lumpurs-trains-here-are-some-tips-including-how-to-pay-tap-in-and-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=54372","title":{"rendered":"First time using Kuala Lumpur\u2019s trains? Here are some tips (including how to pay, tap in and out)"},"content":{"rendered":"


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KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 \u2014\u00a0Are you a tourist visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first time, and want to try riding the trains and buses in the city?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a simple guide with some tips:<\/p>\n

If you want to take Rapid KL’s trains in Kuala Lumpur (LRT, MRT, monorail) and also the BRT \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are now only two ways you can tap in at the fare gate:<\/p>\n

Token:<\/strong> This small, round piece of plastic is only for a single journey, and you have to put it into the slot at the fare gates to exit. So you will have to buy a new one for every journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Touch \u2018n Go card: <\/strong>This is a stored-value card that you can tap in and out at fare gates, and can keep reusing by topping up the value in the card. (Other examples around the world include London\u2019s Oyster card, Hong Kong\u2019s Octopus card, Taiwan\u2019s EasyCard, and Singapore\u2019s EZ-Link card.)<\/p>\n

There is also the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Sunway line, which actually uses electric buses on a dedicated bus lane, but also uses the same fare system of tokens or Touch \u2018n Go cards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What this means: <\/strong>Currently, you cannot use a credit card, debit card, QR code payments, or your mobile wallet (such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) to directly tap in and out of the fare gate. \u00a0<\/p>\n

These alternative methods will be available in the future under an \u201copen payment system\u201d, which public transport operator Prasarana Malaysia Berhad told Malay Mail is a project \u201ccurrently in the final stages of the award process\u201d.<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong> For now, you can only board the train or BRT if you use a token or Touch \u2018n Go card. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Will <\/div>\n

Will you be using a token or a Touch ‘n Go card to ride the trains in Kuala Lumpur? \u2014 Picture by Choo Choy May .<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

How can you buy a token?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can buy it at the self-service ticket machines at the train stations or BRT stations: Pay using cash, credit card, or debit card.<\/p>\n

You can also buy it at the station counters: Pay using cash, credit card, debit card, QR code payments.<\/p>\n

\u201cQR code payment is available at all LRT, MRT, Monorail, and BRT station counters, offering passengers a convenient alternative,\u201d Prasarana told Malay Mail when confirming that this payment option is available.<\/p>\n

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\"What <\/div>\n

What if you don’t have cash or credit card in your hands now? You can use QR code payment when buying a token or reloading your Touch ‘n Go card at Rapid KL train stations’ counters. \u2014 Picture by Raymond Manuel<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

How can you reload a Touch \u2018n Go card?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

To reload a Touch \u2018n Go card at the train stations, you can do it at the ticket machines or at the counters (with the same payment methods as buying a token at these two places).<\/p>\n

Make sure you have at least RM5 balance in the Touch \u2018n Go card for your train rides.<\/p>\n

If you want to buy a Touch \u2018n Go NFC card (which can be reloaded through your smartphones), you can try buying it at Rapid KL customer service counters at train stations.<\/p>\n

For tourists, there is also the Rapid Kembara all-in-one travel pass for unlimited rides on Rapid KL\u2019s trains, BRT, and buses for one day (RM25) or three days (RM55), but you will need to have a Touch \u2018n Go card for this.<\/p>\n

Check out the Rapid Kembara\u2019s Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Conditions here: https:\/\/myrapid.com.my\/our-products\/rapidkembarapass\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Tourists <\/div>\n

Tourists are seen here buying tokens at a ticket machine at an LRT station in Kuala Lumpur. \u2014 Picture by Choo Choy May<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Did you know that you actually pay slightly more if you use a token, instead of a Touch \u2018n Go card?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prasarana explained that it is because of extra costs and to encourage passengers to choose the cashless option instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cToken fares are typically up to 10 per cent higher due to additional operational costs, including token production, maintenance, and cash handling.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to note that overall fare structures are regulated and based on distance travelled, in accordance with guidelines set by the relevant authorities. The pricing difference is therefore not arbitrary but reflects the higher cost of servicing cash-based transactions,\u201d it told Malay Mail in a written response.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the same time, the pricing structure is designed to encourage a shift towards cashless travel, which is more efficient and sustainable for the system,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

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\"While <\/div>\n

While there are future plans to enable alternative tap-in and tap-out methods such as credit cards and mobile wallets, using a Touch ‘n Go card is the more convenient option now. \u2014 Picture by Choo Choy May <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

So is a Touch \u2018n Go card the best option now for tourists using Rapid KL\u2019s train services?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, using a Touch \u2018n Go card is currently the most convenient and cost-effective option for tourists,\u201d Prasarana told Malay Mail.<\/p>\n

It listed three reasons:<\/p>\n

> \u201cIt eliminates the need to queue for single-journey tokens.\u201d<\/p>\n

> \u201cIt offers slightly lower fares.\u201d<\/p>\n

> \u201cIt enables seamless transfers across multiple services.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor frequent or even moderate usage, it is effectively a \u2018no-brainer\u2019 compared to buying tokens for each trip,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

Can you get refunds on your Touch \u2018n Go cards at the end of your visit to Kuala Lumpur?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When asked if there is an option for tourists to return their Touch \u2018n Go cards at Rapid KL train stations to get a refund on the unused balance and the card, Prasarana explained that \u201cTouch \u2018n Go cards and their refund processes are managed by Touch \u2018n Go, not Rapid KL\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cTourists seeking refunds on card balance or deposits would need to refer to Touch \u2018n Go\u2019s official channels and policies for the latest procedures,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

Touch ‘n Go’s website has a section called “eRefund”<\/a> with information on how you can get refunds on inactive or expired Touch ‘n Go cards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prasarana is working to make public transport in Kuala Lumpur more user-friendly for tourists \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prasarana confirmed that \u201cimproving accessibility and convenience for tourists is a key priority for Rapid KL\u201d.<\/p>\n

Prasarana said its planned and ongoing initiatives include:<\/p>\n

> \u201cImplementation of open payment systems \u2014 this is a major milestone that will enable international visitors to use their own credit and debit cards, as well as EMV-enabled mobile wallets, directly at fare gates, thereby eliminating the need to purchase or reload a separate transit card.\u201d<\/p>\n

> \u201cWhile the transition is underway, we continue to promote the Touch \u2018n Go Enhanced (NFC) card. This is currently the only Touch \u2018n Go card that allows users to reload and activate stored value directly via their smartphones, enabling both tourists and locals to bypass physical reload counters and avoid queuing.\u201d<\/p>\n

> \u201cExpanding the availability and integration of QR-based payments to enable more flexible ticketing, in line with the shift toward cashless and digital payment options.\u201d<\/p>\n

> \u201cContinuous improvements to wayfinding, multilingual passenger information, and digital platforms to ensure the network is more seamless, intuitive and globally-aligned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese initiatives are strategically aimed at aligning Rapid KL with global transit standards, ensuring a seamless and \u2018frictionless\u2019 travel experience for both daily commuters and international visitors,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

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\"Rapid <\/div>\n

Rapid KL bus fares can range from RM1 to RM5, depending on the ride zones you are travelling to. \u2014 Picture by Shafwan Zaidon<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Bonus: What about Rapid KL\u2019s buses? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Based on information available on Prasarana\u2019s MyRapid website, all Rapid KL bus services no longer accept cash payment for bus fares since May 27, 2019.<\/p>\n

This includes feeder buses to MRT and LRT rail stations.<\/p>\n

The only way you can pay the bus fares now is by using a Touch \u2018n Go card. (Make sure you have at least RM3 balance in the card before you hop on the bus.)<\/p>\n

In the future, Prasarana will also introduce an open payment system (such as QR code payment and credit cards) for its buses in Kuala Lumpur, and this is also at the stage of finalisation for the awarding of the project.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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