Man Claims He Was Trapped In Car Over RM450 Fare For Short Inter-Terminal Trip At KLIA
The traveller said he was quoted the “meter rate,” but once inside the car, the driver left the airport, asked how he intended to pay, took him to a distant petrol station to withdraw cash, eventually told him the fare was RM450 for the brief inter-terminal trip, and refused to unlock the doors when he suggested finding a police officer to verify the charge.
- A traveller alleged he was locked in a car and forced to pay RM300 after an unlicensed driver demanded RM450 for a short inter-terminal trip at KLIA.
- A free 24-hour shuttle bus operates between KLIA terminals, contradicting the driver's claim that inter-terminal transport was unavailable early morning.
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A traveller has alleged he was coerced into paying for a grossly overpriced ride between the two terminals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in a social media post that has drawn widespread online reaction.
In a post, the man said he had arrived on an overnight flight from Kolkata and was making his way from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.
He said his mobile phone was not connecting to a local network at the time, leaving him unable to use ride-hailing apps or verify information independently.
According to his account, he was approached outside Terminal 2 by a man offering a ride.
He initially declined, but was told that the shuttle bus and train between the terminals “don’t open till 7:30” and that he risked missing his flight.
He asked the price and was told it would be the “meter rate.”
Driver Allegedly Refused to Unlock Doors Until Passenger Paid RM300
Once in the vehicle, the traveller alleged, the car left the airport, and the driver asked whether he would pay by card or cash.
The driver then took him to a petrol station some distance away and directed him to withdraw money from an ATM.
The man said he was eventually told the fare was RM450 for the short inter-terminal trip.
When he proposed finding a police officer to verify the charge, he alleged the driver refused to unlock the doors and would not let him leave until he paid.
He ultimately paid RM300, describing the episode as amounting to a “kidnapping.”
Inter-Terminal Options at KLIA: What’s Actually Available Around the Clock
The traveller said he reported the incident to police, who he said characterised it as a robbery and indicated the fare should have been closer to RM50.
A central detail in the account concerns the claim that inter-terminal transport was unavailable in the early morning.
Publicly available information from airport transport listings states that a free shuttle bus operates 24 hours a day between KLIA Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the long-term car park.
A train link also connects the terminals during its operating hours.
Avoid the Trap: Smart Transport Choices at KLIA
The post attracted numerous comments, with many expressing sympathy and others urging travellers to use only authorised transport.
Several commenters advised arriving passengers to book through licensed options — such as airport taxi counters or e-hailing services — and to avoid unmarked vehicles offering rides.
One commenter noted that unlicensed “sweeper” cars operating around airports remained a recurring concern.
Multiple incidents of e-hailing scams at KLIA have previously emerged, in which unsuspecting travellers are overcharged or approached by scammers.
Travellers passing through KLIA are generally advised to:
- Use the free 24-hour inter-terminal shuttle, the train, or official taxi and e-hailing counters
- Arrange a working local SIM or eSIM before leaving the arrivals area
- Avoid unmarked vehicles and decline rides from individuals approaching them directly
- Insist on a clearly stated, metered or app-based fare before entering any vehicle
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