Transfer for connecting flights
Sir
I've a connecting flight from kolkata to sydney. And there's a layover of 4 hours in kuala lampur. Apparently I've to change the terminal from 2 to 1 to connect for Sydney. I've an Air Asia and just a cabin baggage for this. Therefore I want to confirm whether I need to go through immigration for changing terminal?
You have to go through immigration when travelling between KLIA and KLIA2, they are not connected airside. You can take the KLIA Ekspres train, the free shuttle bus or a taxi/Grab between the two.
AirAsia arriving in KLIA2 then another flight leaving from KLIA1 with 4h connecting time, I would have a Plan B as well.
Which airline are you llying with to Sydney?
It takes about 45 mins to disembark and clear immigration for KLIA 2
It takes about 30mins to find your way to the express train, buy tickets and actually wait for a train to arrive. Make sure you take it in the right direction!
Check-in, document check (if required) counters will close 1 hour before flight.
You have a slim safety margin for incoming flight delay or immigration queues.
Also do note that Airasia has very strict cabin baggage rules, 7kg combined weight of all bags. Do purchase Xtra carryon option if you intend to exceed that, else you might have issues even leaving India.
Yeah I'm curious to know which airlines you are actually flying with on both legs. If it's Air Asia on both legs, you won't need to change terminals.
Air Asia only uses KLIA2, so it's a different airline.
Since you only have a cabin bag, it should be much less of a hassle. Having luggage to transfer that cannot be checked through to your final destination requires that you clear immigration and then check in outside. The KLIA transfer counters inside transit hall are unable to help.
This is becoming confusing.
Kuala Lumpur International airport has 2 terminals. KLIA1 and KLIA2.
They are not connected Airside. To transit between the 2, you have to pass immigration, exit the building, take transport like bus or train to the other terminal, and re-enter immigration. You will need fulfill all requirements to enter the country depending on your nationality. We normally recommend 4-5 hours for this transfer. This would give some allowance for fight delays, queues at immigration, luggage issues etc.
Airasia and some budget airlines use KLIA2.
International carriers use KLIA1.
Given you have a connecting flight from Kolkata to Sydney with AirAsia and a 4-hour layover in Kuala Lumpur (KUL), and you need to change terminals from T2 (where AirAsia primarily operates) to T1, here's what you need to know about immigration:
Do you need to go through immigration?
Generally, for international to international connecting flights with AirAsia, if you have a Fly-Thru booking (meaning both flights are on a single ticket/booking reference), you do not need to clear immigration in Kuala Lumpur. Your baggage (even cabin baggage in this case) would typically be checked through to your final destination, and you would proceed directly to the transfer hall or the departure gate of your next flight.
However, there are a few important considerations:
* Fly-Thru Eligibility: Ensure your AirAsia tickets are indeed "Fly-Thru" or a single booking that covers both legs of your journey. If you purchased two separate tickets (e.g., Kolkata to KUL and KUL to Sydney), then it's considered a "self-transfer," and you will need to clear immigration, collect your baggage (even if it's just cabin baggage, you'd exit the transit area), and then proceed to Terminal 1 to check in for your Sydney flight.
* Terminal Transfer: Since you are changing terminals from T2 to T1, even with Fly-Thru, you will need to utilize the inter-terminal transfer services. The free shuttle bus runs between KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 every 15 minutes, 24/7. The journey takes about 10 minutes. You can find the shuttle at Door 4, Level 1 at KLIA Terminal 1 and Bay A10, Level 1 Transportation Hub, Gateway shopping mall at Terminal 2.
* Timeframe: A 4-hour layover is generally sufficient for a Fly-Thru international to international connection, even with a terminal change. The minimum connecting time for interline transfers at KUL T2 for international to international is 90 minutes. However, if you have to go through immigration (self-transfer), 4 hours might be tight, especially if there are any delays or long immigration queues.
Recommendation:
* Check your AirAsia booking: The most crucial step is to confirm if your booking is a "Fly-Thru" (a single booking reference for both flights). This information should be clearly stated on your e-ticket or in your booking details.
* Look for "International Transfer" signage: Upon arrival at KLIA Terminal 2, look for signs directing you to "International Transfer." If you have Fly-Thru, you will typically go through a security check and then proceed to the transfer area or directly to the shuttle for Terminal 1.
* Baggage: With just cabin baggage, you won't need to worry about checked luggage. If you have Fly-Thru, you should not need to re-claim and re-check your bag.
In summary: If your AirAsia flights are booked as a single "Fly-Thru" itinerary, you should NOT need to clear immigration in Kuala Lumpur. You will use the inter-terminal shuttle to get from T2 to T1 within the transit area. If they are separate tickets, you will need to go through immigration.
Did you get this answer using AI?
Please cite your reference on this source of this information as it is completely different from what we know to date.
From what we know
Airasia Fly Thru is only for Airasia to Airasia flights only, and is sold as a single ticket.
There is no air-side transfer between KLIA2 and KLIA1
If you intend to try the above method stated in post #9, please do come back and update us on how it went. I suspect you will find that it is a bunch of nonsense advice.
Edited: 9:51 am, June 10, 2025
