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[yafnaf]

Well I'm pretty much completely booked up on my flights for Asia and Australia and now its time to start thinking about where I am going to stay. Just wondering if I will find cheaper options for hotels/hostels once I am actually there, or if the online prices at hostelworld are as good as it gets? Really the one thing I am thinking about at the moment is my 2 day lay over I created for myself in Kuala Lumpur, I just want something cheap and easy to get to and from the airport. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[sianeth]

I don't know what the online prices are, but I know that its terribly easy to find places when you arrive. My experience suggests aswell that when you are actually there then you're able to bargain with people and arrange deals whereby they knock money off if you stay a few nights with them etc.

For KL the airport is quite out of town I think, so maybe that would be a time when booking something online would be handy, especially if you're likely to be tired/disoriented when you get off the plane and just need to crash.

I arrived in KL on a bus from Thailand at 3am and guesthouse owners were on the streets to offer you a room... I was surprised how easy it was! So I wouldn't stress about things too much from home, these things tend to work themselves out!

[wakingdream]

So I wouldn't stress about things too much from home, these things tend to work themselves out!

I second that. It's very simple to find accommodation. If it does make you feel any better, maybe book something for the first night that you're there.

[ScottWoz]

Hey David,

Naturally I echo both pieces of advice plus a little snippet of my own. Definitely sort accommodation when you're there, so you can get the best deals and the place you like the look of, at the time. If you're arriving late or feel uncomfortable finding something 'last minute' then that's the time to get online.

As for KL in your case I can recommend a place if you're interested. From the airport get a bus ticket to Puduraya bus station (don't go to Sentral). This should cost no more than 8RM so don't let the taxi/bus touts outside the airport convince you otherwise, no matter how convincing they may be. Right behind you will be a ticket counter selling transfers for 8RM. Use them, then wave your ticket in the face of the cheeky tout who just tried to sell you one for 150RM, with a smile of course.

Once you get to Puduraya walk along the same side of the road where the bus ejects you and walk in to the Pudu Hostel next to the 7-Eleven opposite the main bus terminal. You'll get a comfortable air-con room there with furniture and a wonderfully chillaxing communal area for 35RM. The whole place is wireless too and the staff are great. You may need to try a couple of toilets first before you find your preferred seat, but other than that you'll be right at home. Good luck..

[yafnaf]

Thanks guys thats exactly what I needed to know. I mean I have read things saying how easy it is to get a place and blah blah blah, just needed it to be confirmed and from the sounds of what you guys are saying its ten times easier than I even thought it could be.

And Scott thanks for the recommendation I will definitely keep it in mind.

[sianeth]

Cool... when are you going?

[yafnaf]

Cool... when are you going?

Leave June 28th from LA. MY itinerary goes like this:

June 28th LAX- Tokyo
August 10th Tokyo - Kuala Lumpur

August 12th KL- Jakarta
Travel round indonesia by boat for about a month.

September 8th Bali - Bangkok
Travel round thailand, laos, and Malaysia

October 24th KL- Perth
Either renting a car to travel around western Australia or getting a rail pass. Will probably head back home end of November.

[wakingdream]

That sounds like a really fun trip You must be getting super-excited. It's not too far off!

[yafnaf]

yeah little more than a month now, its getting close, and I am getting excited, I have usually always played my trips pretty safe, sticking to western european cities, this will certainly be very different. Gonna be good.

[sianeth]

Sounds awesome! I would def get a car/van/your own transport for WA - you'll get to see a whole heap more of it.

[rbisset]

I only really book accommodation for the first night if I'm flying into a new country and arriving in the evening.

[wakingdream]

I only really book accommodation for the first night if I'm flying into a new country and arriving in the evening.

same with me.

[yafnaf]

Hey, I just wanted to throw this in here just in case anyone else had a late flight into KL and wanted a cheap hotel near the airport. I found this:

http://www.tunehotels.com/LCCTTransit_Kual...r_Malaysia.aspx

[barsie]

Hey David,

Naturally I echo both pieces of advice plus a little snippet of my own. Definitely sort accommodation when you're there, so you can get the best deals and the place you like the look of, at the time. If you're arriving late or feel uncomfortable finding something 'last minute' then that's the time to get online.

As for KL in your case I can recommend a place if you're interested. From the airport get a bus ticket to Puduraya bus station (don't go to Sentral). This should cost no more than 8RM so don't let the taxi/bus touts outside the airport convince you otherwise, no matter how convincing they may be. Right behind you will be a ticket counter selling transfers for 8RM. Use them, then wave your ticket in the face of the cheeky tout who just tried to sell you one for 150RM, with a smile of course.

Once you get to Puduraya walk along the same side of the road where the bus ejects you and walk in to the Pudu Hostel next to the 7-Eleven opposite the main bus terminal. You'll get a comfortable air-con room there with furniture and a wonderfully chillaxing communal area for 35RM. The whole place is wireless too and the staff are great. You may need to try a couple of toilets first before you find your preferred seat, but other than that you'll be right at home. Good luck..

Scott beat me to it! Pudu Hostel is spot on- couldn't recommend anywhere better for the value. Going to call in to KL on business trip later in the year and will still stay at Pudu Hostel as it's ticks every box you need.