Travelling from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
Planning your flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur begins with finding the most convenient airport to kick off your trip. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are the main terminals in Washington DC.
When it comes to landing in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) are the primary gateways.
Kuala Lumpur is 12 hours ahead of Washington DC and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur flight.
Hopping on a plane during a peak month like February? Popular periods (like Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can easily add an hour at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some great early bird rates.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest prices throughout the month and walk away with a fantastic deal.
Finding a cheap flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur flights.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
DCA is about 6 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near Ronald Reagan National Airport:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan National Airport's on-time performance, 76.44% of flights complete their journey on time.
DCA's address is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur flight. Visit family or friends or tick another city off your list. Whatever your plans, here's where you can stop between Washington Dulles International Airport and Kuala Lumpur:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
You can get to IAD from central Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 40 kilometres or so.
You're off on holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur:
74.39% of flights departing Washington Dulles International Airport arrive according to schedule.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
When booking your ticket from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur out of Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), you can choose from a few stopover options. Make a detour to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), one of the busiest transit hubs on this route.
BWI is roughly 40 kilometres from central Washington DC. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 50 minutes. If you're thinking about using public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Skip the rush on your departure day — stay near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll make it to your boarding gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur flight:
The on-time performance record of BWI is 77.13%. In simpler terms, that's how frequently flights departing this airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
The distance from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to central Kuala Lumpur is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there on public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur. Book one of these accommodation options near KUL instead:
Pick up a Kuala Lumpur International Airport rental car and explore Kuala Lumpur and beyond with your own set of wheels. ASIA CAR, Paradise and GoSoCar are top providers you can book with here.
For the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Kuala Lumpur International Airport around four weeks in advance of your Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur flight.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Once your flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 25 minutes by car. Central Kuala Lumpur is roughly 16 kilometres from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
The journey will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur, tuck yourself in at a hotel near SZB. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare availability and rates from Sixt, WAHDAH and Agtran.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from SZB one week ahead of time often means better prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur. August is the busiest month to travel to Kuala Lumpur. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
Before locking in your Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. March is the warmest month in Kuala Lumpur, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Kuala Lumpur
Start your Kuala Lumpur trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Kuala Lumpur, check out our selection of hotels including:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower Mini Zoo and KLCC Park are essential stops on your Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
Explore more of Malaysia
Kota Bharu is just one of the many places in Malaysia waiting to be discovered once you've seen Kuala Lumpur. Around 338 kilometres to the north, popular attractions include Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Siti Khadijah Market and Handicraft Village and Craft Museum, Kelantan.
Your travels through Malaysia wouldn't be complete without visiting Kampung Baru Subang. Simflightkl is just one of the highlights in this destination, which is around 18 kilometres west of Kuala Lumpur.