The Petronas Twin Towers are the defining image of Kuala Lumpur and one of the most recognisable buildings on earth. For 6 years after completion in 1998, they were the tallest buildings in the world — now they sit 8th, but they’re still more elegant and more interesting than most of what’s overtaken them. This guide covers how to visit, what you’ll actually see, and how to make the most of the experience.
The Towers: Quick Facts
- Height: 451.9m (including spires, 452m tip to tip)
- Floors: 88 (88 is auspicious in Chinese culture — no coincidence)
- Construction: Completed 1998, occupied from 1999
- Tenants: Tower 1 — Petronas HQ and subsidiary offices; Tower 2 — various corporations including Shell and Exxon Mobil
- Architect: César Pelli
- Design inspiration: Islamic geometric patterns (eight-pointed star base) reflecting Malaysia’s Muslim majority
- Connected by: Skybridge on floors 41–42, Sky Deck on floor 86
What Can You Visit?
The Skybridge (Floors 41–42)
The Skybridge connects the two towers at floors 41 and 42 — a double-decker bridge that hangs between them rather than connecting to the core structure, so it can flex as each tower moves independently in wind. You walk across the bridge from Tower 1 to Tower 2 (or vice versa depending on which entry you have) and get views in both directions — northeast and southwest across KL.
The Skybridge is included in the standard visit ticket and gives you the experience of being between the towers at height, looking both across to the other tower and outward to the city. It’s genuinely impressive, not just a gimmick.
Sky Deck (Floor 86)
The Sky Deck is higher than the Skybridge and gives 360° views of KL from floor 86. On a clear day you can see the Titiwangsa Mountains to the north, the Strait of Malacca to the south, and the full sprawl of Greater KL in every direction. On hazy days (quite common), visibility is more limited but still impressive looking straight down into KLCC Park and the city.
Sky Deck access is included in the standard ticket.
Tickets: How to Book
Price
- Adults (12+): RM 85
- Children (3–12): RM 38
- Under 3: Free
- Seniors (60+): RM 38
Booking Options
Online (strongly recommended): Book at petronastwintowers.com.my. You select a specific time slot. This is the only way to guarantee entry — tickets sell out, particularly on weekends, public holidays, and during school holiday periods. Book at least 3–5 days ahead, and up to 2 weeks ahead for weekend visits.
On the day: A small number of walk-up tickets are released each morning at the ticket counter in the KLCC Shopping Centre basement. Arrive early (8am or before) if you want to try for walk-up tickets. There’s no guarantee of availability — weekends are frequently sold out entirely by 10am.
What’s Included
Standard ticket: Skybridge + Sky Deck + guided tour (approximately 60–90 minutes total). You’re taken through in groups with a guide, shown a short video about the towers’ history and construction, then escorted to the Skybridge and Sky Deck.
Opening Hours
- Tuesday–Sunday: 9am–9pm (last entry 8:30pm)
- Monday: Closed (maintenance)
- Closed during certain public holidays — check the official site before visiting
Getting There
The towers are directly connected to KLCC LRT Station (Kelana Jaya Line). Exit at KLCC, follow signs through the shopping centre to the Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck entry (lower ground floor of Suria KLCC). From Bukit Bintang, you can walk via the elevated walkway (about 20 minutes) or take the Monorail one stop to Raja Chulan and walk from there.
What Else Is at KLCC?
Suria KLCC
The shopping mall at the base of the towers is one of the better malls in KL — high-end anchor stores (Isetan, Parkson) alongside luxury brands, good food options across several floors, and a large supermarket (Isetan grocery) in the basement. Worth a wander even if you’re not buying.
KLCC Park
The park in front of the towers is free to enter and one of the better parks in central KL. It has a large children’s water playground, jogging paths (popular with expats early morning and evening), a lake, and the famous fountain — the Suria Lake Symphony fountain show runs at 8pm and 9pm nightly and is worth staying for. The towers are beautifully lit at night and the fountain show with the towers as backdrop is one of KL’s best free experiences.
Petrosains Discovery Centre
On Level 4 of Suria KLCC: a large interactive science museum focused on the science and technology behind Petronas and Malaysia’s petroleum industry. Good for families with children. Entry around RM 30 adults, RM 20 children.
Aquaria KLCC
In the basement of the Convention Centre: an aquarium with a 90-metre underwater tunnel, sharks, rays, and various tropical fish. Entry around RM 60 adults. Better than average for a city centre aquarium.
Photography Tips
Best spots to photograph the towers
- KLCC Park fountain — the classic shot, good at night with the lit towers
- Menara KL Tower viewing deck — elevated view of the towers from a distance, good for scale
- SkyBar at Traders Hotel — directly faces the towers, excellent at night for a cocktail-and-towers shot
- Heli Lounge Bar — higher, more unusual angle
- From inside KLCC Park at various angles — early morning is quieter and the light is better
From the tower itself
The viewing glass on the Sky Deck makes photography slightly difficult — it’s tinted and you’re looking through glass. Still possible with a phone camera but avoid using flash. The view from the Skybridge looking out (rather than at the other tower) captures the scale of the drop down into the city well.
Should You Go?
On a first visit to KL: yes, definitely. The experience — walking across the Skybridge, looking down at KLCC from floor 86, understanding the scale of the towers — is something that photos don’t fully convey. RM 85 is the highest-priced tourist attraction in KL but it’s reasonable for what it is.
If you’ve visited before or are on a tight budget: the free KLCC Park fountain show at night is 70% of the experience for free. Combined with a drink at SkyBar looking across at the towers, you get the visual impact without the entry fee.
Related Reading
🏙️ Visiting KL
Agoda
Stay near KLCC or Bukit Bintang for the best Petronas Towers access. Great KL hotel rates.
SafetyWing
Travel insurance from USD 45/month. Don’t visit Southeast Asia without medical cover.
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