On a heritage trail with KL Hop-On Hop-Off

WAN NOR ALIA WAN ALI | 27 November 2025

All aboard! Alia from WarisanKL.my takes the newly updated Ronda-Ronda KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus for a firsthand city adventure.– Photos: AZZAD AZMAN & ZARIF JAFLUS

KUALA Lumpur is brimming with must-see sights, but how do you fit them all into one itinerary? The KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus makes exploring the city easy, convenient and fun.

Did you know these double-decker buses have been serving KL for nearly 20 years? They aren't just an ordinary shuttle; they were the first double-decker buses in Malaysia! Covering over 27 stops around the city, they take you through the concrete jungle, historical landmarks and vibrant food spots, all while you enjoy the cityscape from an open-air upper deck.

Before we started our trip on one of the six new 4th Edition Ronda-Ronda KL (Exploring KL) buses, we spoke with the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Amin Rahmat Abd Rahman, who shared some insights into the new buses and what they offer.

“We just launched our 4th Edition buses with significant improvements and a new open-top design, but with the option of a retractable canopy for when it gets to hot or starts to rain!” said Amin.

Based on tourist feedback, they now offer two services: the day tour, called Ronda-Ronda KL, and the evening tour called the KL City of Lights Tour.

Amin said: “At KL Hop-On Hop-Off, we’re all about showcasing Kuala Lumpur’s rich heritage. The Ronda-Ronda KL daytime tour runs from 9am to 6pm and offers two ticket options: 12-hour and 24-hour passes. Each stop has been carefully selected to be close to major tourist attractions, giving visitors easy access to the best of what Kuala Lumpur has to offer.

“There are two routes for this tour: the City Route, which takes you to commercial areas and shopping complexes, and the Garden Route, which allows one to experience the city’s green pockets and parks,” Amin explained.

Lisa, the AI Commentator, guides your journey through the bus’s speakers — or connect to the free Wi-Fi and scan the QR code to access Lisa in over 15 languages on your own headset.

On board, “Lisa” – the AI Commentator – narrates your journey through the bus’s loudspeakers, sharing interesting stories about the history and heritage of the places you’re about to visit.

With the rise in tourist numbers from diverse backgrounds, the system now supports more than 15 language options, including Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean and Tagalog – all to help visitors better understand the history of our city. All you need to do is connect to the high-speed 4G and 5G Wi-Fi on board and scan the QR code to access Lisa in your preferred language. For a clearer listening experience, you’re encouraged to bring your own headset.

The KL Hop-On Hop-Off route for the Ronda-Ronda KL daytime tour takes passengers to 27 attractions between 9 am and 6 pm.

Amin also shared that the two-hour KL City of Lights Tour was launched after they received positive feedback not only from international tourists but also from many locals. Many city residents take this tour to experience the magic of the double-decker bus at night, surrounded by the dazzling lights of the streets and buildings. “Among the buildings that look magnificent with their captivating lights at night are Merdeka 118 and the hotels, malls and stores in the Bukit Bintang area,” he noted.

Before visiting any area, it is always wise to check the weather, and KL is no exception. According to Amin, however, even during the monsoon season at the end of the year, some tourists actually enjoy the weather, and come prepared with their own raincoats and hats, or buy the KL Hop-On Hop-Off branded ponchos and sit on the open upper deck! Others prefer the shaded areas or the lower deck. “However, if the rain gets too heavy, passengers have the option of going to the counter and requesting a change in their travel date,” assured Amin.

Hop On and Soak In the City!

No story is complete without photos, right? So here’s a peek at the Hop-On Hop-Off experience. It’s easy to enjoy, as long as you map out your route, grab your ticket at the Sungei Wang kiosk, pick your stops wisely, and pace your time at each one. Trust us, it’s worth every minute!

The route in front of REXKL adjacent to Petaling Street.

The view of Central Market from the top deck of the bus.

The archway in front of Little India, Brickfields.

The many faces of Merdeka 118, captured from different corners of the city.

Dayabumi, one of Kuala Lumpur’s earliest skyscrapers built in 1982 – an enduring icon still standing strong in the heart of the city.

If you spot a building with Minangkabau-inspired architecture along your journey, that’s our very own National Museum.

Stop 19, KL Sentral – hop off here for easy access to the city’s public transport network, or to continue your journey beyond Kuala Lumpur.

The National Mosque, now over 60 years old, can accommodate more than 15,000 worshippers at a time.

The route between Dataran Merdeka and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. This iconic area is currently undergoing restoration and is expected to reopen in 2026.

WHILE soaking in the city views, we chatted with a few passengers who were travelling with us. Russell Wealsh from New Zealand said, “This is our fourth time trying to catch these amazing buildings and get good photos. I can really feel the difference between the old and new buses; good, very good, and much better.”

Nasua Azzhar, a 17-year-old student from Indonesia, shared, “We’ve been planning to visit Malaysia for a long time, and Alhamdulillah, our trip finally came true. Riding the open-top bus and enjoying the fresh air was wonderful. The AI tour guide is fantastic – it’s especially helpful for tourists who don’t speak Malay.”

Helija, 43, from Russia, shared, “I am not fluent in English; but the people here have been so friendly. I only need to say one word, and they try to help me.” She added: “Since childhood, I have loved travelling by public transport: bus, tram, metro. I saw this bus service on YouTube and wanted to try it myself. Malaysia is very interesting; even though I don’t particularly like the kind of weather here, I want to learn more about the culture.”

Malaysia is targeting 46,000,000 tourists next year for Visit Malaysia Year, with 30,000,000 expected to visit KL city. The addition of 10 new KL Hop-On Hop-Off buses, four of which will only be ready next year, will certainly help accommodate this influx of tourists.

Amin continued, “Kuala Lumpur and its heritage are inseparable. With tours like this – now enhanced by AI – we can provide passengers with even more information. Through our R&D, we’ve seen how AI helps bridge communication gaps. All the content has been carefully vetted, though there may be minor issues, like the pronunciation of certain words, the key message is always clear and accessible.”

The KL Hop-On Hop-Off guide is available on their official website.

The KL Hop-On Hop-Off guide is available on the tour’s official website. Worried about delays or safety? Don’t be! Even with occasional city traffic, buses run every 15 to 30 minutes. The new buses are equipped with CCTV, safety belts and – most importantly – passenger insurance, ensuring a secure and worry-free journey.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit the website or head straight to the main counter at Sungei Wang to grab your ticket and enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of KL!

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