How many of you can say that you have explored all of the tourist attractions in your own hometown? And how many Malaysians can say that they have actually been on the Skybridge of the Petronas Twin Towers?
With my Danish guest.
While tourists from all over the world flock to the Twin Towers every day to admire this architectural marvel, I had worked there (literally inside the building) for over a decade and yet had never once been on the skybridge or the top floor.
That’s just how it is in life, isn’t it? We take for granted things that we see every day, thinking that they will always be there, and that there will always be time.
It was only recently when my guest from Denmark asked me to take him there and offered to pay for my ticket that I finally joined the ranks of those before me who had set foot on the world’s highest skybridge.
Fun Facts About the Petronas Towers
The Petronas Twin Towers stand at a height of 452 meters and have 88 floors, with an observation deck on the 86th floor.
For 6 years, the Petronas Twin Towers held the title of the tallest buildings in the world until 2004, when they were surpassed by the Taipei 101 in Taiwan. However, they are still the tallest twin towers in the world, and may remain so for a while as there are currently no proposal for higher twin towers.
The late Cesar Pelli, architect of the Twin Towers. Credit: Casa Rosada / Wikimedia CommonsThe Petronas Twin Towers were designed by Argentinian-American architect Cesar Pelli. Inspired by traditional Islamic art, the towers are made of steel and glass, and topped by two pinnacles / spires — a common feature of Islamic architecture.
The construction was completed in only 4 years (1994 – 1998), with an average speed of one floor every 4 days. To expedite the process, two construction consortiums (Japanese and Korean) were hired to build the two towers at the same time, one for each tower.
The total construction cost of the Petronas towers is approximately USD 1.6 billion.
Each tower weighs 300,000 tons, which is equivalent to 42,857 elephants.
The towers have a total of 32,000 windows.
Petronas (short for Petroliam Nasional) is the Malaysian national petroleum company that owns the towers. The company uses the whole of Tower One as their headquarters, while Tower Two is rented out to various international companies including Microsoft, IBM, Bloomberg, and Reuters.
The Twin Towers are more popularly known among the locals as KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center).
The Petronas Twin Towers have been featured in multiple international films, including the 1999 film Entrapment featuring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bollywood film Don, Chinese action film Viral Factor, and Hollywood sci-fi film Independence Day 2.
In 1999, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner claimed the world record for the highest parachute jump from a building when he leapt off the Petronas Twin Towers.
Alain Robert (French spiderman). Credit: George Bergman / Wikimedia CommonsIn 2009, a French urban climber, Alain “Spiderman” Robert — who has climbed numerous skyscrapers around the world — scaled to the top of the Petronas Towers using only his bare hands, without any safety equipment. The climb took him less than 2 hours. It was his first successful attempt after being arrested many times during his previous tries.
About the KLCC Skybridge
On the 41st and 42nd floors, a double-deck Sky Bridge connects the two towers. The bridge is 58.4 metres long and weighs 750 tons. At a whopping height of 170 metres from the ground, it is the highest two-story skybridge in the world.
The skybridge is deliberately designed to only be partially attached to the main building. This is to give enough room for small movements during strong winds and storms, effectively preventing it from breaking away from the towers.
It took three days and two attempts to lift the skybridge to its current position. During the first attempt, the crane that was lifting it was short-circuited by a thunderstorm. As a result, the bridge was left hanging in the air until the crane could be fixed.
Aside from providing visitors with excellent views of the city from above, the skybridge also serves an escape route to aid evacuation in the event of a fire or an emergency in one tower.
KLCC Skybridge Entrance Fees
I remember not too long in the past… okay, maybe about a decade ago, visiting the KLCC Skybridge was completely free of charge. Although free, that didn’t mean you could come and go as you pleased.
Since there was a limit to the number of people allowed on the bridge at any one time, you had to queue for a time slot. So, people would start queuing very early in the morning to secure a slot (which might be later in the day, in which case they’d have to come back at the appointed time).
As the queue got longer each day and people started to grumble about the long waits, the powers that be finally saw it fit to shake things up.
Now, everyone has to pay to go to the Skybridge.
On the plus side, you can now book in advance (either at the counter or online), choose your own time slot, and no longer have to queue!
MALAYSIAN (with MyKad / MyKid)
Adult (13 – 60 y.o.): RM35
Senior Citizen (61 y.o. and above): RM17
Child (3 – 12 y.o.): RM17
Infant (2 y.o. and below): FREE
NON-MALAYSIAN
Adult (13 – 60 y.o.): RM98
Senior Citizen (61 y.o. and above): RM50
Child (3 – 12 y.o.): RM50
Infant (2 y.o. and below): FREE
They also have special VIP packages. E-mail your request here for more information.
Look out for special discounts offered by online booking apps such as KLOOK and Get Your Guide. They frequently offer discounted prices and combo packages with other attractions.
Best Time to Go to KLCC Skybridge
Weather-wise, you simply have to count on your lucky stars. Kuala Lumpur doesn’t have any distinct season — it just rains any time it likes. So, if you’re going to walk to the Twin Towers, make sure you bring an umbrella or raincoat, regardless of what the weather forecast tells you.
Will rain ruin your Skybridge experience?
In a way, yes, if you wish to enjoy clear views of the city. But it can also be a cool experience to witness heavy rains and thunderstorms from that high up. I took this photo from the viewing deck right before it rained. The gloomy weather gave it an imposing look:
KLCC Skybridge Visiting Hours
Tuesday – Sunday (incl. public holidays): 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Last admission at 8:30 p.m.
Monday: CLOSED (except public holidays or replacement public holiday on Monday)
How to Get to KLCC Skybridge
Standing tall in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Petronas Towers are impossible to miss.
By Car
You can reach the Twin Towers via Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, and Jalan Kia Peng. Note that the tunnels at Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Tun Razak, and the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) are also directly connected to the towers’ parking bays.
By Public Transports
The Twin Towers are also well-connected by public transport (the nearest LRT station is KLCC Station) and there are several bus lines that stop there, including the GOKL free bus (Green Line). If you’re from Bukit Bintang, you can take the elevated walkway to the Twin Towers, which will take you about 15 minutes on foot.
KLCC Skybridge Ticketing Counter
From Suria KLCC, take the central bubble lift to Ground floor, then head to the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra) Lobby and take the escalator down one floor to the Petronas Twin Towers Visit Operations.
Suria KLCC Map. Source: Petronas Twin Towers
What to Expect on the KLCC Skybridge
Ticket Collection
If you booked through the official website, you can collect your ticket at the counter. However, if you booked through other booking apps, you can choose to either have it delivered to your hotel, or meet the representative at an agreed time and place.
We booked our tickets through Klook, and collected them from our agent who met us at the Petronas Twin Towers main entrance. It was a pretty seamless process.
The Skybridge
At our appointed time slot, we made our way to the ticketing counter where we validated the tickets and left our bags at the luggage drop-off area. Then, we took the elevator up.
The 45-minute guided tour began at the Skybridge on the 41st floor where we stood 170 metres above street level. Our guide explained to us the purpose of the skybridge, as well as some interesting facts about the towers.
At the entrance of the skybridge.
Then, we were allowed 10 minutes to spend on the bridge. It may sound outrageous to pay close to RM100 (or queue for hours) just to get 10 minutes on the bridge, but yes, 10 minutes is all you’ve got.
Anyway, there really is nothing much you can do on the bridge except walk across and back, and look down at the scenery, so 10 minutes should suffice.
View from the skybridge.
Is it scary to walk on the Skybridge?
Despite my fear of heights, I felt very comfortable on the bridge. I imagine it must be scary for those whose phobia is more extreme than mine. But I can assure you that the bridge feels sturdy under your feet. It doesn’t shake or vibrate like a hanging bridge. And it’s also wide enough, so that you can stay in the middle and not have to look down over the railing if you don’t want to.
Staying in the middle of the walkway so I don’t have to look down.
Observation Deck (86th Floor)
On the 86th floor.
After that, you’ll go up to the Observatory Deck on the 86th floor, which is 370 metres above the ground.
Here, you’ll get a spectacular close-up view of the opposite tower, as well as a panoramic vista of Kuala Lumpur cityscape.
Telescopes with a view range of 7 – 8 kilometres are available at your disposal, so make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to peek through those powerful lenses.
The 86th floor also houses state-of-the-art exhibits, where visitors will get a hands-on learning experience through interactive Augmented Reality (AR) screens. Just hover your hand over the screens to discover more about the building’s structure, history, and more.
Digital Displays (83rd Floor)
The last part of the tour will take you three floors down to the 83rd floor, where you can find more digital displays and informative videos, designed to be educational and entertaining at the same time. The videos will further enlighten you on the Petronas Twin Towers, so that by the time you finish this tour, you should be a total expert on Malaysia’s most famous landmark. Finally, you will descend to the Concourse level, and complete the tour with a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers’ Gift Shop. On the Skybridge
Other Things to Do at Petronas Towers
Apart from the Skybridge visit, here are some other things you can do at the Petronas Twin Towers:
Enjoy a stroll or a jog at the KLCC Park. It has a 1.3 km rubberized jogging track, a children’s wading pool, and a playground.
Watch the nightly musical fountain show at Lake Symphony.
Shop till you drop at Suria KLCC — a large shopping mall (140,000 square metres) occupying the podium of the towers.
Dine at the many eateries inside and around the premise that cater to all budgets.
Learn about petroleum science in a fun and interactive way at Petrosains.
Browse through thousands of books at Malaysia’s biggest bookstore, Books Kinokuniya. Bibliophiles, take note!
Watch a concert at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall.
Watch a movie at TGV Cinemas.
Contemplate local contemporary art for free at the Petronas Art Gallery.
Marvel at marine life at the underground oceanarium, Aquaria KLCC.
The Verdict: Is KLCC Skybridge Worth Visiting?
The answer to this question depends on a few things:
First of all, if RM100 (USD 20) is nothing much to you, then go for it. After all, you’ll be standing on the world’s highest skybridge and tallest twin towers. That’s quite something.
View from the Skybridge.
Secondly, if you’re the type of traveler who simply has to try all the “bucket-list things” in every place that you visit, or if you’re an acrophile who must go to the top of any tall building / structure / mountain you encounter, then this is something you’d truly appreciate. Besides, the Petronas Twin Towers aren’t just any building. They are one of the most iconic in the region.
However, if skyscrapers don’t thrill you much, or if you’re a budget traveler strapped for cash, then you might find better use for your money.
I personally don’t find skyscrapers all that exciting. But these particular ones have a special meaning to me, being one of the country’s biggest accomplishments and my workplace for the past 10 years.
As a Malaysian, I find the RM35 fee quite reasonable. And I think every Malaysian should try this experience at least once in their lifetime.
Additional Info on KLCC Skybridge
Keep in mind that tickets are only available at the official ticketing counter, on their official website, and on authorized booking apps such as Klook, Get Your Guide, and Viator. Don’t be fooled by touts or any unscrupulous online offers.
Tickets sold are not refundable or transferable.
To make the experience more inclusive, all their Customer Relations Officers have been professionally trained to provide proper assistance for the elderly and people with mobility impairment. Complimentary wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come-first-served basis. There are also wheelchair-accessible toilets.
Children below the age of 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult.
The management reserves the right to reschedule or cancel visits without prior notice.
The management reserves the right to refuse entry to any visitor(s).
Eating, drinking, chewing gum, and smoking are not allowed during the visit.
All baggage and personal items MUST go through the security scanning machine.
Visitors shall at all times obey the signs and notices displayed in the premise, and the instructions of the officers.
The management may remove any visitor who behaves in an indecent, unruly, or disruptive manner or pose any kind of danger or discomfort to other visitors.
Where to Stay Near Petronas Towers
In Kuala Lumpur, it doesn’t really matter where you stay — as long as you’re somewhere with an easy access to the metro station, you can get to the Petronas Twin Towers with no problem.
But if you prefer staying closer, here are some of the accommodation options that are within 1 kilometre from the Twin Towers:
Budget
The Bed KLCC– Inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, this minimalistic accommodation offers beds with a little more privacy than regular hostels. Private rooms are also available. The Bed KLCC comes with free WiFi, shared bathrooms with hot shower and fresh towels, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space, and a communal area with complimentary coffee/tea all day long. From MYR 53 (USD 13) for a Single Pod in a Mixed Dormitory Room or MYR 75 (USD 18) for a Private Single Room with shared bathroom.
Mid-Range
Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Located in KLCC Park, Traders Hotel enjoys direct access to the Petronas Twin Towers with a free buggy service to cover the short distance (about 3 minutes’ walk). Its famous Sky Bar on the top floor has a swimming pool and offers the best unobstructed view of the Twin Towers. Room rates from MYR 273 (USD 66) for a Deluxe Room.
Luxury
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur – This 5-star hotel is as close as you can get to the Twin Towers as it is situated right next to them. Each room is equipped with a Smart TV, a Bluetooth radio, and a luxurious marble bathroom with separate shower and bathtub. Facilities in the property include an infinity pool, an indoor golf area, tennis courts, a fitness center, a spa, and 10 award-winning restaurants. From MYR 522 (USD 127) for a Deluxe Twin Room with City View, inclusive of breakfast.
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And there are literally hundreds more hotels, serviced apartments, and Airbnb’s near the Petronas Twin Towers. Click here to see them all.
Have you ever been on the Skybridge of Petronas Twin Towers? What did you think about it? Share your experience in the comments below.
Petronas Twin Towers Visit (KLCC Skybridge)
Address: Lower Ground (Concourse) Level, PETRONAS Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.
