Petrosains, The Discovery Centre

Last updated: October 2026

Petrosains, The Discovery Centre is a hands-on science centre on Level 4 of Suria KLCC, the shopping centre at the foot of the Petronas Twin Towers. It is owned and run by Petrosains Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the national oil company Petronas, and it uses interactive exhibits, simulators and live science shows to explain energy, earth science, space, speed and chemistry. It is aimed squarely at families and school groups, and children of roughly 6 to 14 get the most from it, but the oil platform and the Formula One simulators keep plenty of adults busy too.

This guide covers the centre's history, what to see in each gallery, the 2026 ticket prices and opening hours (checked against the official website in October 2026), how to get there and tips for a smoother visit.

Address	Level 4, Suria KLCC
Details	Weekdays 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; weekends, public and school holidays 9:30 am – 7:30 pm; closed 1st and 3rd Monday Science Centre adult RM49 (international) / RM28 (MyKad) weekday
Area	KLCC
Typical visit	About 2 h
Listed in	Kuala Lumpur Attractions
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Verified	Verified October 2026

History of Petrosains

Petrosains opened on 25 March 1999, the year after Suria KLCC itself opened, and is usually described as an idea of the then prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad. Petronas set it up as a learning centre on the petroleum industry and related technology; at its launch the project director, Tengku Nasariah Tengku Syed Ibrahim, described the aim as teaching science and technology in an unconventional, entertaining way. The name joins "petro" with "sains", the Malay word for science.

The centre was built around the oil and gas story: how oil forms underground over millions of years, how it is found and how it is brought up from beneath the sea. Over the years the galleries have been refreshed and broadened into general STEM topics such as robotics, coding, space and nanotechnology, and the operating company has grown beyond the KLCC centre. Today Petrosains Sdn Bhd also manages the Petronas Twin Towers visitor operations, a network of smaller PlaySmart learning centres around Malaysia, the travelling PETRONAS StreetSmart exhibition and Maker Studio spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Johor Bahru.

The centre has collected a string of awards along the way, including a Best Youth Educational Award at the 2008 Petroleum Economist Awards for its volunteer scheme, a 2009 Expatriate Lifestyle travel award for best attraction, and a 2014 Creative Science Communication Award from the Asia-Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres (ASPAC) for its science show.

What to See at Petrosains

The exhibits are arranged as a loop through themed galleries, and most visitors follow the route from the entrance to the gift shop at the end. Exhibits change from time to time, so treat the list below as a guide to what was on the official exhibit list in 2026.

Energy Capsule

The newest headline attraction is the Energy Capsule, an automated ride with light, sound and projection that tells the "energy story" from the Industrial Revolution to a lower-carbon future. It needs its own ticket on top of admission (or a combo ticket). Long-time visitors will remember the old opening ride in oil-drop-shaped cars; the Energy Capsule now fills the role of the centre's signature ride.

Geotime Diorama

A walk back through roughly 200 million years of Earth history, with life-size dinosaurs, an animatronic T-rex and displays explaining how buried plant and animal remains turn into oil and gas deposits. An earthquake bench lets you feel tremors at low, medium and high strength.

The Platform

The best-known exhibit is a full-scale section of an offshore oil platform. Visitors arrive by a simulated helicopter flight through a tropical storm, then explore the platform and the cramped living quarters where crews spend weeks at sea. Panels explain how a well is drilled and how oil and gas are processed and sent ashore.

Speed

Built around Petronas's long involvement in Formula One, the Speed gallery has racing simulators set on the Sepang circuit, a real F1 car on display, reaction-time games such as Batak Pro, and the popular Mind Ball, where two players try to push a small ball towards each other using only concentration, read through a headband.

Space and Tech Lab

The Space gallery covers astronomy, rockets and how astronauts live and work in orbit, and lets you try programming a replica of a NASA Mars rover. Tech Lab next door focuses on robots, coding and flight, with hands-on stations for building and controlling simple machines.

Molecule Nano World

At the top of the spiral stairway, this gallery tries to make chemistry and nanotechnology fun, with models of molecules and displays on the everyday products made from petrochemicals.

SPARKZ and TotSpot

SPARKZ introduces basic science through play: a wind tube that sends paper helicopters flying, a grain pit, interactive art screens and Robo Soccer. TotSpot is a separate corner for toddlers. Short live science shows run here through the day; check the times at the entrance.

3D Theatre, Maker Studio and gift shop

A small 3D theatre shows short science films. Maker Studio runs hands-on making sessions for a small extra fee, and the route ends at the XPLORASI gift shop, which sells science kits, games and books.

Petrosains Tickets, Opening Hours and How Long to Spend

Hours: weekdays 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (last admission 4 pm); weekends, public holidays and school holidays 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (last admission 6 pm).
Closed: the first and third Monday of every month, and on major festival days such as the first days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha. The official site publishes the exact closure dates for the year (in late 2026: 2 and 16 November).
Science Centre tickets (general admission): adult (13 to 60) RM49 on weekdays and RM56 at weekends and holidays; child (3 to 12) and senior (61+) RM28 weekdays and RM35 weekends.
Science Centre tickets (Malaysian MyKad/MyKid): adult RM28 weekdays and RM32 weekends; child and senior RM13 and RM15. Infants under 3 are free.
Combo with Energy Capsule: general admission adult RM55 weekdays and RM65 weekends; Malaysian adult RM34 and RM41.
Extras: Maker Studio costs RM5 per person. Energy Capsule tickets are sold only together with an admission ticket.
Buying tickets: online at eticket.petrosains.com.my, at the self-service kiosks or at the counter on Level 4. Payment is cashless (cards, QR and e-wallets). Tickets are for a timed entry and can sell out in school holidays.
Time needed: about two hours for most families; with the shows and a second go on the simulators, two and a half to three hours is easy.
Contact: 03-2331 8181 or [email protected].

How to Get to Petrosains

LRT: KLCC station (KJ10) on the Kelana Jaya line connects underground to Suria KLCC. Take the Centre Court glass lift to Level 4; Petrosains is directly in front of you.
Bus: the free GOKL Green line (from Bukit Bintang) and Purple line stop at KLCC, as do RapidKL routes B103 and B114 and the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus.
On foot: the covered, air-conditioned pedestrian walkway links Pavilion Bukit Bintang with the KLCC Convention Centre and Suria KLCC, about 15 to 20 minutes' walk.
Grab or taxi: set "Suria KLCC" as the destination; the e-hailing pick-up and drop-off lounge is at the Ramlee entrance.
Car: KLCC's basement car parks are reached from Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Kia Peng and the tunnels from Jalan Tun Razak and the AKLEH highway. Standard KLCC parking rates apply.

Tips for Visiting Petrosains

Go on a weekday morning outside Malaysian school holidays; weekends and holidays are busier, tickets cost more and the simulators have queues.
Book online a day ahead in school holidays so you get the entry time you want.
Food and drinks are not allowed inside. Lockers are small (about 10 litres), so travel light.
Children under 12 must be with an adult. There is a nursing room, a prayer room, a first-aid room and an accessible toilet inside; the centre does not lend wheelchairs, so bring your own if needed.
Pair the visit with Aquaria KLCC in the convention centre next door, the free water-play area in KLCC Park, or the Twin Towers Skybridge, which Petrosains Sdn Bhd also runs.
For a meal, Suria KLCC has food courts and restaurants on several levels, including halal options.

Petrosains, The Discovery Centre Location

Maps Waze

Nearby

Petronas Twin Towers Skybridge — Night view, 0.1 km away
Suria Muhabat Suria KLCC — Money changer, 0.1 km away
Machines Service Centre, Suria KLCC — Phone repair, 0.1 km away
Suria KLCC — Souvenirs, 0.1 km away
Madam Kwan's (Suria KLCC) — Restaurant, 0.1 km away
Petronas Twin Towers — Attraction, 0.1 km away

Plan a route with opening times using the Where2Go trip planner.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Petrosains ticket in 2026?

General admission for an adult is RM49 on weekdays and RM56 at weekends, public and school holidays; children aged 3 to 12 and seniors pay RM28 and RM35. Malaysian MyKad holders pay RM28 and RM32 for adults. The Energy Capsule ride costs extra or comes in a combo ticket.

What are the Petrosains opening hours?

Weekdays 9:30 am to 5:30 pm with last admission at 4 pm, and weekends, public and school holidays 9:30 am to 7:30 pm with last admission at 6 pm. It closes on the first and third Monday of each month.

How long do you need at Petrosains?

Most families spend about two hours. Allow two and a half to three hours if you want to catch a science show, the 3D theatre and the Energy Capsule.

Is Petrosains suitable for adults and toddlers?

Yes. Adults enjoy the oil platform, the F1 simulators and the Mind Ball, and toddlers have their own TotSpot play corner in the SPARKZ gallery. The exhibits suit primary and lower secondary school ages best.

Where is Petrosains and how do I get there?

It is on Level 4 of Suria KLCC under the Petronas Twin Towers. Take the LRT to KLCC station, walk into Suria KLCC and take the Centre Court glass lift to Level 4.

Can I bring food into Petrosains?

No. Food and drinks are not allowed inside the centre, but Suria KLCC has food courts and restaurants on several floors.

Sources

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