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Traveller Tips |
Get in (Visa information)
| Activities |
| Getting To and Around Malaysia |
Destinations
| Getting To and Around Malaysia |
By Air:
Malaysia Airlines, the national carrier,
currently flies to 95 destinations worldwide.
Many other international airlines offer
flights to Malaysia, most of which land at the
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
approximately 35 miles (55km) South of Kuala
Lumpur. Air traffic to and from Malaysia is
estimated to grow between almost seven per
cent a year over the next decade. The new KL
International Airport at Sepang has one of the
most sophisticated passenger facilities in the
region.
Some of the international airlines that fly to
Malaysia are Aeroflot, Air France, Air India,
Air Lanka, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air
Vietnam, Alia/Royal Jordanian Airlines,
Balkan-Bulgarian Airlines, Bangladesh Biman,
Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, China
Southern Airlines, Eva Air, Garuda Indonesia,
Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Kampuchea Airlines,
Koran Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan Airlines,
Phillipine Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal
Brunei Airlines, Royal Dutch Airlines, Saudi
Arabian Airlines, Sempati Airlines, Singapore
Airlines, Thai International, and Uzbekistan
Airlines.
By Rail:
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM), or Malayan
Railways, connects to both Singapore and
Bangkok. The trip from Singapore to Kuala
Lumpur takes 7 to 10 hours; from Bangkok to
Kuala Lumpur is about two days.
By Bus or Car:
Buses from the Ban San terminus in Singapore
travel to many different points on peninsular
Malaysia; buses from Bangkok or Haadyai in
Thailand travel to both the West and East
coasts of Malaysia as well as to Kuala Lumpur.
Entering Malaysia by rental car is not
difficult from either Thailand or Singapore,
and the North-South highway makes travel along
the west coast quite convenient (10-12 hours
from Singapore to the Thai border).
Getting Around
Within Malaysia
By Air:
There are a growing number of domestic
airlines serving popular tourist destinations
such as Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu, Pulau
Tioman, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Pangkor, Taman
Negara, Kuantan, Ipoh, Penag, Malacca and
Pulau Langkawi. These Airlines include Pelangu
Air, Berjaya Air and Mofaz Air.
By Rail:
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) or Malayan
Railways has an impressive rail network that
stretches from north to south and east to west
in Peninsular Malaysia. KTM offers a number of
special deals for tourists.
The KTM Railpass offers all the benefits of
first-class travel at economy rates. Railpass
holders are allowed unlimited travel on any
passenger train in Malaysia and Singapore for
the duration of the railpass. The price for
adults is US$55 for 10 days and US$120 for 30
days. For children between 4 and 12 years old,
the Railpass is US$28 (10 days) and US$60 (30
days).
For only US$32, youths (not Malaysians or
Singaporeans) below the age of 30 holding the
ISIC, YIEE Card, or Youth Hostel Card receive
unlimited travel on KTM for 7 days. The
Eurotrain Explorer Pass-Malaysia is valid for
second or economy class travel on all KTM
services in Peninsular Malaysia (including
Singapore).
A luxury train service, the Eastern and
Oriental Express, which is modeled after the
renowned Orient Express, is also available.
The 41-hour round-trip journey from Singapore
to Bangkok and back again passes through Kuala
Lumpur as well as some of Malaysia's most
beautiful regions.
By Bus:
Buses are the most popular form of transport
in Malaysia. Air-conditioned express buses and
non-air-conditioned regional buses are
available from Kuala Lumpur to many other
towns in Peninsular Malaysia.
Buses plying within towns and cities charge
fares according to the distance covered. The
exceptions are the mini buses in Kuala Lumpur.
They charge a standard fare of 60 sen to any
destination within their routes.
By Car:
Limousine service is available from the
airport to hotels in the city. To hire one,
please enquire at the taxi counter.
Interstate taxis are an inexpensive and rapid
means of travel from one state to another. The
taxi stand in Kuala Lumpur is located on the
level 2 of the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal. Fares
for interstate taxis are fixed. Meters are
generally not used by these taxis, so you
should be sure to negotiate a fare before the
journey.
City taxis are metered. In Kuala Rumpus taxis
are easily recognizable by their yellow and
black colour or the new red and white colour.
Taxi fares are calculated according to meters.
The flagged down fare is RM 1.50 for the first
two kilometers and 10 sen for every 200m there
after.
There is no extra cost for air-conditioned
taxis. A 50% surcharge on the fare from
midnight to 6 am is normal.
Guided Tours:
Sightseeing tours can be arranged through
the Tourist Information Centers or your hotel.
All tours are accompanied by licensed tour
guides; tour operators are required to be
licensed under the Ministry of Culture, Arts
and Tourism.
Self-drive Tours:
Roads in Malaysia are among the finest in the
region. Auto touring is an excellent way to
see the country via highways that pass through
spectacular scenery and roads that pass
through quaint villages.
An international driving permit or a valid
drivers license issued by your government are
required to drive in Malaysia. Rates for a car
vary from RM60 to RM260 per day. Car rental
can be arranged through your hotel or directly
with a car rental company.
All international rules apply to tourists
driving in the country. Minor road offences
not involving accidents are compoundable and
can be settled at the nearest police station.
Drivers on a self-drive holidays should keep
in mind that traffic circulation is on the
left. At roundabouts give way to the driver on
your right. Drivers and front seat passengers
are required by law to wear safety belts.
The Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM)
is the national motoring organisation of
Malaysia. Tourists who are members of motoring
organizations affiliated to AAM are given free
reciprocal membership. Petrol (premium)
currently costs RM1.10 per liter. Unleaded
petrol can be obtained at most petrol
stations.
Trishaws:
Trishaws (bicycle rickshaws) are less a
form of transport than a leisurely mode of
touring. Although trishaws are much less
prevalent these days, they are still a popular
way to tour in Melaka, Georgetown, Kota Bahru,
and Kuala Terengganu. Be sure to negotiate the
price before you get in. A half day of
sightseeing costs about RM25.
Motorbikes and Bicycles:
Two-wheel transport is not generally
available for hire in Malaysia. However, a
growing number of resort destinations do offer
cycles for hire.
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