Travelling to 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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