MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Malaysia is a beautiful, diverse country in Southeast Asia consisting of two regions:
Peninsular Malaysia is linked to Singapore by a causeway and a bridge.
East Malaysia is on the island of Borneo and consists of two states: Sabah and Sarawak.
MALAYSIA GENERAL INFO
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia with two regions - Peninsular Malaysia which is linked to Singapore by a causeway and a bridge and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo.
Malaysia's highest point is Mount Kinabalu, which is on the island of Borneo.
Malaysia's Mulu Caves on the island of Borneo are one of the largest cave systems in the world and is home to millions of bats and swiftlets.
Malaysia is a multiracial country with a rich cultural heritage. Almost 60% of the population are Malay or indigenous people. About 21% are Chinese and 6% are Indian.
HOW TO GET TO MALAYSIA
Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, is a well-connected country with multiple transportation options to suit various travel preferences. Whether you're arriving by road, rail, air, or boat, here's a guide to help you plan your journey.
BY ROAD
Malaysia shares land borders with Thailand to the north and Singapore to the south, making it accessible by road.
From Thailand: Travelers can enter through border checkpoints such as Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah) or Rantau Panjang (Kelantan). Major highways like the North-South Expressway (E1) make road travel convenient and efficient.
From Singapore: The Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Tuas Second Link connect Singapore to Johor Bahru in Malaysia. These crossings are popular for private vehicles, buses, and taxis.
Driving Tips: Malaysia drives on the left-hand side, and toll roads are common, so keep cash or a Touch ‘n Go card ready for payments.
BY RAIL
Malaysia is part of the regional rail network, offering a scenic and comfortable way to enter the country.
From Thailand: The State Railway of Thailand connects to Malaysia at Padang Besar, where passengers can transfer to Malaysian trains operated by KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu). The KTM ETS service offers fast trains to major cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
From Singapore: The Shuttle Tebrau train runs between Woodlands in Singapore and Johor Bahru in Malaysia, providing a quick crossing option. From Johor Bahru, travelers can continue on the KTM network to other destinations.
BY AIR
Air travel is the most convenient and fastest way to reach Malaysia, especially for international travelers.
Major Airports: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the main gateway, serving flights from around the globe. Other key international airports include Penang International Airport, Langkawi International Airport, and Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah.
Airlines: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Malindo Air are major carriers offering connections to Malaysia. Numerous international airlines also operate flights to Kuala Lumpur and other cities.
Visa and Customs: Ensure you have the necessary travel documents, as some nationalities may require a visa to enter Malaysia.
BY BOAT
For those seeking a unique entry point, Malaysia is accessible by sea through several ports.
From Thailand: Boats operate between southern Thailand and the northern Malaysian state of Kedah, including services to Langkawi Island.
From Indonesia: Regular ferries connect Sumatra to Malaysian ports like Penang, Malacca, and Johor.
From Brunei and the Philippines: Sabah, located on the island of Borneo, can be accessed by ferries from neighboring countries.
Cruise Options: Malaysia is a popular stop for international cruise liners, with ports in Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang, and Langkawi.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MALAYSIA
coming soon
WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN MALAYSIA RIGHT NOW?
TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO IN MALAYSIA
Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur
Relax at the beautiful Perhentian islands
Taman Negara National Park
Street art in George Town
Melaka
Cameron Highlands
Climb Mount Kinabalu
Beaches of Langkawi
Batu caves
Longhouses in Sarawak
ACCOMODATION IN MALAYSIA
coming soon
WHERE TO STAY IN MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city in Malaysia and by far the most visited destination as there are just so many amazing things to see and do in Kuala Lumpur. This city has something for everyone from the worlds tallest twin towers - Petronas Towers, bustling night markets and eco villages.
Langkawi
Langkawi is a collection of islands just off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It’s a popular destination for travellers to enjoy sun, sand and sea. At Langkawi you can enjoy some of the best beaches in all of Malaysia.
Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands is a great place to go to get away from the Malaysian heat as it is somewhat cooler up in the hills. The area is full of mountains that are covered in luscious forest where you can pick strawberries and visit tea plantations.
Penang
Penang is a great place to visit if you are interested in the country’s history. Penang is known for its cuisine ans you’ll find some of the best food in Malaysia in Penang. Penang is one of the most-visited parts of the country – so there is plenty of tourism infrastructure to ensure a smooth visit.
Malacca
Malacca is one of my favourite places to visit in Malaysia. It is also known as Melaka and is and increasingly popular destination on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its colonial past has left it a melting pot of Portuguese, Dutch, British and Malaysian culture which is shown all around in the architecture, cuisine and people.
EATING IN MALAYSIA
Bananas, coconuts, cocoa, pineapples and rice are the main agricultural products in Malaysia.
Most Malaysian dishes contain: rice (called nasi) or noodles (mee), coconut, shell fish and beef, chicken, peanuts and chill.
Here are my top choices of food to try when in Malaysia.
Nasi Lemak
This dish is coconut rice (rice that has been cooked in coconut milk) with boiled egg, vegetables, curried meat such as chicken or beef and sambal (chilli sauce)
Mee Goreng
Mee Goreng is a yellow fried noodle dish with chili and soy sauce and fried vegetables as well as beef or chicken strips and sometimes shrimps are added in as well.
Roti John
This is a delicious flat pancake sandwich filled with minced meat, eggs and cheese - typical street vendor or hawker centre food
Ice Kacang
What a treat Ice Kacang is! It’s shaved ice topped with sugary syrup in various bright colours - usually sits on a mount of red bean jelly and served with various fruits. Very sweet but delicious.
MALAYSIA ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to Malaysia? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans in Malaysia.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to Malaysia using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Malaysia and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in Malaysia on Booking.com
BUS TICKETS : It is easy to book your bus tickets once you’re in Malaysia but if you’d like to book in advance you can buy your Malaysia bus tickets online through Bookaway
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in Malaysia on Viator or Get Your Guide.
MALAYSIA GUIDEBOOK : Pick up a copy of the latest Lonely Planet Guidebook for Malaysia for a good read and to help you plan your trip.
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