Getting around 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 Train:

• 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.

Getting Around

By Train

Trains are a comfortable, efficient and economical means of exploring Malaysia. The main line extends from Thailand in the north, southwards to Singapore. Another line radiates from Gemas in Negeri Sembilan to Kota Bharu on the east coast. In Sabah, a line connects from Kota Kinabalu through rainforests to Tenom and is not to be missed by train buffs. You can travel in air-conditioned comfort while sleeping berths are available for overnight journeys. Rail service in Peninsular Malaysia is operated by Keretapi Tanah Melavu (KIM) or Malayan Railway offering privileged passes for easy travel.

The Eastern & Oriental Express is one of the worlds great train journeys. The journey links the cities of Singapore and Bangkok passing through Kuala Lumpur and includes a tour of Penangs capital Georgetown.

By Sea

Ferry services also operate from Malaysia to Thailand, Singapore and the Indonesian Islands of Batam and Sumatra. Within Malaysia there are regular ferry services to and from main destinations like Penang, Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah to Langkawi, Lumut to Pangkor and from various points on the east coast to the offshore islands of Tioman, Perhentian, Redang and the Johor islands.

The principal cruise operator in Malaysian waters is the Malaysian-owned and operated, Star Cruises. Port Klang, the biggest port serving Kuala Lumpur one-hour’s drive away is where the Star Cruises Passenger Terminal is located.

The main ports of call in Malaysia for cruise ships are Malacca, Port Klang, Penang and Langkawi. Occasionally, cruise ships also drop anchor off the East Coast islands, in particular, Tioman Island. In East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah is the main port visited by cruise ships.