Malaysia

Malaysia is a diverse destination perfect for budget travellers, backpackers, luxury adventurers and expats. The country offers a mix of rich history, ancient temples and monks, alongside modern cities full of skyscrapers and paradisiacal islands. Its diverse landscapes and unique sights make it a fantastic country to travel through. While we do say that it is not the most beautiful Asian country we have visited, it is definitely a destination not to be missed.

Explore the islands by scooter and discover breathtaking rice fields, hidden waterfalls and ancient temples. Or enjoy a relaxing day with a cold beer on a tropical beach. Have any questions or need more information? Feel free to contact us via [email protected]. Prefer a trip within Europe? Visit our landing page for more inspiration!

It is 7 hours later in Malaysia during our winter time. During our summer time, it is 6 hours later.

Malaysia is a safe country for travellers. Nevertheless, it is wise to stay alert at all times. Keep valuables in a safe if possible, and keep a close eye on your personal belongings. Making copies of your passport can be useful in emergencies.

In our itinerary, we did not go near the areas mentioned here above - tab travel advice. So definitely don't let it put you off. After all, it is a fantastic country to travel through! As the security situation can always change, we recommend checking the current travel advice for Malaysia check.

Yes, certain vaccinations are recommended for travelling to Malaysia as mentioned above. Standard vaccinations such as DTP and hepatitis A are usually sufficient for most travellers. Depending on your itinerary and activities, additional vaccinations such as hepatitis B, typhoid fever or rabies may be advised. Always consult the GGD or your GP for personal advice.

It will be not recommended To drink tap water in Malaysia directly. Although water in urban areas is often chlorinated, pipes and storage tanks may not be so hygienic! Use bottled water from the supermarket or local shops. For brushing teeth, tap water is usually not a problem.

We can't give a simple answer to that. After all, Malaysia is a country you can explore entirely at your own pace. Whether you combine it with neighbouring countries for a short stop, have three weeks to spare or stay even longer, there is always an itinerary to suit you.

Do you have three weeks? Then you can do a great round of highlights like Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands, Penang, Langkawi and Malacca. You can also combine this route well with Singapore, which is highly recommended. If you add a few days, you can go further inland or just slow travel along the coast.

Do you have more time, or want something unique? Then think outside the box. Maybe you don't want to follow the standard route from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi at all. Maybe you want to go into the jungle, spot orang-utans or explore mountain villages. Because yes - Malaysia is more than just the mainland.

For example, you can extend your trip with a trip to Borneo. There lies Kota Kinabalu, a city where you can climb Mount Kinabalu, spot wildlife in national parks or enjoy scuba diving at tropical islets. Totally different, but still just Malaysia. Want to know how to combine that smartly? Then be sure to read this blog by Charlotte Plans a Trip about Kota Kinabalu in Borneo.

In Malaysia, and plenty of options to get from A to B relatively cheaply. In both the big cities and between the small villages, there are several transport options. Almost all over the country they have made it incredibly easy for tourists and you can buy whole packages. This is not always the cheapest option but often the fastest!

Arrival in Malaysia

Grab: We only used Grab during our trip. This is the ideal way to travel to your hotel quickly, cheaply and easily. The only downside is that you need instant internet for this or depend on the people at the Grab pick-up location.

Tip: Direct internet is best arranged through the E-sim of Airalo! Super easy, quickly arranged and ideal for when travelling.

Public transport: Do you want to take public transport? Then keep this in mind when booking a flight ticket. This option may not be available in the evening.

Transport in Malaysia

Train: Malaysia has a fairly good railway network, so travelling by train is very easy. There are a few routes available to well-known cities such as Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Travelling by train is cheap, but not very fast. However, it is quite an experience.
Buying train tickets: You can buy train tickets at the station itself, but for most routes we recommend booking them in advance. We use the website of 12Go.Asia You will then receive confirmation including seating and departure times within minutes!

Bus: Both within cities and for longer distances, this is an easy way to get around. In addition, buses in Malaysia are often the fastest way to get from A to B.
Buying bus tickets: Bus tickets for a short journey in the city can be bought on the bus itself. If you want to travel a longer distance, buy your bus tickets at a travel agency or at the bus station. You can also buy online via 12Go.Asia buy a bus ticket in advance, this will save you some time in Malaysia and you will be guaranteed a seat!

Taxi: In big cities, the taxi is often the best way to get around. Although a bus is a lot cheaper, a taxi will also get you to your destination for a few euros. We recommend using the app “Grab” to use. You can compare this app with that of Uber. You see right away how much the ride costs and how long it takes. As a result, you don't have to negotiate the price and there can be no miscommunication about the destination either.

Money matters

In most tourist areas, you can easily withdraw money with your debit or credit card. Check in advance that your debit card is on world coverage. We advise everyone to withdraw as much as possible in one go to minimise commissions. Personally, we never recommend exchanging money at exchange offices as you often pay more commission than initially indicated.

Prices

The cost of living in Malaysia is considerably lower than in the Netherlands. Bargaining is common, especially in markets. The currency is the Malaysian Ringgit, which is divided into 100 Sen. There are coins of 5, 10, 20, 50 Sen and 1 Ringgit. Notes come in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 to 1,000 Ringgit.

In Malaysia, type G plugs used, the same as in the UK. These are plugs with three rectangular pins. The mains voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. Bring a world plug if you use appliances with a different type of plug.

And believe us... you have this world plug needed! You can easily order these online at, for example Bol.com!

Check out our blogs to plan your ideal trip! Our goal is to make planning your trip more fun and easier. Discover the best travel period, determine your route and book the finest accommodation. Enjoy your adventure and drop us a line if you have any questions!