Travel

Getting around the country poses little difficulty. There are various modes of travel - air, rail, or road. Each mode is efficient, convenient, and affordable.

More Malaysians are now utilizing the North-South Expressway, which stretches from Johor Bahru at the southern tip of the peninsular all the way up to the Thai border in the North.

This may not be the Orient Express of old, but KTM or the Malaysian Railway provides a charm and romance of its own to anyone who chooses to travel this way. KTM has a number of travel plans for both domestic and foreign tourists. It would be a good idea to check with the railway authorities on what these travel plans are and how you can get the best out of them. The railway runs all the way into Singapore in the south and to Padang Besar in the north, at the Thai-Malaysian border. There is also an eastern link that takes you to the East Coast states of the Peninsula.

The national airline, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) provides an excellent domestic link to all the major towns and cities in the country. Kuala Lumpur is the hub, from which you could head off to Penang, Langkawi, Alor Setar, Ipoh, Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, and Johor Bahru. These are the major towns in the Peninsula. The two eastern capitals of Kuching (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) are also served on a daily basis by MAS. Other flights would take you to Labuan, Tawau, and Sandakan.

Taxi service is another good way to travel overland in the country. Usually there are taxi stands that take you to your destinations like Melaka, Johor Bahru or even to Penang. You could in fact get a taxi ride to any part of the country. But remember that the law allows for four passengers and that you only pay your share of the ride. Hence, there is no need to hire the whole taxi.

There are regular bus services to almost every part of the country. You could easily take an express bus into Singapore or Thailand. These buses are usually air-conditioned and run on express service. Regular routes are plied and they stay very much on schedule. They are efficient and quite convenient.

Several car-hire services are available, even international ones like Avis. This means that you can hire a car in one city and self-drive it to another and leave the car at a pre-designated stop. Usual car rental formalities apply. You need an excellent road map, an international driving license, and insurance. Payment by major credit cards is also accepted by most companies. Your travel agent or the hotel could provide you with the details.

Some of the country's islands are served by ferries. Langkawi, for instance, is a good example. There are two places where you can take the ferries: Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah. Another resort island that is serviced by a ferry is Pangkor. You begin your journey at Lumut. Another is the Mersing-Tioman Island ferry service. Although most people prefer to use the Penang Bridge these days, there remains a 24 hour ferry service from Butterwoth to Penang island.