|
 |
| Malaysia
Travel - Internal |
|
|
 |
| |
|
Note
During major festivals (especially Hari Raya Pusa, the Chinese New
Year and Hari Raya Haji), internal travel becomes extremely difficult
unless tickets have been pre-booked long in advance. Domestic express
bus tickets often go on sale up to two months before the festivals
and sell out within one or two weeks. Even domestic flights tend
to be packed during these periods. For festival dates, contact Tourism
Malaysia (see Contact Addresses section). |
| |
|
| AIR |
|
|
Malaysia
Airlines (MH) serves numerous commercial airports in peninsular
Malaysia. In East Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines crisscrosses
both Sabah and Sarawak and also flies to Brunei. Transmile Air
offers discounts on domestic flights to Sabah and Sarawak.
Domestic airports
Kuala Lumpur Subang (KUL) is 22 km (14 miles) west from the
city. Previously the main international airport, it is now mainly
used for domestic flights. Most Malaysian states have domestic airports
and plans are underway for the further development of several airports.
Departure tax: RM6. |
| |
|
| SEA/RIVER |
|
|
| Coastal ferries
sail frequently between Penang and Butterworth and there is a scheduled
passenger service linking Port Kelang with both Sarawak and Sabah.
Small rivercraft often provide the most practical means of getting
about in East Malaysia, even in the towns, and they are the only
way to reach the more isolated settlements (unless one has access
to a helicopter). Boats may easily be chartered and river buses
and taxis are plentiful. |
| |
|
| RAIL |
|
|
Malayan
Railway (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad or KTM) at Jalan Sultan
Hishamuddin, 50621 Kuala Lumpur (tel: (3) 2263 1422; e-mail: passenger@ktmb.com.my;)
operates nearly 2092km (1300 miles) of line.
There are three classes of train: De Luxe or First Class (with upholstered
seats), Eksekutif or Second Class (with padded leather seats) and
Ekonomi or Third Class (with cushioned plastic seats). The fast
daytime ‘Express Rakyat’ runs from Singapore to Butterworth,
and continues on to Thailand. Express trains are modern, and some
have sleeping berths and buffet cars. Some trains are air-conditioned.
East Malaysia has one railway line, known by travellers as the Jungle
Railway, which is the main overland route for the Taman Negara National
Park; it runs along the coast from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), then inland
up a steep jungle valley to the small town of Tenom. Other than
this line, there are two main lines operated for a passenger service.
One runs along the west coast and from Singapore, which runs northwards
to Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth, meeting the Thai railways at the
border. The other line separates from the west coast line at the
town of Gemas and takes a northeastern route to Kota Bharu and Tenom.
There is also a passenger service to two of Malaysia’s seaports
– Penang and Padang Besar on the west coast. The KTM Komuter,
a commuter service, runs from Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang (west),
Rawang (north) and Seremban (south). There are no rail services
in Sarawak.
Cheap fares
A child under 4 travels free; children aged 4 to 11 pay half fare.
For further information on discount fares available to passengers,
contact Malayan Railway (see address details above).
Special
tickets
The Malayan Railway Pass is available in 10- and 30-day tickets,
giving unlimited travel on all trains through peninsular Malaysia
and Singapore and can be purchased from train stations in Butterworth,
Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Padang Besar, Port Kelang, Rantau Panjang,
Wakaf Bharu and Singapore. However, reservations must be made in
advance for seats in first-class, air-conditioned trains and a supplement
is charged. Reservations may be made up to 3 months in advance from
the Director of Commerce, Malayan Railway, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin,
Kuala Lumpur. Enquire at Tourism Malaysia for further details. |
| |
|
| ROAD |
|
|
Traffic
drives on the left. Most roads in the peninsular states are paved
and signs leading to the various destinations are well placed and
clear. The north–south highway, spanning 890km (553 miles)
from Bukit Kayu Hitam (on the Kedah–Thailand border) to Johor
Bahru is now fully open to traffic since the Sultan opened the last
stretch between Tapah and Gopeng. The dual carriageway will provide
shorter travel times between towns.
Bus: Local
bus networks are extensive; there are almost 1000 routes, with regular
services in and between all principal cities. Four-wheel-drive buses
are used in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak. Trishaw: Available
in Penang and Malacca, these are inexpensive for short trips. Fares
should be negotiated in advance.
Taxi: Shared and
normal taxis are a fast means of inter-town travel, but delays may
be encountered whilst drivers get their passenger load before moving
off. Ask drivers to turn the meter on before starting the journey.
There is a 50 per cent surcharge for fares between 0000-0600 and
an extra RM1 is charged for taxis booked by phone. Taxi coupons
providing fixed prices to specific destinations can be purchased
at the Kuala Lumpur railway station and the airport. Car hire: This
is available through several agencies. Some agencies provide cars
on an unlimited mileage basis. Cars with driver are also available.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit
is required. For UK citizens, a national driving licence is sufficient,
but it has to be endorsed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in
Malaysia. |
| |
|
| URBAN |
|
|
Parking
in the center of Kuala Lumpur and other towns is restricted to spaces
for which a charge is made and a receipt is given. Public transport
services in Kuala Lumpur are provided by conventional buses and
by ‘Bas Mini’ fixed-route minibuses, taxis and pedi-cabs
(Trishaws) licensed by the Government. Bus fares vary, but the ‘Bas
Mini’ rates are flat. These are used for shorter journeys,
and tend to be crowded. The PUTRA Light Rail Transit (LRT)
is a quick way to get around the city and provides links to the
eastern and western suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. Routes and timetables
are indicated in stations with an LRT logo.
Travel
times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and
minutes) from Kuala Lumpur to other major centres in Malaysia. |
| |
|
| |
Air |
Road |
Rail |
Ipoh |
0.30 |
2.00 |
4.30 |
Penang |
0.45 |
5.00 |
9.30 |
Alor
Setar |
0.45 |
7.00 |
7.30 |
Kuantan |
0.35 |
4.00 |
-
|
Johor
Bahru |
0.35 |
3.00 |
6.00 |
Singapore |
0.45 |
6.00 |
7.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
