You are planning a getaway in Malaysia and you need some information before your trip? You are at the right place! We have travelled in March of 2024 and absolutely loved it! Here is a “know before you go” list:

How many days do you need in Malaysia?

Malaysia has so many things to offer. From Kuala Lumpur to Malacca and from Langkawi to Borneo, this Southeast Asian country has something for everyone. If you are planning to visit the country from side to side including the Taman Negara Rainforest and the island of Borneo then you probably need at least 14 days. But if you are just planning on exploring the peninsular Malaysia, then 3 days is more than enough to visit Kuala Lumpur and Malacca.

What is the best time of year to visit Malaysia?

Malaysia has a tropical climate with annual average temperature at 25°C (77°F). Malaysia is a country that sits close to the equator, the weather remains hot, humid and pretty rainy most of the year. The best time to visit Malaysia is from April to October for the East Coast and from December to March for the West Coast. The best time to visit the island of Borneo is from March to October.  We traveled to Malaysia at the end of March.

What documents do you need to visit Malaysia?

If you hold a passport from any European country, USA or Canada, rest assured that you only need a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) to enter Malaysia. As of January 1st 2024, the completion of the MDAC is mandatory. Three days before your arrival date, you should submit the request online here https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. Upon your arrival in Malaysia you will present the MDAC registration and your passport at the immigration counter. If you are planning on re-entering Malaysia in a short period, despite the fact that your MDAC is valid for 30 or 90 days, then you should again apply for a new MDAC. For example if you are planning to visit the neighbor countries and then re-enter Malaysia, even if it is only for catching your departure flight, then you should apply for a new MDAC. If you are not eligible for the MDAC, you should apply for a visa online at least a month before your arrival date here https://malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my/evisa/evisa.jsp

Is it safe to travel to Malaysia?

Malaysia is in general a safe country for tourists. Nevertheless, tourists should exercise normal travel precautions when visiting the country. Locals are polite and welcoming towards tourists, as tourism is one of the biggest industries on the country. As Malaysia is Muslim majority country, tourists should be respectful of the local culture and traditions. Overall, we never felt unsafe during our trip.

How do you get to Malaysia by air?

If you flying from Europe to Malaysia you will probably land in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) which is Malaysia's main international airport. It is located in the Sepang District of Selangor, approximately 60km (37mi) south of Kuala Lumpur. There are many flights out of the most popular European hubs such as London (Malaysia Airlines), Amsterdam (KLM) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). If you are planning on visiting Malaysia while touring Southeast Asia, then is it possible to fly from all neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand etc. Airlines such as Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airlines, perform regular flights to and from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi.

How do you get to Malaysia by bus?

You can also enter Malaysia by crossing the land borders from Thailand or Singapore.  There are several transport companies that operate these routes. You can book your trip through 12Go which is the largest and most reliable site in Southeast Asia.

How to commute in Malaysia?

Depending on your travel plans, you can either choose to commute by bus or by plane. For example the cheapest and most effective way to commute between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca is by using the bus. The ticket prices start from as low as 2.00 per person. You book your trip through 12Go which is the largest and most reliable site in Southeast Asia. On the other hand if you planning on visiting Langkawi for example, the most effective way is to fly out from Kuala Lumpur with airplane tickets starting from as low as 15.00€. 

How to get around in Malaysia?

For commuting within cities, the Grab hailing app has been proven more than helpful and very affordable. You can choose between cars or tuk tuks while Grab Ride-hailing mobile app gives a fare estimate and finds you a ride instantly. It is the most convenient online taxi booking in Malaysia.

How do I get from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur?

There are several transportation options in order to reach Kuala Lumpur city center from KLIA. The fastest choice is the KLIA Ekspres train, which takes around 28 minutes and costs RM55 (11.00€) for a one-way ticket. Alternatively, you can take the KLIA Transit train, which makes additional stops and takes about 35 minutes, with a fare of RM55 (11.00€). Both trains reach the same station KL Sentral where you can change lines. For budget travelers, the Airport Coach provides bus services for RM12 (2.35€), taking approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the city. On the other hand if you are more than two, catching a Grab is much more affordable than the train. With fares ranging from RM75 (15.00€) to RM100 (20.00€) depending on traffic conditions and the type of service chosen. There is also a default platform assigned only for the ride-hailing vehicle services on Level 1 - Door 5. We paid only RM79.30 for the grab service from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur's city center! Ultimately, the choice depends on your budget, time constraints, and preference for convenience.

How do I get from KLIA to Malacca?

If you are planning on visiting Malacca during your time in Malaysia, then the most optimum way is to get to Malacca straight from KLIA. Malacca is located, 110 km south of KLIA, while Kuala Lumpur city center is another 60km up in the north. Hence, it is time efficient and ultimate it makes more sense to commute to Malacca straight from KLIA than from Kuala Lumpur. Starmart Express and Transnasional are the only operators serving the route between KLIA to Malacca. Both of them are reputable bus companies well known for their comfortable buses and efficient services. The fare for the ride to Malacca is approximately RM 35.00 (7.00€) and the bus ride takes 2.5 hours to reach Malacca. Check our detailed about Malacca here.

Can I rent a car in Malaysia?

Although it’s possible to rent a car in Malaysia to make it easier to get around, you have to keep in mind that the driving is on the left side which can be tricky for someone that is not used to it. The car rental cost is average, ranging between 40.00€ to 120.00€ per day, depending on category you wish to rent. To rent a car and drive in Malaysia, you only need your valid international driving license and passport. However, you must be over 21 years of age car and held a license for at least 2 years. The roads are in good condition, however the traffic may be hectic in major cities like Kuala Lumpur.

What currency is used in and how to pay in Malaysia?

The Malaysian ringgit (RM or MYR) is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen (formerly cents). The official exchange rate was 1RM = 0.20€ in March 2024. This is also the exchange rate you will get if you withdraw RM from an ATM.

There are several exchange offices throughout city centers and airports, but you can also use your credit card to pay directly or withdraw cash from an ATM. Make sure that the ATM you will use belongs to a Malaysian bank, in order to minimize the withdraw fees. Although most of local businesses like hotels and restaurants, do accept credit cards, you will need cash if you are planning on trying street food and buy souvenirs from local vendors.

How to have internet in Malaysia?

Upon your arrival in Malaysia, you can buy a prepaid sim card with or without a registered mobile number, from one of the many kiosks you will encounter at any airport. For around 7.00€ you can get 65 GB data for 30 days.

But if you are planning on visiting more than one country in the Southeast Asia, it will make more sense to get an e-sim with internet access in advance. One of the most reliable services is Nomad. They currently offer plans raging from $8.00 to $29.00 with coverage in 20 different countries in Asia, including Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. The activation is really simple, you just download their app and choose between the offered plans. Be sure though, that your phone is compatible with e-sims.

We purchased the Nomad eSim and selected the APAC Plan which included 20 countries in Asia for $ 29 USD. We were very satisfied as we didn't encountered any problems through our trip!

Check our other posts for Malaysia