Most visitors fly to Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpar, since it is located remotely in East Malaysia which is otherwise only accessible from Peninsula Malaysia by ferry.

By air
Located on the island of Borneo in Sabah, East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu is the most conveniently accessed by air. Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) operates both domestic and international flights to and from the region. The main gateway to Sabah and the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the airport receives a number of flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and many parts of Malaysian Borneo. It also serves as a major hub for Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia and Fly Asian Xpress (FAX). The airport is located only 7kms from the city so you can easily take a taxi or a bus to the city centre.

By train (East Malaysia)
Travelling by train to Kota Kinabalu is a rewarding experience as you can experience the beauty of the countryside. Railway connects Kota Kinabalu with other major towns including Beaufort and Tenom. By sea, you can arrive at Kota Kinabalu’s harbour located in the city. There are ferries five times a day serving to two main destinations which are Labuan (2-3 hours) and Brunei (3-4 hours). Tourists can also make a trip to nearby islands from this harbour.

Once in Kota Kinabalu, the best way to travel around is on foot. From one end of the city centre to the other is less than 3kms. If you want to travel out of the city, taking a taxi is the best option as mini buses provided are very crowded and without air-conditioner.

Situated about 150 kms away from Kuala Lumpur towards the southern-west of Peninsular Malaysia, Melaka is easily accessible by bus, train and car. Air travel is also possible but not very convenient as there isn’t an airport in Melaka and you still need to transfer two hours from Kuala Lumpur Airport.

By bus
Travelling to Melaka by bus is very convenient and is the most popular means of transport from nearby areas. There are many long-distance buses connecting Melaka state with major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other cities in Peninsular Malaysia. Located about 3kms from the historic city centre, Melaka City’s Melaka Sentral is a major bus station that receives express buses from several locations in the state and other neighbouring countries.

Getting to Melaka by train can be very slow but the experience is truly rewarding as travellers can admire scenic views of lovely countryside along the way. However, the nearest station to Melaka is at Tampin, which is about 38kms to the north of Melaka City. From there, passengers can easily take a bus or wave down a taxi to their destination in Melaka.

By car, simply follow the signboards on the North-South Highway and choose to exit at the Alor Gajah-Tampin (Simpang Ampat), Ayer Keroh or Lipat Kijang (Jasin). Ayer Keroh exit is the nearest to Melaka City. Melaka City is located on the Coastal Trunk Road (Federal Route 5) so if you are on the Main Trunk Road (Federal Route 1), turn off at Simpang Kendong or Tampin, which is about 40 kms from Melaka City.

Without its own airport, travelling by plane to Melaka is not very easy. The nearest airport is Batu Berendam Airport which is about 10kms from Melaka City. There are no domestic flights but Riau Airlines operates flights to Pekabaru and Sumatra.

The best way to travel around in Melaka is on foot as you can take time to admire this charming city. Cycling is also another good option while taking a trishaw ride to major tourist attractions is enjoyable and eye-opening (with a trishaw rider being your guide). Those who want to take a bus, make sure you have exact amount of money for tickets as the drivers do not give change.

Located about 259 east of Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan is a gateway to a more peaceful and relaxing atmosphere that is conveniently accessible by plane, bus and car.

By air
Kuantan has a small airport, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (KUA) that services a few daily flights to Kuala Lumpur, taking 40 minutes. There is also a single weekly flight to Kuala Terengganu. If you want to arrive to Kuantan by air from other countries, you have to fly to Kaula Lumpur first and get a shuttle service to Kuantan on Malaysian Airlines, which operates flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan four times a day.

By bus
Taking a bus from Kuala Lumpur is also another good option to travel to Kuantan. The journey takes about three hours excluding stops. Transnasional Coach Services is one of the most reliable coach companies, operating buses between major cities in Malaysia and Kuantan. All buses stop at Kuantan Bus Terminal in the city centre. From there, you can either walk or take a taxi to your hotel.

Driving to Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur is very easy through the Karak Highway and East Coast Expressway which were opened in 2004. The journey usually takes about two and a half to three hours with a driving distance of 250 kms. The East Coast Expressway is also equipped with toilets, sundry shops and food stalls so that tourists can stop by at their own convenience.

Travelling around in the city of Kuantan can be done simply by walking. Getting a ride on a trishaw is also a fun and entertaining way to observe the city in an old-school style.

Visitors can travel to be Cameron Highlands wither by bus or car. It may seem difficult to get here but it really isn’t too challenging and the journey can be a lot of fun.

By road
Buses, taxis and several cars use the good expressways and roads to get to Cameron Highlands. If travelling by car the best route would be to use the North South Expressway and exit at the Tapah toll exit. Soon after this the long and winding drive of about 60 kilometres, begins. This portion of the drive can take as long as up to two hours as there are many sharp turns and corners. There is now a second route from the Tapah toll exit. The Simpang Pulai-Kampung Raja Highway is not as windy as the old road as it tunnels through sections of the mountains. Drivers from Kuala Lumpur can head for the Simpang Pulai exit instead of the Tapah toll exit. From here the roads are clearly sign posted. The Cameron Highlands is about 300 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur.

Taxis from Kuala Lumpur leave on a hire basis from Pudu Raya Bus and Taxi Terminal. There are regular taxi services from Tapah and Ipoh to The Cameron Highlands. Passengers arriving at Kuala Lumpar airport can take a limousine from the airport straight to Cameron Highlands but this may be rather expensive.

By Bus
Buses to The Cameron Highlands depart from Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. TBuses leave Kuala Lumpur hourly between 08.30 and 15.30. There are about eight buses leaving Ipoh daily to Cameron Highlands between 08.00 and 19.00 hours. Three buses go directly to Cameron Highlands from Penang leaving at 08.00, 09.00 and 14.30. Buses also leave Penang for Tapah at 08.00 and 16.00 daily. From here passengers will need to change buses or take a taxi to The Cameron Highlands. Buses from Tapah to Cameron Highlands leave daily at 08.00, 09.00, 10.30, 11.30, 13.15, 15.15, 16.15 and 18.15 hours. There is an overnight bus that leaves Singapore at 22.00 hours daily and reaches the Tanah Rata Bus station at about 07.00 the following morning.

Situated just 10 kilometres off shore on the West Coast of Sabah, the volcanic island of Pulau Tiga offers good walking trails as well as several excellent snorkelling spots.

This picturesque spot became famous when it was used as the site for the first location for the hit reality television series Survivor. Consequently, Pulaua Tiga is often referred to as Survivor Island.

There are two main resorts located on Pulau Tiga and those with a taste for luxury will be able to treat themselves to a little pampering surrounded by sun, sea, sand and tropical beauty. While many people come here to relax and unwind, those with energy to spare will be able to take part in water sports such as sailing, kayaking and scuba diving.

Pulau Tiga is famous for its naturally therapeutic volcanic mud. Those who want to get back to nature and get up close and personal with the island’s wildlife can stay on the island’s campsite.

Pulau Tiga is located 120 kilometres from the city of Kota Kinabalu and visitors can catch a bus from the Segama overhead bridge, which is located next to the Post Office. A one-way trip costs approximately RM18.00, while a taxi ride from the taxi stand next to the Merdeka Field should cost around RM180.00 each way.

Tioman Island lies off the eastern coast of Peninsula Malaysia in the South China Sea and is the largest of a series of volcanic islands that can be found in this part of the world. This is an area of intense natural beauty as it boasts beautiful beaches, breathtaking marine life including whale sharks and turtles, virtually unpopulated jungle highlands, crystal-clear streams, and the dramatic peaks of Batu Sirau and Nenek Semukut.

While sand beaches can be found all around the edges of the island, the centre is filled with thick, almost impenetrable jungle, which is ideal for those who are interested in trekking and hiking. Keen rock climbers will also find plenty to do as the edges of the island are shaped by smooth, straight cliffs.

Tioman Island is popular with all sorts of holiday makers, from families with small children, to honeymooners, scuba divers, backpackers, adventurers and even people who are looking for a little luxury. Most of the best places to stay here are clustered around the villages that can be found dotted along Tioman Island’s coastline. There are also a few small resorts built around private beach coves.

June to August is the most popular period to visit Tioman Island in as there are plenty of days filled with sunshine and scorchingly hot temperatures during these months. However, the island is virtually deserted during the monsoon season, which lasts from November to January.

Getting to Tioman Island is simple as there is a regular ferry service from the nearby port of Mersing. The island also has its own airport.

There is a good range of international businesses based in Malaysia. These range from conglomerates like Citibank to smaller business dealing with exporting and importing. It quite easy to do business in Malaysia as most Malaysians speak a reasonably good level of English.

However, those who plan to do business in Malaysia need to be aware that a small fee is often required in order to speed up transactions or release of goods. There are also a large number of Malays who act as middlemen to bring together two or more parties so that everyone can get the most from the transaction.

Typical business hours:

Government departments: 08:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 16:00 (may vary slightly), Monday to Friday and alternate Saturdays.

Retail: 10:00 to 18:00 (up to 22:00 in malls), every day – some traditional shops close on Sundays. Night Markets are common and close at 23:00

Banking: 10:00 to 15:30, Monday to Friday (and until 11:30 on alternate Saturdays) Many banks now offer night time services, but it is best to check with the branch and the bank for up to date information.

Visitors with a passport from United States, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand Norway, Sweden Tunisia, Italy and France do not require a visa and are granted an automatic entry for a maximum of three months. Passports must have a minimum validity of six months.

Citizens from Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Thailand, Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland do not require a visa for a stay not exceeding one month but all passports must have a minimum six month validity period.

Citizens from Canada and Australia do not need a visa but are allowed a maximum stay of only two months. Passports must have a minimum validity of six months.

Travellers using passports from Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Romania, Syria, South Africa and South Yemen do not need a visa but are only allowed a maximum stay of two weeks. Passports must have a minimum validity of six months.

An application of visa must be approved by the Malaysian Embassy by travellers from North Korea, Cuba, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the People’s Republic of China and the holders of Hong Kong Certificate of Identity. Individuals who do not have the proper visas will not be allowed to enter the country.

Travellers who have visited areas where there have been outbreaks of yellow fever within a year need to get inoculated before they enter Malaysia. Other than that there are no specific vaccinations that are required to enter Malaysia. Hepatitis is quite common in Malaysia and travellers may wish to consider having a Hepatitis A and B injections to be on the safe side.

There have been a few cases of dengue fever but there is no injection against this. Cases of malaria are seldom seen except in Sabah and the most common health issue that travellers would need to deal with is diarrhoea. Travellers are encouraged to drink only bottled water or canned drinks and stay away from spicy foods and stall foods if possible. Taking some charcoal tablets or Imodium usually settles the diarrhoea. There are several good pharmacies and hospitals all over Malaysia so travellers need not be untowardly worried about minor illnesses.

Over the last few years the air pollution in Malaysia has become quite bad and this may impose a problem to asthmatic patients. It is recommended that visitors bring inhalers and other medication that they normally use with them. Forest fires in Indonesia’s Aceh province during the dry season create terrible smog throughout the entire region.