GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
The national airline Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) (Internet: www.de.malaysiaairlines.com) is the largest airline in Southeast Asia and flies to over 100 cities worldwide. Malaysia Airlines Berhad offers non-stop flight services from Zurich (Tel: (01) 225 72 72, 225 72 70) to Kuala Lumpur several times a week. Connection in Kuala Lumpur to Penang, Langkawi, Kuantan, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Lufthansa (LH) flies directly from Frankfurt to Kuala Lumpur.
Departure fee
45 MYR. (For some international flights, however, only 20 MYR).
Arrival by car
According to politicsezine, Malaysia is connected to Thailand by good roads, with Singapore via two dams that are subject to tolls. In Borneo, the road connections between the eastern states of Sarawak and Sabah and the neighboring state of Brunei and Kalimantan, which belongs to Indonesia, are quite good, but not always passable during the rainy season.
Several companies offer bus connections in air-conditioned coaches to and within Malaysia, e.g. Transnasional Express (Internet: www.nadi.com.my).
Arriving by train
The Malaysan Railway (KTMB) (Internet: www.ktmb.com.my) takes you from Malaysia to Singapore. Daily direct connections from Singapore via Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth to Bangkok / Thailand (and back to Singapore).
The Sentral Station (main train station) in Kuala Lumpur is located on the edge of the business district and is a hub for various train companies, including KLIA Ekspres (Internet: www.kliaekspres.com), KLIA Transit, KTM Intercity, KTM Komuter, Rapid KL (Internet: www .rapidkl.com.my), KL Monorail (Internet:www.monorail.com.my) and KL Sentral (Internet: www.klsentral.com.my).
With the luxury train Eastern and Oriental Express (Internet: www.orient-express.com) you can take a 41-hour round trip from Singapore via Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok and back to Singapore.
The KTM Rail Pass for non-Singaporeans is available for 5, 10 or 15 days and entitles you to unlimited use of the KTM intercity trains to and from Singapore. Additional fees for sleeper cars and night trains. The KTM Rail Pass can be purchased in travel agencies or at large local train stations.
Arrival by ship
The international ports are Georgetown (Penang) (Internet: www.penangport.com.my), Port Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) (Internet: www.pka.gov.my), Northport www.northport.com.my) and Westport ( Internet: www.westports.com.my) (for Kuala Lumpur) as well as in East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Rejang, Tawau, Labuan Island and Kuching.
Ferry Link (Tel: (07) 252 74 08) operates a ferry service between Tanjung Belungkor and Changi Point (Singapore).
P&O (passenger line, Internet: www.pocruises.com) and Lykes (freight / passenger line) serve Malaysia. Star cruises(Internet: www.starcruises.com) offers luxury cruises from Port Kelang. Other cruise lines are Princess Cruises (Internet: www.princess.com) and Seabourn Cruise Lines (Internet: www.seabourn.com).
Note on rail travel
Special tickets / discounts: Children under 4 years travel free, children between 4 and 11 years pay half. The tourist office (see addresses) can provide further information.
The KTM Rail Pass for 5, 10 or 15 days grants free travel on intercity trains on the KTM Berhad route network on the Malaysia peninsula to Singapore. The pass is available at Padang Besar, Penang, Butterworth, Kuala Lumpur, Pelabuhan Klang, Johor Bharu, Singapore and Wakaf Bharu train stations. A surcharge has to be paid for sleeping compartments and night trains. Reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance. The tourist office (see addresses) can provide further information.
Out and about by ship
Coastal ferries operate regularly between Penang and Butterworth, and there is a scheduled passenger service between Port Kelang, Sarawak and Sabah. There are regular ferries to larger islands such as Langkawi (with the Langkawi-Ro-Ro ferry service (Internet: www.langkawiroro.com) from Kuala Perlis), Pangkor and Mersing-Tioman. Longboats travel between Labuan and Sabah.
Small river steamers are convenient means of transport in East Malaysia and can be the only way (except by helicopter) to reach remote villages. Boats can be rented; there are also river ferries and water taxis. The ferry and excursion boats in the interior of the country do not always meet international safety standards.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are numerous luxury and tourist class hotels. Advance booking is particularly necessary during school holidays and bank holidays. The simpler hotels hardly have modern washing facilities and often only have a washbasin instead of a bath or shower. 5% government tax and 10% service are added to the bill. Tips (only with good service) are expected from porters and room service. Most hotels offer a laundry service. More information from the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), C5-3 Wisma MAH, Jalan Ampang Utama 1/1, 1 Ampang Avenue, 68000 Ampang, Kuala Lumpur (Tel: (03) 42 51 84 77. Internet: www.hotels.org.my).
Camping
There are tent possibilities in Taman Negara and in the national parks. In so-called jungle lodges you can rent tents, camp beds, cartridge lamps and mosquito nets for hikes through the rainforest.
Other accommodation options
Not very numerous, but inexpensive. Dormitory accommodation with meals available. The reception is usually open between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. There are youth hostels in the Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Malacca, Penang and Port Dickson. For more information, please contact the Malaysian Youth Hostel Association, Kuala Lumpur International Youth Hostel, 21 Jalan Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur (Tel: (03) 22 73 68 70. Internet: http://www.myha.org.my/). Details also from the tourist office (see addresses).