Malaysia essential info
The rising star of South-East Asia - Malaysia is a vibrant mix of tropical island resorts, warm coral seas, lush rain-forest, majestic mosques and temples and wonderful wildlife
Travel in Malaysia: vital statistics
Capital of Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
Population of Malaysia: 27 million
Languages in Malaysia: Bahasa Malaysia or Malay. English is widely spoken
Time in Malaysia: GMT+8
International dialling code for Malaysia: +60
Voltage in Malaysia: 220-240V 50Hz AC
Visas for Malaysia: Malaysia visas
Money in Malaysia: Ringgit (RM) - sometimes called the dollar. ATMs are widely available. Tipping isn’t obligatory, but appreciated by porters, waiters and taxi drivers.
Malyasia travel advice: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Malaysia tourist board: Malaysia tourism
When to go to Malaysia
Malaysia is hot and humid year round; the ‘rainy season’ sees only a nominal increase in precipitation, except on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, when November-February sees heavy downpours.
The fasting period of Ramadan (ninth month of the Muslim calendar) may limit transport options and see some restaurants close during daylight hours.
International airports
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is 75km south of the city.
Getting around in Malaysia
Domestic flights link Kuala Lumpur with destinations including Penang, Kota Bharu, Langkawi, Tioman, Kuching (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
Within Peninsular Malaysia, comfortable buses connect most cities, and a good but limited-destination train service runs from Johor Bahru (near Singapore) north along the west coast via KL and Ipoh to the Thai border, branching at Gemas to run north to Kota Bharu via Taman Negara National Park.
In Borneo, internal flights, more limited buses and both coastal and river ferries transport travellers.
Malaysian accommodation
Malaysia has the full range of accommodation, from campsites, hostels and small guesthouses to hotels.
More intriguing options include homestays and old British-era colonial resthouses; the chance to stay in a traditional tribal longhouse in Borneo shouldn’t be missed.
Malaysian food & drink
Malaysian food is almost universally superb.
Chilli, coriander, tamarind, lemongrass, fish paste coconut milk and mint flavour many dishes, with seafood and chicken key staples (plus pork in Chinese communities).
Rice (nasi) and noodles (mee) are the carb sections of every meal, but the variations in each are stupendous.
Look out for regional dishes: the Nonya cuisine of Penang and Melaka blends Thai, Chinese and Indian influences – a home-made laksa (coconut curry noodle soup) is hard to top.
Tea and coffee share the honours in drinking stakes; alcohol is available but not as broadly consumed outside the big cities as in neighbouring Thailand or Singapore.
Health & safety in Malaysia
Consult your GP or a travel health clinic for advice on inoculations and anti-malarial prophylaxis.
Various biting bugs, leeches, parasites and venomous snakes are found in Malaysia – particularly the jungles of Borneo – so wear insect repellent, don’t walk barefoot and take sensible precautions to avoid bites and stings.