Getting to Around Malaysia

Malaysia has a well developed internal transportation infrastructure enabling travel within the country to be convenient, speedy and relatively inexpensive. All major towns have road, rail and air links and there is a good public transportation system which includes rental cars, taxis, buses, a Light Rail Transit (LRT) System in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur which links to the adjoining Klang Valley District. Another rail service known as KTM Komuter connects suburban or adjoining districts with Kuala Lumpur.

Plying the tracks of the world-class Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur are the equally impressive and well built trains belonging to different rail operators. Offering fast, comfortable and efficient service to city dwellers who commute daily, these trains have indirectly become dependable yet cost-saving.

These trains have formed a network through the routes they ply. All trains at any one time stop at designated interchanges, thus elevating the commuters' dilemma of having to travel a long distance to catch their connecting train. The key operators of these rail service network are : Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), Projek Usahasama Transit Ringan Automatik Sdn Bhd (PUTRA), EKSPRES Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) and KL Monorail System Sdn Bhd (KL Monorail). Sistem Transit Ringan (STAR LRT). Together, this integrated network of light rail transits complement other mode of transportation available in the city of Kuala Lumpur and make travelling in and around the city an easy and convenient thing to do.

BY AIR
The other alternative is to use domestic services available from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah international Airport at Subang, Selangor. Aside from Malaysia Airlines, other domestic airlines such as Pelangi Air, Berjaya Air, Transmile, Air Asia and Sabah Air also serve popular tourist destinations within the country. There are domestic air services linking KL International Airport with major cities within the Peninsula and with Sabah and Sarawak. Points linked to Kuala Lumpur include lpoh, Penang, Alor Setar, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan,Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Labuan, Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

BY ROAD
Most points in Peninsular Malaysia are accessible via the North-South Expressway which links up to coastal roads and the rest of the road arteries in the country. The Expressway is an excellent road network which allows you to drive through Peninsular Malaysia. There are also other modern highways which connect towns and villages throughout the length and breadth of the country.

BUSES AND COACHES
Interstate air-conditioned buses pay between most cities and towns in Malaysia. They offer a comfortable ride at a reasonable rate. These are to be found in all major cities and offer air conditioned comfort at metered rates. There are set charges for outstation travel. Bus services are available within the cities cosmopolitan. Coach services are available for inter-city travelling. Travelling through coaches is interesting as you get to watch the scenery along the way while enjoying the comfort inside the coach.

TAXIS
Taxis services are operated within the cities cosmopolitan. If required, taxis can be negotiated and contracted to travel to certain part of Malaysia which is not too far. There are several companies offered taxis and limousine services in Malaysia.

TRISHAWS
The older way of moving around within the streets in the city. It is a three-wheels vehicle modified from a bicycle. Some can be very beautifully decorated. It is slowly being phased out as most cities are becoming more and more modernised. However, in certain parts of Malaysia, the service is still available for tourists. Fare is to be negotiated.

CAR RENTALS
For self drivers, car rentals are available. Minimum age is 18 years with a valid provincial driver's license. An international driver's license is required. Cars are right-hand drive; driven on the left-hand side of the road.

BY RAILThe railway network extends from neighbouring Singapore through the major cities and towns within Peninsular Malaysia up to Thailand on both the West and East Coasts. You can travel in air-conditioned comfort in daytime first class coaches with single or double berths. Second class coaches also have sleeping berths. In Malaysia, the railway network system has always been a key component in the development of the country's growth. The first railway track was built in 1885 from Taiping to Port Weld. From a mere 12.8 kilometres of track, the network grew as Malaysia developed and prospered. With its service covering the length and breadth of the country, KTM Berhad runs its train on a metre gauge of 1000mm, over a track length of 2 226.90 kilometres.

BY SEA
Ferry services are offered to major islands. In Peninsular Malaysia, the ferry service between Butterworth and Penang island is still popular despite the Penang Bridge link. A modern ferry service is offered from Kuala Perlis on the mainland to Pulau Langkawi, a popular tourist destination. Regular boat services are available on the Lumut-Pangkor Island and the Mersing-Tioman island routes. A longboat service is available from Labuan to Menumbak in Sabah. in the riverine areas of Sarawak, the major means of transportation are air-conditioned express boats.