Malaysia Guide – Getting around Malaysia by Air, Rail & Sea
By Air
The national carrier, Malaysia Airlines and the budget airline AirAsia offer domestic air travel to major cities in the peninsula and to the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Points linked to Kuala Lumpur include Ipoh, Penang, Alor Star, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Labuan, Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. Private carrier Berjaya Air has direct flights to the islands of Pangkor, Redang and Tioman from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport near Kuala Lumpur.
Note that upon your arrival in Sabah or Sarawak, you will need to present your international passport even if you are arriving from Peninsular Malaysia.
By Rail
Trains are a comfortable, efficient and economical means of exploring Malaysia.
The main line extends from Thailand in the north, southwards to Singapore. Another line radiates from Gemas in Negeri Sembilan to Kota Bharu on the east coast. In Sabah, a line connects from Kota Kinabalu through rainforests to Tenom and is not to be missed by train buffs. You can travel in air-conditioned comfort while sleeping berths are available for overnight journeys. Rail service in Peninsular Malaysia is operated by Keretapi Tanah Melavu (KIM) or Malayan Railway offering privileged passes for easy travel.
The Eastern & Oriental Express is one of the worlds great train journeys. The journey links the cities of Singapore and Bangkok passing through Kuala Lumpur and includes a tour of Penangs capital Georgetown.
By Sea
Ferry services also operate from Malaysia to Thailand, Singapore and the Indonesian Islands of Batam and Sumatra. Within Malaysia there are regular ferry services to and from main destinations like Penang, Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah to Langkawi, Lumut to Pangkor and from various points on the east coast to the offshore islands of Tioman, Perhentian, Redang and the Johor islands.
The principal cruise operator in Malaysian waters is the Malaysian-owned and operated, Star Cruises. Port Klang, the biggest port serving Kuala Lumpur one-hour’s drive away is where the Star Cruises Passenger Terminal is located.
The main ports of call in Malaysia for cruise ships are Malacca, Port Klang, Penang and Langkawi. Occasionally, cruise ships also drop anchor off the East Coast islands, in particular, Tioman Island. In East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah is the main port visited by cruise ships.
