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Travelling in Malaysia

If you're planning on travelling in Malaysia, you may want to take a moment and have a look at the layout of the land. An ideal Malaysia trip should be the perfect combination of places you would like to visit, places which are conveniently located near each other and should take into account the different types of transport you would like to use and which are available to you. Climate is another factor that should be considered if you're travelling in Malaysia. Take a look at our climate page for more information on when to travel to Malaysia. You can also find more info about local transport on our transport page.

You can build your own completely personal Malaysia trip using our bite-sized Malaysia tours. If you're after some inspiration, why not take a look at our range of suggested holidays in Malaysia? You can even combine your Malaysia holiday with a trip to Borneo. Simply choose from our selection of Borneo tours or ready-made holidays in Borneo. Our Malaysia travel specialists will help you plan your trip using logical routings and their expert knowledge of travelling in Malaysia and Borneo.

Take a look below for more information about travelling in Malaysia.

Travelling in Malaysia: West Malaysia

Most people travelling in begin in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and we offer easy going starter packs which are designed to help you cover the first or last two nights in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and transfers to and from the airport and our Malaysia tours also originate in these cities. From Kuala Lumpur you can easily travel on through Malaysia, for instance by bus to the jungle of the Taman Negara and on by hire car from the Cameron Highlands to the tropical island of Pulau Pangkor. After several days of relaxing on the beach you can choose to check out local culture in the north in Penang and then continue on by boat to the white shores of Langkawi.

Whilst travelling in Malaysia, you should most definitely visit the East Coast for a taste of the real Malaysia. You can catch a domestic flight departing from Penang. From Kota Bharu you can go island hopping to our favourite tropical islands in Malaysia: Perhentian and Lang Tengah. Once you return to the mainland, you can fly back to Kuala Lumpur or for a real Malaysia experience you could spend a couple of days at home ith the Malay where you can get a sense of local life. For more detailed information or to find out about transport options between our Malaysia tours (modules), visit our Malaysia transport page.

Travelling in Malaysia - The western Peninsula

Travelling in Malaysia - Visit Malaysia and Borneo

Travelling in Malaysia and Borneo

If you would like to combine your trip to West Malaysia with Borneo, we suggest you start out on Borneo. This will leave you with the most adventurous part of your journey at the beginning of your trip. Fly into either Kuching (Sarawak) in the south or Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) in the north. From Kuching you and your guide will travel to Bako National Park for a Borneo adventure and you'll become acquainted with the Headhunters. From Kota Kinabalu you can choose to spend some time relaxing on an island first with our Borneo beach trip, and then fly on to Sandakan for our Borneo trip which includes orangutans and a jungle boat cruise.

You'll mostly travel by plane and private transfers on Borneo and it's best to schedule some rest breaks during your trip since you'll be on the road quite a bit. By adding on an extra night after one or two tours (modules), you'll be able to rest up for your next adventure. Our friendly Malaysia travel specialists are on hand to help you plan your own personal Malaysia and Borneo trip, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Travelling in Malaysia: Accommodation

Hotels
In larger cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Melaka, Georgetown, Kota Bharu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu you'll spend the night in mid-class hotels. Naturally with air conditioning. Our main concerns when selecting accommodation options for Malaysia were comfort, atmosphere and an ideal location. If you would like to experience a truly luxurious accommodation in a specific location, for instance while staying on a tropical island, please let us know and we'll submit a proposal to you.

Resorts
While visiting tropical islands and in the Taman Negara you'll stay at charming resorts. We're not a big fan of large 'concrete block resorts', that's why we've selected small scale resorts for you to stay at. Usually you'll have your own chalet, for 2 sharing, with air conditioning and whenever possible we'll arrange for a sea or jungle view.

Jungle Lodge
While visiting Borneo's national parks, you'll stay in cosy, wooden lodges in the middle of the jungle. The facilities are quite basic; however you'll have a fine bed with (when necessary) mosquito netting. Jungle lodges usually do not have air conditioning, although they do have a fan that can offer some relief from the heat. You'll have your own private bath room or you'll share one with several other travellers.

Special Hotels
If you prefer more luxurious accommodation, are going on your honeymoon or simply if you're looking for something different, we have accommodation options in the most beautiful locations for an extra special stay. Malaysia has several exclusive accommodation options where you'll be treated like royalty. Not all accommodation options are listed on our web site; some of them are still a surprise.... let us tell you about them.

Homestay
A homestay is simply an accommodation option allowing you to spend a few nights in a local family's home. We offer the opportunity for you to get a taste of the real Malaysia. You'll stay at the home of a very friendly and hospitable couple and their family. They live in a modest, yet well cared for home on the East Coast of Malaysia. They have decorated and prepared an entirely separate home in their house for you. You'll experience first-hand how warm, friendly, modest and hospitable the Malaysians are. They are very proud of their culture and heritage and enjoy showing you around. You'll be a part of their everyday life and you'll feel as if you were a real 'Orang Malayu'.

Tents
If you decide to go on a trek through the Malaysian jungle, such as in Taman Negara or Endau Rompin, you'll spend the night in lightweight double occupancy tents. We consider this the best way to really experience the jungle. Sleeping bags can be rented from the local guide and usually cost approximately £ 2 per person. No mattresses are brought along. Your bathroom during your stay.... the great outdoors.

For more detailed information regarding our comfort class-levels of accommodation, please see our accommodation page.

Malaysia travel ideas - Hotel bedroom

Malaysia travel ideas - Beach resort

Malaysia travel ideas - Jungle lodge

Malaysia travel ideas - Special hotels

Malaysia travel ideas - Homestay

Malaysia travel ideas - Tents

Travelling in Malaysia - Our friendly local office

Travelling in Malaysia: Our local representatives

We work closely with two local partners in Malaysia. Our partner on West Malaysia is located in Kuala Lumpur and our partner on Borneo is located in the city of Kuching. On your arrival at the airport, an English speaking representative will be waiting for you. For our Borneo tours, all the necessary information and vouchers for your hotels and excursions will be waiting for you at your first hotel or be given to you by your driver from the airport. For our Malaysia trips, all the necessary information and vouchers will be emailed to you before your departure.

The travel documentation you receive from us will include contact information such as the address and telephone numbers of our local partners. You will also receive a 24-hour emergency telephone number.

Each of our Malaysia travel specialists have been travelling in Malaysia extensively and look forward to offering you travel advice. Get to know our team on our travel specialists page or contact us if you have any questions about travelling in Malaysia.

Take a look at our bite-sized Malaysia and Borneo tours

Check out our suggested holidays in Malaysia and Borneo

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