Travel Around Malaysia

The transport system in Malaysia was introduced during British colonial rule. Currently, funded by the government, transportation in Malaysia is diverse and up-to-date. Covering an area of 63,445 km2, the transport system in Malaysia has laid out 1630 km of expressways.

The main highway connects the country to the Thai and Singapore borders and stretches out to around 800 km. Generally speaking, the transport system in Peninsular Malaysia is more developed than that in East Malaysia.

Additionally, the integration of various modes of transportation, such as buses, trains, and taxis, makes it easy for travelers to navigate different parts of Malaysia. The availability of ride-sharing services like Grab further enhances the overall transport experience in the country.

Moreover, the introduction of modern technologies like mobile apps for booking transportation services adds to the convenience for tourists. Overall, Malaysia's efficient and well-connected transport system ensures a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for visitors.

Train Service in Malaysia

The KTM Intercity and Electric Train Service (ETS) offers comfortable and relatively fast trips between destinations. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) conducts Malaysia's train network, which connects important cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang. Furthermore, the popular KTM Komuter service serves shorter distances around urban areas.

This large train network makes it easy for both locals and tourists to get across the country. The KTM Komuter is especially helpful for everyday commuters and those wishing to get around the city easily and affordably.

Monorail

The Kuala Lumpur Monorail System, established in 2003, is a monorail transportation system in Malaysia that connects major shopping centers like Bukit Bintang, Imbi, and Chow Kit, covering an area of 8.6 km and including 11 stations. The system began in the city.

The monorail system in Malaysia is quite popular because of its speed, comfort, and low fares. The government promotes it because it does not cause noise pollution and is easy to create.

Buses for an Affordable Journey

Malaysia's bus system, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, is well-developed and offers the cheapest and quickest transportation. Most buses are air-conditioned, and tickets can be purchased at counters. However, long queues can cause issues with exact change, so Touch-n-Go or TnG cards are available.

Public Bus Operators

Buses are one of Malaysia's most suitable and cost-effective ways to travel between cities. Several bus companies serve routes connecting major cities and tourist destinations. These buses range from standard to luxury coaches, offering various comfort levels and amenities.

Go to KL City Bus

Go KL City Bus is a 15-minute free service covering popular tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur, including Bukit Bintang, Chinatown, and KLCC. Operating under Rapid Bus and Konsortium Transnasional, the pink buses are air-conditioned and offer free wifi at any stop.

Rapid Bus/Rapid KL

RapidKL bus service in Kuala Lumpur offers 177 routes and has been recently revamped into four classes: express, city shuttles, trunk routes, and local shuttles. Stations have information counters for assistance. Prices range from RM 3 to RM 4, payable in exact change or TnG cards.

Konsortium Transnasional Berhad 

Konsortium Transnasional Berhad (KTB) is Peninsular Malaysia's largest bus operator, offering four types of buses: Transnasional, Pushliner, Nice, and Cityliner. With over 1500 buses running on 250 routes and 1000 trips per day, KTB serves over 60 million passengers annually. It also provides bus services to and from Singapore.

Aeroline 

Aeroline is a luxury bus transportation service in Malaysia between Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. It is the first bus service operator to have introduced the idea of on-road mobile business lounges. These buses have an onboard crew that serves food and drinks to the passengers.

Super Nice

Super Nice is a dependable bus service in Peninsular Malaysia. Established in the 1980s, Super Nice is known as Supernice Grassland and Comfort Super Nice Express Sdn. Bhd. This bus, which is becoming increasingly well-known, stops in Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Seremban, Melaka, Muar, Batu Pahat, Genting Highlands, and Sungai Petani.

Taxi and Ride-Sharing

Taxis are likely in most cities and towns, but they may not always be the most cost-effective option. Ride-sharing services like Grab are widely used in Malaysia and can be a convenient way to travel between cities, offering fixed fares and the ability to book in advance. Taxis are a less common mode of transport in Malaysia but are available for those seeking a more affordable alternative.

There are two types of taxis: local and long-distance. Local taxis are available in Kuala Lumpur and can be boarded from any location. Long-distance taxis, which are more expensive and operate only when full, can be accessed from the Puduraya bus station.

Unfortunately, the region's taxi drivers are known for refusing to use meters and overpricing passengers, particularly tourists. The government is working to address this issue by providing a hotline number (1 800 88 9600) for complaints about drivers charging extra.

Malaysia's smooth roads make vehicle rentals popular, offering various motorcycle options from brands like Yamaha, Honda, Modenas, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. These rentals cater to various types of motorcycles.

Tourists are also advised to be careful of pickpocketers and bag snatchers in the markets, buses, and monorails in Kuala Lumpur.

Waterways

Since it is an island country, Malaysia has a rich water transport system. There are five ports: Penang, Port Klang, Kuantan, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu. Boat services attach to the islands, including remote areas. Apart from boats, small rover crafts and ferries are also operating. Holiday voyages are available for inter-country transport in Malaysia.

These waterway services not only facilitate transportation but also offer memorable experiences for tourists, allowing them to explore Malaysia's diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and natural beauty from unique vantage points on the water.

Certain areas in Malaysia have been set aside for parking. Some of these plots are government-owned, while others are private. Here are some particular things to keep in mind while parking in Malaysia.

• A little parking fee has to be paid.
• Monthly parking permits are available at the local commissions.
• Ticket collectors may use the windscreen of the car as the parking tag. They will write the time and place on the windscreen.
• Forgetting to display the ticket at the parking bay leads to a fine.
• Single and double yellow lines at the roadside mean that parking is disallowed in that area.

Overall, the transport system in Malaysia is efficient, reasonable, comfortable, and convenient. It is diverse and far-fledged. The government is constantly working towards the betterment of transportation in Malaysia and to overcome the minor nooks and crannies. Frequent upgrades take place. Thus, for a tourist, it is easy to explore the country because of its reliable transport system.