ACCOMODATION
KL offers a wide range of accommodation to suit any preference and budget, from international-standard hotels and resorts to budget hotels. In addition, there are serviced apartments and youth hostels for long-staying guests. Most hotels are situated in the vicinity of shopping malls, theme parks or convention centres.
GETTING THERE
The main airport in the country is the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which services the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines along with 45 international airlines. KLIA 2 is the new lost-cost carrier terminal. It was officially opened in May 2014, replacing the previous airport, LCCT. Both airports are situated in Sepang, about one hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur is also easily accessible from Port Klang, Malaysia’s largest seaport which is situated about 41 km away. An excellent road and railway network links Kuala Lumpur to Thailand in the north and Singapore in the south.
KLIA 2
KLIA 2 began its operations on 2 May 2014 as the world’s largest purpose-built terminal dedicated to low-cost carriers. Built with the capacity to accommodate 45 million passengers per year, KLIA 2 has 60 gates, eight remote stands and 80 aerobridges. It is equipped with ultra-modern check-in counters and immigration checkpoints. A source of pride for Malaysia, KLIA 2 has the world’s tallest air traffic control tower and it is also the first airport in the world to have a skybridge connecting the domestic and international terminals. It is the first airport in Southeast Asia to have a third runway. Airlines that operate from KLIA 2 include AirAsia and AirAsiaX, Malindo Air, Cebu Pacific Airways, Tiger Air and Lion Air. KLIA 2 is situated about 1.5 km away from the main terminal of KLIA. All modes of public transport are located at the Gateway@KLIA 2 complex.
Getting to Kuala Lumpur from the airports:
KLIA Ekspres / KLIA Transit
Tel: 03-2267 8000
Website: www.kliaekspres.com
The KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit trains (also known as Ekspres Rail Link or ERL) are high-speed trains that connect the airport to KL Sentral Station in the city. KLIA Ekspres is the fastest mode of transport to the airport. The journey to KLIA takes 28 minutes while the journey to KLIA 2 takes 33 minutes. KLIA Transit is a similar high-speed train, but has four stops along the way; at Bandar Tasik Selatan, Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya/Cyberjaya and KLIA. The entire journey to KLIA 2 by KLIA Transit takes only 38 minutes.
Skybus / Aerobus
Skybus: Tel: 016-217 6950 / 016-217 8496
Website: www.skybus.com.my
Aerobus: Website: www.aerobus.my
These are scheduled air-conditioned buses that provide transport between the airport and the city. Tickets can be purchased at the counters or on board the bus. Skybus tickets can also be purchased onboard AirAsia flights or online when purchasing AirAsia flight tickets.
KLIA Airport Limo
Tel: 1 300 88 8989
Website: www.airportlimo.my
KLIA Airport Limo offers pick-up and transfer services using a prepaid coupon system. Travel time to the city takes between 45 minutes to an hour. Fares differ according to the zone and type of taxi (budget or premier). A surcharge will be imposed for transfers between midnight to 6.00am.
Airport Coach (KLIA Main Terminal only)
Tel: 03-8787 3894 / 016-228 8844
Website: www.airportcoach.com.my
The Airport Coach provides scheduled bus services from KLIA to KL Sentral Station. The bus station is situated at the Ground Floor, Block C of KLIA’s Main Terminal. The journey takes about 1 ½ hours, depending on traffic.
Buses
The main bus terminals in Kuala Lumpur are Pudu Sentral, TBSBTS (Bandar Tasik Selatan Intergrated South Terminal) and Hentian Putra. Visitors from the north (states such as Penang, Perak, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and southern Thailand) will arrive in Pudu Sentral. The hub for buses from the south (Melaka, Johor and Singapore) is TBSBTS. Hentian Putra is the disembarkation point for buses from the east coast states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Car Rental
Car rental services are available both at the airport and at KL Sentral. The Kuala Lumpur – Seremban Highway is the main route into the city. The drive takes about one hour or less, depending on traffic conditions.
GETTING AROUND
Getting around the city is convenient and affordable. KL Sentral, the city’s modern transportation hub, provides a comprehensive network of train, bus and taxi services.
Main Terminals and Stations
KL Sentral Station
Tel: 03-2267 8000
Website: www.klsentral.com.my
This is the city’s main transportation hub. Services include city trains, interstate trains and airport trains. The KL City Air Terminal (KL CAT) here offers departing travellers the convenience of flight and baggage check-in facilities for Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Royal Brunei Airlines, Emirates Airline and Ethihad Airways. Baggage check-ins must be done at least two hours before flight departures.
Bandar Tasik Selatan Intergrated South Terminal
Terminal Bersepadu Selatan Bandar Tasik Selatan or TBSBTS is the new gateway for buses which head south of Kuala Lumpur. This terminal is integrated with other modes of transport such as trains (KLIA Transit, KTM Komuter and RapidKL LRT) as well as taxis.
Trains
An extensive rail transport system links the major parts of the city. The services available are Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), KL Monorail and KTM Komuter. These services are regular and hassle-free. Feeder bus services are available from train stations to designated surrounding areas. Weekly and monthly passes are available for frequent travellers.
Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Tel: 03-7885 2585
Website: www.myrapid.com.my
Kelana Jaya Line
The 29km-long Kelana Jaya Line is the world’s second longest fully-automated driverless metro system. It is also the longest self-powered metro in Asia. It stretches from Gombak to Putra Heights.
Ampang Line
The network covers 27km. It has two routes, known as the Ampang and Seri Petaling routes. Interchange between Kelana Jaya Line and Ampang Line is at the Masjid Jamek station.
MRT
Tel: 1 800-82-6868
Website: www.mymrt.com.my
The newly-launched Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line is the first MRT line in Malaysia. The 51 km line begins from Sungai Buloh, located to the north-west of Kuala Lumpur, and runs through Kuala Lumpur city centre before ending in Kajang, a township in Selangor. Each train serving the line will have four cars, allowing a total capacity of 1,200 passengers. Trains will run at a frequency of 3.5 minutes. The MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line has 31 stations of which seven are situated underground. The remaining 24 are elevated stations. The line runs underground for a distance of 9.5km. MRT provides easy access to many fascinating tourist attractions. Among them are 18 places of worship, numerous shopping malls, educational institutions and healthcare centres. Some of these attractions are located near the station while others can be easily linked by feeder buses.
KL Monorail
Tel: 03-7885 2585
Website: www.myrapid.com.my
KL Monorail runs 8.6km with two parallel elevated tracks and serves 11 stations. It connects KL Sentral with major hotels and shopping malls in the city. The starting point of KL Monorail is situated about 100 metres away from the KL Sentral Station.
KTM Komuter
Tel: 03-2267 1200
Website:
KTM Komuter consists of two lines, Sentul – Port Klang and Rawang – Seremban. Services are available from 5.48am to midnight daily. It connects the suburban townships of Tanjung Malim, Batu Caves, Port Klang and Gemas.
Taxis
In Kuala Lumpur, taxi fares are based on a metered rate and are available 24 hours a day. The flag-off rate is RM3.00.
For further information on KL’s public transport, visit the RapidKL website at www.myrapid.com.my
Showcase KL (Transit Tours)
Website: www.showcasekl.com /
www.visitkl.gov.my / www.imi.gov.my
Specially tailored for transit passengers , this tour gives a glimpse of the city’s best attractions. This package includes a return ticket on the KLIA Ekspres (airport to city transfer) and a tour of on the KL Hop On Hop Off coach. The transit visa is given to foreign citizens with valid travel documents, who are in transit at KLIA. A single entry visa will be provided. Visitors are advised to bear in mind that they must be at the airport one hour before their flight. For further details, please contact the Showcase KL Counter staff or visit the website of the Malaysian Immigration Department.
KL Hop On Hop Off Coach Tours
Tel: 1 800 88 5546 (Hotline) / 011 230 5350 / 03 9282 2713
Website: www.myhoponhopoff.com
Tickets:
Malaysians:
Adults: RM45 (Valid for 24 hours)
Children: RM24
Non-Malaysians:
Adults: RM79 (Valid for 48 hours)
Children: RM43
Malaysia’s only semi-glass roofed coach takes visitors to over 40 places of interest in the city. Visitors can enjoy the sights at their own leisure – either stay on-board for the full circuit, or hop on and off at any of the 23 designated stops. The tours come equipped with on-board commentary in nine languages. Tours are available from 8.30am to 8.30pm daily. Tickets can be purchased on the bus, at authorised agents or via the Internet.
MALAYSIA AT A GLANCE
COUNTRY The federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia, which is made up of 11 states, three Federal Territories as well as the states of Sabah and Sarawak situated in Borneo.
CAPITAL CITY Kuala Lumpur
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Lying 2° to 7° north of the Equator, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. The Peninsular shares a common border with Thailand in the north, while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak share a common border with Indonesia while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei Darussalam.
AREA 329,758 sq km
POPULATION 32.4 million
PEOPLE Malays make up about 57% of the population, with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.
LANGUAGE Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. Malaysians also speak various languages and dialects.
RELIGION Islam is the official religion but all other religions are practised freely.
GOVERNMENT Malaysia practices parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister. The country has a bicameral legislative system.
CLIMATE Malaysia has a tropical climate and the weather is warm all year round. Temperatures range from 210C to 320C and the annual rainfall varies from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm.
ECONOMIC PROFILE Manufacturing constitutes the largest component of Malaysia’s economy while tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are major contributors to its economy.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Visitors must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Citizens of most countries do not require visas for social or business visits. For further information, please visit or call the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission or Tourism Malaysia office.
CURRENCY The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit, which is denoted as RM. Foreign currencies can be converted at banks and money changers.
WORKING DAYS Most states observe Monday to Friday as working days while Saturday and Sunday are rest days. In the states of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, working days are from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are observed as rest days. This applies to government offices and many private establishments.
BANKING HOURS In most states, banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9.15 am to 4.30 pm. In Kelantan and Terengganu, banks are closed on Friday and Saturday. Check the websites of the relevant banks for details on operating hours and rest days. Online banking services are available.
POST OFFICES Post offices are open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm daily except on Sunday and public holidays. They are open for half–a-day on Saturday (until 1.00 pm). Post offices that are located in shopping malls have extended operating hours. In the states of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, post offices are closed on Friday and Saturday.
TIME The standard Malaysian time is eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of the U.S. Pacific Standard Time.
ELECTRICITY The voltage used throughout Malaysia is 220 – 240 volts AC, at 50 cycles per second. Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets are used.
MEASUREMENT SYSTEM Malaysia uses the metric system.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS Malaysia is linked nationally and internationally by telephone, facsimile and via the Internet. Most hotels provide International Direct Dial (IDD) telephone services and Wi-fi Internet connection.
GETTING TO MALAYSIA The main gateway to Malaysia is through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang. It is located about 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur. Over 40 international airlines fly into the country while the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, has a global network that spans six continents. The airline is a full-fledged member of oneworld, one of the world’s top three airline alliances. The national carrier is complemented by Firefly, AirAsia and Malindo Air. The new KLIA 2, situated about 1.5 km away from the main terminal of KLIA, is the world’s largest purpose-built terminal dedicated to low-cost carriers. Airlines that operate from KLIA2 include AirAsia and AirAsia X. Other major international airports that serve as entry points are situated in Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and the island of Langkawi. The main entry point to Malaysia by sea is Port Klang, about 50 km away from Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is also accessible by rail and road from Singapore and Thailand.
GETTING AROUND Malaysia has excellent domestic air links serviced by Malaysia Airlines as well as carriers such as AirAsia and Firefly. The country has a well-developed and efficient public transportation system served by buses, taxis as well as trains.
ACCOMMODATION Malaysia has a wide range of accommodation with competitive rates. International star-rated hotels, boutique hotels, beach resorts, chalets, youth hostels and timeshare apartments are among the types of accommodation available.
SAYING IT IN MALAY
Bahasa Malaysia or Malay is the official language and many words are phonetically similar to English.
The letter ‘c’ is pronounced ‘ch’.
| English | Malay |
|---|---|
|
Good Morning |
Selamat Pagi |
|
Good Afternoon |
Selamat Tengahari |
|
Good Evening |
Selamat Petang |
|
Good Night |
Selamat Malam |
|
Thank You |
Terima Kasih |
|
Welcome |
Selamat Datang |
|
Goodbye |
Selamat Jalan / Selamat Tinggal |
|
See You Again |
Jumpa Lagi |
|
How Are You |
Apa Khabar |
|
I’m Fine |
Khabar Baik |
|
Excuse Me |
Maafkan Saya |
|
I’m Sorry |
Minta Maaf |
|
What Is The Price? |
Berapa Harga? |
|
Where? |
Di mana? |
|
How? |
Bagaimana? |
| English | Malay |
|---|---|
|
Here |
Di sini |
|
There |
Di sana |
|
Eat |
Makan |
|
Drink |
Minum |
|
Hungry |
Lapar |
|
Entrance |
Masuk |
|
Exit |
Keluar |
|
Caution |
Awas |
|
Help |
Tolong |
|
Telephone |
Telefon |
|
Restroom |
Bilik Air / Tandas |
|
Bus |
Bas |
|
Taxi |
Teksi |
|
Train |
Keretapi / Tren |
|
Flight |
Kapal Terbang |
USEFUL CONTACTS
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