Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Kuala Lumpur (KUL): 50 km from the city.
• Penang (PEN): 16 km from Georgetown.
• Kota Kinabalu (BKI): 6.5 km from the city.
• Kuching (KCH): 11 km from the city.
• Full list of airports in Malaysia with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

There are a number of major airports, such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Bayan Lepas International Airport in Penang, Kuching International Airport and Langkawi International Airport that provide domestic connections across Malaysia. There are also airports in smaller towns as well as small domestic airstrips in rural Sabah and Sarawak. There are daily flight services between West and East Malaysia, which is the only option for passengers travelling between the two parts of the country. Overseas visitors may purchase a Discover Malaysia Pass from Malaysia Airline, which offers pass holders up to five flights to any Malaysian destination.

Regular boat services connect Lumut to Pangkor Island and Tunjung Gemak or Mersing to Tioman Island. Coastal ferries sail between Penang and Butterworth and there is a scheduled passenger service linking Port Kelang with Kuantan, Sabah and Sarawak. Ferries also run between Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, Penang, Satun and Langkawi. In East Malaysia, small rivercraft often provide the most practical means of travel, even in the towns. Boats are usually the only way to reach the more isolated settlements. In Sabah, long boats connect Labuan to Menumbak. In rural Sarawak, the major means of transport are air-conditioned express boats. Boats may easily be chartered and river buses and taxis are plentiful.

Train services in West Malaysia are operated by the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railways), which has extensive railroads that connect all major cities and towns on the peninsular, including Singapore. There is also a passenger service to two of Malaysia's seaports - Penang and Padang Besar on the west coast. There is a short railway in Sabah operated by North Borneo Railway that runs on a scenic line along the coast from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) to the town of Papar. There are no rail services in Sarawak.

Malaysia has extensive roads that connect all major cities and towns on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The major expressway, the North-South Expressway spans from the northern and the southern tips of Peninsular Malaysia at Bukit Kayu Hitam and Johor Baru respectively. It is a part of the Asian Highway Network, which also connects into Thailand and Singapore. Roads in the East Malaysia and the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia are still relatively undeveloped. Those are highly curved roads passing through mountainous regions and many are still unpaved. Car hire is available through international and domestic agencies. Speed limits (unless otherwise posted) are 60 kph (38 mph) in urban areas, 90 kph (55 mph) on main roads and 110 kph (68 mph) on expressways.

Local coach networks are extensive, with regular services in and between all principal cities.

Public transport services in Kuala Lumpur are provided by pedi-cabs (trishaws), taxis, Bas Mini fixed-route minibuses and conventional buses. There are also two Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, which provide links to the eastern and western suburbs of KL and offer a quick way to get around the city. The KL Monorail serves destinations from Titiwangsa in the north to a stop near Kuala Lumpur's Sentral Station and destinations in the Golden Triangle. In Malacca, public transport is provided by buses, taxis and trishaws, whilst in Penang, visitors may use city buses, trishaws, taxis and the Georgetown shuttle bus.