From the airport to the city centre Malaysia

Flying is a very practical and inexpensive way to get around the country. Many cities and tourist destinations are served by an airport, with international connections for the most important ones. There are no direct flights from Paris to Malaysia. So you'll need to make at least one stopover, depending on the airline you choose. You can therefore choose to arrive in Penang from Europe (with a stopover in the Middle East), fly down the peninsula and return to Europe from Singapore. This avoids having to plan a tour with Kuala Lumpur as the gateway. What's more, your luggage will follow you all the way to your international airport of arrival, even if you have a stopover in Malaysia. In other words, if your final destination is Kota Kinabalu and you pass through Kuala Lumpur, you'll pick up your checked baggage at KK. So you don't have to go through immigration in Kuala Lumpur, collect your baggage and check in again. This only applies if you have purchased a one-way ticket. If you have split your trip up into several segments, you will have to deal with immigration and customs formalities at the point of entry into the country.

Cabs are often the easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel. In Kuala Lumpur, the airport is located 60 km from the city center, so it's best to take the KLIA Ekspres (RM55), which is faster and cheaper than a cab and, above all, avoids traffic jams. It drops you off at KL Sentral, the capital's bus station, right in the city center.

Arrival by train Malaysia

It's a pleasant way to get around Malaysia, especially over long distances. The rail system on the Malaysian peninsula has two main lines. The first serves the west of the peninsula, the second the center. Both run from Singapore to Thailand. On the west coast, the main cities served are : Singapore, Pulau Sebang, Tampin (Melaka), Seremban, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Taiping, Butterworth (Georgetown), Alor Setar, Padang Besar (Thai border), Haat Yiai (Thailand). The Central line serves: Singapore, Johor Baru, Jerantut, Tembeling, Kuala Lipis, Wakaf Baru (Kota Bharu), Rantau Pajang (Thai border), Haat Yiai (Thailand). From Haat Yiai, it's possible to reach Bangkok by train.
The legendary Eastern & Oriental Express travels the Western Line from Singapore to Bangkok, calling at Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia. The journey lasts 41 hours and takes you aboard luxury compartments. The price is commensurate, as you should expect to pay at least €2,500 (www.orient-express.com). The average traveler will be happy to use the services of KTMB, the Malaysian railroad company (www.ktmb.com.my), which offers reduced fares for foreign tourists. Malaysian trains have 3 classes. It's best to book in advance.

Arrival by boat Malaysia

You'll need to take a boat if you're visiting a Malaysian island. Most are connected to the mainland by public ferry. Very cheap, it's also very slow. When the island is far from the shore, you'll probably opt for a speedboat transfer, operated by a private company. Fares are much higher, but the time saved is considerable.

Public transport Malaysia

It's the most popular means of transport across the country. It offers visitors a triple advantage: a dense, high-performance network; an economical way of getting around; and an opportunity to meet Malaysians. On the other hand, journey times can be fairly long, and bus stations are not always located in city centers. You can also expect delays. The bus system differs slightly between long-distance and local buses.

Long-distance buses. These provide connections between all Malaysian cities with few stops. Air-conditioning is often pushed to the limit. So it's a good idea to bundle up warmly, especially if you're taking a night bus. There are two categories: Pullman buses with two rows of 2 seats and VIP buses in 2+1 mode. VIP buses offer greater comfort, with reclining seats and footrests, a USB socket and wifi. You'll need to book your ticket in advance. The easiest way to do this is to go to the bus station or use the online booking service www.redbus.my. or https://www.busonlineticket.com/. In very large cities, there may be several stations or departure points. Check with your hotel to avoid having to cross the city unnecessarily. Be there 30 minutes before departure. In some bus stations, you'll need to go to a ticket office, or obtain a printed ticket with a QR code that will allow you to pass through the turnstiles and board the bus.

Local buses. These are rarely air-conditioned and cover shorter distances with frequent stops. You'll meet people on their way to work or to the market, schoolchildren on their way home... Buses are often crowded, and not always practical if you're carrying a load. Tickets can be bought on board and cost RM1 per 10 km.

City buses. These are not practical to use if you don't really know the city, and frequency of service varies enormously from city to city. Better to take a cab or VTC, which are only slightly more expensive, especially if you're traveling with several people.

Bike, scooters & co Malaysia

Traffic can be heavy in urban areas, and roads are not always suitable for cyclists. What's more, the weather can be unpredictable, with sudden downpours. In big cities like Kuala Lumpur, cycling infrastructure is slowly improving, but the capital's size makes it difficult to navigate. Some cities, such as Georgetown, offer a bike-sharing system with points all over the city. For sportier cycling, the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands and the island of Langkawi, which attract international participants for their annual tour, are great destinations.

With a driver Malaysia

You'll find cabs in every town, easily recognizable by their red and black colors. The fare is negotiable. You'll need to agree a price with the driver before you set off. You should expect to pay around RM2 per km. In Kuala Lumpur, "blue cabs" are equipped with a meter that scrolls by the time spent. The charge is RM6 for the first 3 minutes, then RM1 every 36 seconds. A surcharge of 50% is applied between midnight and 6 a.m., and RM20 per passenger beyond 2. You can also download the Grab app on your phone. It's the local equivalent of Uber, and very convenient to use. A cab from Kuala Lumpur airport to the city center will cost around RM75.

By car Malaysia

As a former British colony, people drive on the left in Malaysia. But the right-of-way rule still applies.

Roads. Malaysia's road network is fairly dense and, above all, very well maintained. The peninsula boasts numerous highways, making it easy to get around. Construction of the Pan-Borneo Highway between Kuching and the southern state of Sabah is scheduled for completion in 2024, with most sections now open. Freeways are subject to a toll system.

Speed limits. The speed limit is 110 km/h on freeways, 90 km/h on highways and 60 km/h in town.

City traffic. City traffic is a little more problematic and a lot more stressful, especially in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Getting around during rush hour can quickly turn into a nightmare. Parking is often not free. You pay your parking meter with an app downloaded onto your cell phone, which means you have to take a local SIM card if you don't want to pay exorbitant roaming charges. Numerous public and private parking lots are also available, set up in vacant lots or buildings. Rates vary from city to city.

Car rental. You should expect to pay around RM150 per day for a basic model (weekly rates are more attractive). The rental agency will require an international driver's license, which you will need to obtain from your local town hall before leaving. You must be at least 25 years old and have held your license for more than two years.

Petrol is really cheap. It costs RM2.05 per liter for SP95, RM3.47 for SP97 and RM3.35 for diesel. With such competitive rates, getting around by car is an economical alternative, especially if there are several of you.