Malaysia travel

Malaysia has an equatorial season characterized by heat, humidity, rain, and two monsoon seasons on opposite sides of the country year-round.

• East Coast: The wet season is between November and February, with sunny, dry weather from April to October.
• West Coast: The wet season is from April to October with sunny and dry weather from November to February.

That being said, there is always somewhere to go and experience perfect weather in Malaysia at any time of the year. Chinese New Year is celebrated in January or February depending on the lunar calendar, while the cultural Georgetown festival held in Penang every August is the perfect chance to sample the best of international and local films, art, theatre, and dance.

Malaysia has a host of accommodation at a range of prices. Budget rooms go for as little as $14 per night while mid-range 3 and 4 star properties can cost anywhere from $32 – $80. Luxury hotels will cost upwards from $200 per night depending on the location. We often send clients to Villa Samadhi, Gaya Island Resort, Shangri-la’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Langkawi, the Ritz-Carlton, and Mandarin Oriental.

Due to Malaysia’s diverse ethnic make-up, cuisine around the country reflects traditional Malay, Indian and Chinese styles. Versions of Singaporean and Indonesian cuisine can also be found in Malaysia due to their common shared history and proximity to one another. Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Satay, and Nasi Goreng are all commonly made and enjoyed in Malaysia, as well as chicken curries, beef redang, and oyster omelets. Expect to pay $2 – $7 per dish if on a budget and $50 for a 3-course set menu in fancier establishments.

Free Wi-fi can be found in most cafes, restaurants, guesthouses and hotels. A SIM card from Telekom Malaysia, Celcom, DiGI, or Maxis usually includes a data package from between $0.50 – $12 depending on size and duration. Dial 999/112 for police, ambulance, or fire and rescue while dialing 03 2149 6590 will get you the tourist police. Postal Services are reliable and reasonably priced in Malaysia – you can seek out these services in any major city.

Malaysia has diverse and well-developed transport networks. The national airline Malaysia Airlines as well as budget airlines like Air Asia and Malindo Air fly throughout the country for as little as $20 one-way. Long-distance buses cost between $8 – $10 per ride and depart regularly. The railway has two lines that create a y-shaped track starting in Singapore, passing through Kuala Lumpur and then splitting, one towards the east coast and one towards the west. The west coast line runs up towards Penang and then across the Thai border while the east coast “jungle line” crosses the many jungles of Malaysia to Kota Bharu before also crossing the Thai border. A train ticket from Kuala Lumpur costs around $20 one-way. Conversely, taking a private car with a driver to Penang will cost on average around $238 per day, often having a minimum two-day hire requirement and other restrictions. Keep in mind Malaysians drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Visa exemption

• Passport holders from 162 countries and territories do not require a visa to visit Malaysia for 14 to 90 days, including all citizens of the European Union, USA, Canada, and Australia.
• This single entry visa is normally valid for a single entry with a validity of three months from the date of issue.
• The visa fee in Malaysia varies according to nationality.

E-visa

• Citizens of China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Serbia and Montenegro can apply for an e-visa online.