Malaysia is one of the most diverse countries with a population comprising various ethnicities whose influences can famously be found in its rich cuisine. Look around and you can still see traces of its colonial past in stately old buildings like the unfinished Kellie’s Castle and City Hall. Although one often gets the sense that Malaysia’s all about bustling cities and shopping districts, it has an incredibly rich natural landscape. Malaysia is an easy place to travel to even for first-timers. But, like any country, it pays to know a few things before jetting off. Check out these Malaysia travel tips that will make your vacation one to remember.
7 Malaysia Travel Tips For First Time Visitors
Malaysia is undoubtedly one of the best places to holiday, but to make sure that your experience stays impeccable too, it’s utmost important to plan and pack wisely. Take a look at these top tips that’ll help you make the most of your holiday.
1. About What To Pack And What To Wear
Malaysia is located near the equator and enjoys a tropical climate. It’s hot and humid for most of the year although the highlands are cooler. Nevertheless, you won’t have to wear woolens. Our Malaysia travel tips for clothing include selecting lightweight clothes like cottons and items with a loose-fit. Go for light colors as well and avoid black at all costs! You want to reflect heat and not absorb it.
Malaysia is a modern country but it’s still conservative especially in certain areas. Exposing too much bare skin is frowned upon and will incur disapproving looks. If you’re planning to visit a place of worship, you will be required to cover your hair or wear conventional clothing. As such, take along a couple of scarves, lightweight pants and long skirts to wear to these places.
Suggested Read: Bali vs Malaysia: Choose Your Kind Of Honeymoon Destination!
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2. About Transport In Malaysia
Cities in Malaysia are well-connected and getting around is easy. Taxis, buses and trains can be used to get from one place to another. If you’re in Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral Station is your main point of departure as it links the city to many other provinces.
Major cities offer inexpensive public transportation like buses. They’re also a convenient way to travel. Taxis, meanwhile, are the most practical way to move between short distances. However, they are unmetered and you’ll need to settle on a fare beforehand. If you need to travel a ways, you can opt for a long-distance taxi or an intercity bus. For many travelers, taxis are the best choice for short distances and public transport for long hauls.
Suggested Read: 19 Best Places To Visit In Kuala Lumpur In 2022: The City Of Lights
3. About Food
Next on our Malaysia travel guide is food. Like many Southeast Asian countries, street food is hugely popular because it’s cheap and delicious. You can find it almost anywhere but the best is in the capital of Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Rojak (fruit and vegetable salad), apom balik (stuffed pancake) and koay chiap (duck and noodle soup) are a few examples of popular street foods to try. There are many more with each seemingly better than the next! Depending on what you eat and where, street food usually doesn’t cost more than INR 200.
Suggested Read: 14 Top Festivals In Malaysia In 2022 To Witness Its Vibrant Culture & Rich Traditions
4. About Best Places To Visit In Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is the first place that comes to mind when you plan to visit Malaysia. However, there are other destinations that are just as fascinating. Check out our Malaysia short trip suggestions and those for longer vacations.
Rawa Island: Ideal for a leisurely holiday, Rawa Island is a beautiful coral island in Johor. It’s known for its abundance of white doves called rawa, which gave the island its name. Snorkeling is one of the main things to do here and you can spend days exploring the marine life.
Penang: The state of Penang is rich with tourist hotspots such as the capital of George Town and its quaint old town center. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is dotted with old structures including religious establishments and colonial buildings. As you move away from the city, you’ll find idyllic beaches and fishing villages bustling with action. Penang Hill and Penang National Park offers terrific hiking opportunities and if you’re a lover of the outdoors, you’ll enjoy the scenery and exploring the wildlife.
Langkawi: Around 100 islands make up the archipelago of Langkawi. The main island boasts green hills and a spectacular shoreline that beckons travelers to explore it. Diving is huge here and is the best way to acquaint yourself with the marine attractions.
While here, you can rent a pocket WiFi device to stay in touch with loved ones and, of course, connect online to share enviable photos! Langkawi has no public transport system so getting around means you’ll have to walk, hire a taxi or best, rent a two-wheeler.
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s capital is a place that’s buzzing with energy. The modern metropolis is the ultimate shopping and nightlife spot in the country. It’s also home to the Petronas Towers, twin skyscrapers that at one time were the tallest buildings on earth. Tourist centers like the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery give you a look at the capital’s history through dioramas and guided tours. Kuala Lumpur also boasts the Batu Caves, which is a limestone cavern housing shrines.
Johor Bahru: Johor’s capital, Johor Bahru, is a vibrant city with a mix of old temples, mosques and theme parks. It’s also home to the country’s first international theme park, Legoland. It isn’t just kids who will enjoy it; adults will have a terrific time too!
For the first-time visitor, Legoland Malaysia travel tips include booking a taxi in advance back to your hotel. It will help you avoid paying an exorbitant fare to get a ride home from taxis waiting outside the park. Like most theme parks, food is expensive so consider eating beforehand!
Suggested Read: Best Hotels In Malaysia: For Those Who Love Living Life To The Fullest
5. About Best Things To Do In Malaysia
The first activity on our Malaysia guide is to take in the sights such as Legoland, George Town and the beaches. Once you’ve checked them off, you can move to other places.
One of our travel tips for Malaysia Kuala Lumpur is to explore Jalan Alor where food seems to be everywhere you look. Go in the evening when the street comes alive with vendors hawking delicious Malaysian fare. If you’re in Langkawi, go island-hopping to discover what the archipelago has to offer. Half-day and full-day tours can be booked along with activities like snorkeling and diving. Don’t miss a visit to Malacca where you can explore the architecture and admire the red lacquer buildings.
Suggested Read: 10 Best Places For Shopping In Malaysia: Street Stores To Lavish Showrooms
6. About their local language
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Before visiting Malaysia, learn a few phrases in their local language that will help you get around places. It is possible that they may not speak English or your mother tongue. Phrases like ‘how much’, what time is it, etc can help you a great deal in some situations. The locals will not appreciate your effort but love you more for speaking in their language and shower you with more love and warm hospitality.
7. About local events & Festivals
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If you want to make the best of your trip in Malaysia and have unique experiences, keep tabs on the local events and festivals happening during your visit. This is one of the best ways to travel like a local than a tourist. And trust us, you will have a time of your life at these occassions and will make your ttrip different from other people’s trip.
Further Read: 9 Vibrant Hindu Temples In Malaysia That Describe The Country’s Secular Spirit
We hope these 5 Malaysia travel tips would help you when you plan your vacation. But hey, there is one more thing we can do for you, and that is plan a personalized Malaysia trip for you. So simply choose one of our packages for a holiday in Malaysia and let TravelTriangle customize your trip for you.
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Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday In Malaysia
What are the top safety tips for traveling to Malaysia?
Some of the things that you must keep in mind for your safety while travelling to Malaysia are:
1. Be aware of your surroundings.
2. Keep your passport safely with you at all the times.
3. Read up about the local laws.
4. Make sure you’re not wandering alone till late at night
Are there any clothing tips for a Malaysia trip?
Since Malaysia is a tropical place, a few things that you must keep in mind while packing your clothes are ensuring that you pack more comfortable summer outfits which are mostly of cotton than anything else.
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To make people travel and see a way of life through it is what Pranav strives to achieve with his content. He firmly believes that the more places anybody visits, the better are the chances for them to truly evolve and become their best version. If he is able to make even one person get off the couch and go explore, then in the words of mighty Thor himself, he is “worthy”.
