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Malaysia
Capital:
Kuala Lumper
|
Air Travel | Weather
| Money | Tipping
| Business Hours |
| Visa | Customs | Electricity
| Water | Medical
Service | Transportation |
For National holidays, festivals, and trade shows check Calendar.
 
Air
Travel
Malaysia's new international airport is located at Sepang, 31miles
(50km) South of Kuala Lumper. There's a departure tax of M$40 on
all international flights. Malaysia Airline flies to Vnacouver,
Los Angeles, Sydney, etc. Domestic flights include the Malaysia
Airline and Pelangi Air.
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Weather
Malaysia enjoys a tropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout
the year. Temperatures typically range from 70 to 90�F (22 to 33�C)
and cooler in the highlands. With the occurrence of the annual southwest
(April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons,
the average rate of annual rainfall is high: 100 inches (250cm).
Much of the rainfall is concentrated in the late afternoons. Humidity
is high throughout the year.
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Money
The Malaysian unit of currency is the Ringgit (M$), which is
divided into 100 sen. Currency comes in notes of M$1, M$5, M$10,
M$20, M$50, M$100, M$500 and M$1,000. Coins are issued in 1 sen,
5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and M$1 denominations. US$1 = M$3.90.
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Tipping
Tipping is usually not necessary, unless service is excellent.
Most hotels and large restaurants automatically add a 10% service
charge in addition to the 5% government tax to the bill (indicated
by a ++ sign on menus and rate cards).
Restaurants:
10% service charge added automatically. Additional tipping
is unnecessary, unless service is excellent.
Porters:
Tip porters about M$1 per bag. Any tip less than 50 sen would
be considered insulting.
Hotel maids:
Service charge added automatically. Additional tipping is unnecessary,
unless to acknowledge excellent service.
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Business
Hours
Shop Hours: Department stores and supermarkets are usually open
from 10am to 10pm and shops from 9:30am to 7pm. In Kuala Lumpur,
as well as in most major towns, there are several 24-hour stores.
Bank Hours are Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm, and Saturday
9:30am to 11:30am.
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Passports
and Visas
Visitors must be in possession of a current passport or other
internationally recognized travel document. They must be endorsed
for traveling to Malaysia and have a period of validity of at least
six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia. No visas
are required for citizens of British Commonwealth countries (except
India), British Protected persons, and citizens of the Republic
of Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland
and the United States (for social, business or academic purposes
only). No visas are required for stays not exceeding three months
for citizens of: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy,
Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Tunisia, U.S.A.
, France and Germany (except for local employment).
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Customs
Regulations
Duty-Free Items: Items such as cameras, watches, pens, portable
radio-cassette players, perfume, cosmetics and lighters are duty-free
in Malaysia. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay
a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure - usually
50% of the value (carry receipt of purchase and obtain an official
receipt for any tax or deposit paid).
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Electricity
Electricity is 220-240volts, 50Hz.
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Water
It is generally safe to drink water straight from the tap. Bottled
mineral water, however, is easily available in shops and supermarkets.
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Medical
Service
In the event you need medical care, there are private clinics
in most towns. It is a good idea to take out a medical insurance
before you travel as Malaysia does not have reciprocal health service
agreements with other nations. For over-the-counter prescriptions,
there are pharmacies and 'Chinese medical halls'.
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Transportation
Taxis
Most taxis are fitted with meters, but these are used only in
major towns such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Ipoh. A 20-30%
air-conditioning charge is added to the fare and is not optional.
Malaysians usually tip drivers with their coin change. To acknowledge
excellent service, 10% is greatly appreciated but not expected.
When traveling early in the morning or late at night, drivers prefer
to fix a price for the destination. Negotiating is advisable.
Rental Cars
It is advisable to obtain an international driver's license
in addition to a valid permit from home. Laws regarding seat belts
are stringent. They are required for drivers and front seat passengers.
Driving is on the left side of the road.
Trains
Malayan Railways (KTM) offers an inexpensive yet comfortable
service on the peninsula. Foreign tourists may purchase at main
railway stations a KTM Railpass, which grants unlimited travel for
ten days or thirty days
Buses
Bus services are both extensive and inexpensive, but frequently
are not air-conditioned. Local buses are often slow, noisy and full.
Ferries
Feri Malaysia offers cruises on the ship "Muhibah"
from Port Klang and Kuantan to the eastern states. The Muhibah is
equipped with air-conditioned cabins and suites, restaurants, a
cinema, a disco, a gym and a swimming pool. Feri Malaysia also offers
a regular ferry service to various outlying islands.
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China | Hong
Kong | Japan | Indonesia
| Korea | Malaysia
| Singapore | Taiwan
| Thailand |
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