MalaysiaHow to get there

(last updated April 2010)

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country in tropical Southeast Asia north of the equator, whose culture is dominated by the majority of muslim malays. There are 2 territories separated by the South China Sea:
- Peninsular western Malaysia with the capital Kuala Lumpur sharing borders with Thailand and Singapore.
- the island of Borneo with regional capital Kota Kinabalu, North-eastern region of Sabah and Northwestern region of Sarawak, sharing borders with Indonesia (Kalimantan) and Brunei.

Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) is the only accepted currency in Malaysia, and most resorts and larger restaurants accept international credit cards.

Many international airlines fly nonstop into Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, Jakarta or Bali are other convenient gateways to Malaysia.
The national carrier, Malaysian Airlines, connects Kuala Lumpur with the main airports in Borneo - Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan and Kuching.
Other major airlines offering frequent flights to Kuala Lumpur and Borneo are Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines/Silk Air, Thai Airways, Lufthansa and British Airways.
Among the low budget carriers whose tickets can only be instantly purchased online, Air Asia offers the most frequent and covenient schedules to Borneo from the mainland as well as many neighbouring Indonesian islands.

We offer competitive airfares with Malaysian Airlines and Singapore Airlines as well Emirates, Cathay Pacific and many other international carriers. Those airfares can be reserved for you and ticketed at a later point in time. Seat allocations and notification of necessary schedule or itinerary changes are all part of our service.

We offer research and ticketing of all published airfares, to find the least expensive and/or most convenient flight plan from any international gateway world-wide.
Air taxes are subject to strong fluctuations and can change daily or until your flight ticket has been purchased. Taxes generally include local airport/security fees, departure taxes, ground handling fees and fuel surcharges.

Many of the lowest available published airfares are instant purchase only, often online through booking engines of the airlines' own websites.
In general, airfares available for purchase online depend on day of departure and time of travel. Those instant purchase airfares require full payment at time of booking. For flights booked online, we won?t be able to provide any services for seat reservations, schedule or itinerary changes.

Please note that baggage rules and regulations are subject to change at any time.

Malaysian Airlines: 20kg (44lbs) free baggage allowance + 10kg (22lbs) dive equipment allowance.
Singapore Airlines: 20kg (44lbs) free baggage allowance. Additional scuba diving equipment will be charged at a flat fee: First 15kg are charged at flat fee of 6kg (USD 8/kg) and the next 5 kg are charged at standard excess rates (USD 8/kg) should your dive bag weigh 20kg total.
Air Asia: 15-20kg (33-44lbs) free baggage allowance only depending the destination. Additional weight may be purchased online at the time of ticketing.

Please note that baggage allowance on any domestic flights ticketed separately may be limited to 15kg (33bs) per person only, and any additional weight will be subject to surcharges per kilo.

Fragile items such as camera, regulator, dive computer etc., should be packed in a small bag and taken as carry-on luggage. Batteries from dive torches, strobes, cameras and other devices should be removed prior to check-in. Be sure your baggage is properly tagged.

Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur International airport is located about 50km away from the city centre. Airport hotels and retails spaces are a short walk away from the terminals. There are 3 terminals:
The Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal are linked by 'airotrain' and switching terminals for connecting flights is relatively fast and convenient.
Please note that there is a special LCCT Terminal for all low cost carriers like Air Asia. The LCCT Terminal is about 20km away from the main airport buildings on open roads. Please allow for a minimum of 4 hour connection time between regular and low cost airlines.
Passengers booked on the following international airlines can take advantage of city check in at a special airport check in counter located at KL Sentral: Malaysian Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Royal Brunei Airlines. More airlines are expected of offer city check in soon.

Singapore Changi Airport
In our opinion, Singapore Changi has some of the best passenger facilities in South East Asia. Transit passengers may pass their connecting time checking into the Ambassador Transit Hotel where comfortable rooms may be booked overnight or by the hour. Please note that you cannot collect your luggge prior to checking in, since you will leave the transit area to pass customs only after your stay on your way to the next gate; your checked luggage will remain in special holding area during your stay. Other transit area facilities include cinemas and an open air swimming pool next door to the Ambassador Transit hotel entrance.

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from proposed date of departure, and a valid onward air ticket or travel document is an entry requirement. Tourist entry visas are valid for up to 30 days are issued on arrival at the first Malaysian airport.

No visas are required for citizens of Commonwealth countries (except Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British Protected Persons or citizens of the Republic of Ireland and citizens of Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein.

Three Months Visa-Free Visit
Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Spain, South Korea, Republic of Bosnia, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United States of America, United Arab Emirates and Yemen are eligible for three months visa free visit.

One Month Visa-Free Visit
Applicable to citizens of ASEAN countries.

14-Days Visa-Free Visit
Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Syria are eligible for 14-days visa free visit.

7-Days Visa-Free Visit
Applicable to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Important: Should you be the passport-holder of a country which is not mentioned above, or if you intend to enter Malaysia other than by international flight, please contact your nearest Malaysian Embassy before departure. As regulations may change from time to time, it is advisable to check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy before your departure.

Malaysia is a malaria zone. Anti malarial precautions are highly recommended, particularly for anyone planning to hike in low lying rainforest areas.

The following information is supplied by the foreign affairs section of the relevant country or the tourism authority of the destination. Please check the links for up to date information on visa and safety requirements, embassy and consular contacts, general information:

Australian travel advisory for Malaysia

UK travel advisory for Malaysia

US travel advisory for Malaysia