Getting around in Malaysia: All available (public) transport options for easy and convenient travel. Plus there's always the affordable option of owning a car

Trains, Planes & Automobiles

Public transport in Malaysia is considered excellent, especially in and around the suburbs of the main cities. This means that if you live in KL, for instance, owning a car isn't really necessary. In fact, you'll be spared hours of bumper-to-bumper gridlock if you commute to work by train or bus.

That being said, if you've opted to live in a more rural area, then a car may well come in handy. Luckily, buying, driving and owning a car is cheap in Malaysia.

MM2H-holders are allowed to use an international driving licence for three months, after which you have to convert it to a local licence. You may also have to pass a written traffic exam. Meanwhile, whilst the quality of the roads varies, depending in which you live, Malaysia's highways and city streets rank among the best in Southeast Asia.

Public Transport

The national train service, KTMB, covers most of peninsular Malaysia with links to even Thailand Singapore. Additionally, Kuala Lumpur is served by a commuter network. Meanwhile, in East Malaysia, Sabah is the only state with a railway system.

Bus routes are plentiful throughout most of Malaysia and long-distance coaches are popular for intercity travel, albeit a little more pricey than a regular bus.

Want to go to Penang, Tioman or Redang? Frequent ferry services connect most of the Malaysian paradise islands to the mainland. And there are daily ferry shuttles to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Taxis

It's generally quite easy to find a taxi in the cities. Keep in mind, however, that a taxi ride can get pretty expensive, in part because of the slow progress due to the congestion. Outside the cities, Grab rules the roost. It's cheap, fast and convenient.

Flights

The most popular domestic airlines are MAS, Firefly as well as Air Asia. And with airline tickets this cheap and so many awesome destinations a mere stone's throw away, it really makes sense to explore Asia by plane when you can.

Owning a Car

If you intend to own a car, you'll be happy to hear that cars in Malaysia are rather affordable. The same is true for petrol, by the way, in part the result of pretty generous subsidies. In addition, most roads are well-maintained, so no issues there either. Keep an eye on monsoon season, though; this wet spell, that lasts from November to about January, can at times result in flooding along Malaysia's eastern seaboard. Typically, this is a good time to avoid that stretch.

It's probably also a good idea to avoid driving in Kuala Lumpur habitually, given that it tends to suffer from congested roads periodically. Driving defensively is also recommended, especially on Malaysia's secondary roads.

Lastly, let's always make sure that everyone, front and back, is all buckled up. It really is much, much safer.

Motorbikes & Bicycles

Whilst riding a motorbike is excellent fun in Malaysia, keep in mind that it's probably too hot to wear all-leather, for one. You also don't really want to get caught in a squall, for obvious reasons.

If you're considering cycling to work, it's feasible, but you'll likely need a quick shower once you've arrived. It's also good to remember that dedicated bicycle lanes in Malaysia are not that common. That said, if you're into off-road fun, dirt-biking, motorized or otherwise, is most definitely awesome in Malaysia, with plenty off-road spots to explore.

Do you have a few more questions about getting around in Malaysia, or perhaps about buying a car? Use the form below.