Travel to Malaysia
Flying to Malaysia
Malaysia is well-connected by air, with several major international airports offering convenient access to the country. The key airports are Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Penang International Airport (PEN), Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), and Kuching International Airport (KCH).
Malaysia Airlines is the country's flagship airline with extensive international and domestic routes. On the other hand, AirAsia is the country's leading low-cost carrier connecting Malaysia to destinations across Asia, the Middle East, and Australasia. Other airlines that fly to Malaysia include Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.
It is worth mentioning that the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route is one of the busiest air routes in the world, with frequent flights offered by both full-service and budget airlines.
Flight times:
From London (Heathrow) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport - 12 hours 30 minutes (non-stop).
From New York (JFK to Newark) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport – 19 to 21 hours (with one stop).
Departure tax:
Included in the airfare.
Airport guides
Airport Code: KUL. Location: Kuala Lumpur International Airport is situated 55km (34 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur. Money: There are bureaux de change and ATMs dotted throughout KLIA and klia2. CIMB Bank is located at the... Read more
Airport Code: PEN. Location: Penang International Airport is located in Bayan Lepas, one of Malaysia's oldest free industrial... Money: ATMs are on Level 1 (Arrivals), Level 2 (Departures, near the Information desk), and in the secure... Read more
Airport Code: BKI. Location: Kota Kinabalu International Airport is about 9km (6 miles) south of Gaya Street, a lively hub... Money: ATMs are on Level 1 (Arrivals). Foreign exchange counters are on Level 1 (Arrivals), and Level 3 (... Read more
Travel by rail
Travelling to Malaysia by rail offers a scenic and comfortable alternative for overland journeys, with key connections from Thailand and Singapore.
From Thailand, the State Railway of Thailand links to Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) rail network at the Padang Besar border crossing in Perlis. This crossing connects to Malaysia's northbound services, including the ETS (Electric Train Service), which runs from Padang Besar to major cities like Penang (Butterworth) and Kuala Lumpur.
From Singapore, the KTM Shuttle Tebrau connects the Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore to Johor Bahru in southern Malaysia. From there, travellers can access KTM's extensive rail network, including the Intercity and ETS services, which run to key destinations across Peninsular Malaysia.
Driving to Malaysia
Malaysia is well-connected to its neighbours through an extensive network of highways and border crossings, making it a convenient destination for overland travellers.
West Malaysia: The most common road routes link Malaysia with Thailand to the north and Singapore to the south. From Thailand, popular entry points include Bukit Kayu Hitam-Sadao, Padang Besar, and Rantau Panjang-Sungai Kolok, each providing seamless access to northern Malaysia. From Singapore, the Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Second Link (Tuas) are the primary crossings into Johor Bahru and southern Malaysia. Both are well-maintained and heavily used by private vehicles and long-distance buses.
East Malaysia: Travellers can enter either Sabah or Sarawak from neighbouring Brunei. Common routes include the Miri-Limbang-Brunei and Lawas-Temburong-Brunei connections. From Kalimantan (Indonesia), the Tebedu-Entikong crossing serves as the main gateway into Sarawak, while the Tawau-Nunukan route provides access to Sabah. The latter is a more remote option that requires advance planning. Border crossings from Indonesia into Sabah and Sarawak typically take longer than those from Brunei, owing to more complex immigration and customs procedures.
Getting to Malaysia by boat
From Thailand: Ferries operate between Satun (Thailand) and Langkawi Island (Kedah, Malaysia), offering a scenic route to this popular tropical destination.
From Indonesia: Regular ferry services connect Dumai (Sumatra) with Malaka (Malaysia), making it a convenient option for travellers crossing the Strait of Malacca.
From Brunei: Ferries link Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) with Limbang (Sarawak, Malaysia) and Labuan (Federal Territory, Malaysia), offering seamless access to East Malaysia.
From Singapore: Ferries run between Tanah Merah (Singapore) and Desaru (Johor, Malaysia), a quick and scenic route for those heading to Johor.
Cruise ships:
Popular Cruise Ports in Malaysia include:
Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur): Located about 50 km from Kuala Lumpur, Port Klang is Malaysia's primary cruise port, providing easy access to the nation's vibrant capital city.
Penang (Swettenham Pier): A favourite stop for its UNESCO-listed George Town, colonial charm, and famous street food.
Langkawi (Star Cruise Jetty): This port serves as the gateway to Langkawi's pristine beaches and duty-free shopping.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah): Situated in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, this port is the starting point for exploring Sabah's natural wonders.
Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2025 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.
You know where
