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Money Saving Tips for Traveling in Malaysia (By Lash)


Recently I’ve met several long-term travelers who are visiting Malaysia for the first time. Somewhat to my surprise, I quickly found myself giving lots of tips about choosing products, finding restaurants, and saving money on all sorts of things. Even though they are veteran travelers, they didn’t know many simple practical things about ‘living’ in Malaysia because they’ve never spent time here.

evening with travel bloggers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I suppose that many common daily-life practicalities about any destination you figure out only by spending a significant amount of time there. Perhaps by returning several times, working there, or having local friends who fill you in on daily life details. And apparently guidebooks skip many of those practicalities.

Since I’ve spent so much time in Malaysia over the years, I discovered that I can dish up lots of useful money-saving tips that you probably won’t find in guidebooks. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

Hot Link sign in Malaysia

1. cell phones / sim cards 

In all Asian countries, Australia, UK and Europe, you can easily and inexpensively buy a new sim card for your mobile phone, thus obtaining a local phone number. (Excluding use with US phones, which operate on a different phone system).

In Malaysia, several phone companies sell sim cards. I recommend ‘Maxis’ also know as ‘Hotlink’. They sell new sim cards for just 8.80 RM ( < $3 US) which includes 4 RM phone credit. Domestic text messages/sms cost 0.10 RM. So, with your new sim you can already send 40 domestic text msgs, without buying any more credit! International sms rates vary per country, but are also very cheap. You can sms to every country except the USA. (Thanks US) You can call to US phones, but not text.

 You can add more credit when you run out by buying ‘top up’ credit at 7-11s, many local convenience stores, phone shops, and Maxi/Hotlinks stores. Pre-paid (top up) cards come in increments of 10 RM / 30 RM /60 Rm / 100 RM.

 

Hotlink IDD 132 promoHotlink has a special international calling rate program, ‘IDD132. To use it, you have to add extra numbers in front of your calling number. Ask about it when you buy your sim and/or check Maxis website.

You’ll need your passport to buy the sim, since Maxis officially registers the phone number to your name.

Even if you’re traveling through Malaysia for just one or two weeks, it may already be worth buying a Malaysian sim to communicate with people. 

2. Internet

Internet shop in Penang, Malaysia

Generally, internet connections in Malaysia are fast, consistent and abundant every where. Plentiful local internet shops typically charge 3RM/ hour ($1 US). Many guest houses, hostels, and hotels also have internet centers. I generally find their rates higher. To save money, visit a nearby internet shop.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Tourism Office on Jl Ampang, just one block down from Petrronas Twin Towers, offers free internet sessions of 30 minutes. They also have unlimited free wifi.

Wifi

Most modern cafes, coffee shops, hotels, and some restaurants offer free wifi. Many budget guest houses also have wifi, either free or for a minimal charge. It’s really easy to use your own computer in Malaysia, and throughout SEASia, in fact.

3. Buses / trains
…between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore
Malaysian trains and buses are great: super clean, with spacious padded seats and air conditioning. Overnight sleeper trains offer decent-sized beds with clean linens. Private cabins are also available.

Malaysian Train

If you’re making a round-trip journey between KL and Singapore, buy BOTH tickets in Malaysia! You will pay Malaysian prices. Currently, the overnight train from KL to Singapore costs 30 RM ($10 US). When you buy tickets in Singapore, you pay Sing $30 Sing ( $25 US) Big difference!  Read more in my post Overland Travel Between Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia (prices are subject to change).

note- Malaysian buses and trains are what I term ‘super-refrigerated’. C O L D. Make sure you have some warm pants, shirts and jacket on hand when you enter… unless, of course, you like refrigeration. 

4. Drinking water  

filtered water and boiled water at hotel in Malaysia

Many guest houses and hotels offer filtered drinking water free to guests. Sometimes there’s a filter attached to the tap. Other times they have a huge bottle to refill from. Malaysians drink filtered tap water, boiled water, or commercial bottled water. They generally don’t drink water directly from the tap unfiltered. 

You can save a lot of money by not buying water while traveling in Malaysia. For example, if you drink one bottle-1.5 L – per day, then in 30 days, you’ll spend minimum 60-90 RM ($20-30 US) per month (prices are subject to change). If you’re on a tight budget, that makes a difference.

If you prefer commercial bottled water, it’s cheapest at super markets, where you can buy 1.5 L bottle of local brands for ~ 2 RM. Branded water costs more and varies by brand.
 
taxi in Penang, Malaysia

5. Taxis 
Make sure you get a metered taxi. The cost will be half to one-third of a ‘set fee’.

On the streets and when ordering a taxi, you will generally get a metered taxi automatically. But make sure you discuss it beforehand. And make sure they flip on the meter when you start.

At some places, like Sentral Station, you don’t have the option to get a metered taxi. The station has a taxi service set up whereby you pay for the taxi at a booth inside the station, get a receipt, then go wait in line for the next taxi.

However, you can walk from Sentral Station down to the main road to flag down a metered taxi if you prefer. It’s less than 2 blocks down the road ramp to the main street.

Also keep in mind that after midnight there’s an extra night charge of +50%. The fee should not be charged before midnight.

Old Town White Coffee sign, Malaysia

6. Coffee 

If you prefer espresso coffees, keep in mind that prices at Starbucks, Coffee Bean, San Francisco Coffee, Dome, and other modern coffee chains the are the same or higher than in US and Europe! Various espresso drinks cost 8-15 RM ( $3-5 US)

If you’re a bit of a coffee gourmand, like me, but don’t want to pay US prices, here are some rescue options.

You can get delicious, high-quality local coffee at a few shops in Malaysia. It’s not exactly the same flavor as espresso coffee, but it’s strong and delicious. I’m extremely picky about coffee, so I do not recommend these shops lightly.

* Old Town Coffee is a Malaysian high-end coffee shop/restaurant chain. They serve a variety of dark, potent coffee drinks in a charming retro colonial setting. I often order their iced coffee for 4.30 RM ($1.50) At Starbucks or Coffee Bean, the equivalent costs about 10- 14 RM ( $3.35- 5 US) - prices are subject to change.

Old Town White Coffee branch in Penang, Malaysia

* Local coffee shops. Nowadays, local neighborhood coffee shops aren’t so easy to find. You’ll find tea shops, either Chinese or Indian, much easier. But when you do come across a local coffee shop, stop in. You’ll get an excellent strong local coffee for just 1-1.50 RM ($0.35-.50 US) 

* Another tactic I often use is to switch to Indian teas. Te Tarik is sweetened tea with milk, topped with froth. Like a tea cappucino! Te tarik is a potent caffeine/sugar combo, thjus a great substitute for espresso. And at a fraction of the cost. The going rate is 1- 1.5o RM ($0.35- 0.50 US)

Lash
http://www.lashworldtour.com 

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Best time to visit Malaysia for...

    Sightseeing. November to March is best for sightseeing since this is the time when you’re most likely to catch the least amount of rain. In Kuala Lumpur, you can visit the Petronas Twin Towers as well as the nearby Batu Caves.


   Beaches. You can enjoy the beach anytime of the year, but you can expect rain showers daily. The best time to visit the beaches on the east coast is from March to September since it is typically drier than the rest of Malaysia during this time. For the west coast, visit from November to August as the heaviest showers are from September to October.


   Snorkelling and diving. The majority of the best dive and snorkelling spots are located on the eastern peninsula making the best time of year to visit between April and September. Monsoon season hits from October to March, making the water murky and visibility unclear. Some of the best islands to visit are Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Lankayan, Layang-Layang, Mataking, Pom, and Sibuan. For diving and snorkelling on the west coast, you should plan a visit between November and August.


      Honeymoon. Honeymoons are ideal at resorts on the east coast. March to mid-May and September will give you the best weather, lower prices and less crowds with minimal rain.


Tourism Latest News


VISIT MALAYSIA 2020 PROMOTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AT ASEAN TOURISM FORUM, CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

Chiang Mai, Thailand, 26 January 2018: Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz launched the Visit Malaysia 2020 promotion campaign for the first time at the ASEAN Tourism Forum he is attending in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He also took the opportunity to unveil the official logo of Visit Malaysia 2020, a colourful portrayal of Malaysia’s treasured flora and fauna.

The event was held during a business lunch hosted today for international tourism trade buyers and media attending the forum at the Chiang Mai International Convention Centre (CMECC).

YB Dato’ Seri Nazri said, “These next two years are a crucial period for our country’s tourism – they are the lead up to the much-anticipated Visit Malaysia 2020. By then, we expect to welcome some 36 million tourists to our shores with tourist receipts reaching RM168 billion.”

Visit Malaysia 2020 is a landmark initiative that has received the support and endorsement of the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2017. It is a key development towards the realization of the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan goals that by the year 2020, Malaysia will welcome a total of 36 million tourists and register RM168 billion in tourist receipts.

The initiative not only aims to rally all industry players towards this common goal, but is a call to welcome tourists from all over the world to experience Malaysia’s warm hospitality and diverse tourist attractions.

The campaign will be aligned with World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)’s “Travel.Enjoy.Respect” movement launched in August 2017 which calls for tourists to become a catalyst for positive change towards a better future.

The Minister is confident of the success of the campaign, saying that Malaysia’s tourism industry is growing stronger. He cited tourism investments in Malaysia such as international hotel brands Four Seasons, Movenpick, W Hotels by Starwood and DoubleTree by Hilton being made within the next two years, amounting to close to 1,000 rooms.

In addition, new attractions are also being launched to provide tourists more choices of attractions. Desaru Coast, a premium integrated destination resort combining accommodation, golf, theme park, convention centre, leisure, retail and F&B, is expected to open by June this year. It will be bringing in hotel brands such as The Westin, Anantara and Hard Rock Hotel.

Acknowledging the importance of connectivity to facilitate travel, Dato’ Seri Nazri said that the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Tourism Malaysia are focusing on increasing accessibility to Malaysia via various airline partnerships for scheduled and charter flights. The Malaysian Government has special incentives for this purpose and Tourism Malaysia is using this to attract international airlines to fly Malaysian routes.

The Minister added, “In the context of ASEAN tourism, Visit Malaysia 2020 also brings with it the opportunity to cross-sell and re-market the region to tourists who are visiting Malaysia. There are ample opportunities for industry stakeholders across the region to work together and benefit as a whole.”

He urged ASEAN industry players to work together to create a seamless and unforgettable experience for tourists when they visit ASEAN as a single yet multifarious travel destination.
In conjunction with this, the Minister presented recognition awards to ten organisations in appreciation for their support and promotion of Malaysia as a holiday destination for Thais. The recipients were Global Union Express, Roong A-Nan Tour, Ruby Travel, Sawasdee 5 Stars Tour, Tussanapachuen Tour, U-Best Station, Erawan P.U.C. Tour, the Council of Chiangmai Muslim Women Thailand, the Association of News Reporters of the North (Mr. Amnaj Jongyotying) and North Daily Newspaper (Ms. Pongpan Jongyotying). They were each presented with a special plaque in appreciation of their outstanding contribution and commitment to promoting Malaysia.

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