Malaysia is a travel destination that is often overlooked by foreigners but any travel junkie that has been to the country can tell you that it is a beautiful place with so much to offer. There are so many reasons to travel to Malaysia but before you book your trip, there are a few tips you should know about travelling in Malaysia.
Do your research before you plan your trip
Before you go on any trip, it is wise to do enough research on the place you are visiting because that will ease your burden and ensure a smooth trip from start to finish. Some things you should look up before you book your flight are travel requirements and restrictions. Malaysia has an easy immigration process for travellers but depending on where you are from, you might need to obtain a visa in advance before you can travel to Malaysia.
It is best to check what travel policies apply to you before your trip to avoid any issues at immigration. Other things that you should do when researching about the country is reading current events and local festivities to determine which is the best time to travel to Malaysia and when it is the cheapest. Malaysia is hot and humid all year long but faces two monsoon seasons. While travelling to the country during these times may be cheaper, your activities may be limited due to the weather.
Pack your essentials according to your itinerary
Making a checklist for your essentials for a trip is a common tip but it should always be on the top of your priority because you will never know when you just might miss out on an important document. Before leaving for a trip, make sure you have your passport and your visa but also make copies of identification documents, both physically and digitally. Keep the physical copies secure with a money belt and have the digital copies sent to your email so you can access them whenever necessary.
When it comes to your bags, it is recommended that you pack only what you need. It can be quite hot and humid in Malaysia so pack lighter clothes, with maybe a couple of long-sleeved shirts and long pants for certain religious destinations and occasions. You should also pack a travel adapter so you can also charge your devices without worrying about your home country’s plugs being different.
Save your money and try the local street food
Malaysia is a budget-friendly destination, and you can look up cheap accommodations and activities to save as much as you can. However, there is one brilliant way to save your money while you are travelling in Malaysia and that is to ditch the restaurants and hit the streets for your daily meals. Malaysia is food heaven and while it may seem easier and more convenient to dine at a restaurant, you can get cheaper meals when you visit the roadside stalls and hawker centres.
Many locals also recommend street food because the flavours are more authentic. A lot of street food vendors are tourist-friendly, so you do not have to worry about eating something wrong or not suitable for your stomach. If you are looking forward to trying the local cuisines but are not sure which delicious dish to start with, check out this article from CNN on the top 40 foods from Malaysia.
Be considerate of the country’s cultures and religion
Malaysia is a country with multiple races and religions which means that it is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. While the locals are generally very accepting of different ideologies, a courteous thing that foreigners should do while in Malaysia is to respect the locals, their religion, and their cultures. It is best if you can take some time to read about the local demographic as well as their races, religion, and history before you travel to Malaysia.
Malaysia is also not a country that is known as a party destination and the price for alcohol is more expensive than in neighbouring Vietnam or Thailand. While there are a few clubs and bars around the city, they are a lot more reserved so when you visit them, drink and party responsibly to avoid getting in trouble with the local law enforcement. It is also important to know that drugs are illegal in the country so do not bring them into the country or partake in any drug-related activities.
Use different methods of transportation around the city
Moving around most cities in Malaysia is easy and relatively cheap because you can just take the public transport that is widely available and very connected. You can take the monorail, the buses, and even the trains to get to almost every part of the city. Tickets are needed when taking public transportation but for an easier process, you can purchase a day-pass which will allow unlimited daily trips on any public transport.
If you are a lot more active, you can get around the city by walking. It is a great way to explore the city and see everything up close, but it can get tiring after walking for a few hours. When you are tired from walking, you can try other tourist-friendly transportation options to get around the city, like electric scooters and bicycles. Traffic in the big city is terrible so try to avoid getting on a taxi or a private hire transportation. Not only are scooters and bikes a low-cost method of traveling in the city, but they are also better for the environment and a lot of efficient.
