RAYMOND CHONG Ž : Malaysia

By Road
The opening of the North-South Expressway that runs the entire length of the Malaysian peninsula was considered a quantum leap in transportation infrastructure, effectively linking major cities on the west coast.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of driving in some of the big cities, most notably downtown Kuala Lumpur. Traffic is often distressingly congested and the many ongoing construction projects actually hinder the flow of traffic in many areas. In any case, visitors wishing to drive in Malaysia should plan their journey carefully to avoid peak hours and be well-prepared with road maps.

Note: Malaysians drive on the left side of the road. One more thing to watch out for are the large number of motorcyclists on Kuala Lumpur's streets.

Buses
Buses operate in all the major cities of Malaysia and are cheap and convenient.

Buses in Kuala Lumpur

Taxis
Taxis are either black and yellow or white and red. You should always insist the drivers use the meter which is obligatory by law. The flagfall rate is RM2.50.

Note: There is a 50% surcharge for trips between midnight and 6 am. There is an additional charge of RM 1 if you call a taxi by phone.

At airports and railway stations, taxi vouchers with pre-set rates are available.

Car Rental
A valid International Driving Licence is required in order to drive in Malaysia. Although the minimum age for driving is 17, most car rental companies insist on a minimum age of at least 21. Many car rental companies have branch offices at airports and railway stations.