Find useful information here to prepare for your journey.
Do I need a tourist visa to visit Malaysia?
If your country is not listed on this page you may enter the country with your passport without applying for a visa.
In summary, countries that are exempted from visa
1. All Commonwealth Countries (except Myanmar)
2. All European countries,
3. Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, Iceland, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uruguay Yemen.
If you need to apply for a visa, find the nearest Malaysian Embassy to you and contact the embassy for further information
What is the climate in Malaysia? What should I pack?
Malaysia is located near the equator and shares similar weather conditions as its
We recommend packing light, breathable
On the other hand, warmer clothing items such as hoodies, sweaters will not be needed unless you plan to check out some of our highlands (Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands), or the shopping malls (the malls tend to have air-conditioning blasting cold air).
Do note that some beauty products might not be suitable for Malaysian weather e.g. sunblock formulated for drier climates would ‘sweat’ as soon as you’d put it on.
Outdoor Essentials:
- Sunblock (SPF 15 and above) + hat/cap (if you’ll be walking around town).
- Umbrella (especially if you’re in town during the rainy season).
- Shoes that air and dry easily.
- Handheld fan
- Napkins or handkerchiefs
What type of electrical outlet does Malaysia use?
We use the Plug Type G with the common voltage being 240V and 50Hz. Please bring a travel adapter if you are coming from a country that uses another type of plug.
What languages do Malaysians speak?
The national language of Malaysia is Malay, also known as Bahasa Melayu or Bahasa Malaysia, but English is widely spoken. Most city folk speak basic to intermediate English and English is the most commonly spoken language in the private sector.
As a multi-ethnic country, you will find an assortment of languages being spoken by Malaysians. The commons ones being the Chinese languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Teochew) and the Indian languages (Tamil, Hindi, Urdu). Just take a seat at the local coffee shop, known as
What currency does Malaysia use?
We use the Malaysian Ringgit, commonly abbreviated as RM or MYR. It is approximately RM 4.73 to EUR 1.00. We recommend that you check a currency converter such as XE Currency Converter for the live market rates.
As for currency exchangers, you may find several at the airport though the rates may not be as favourable. The most convenient one is located in Nu Sentral, a shopping mall located less than 5 minutes across from the hotel. They readily accept Euro and USD.
What payment methods are accepted?
The most common payment method is cash, although credit and debit cards (VISA/Mastercard) are widely accepted. Contactless card payment (paywave) is also widely used in most shopping malls.
Do take note that some places impose a minimum purchase amount before they accept the use of credit or debit cards.
What cuisines does Malaysia have?
As a melting pot of different cultures, you can expect a lot of variety from Malaysian dishes. Dishes are often fragrant, with a
Nonetheless, there are easily available fast food restaurants and international cuisines like European, Japanese, Thai, etc. Although Islam is the official religion, alcoholic drinks are usually available in hotels, pubs, and beer can be purchased from convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
Malaysians often travel with their stomachs as a guide and are known to travel an hour just for delicious food. So do ask fellow Malaysians for food recommendations. We’re always happy to give you recommendations, and we might even join you for the tasty expeditions too!
Some F&B etiquettes:
- Tipping is not widely practiced. In fact, it is extremely uncommon to tip. One would only tip if the service was exceptional. In those cases, it is wise to slip the tip to the person you’d like it to go to or risk having it go into the business’s pocket instead.
- Plain water is often offered for free in the country. Although water supplied from the tap is potable, we do not recommend drinking it as is. Most places have a water filter installed and those are good to drink. Otherwise, you should boil the water prior to drinking it. This is especially true if you have a weak tummy. Some shopping malls offer free water refill via a filter water unit.
Internet and Cellular Services.
Internet is affordable and easily attainable in Malaysia. The three main companies you can choose from are: Maxis, Digi and uMobile and all of which offer great packages for visitors. Prices range from RM10 – RM40 for 15 days and 8 – 25 GB of data.
The best place to get them are at the authorised dealers found on level 2 in Nu Sentral, which is the shopping mall 5 minutes from the hotel. You can also easily get sim packs from the airport, and convenience stores.
How do I get around?
The common way of getting around in Malaysia is by car. We recommend downloading a ride-sharing app such as Grab and order a car or a cab from there. The fares are fair and often shown upfront minus miscellaneous costs such as toll fares. One can also call taxi companies to send a cab over. Do note that you would need to provide an accurate address in those cases.
(Fun fact, Grab acquired Uber Malaysia a while back)
Having the IBD located right next to KL Sentral, the largest Transport Depot in the country; using the metro could not be easier. The LRT, MRT and Monorail lines will be useful in getting to City Landmarks easily.
You may purchase single ride tickets at the LRT/MRT stations for a few ringgit.
If you plan on using the metro a lot, you may consider a 2 day pass which includes a direct train from the Airport. Check out the details here.
Taxis are generally avoided. For the adventerous, you may also rent a car if you are comfortable driving around town and have the appropriate license. Malaysians drive on the right side of the road. With Waze and Google Maps, you can’t go wrong.
Safety in Malaysia.
As with any country, safety is always something to be aware of. We recommend
For ladies, we recommend that you have your wits about you and be alert when
Emergency Contact Numbers.
The most important number you need to know while in Malaysia is 999. It covers all types of emergencies, involving a total of five emergency service providers – the Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Ministry, Civil Defence Department and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Calls received are usually answered by professional emergency officers (PEO) within 10 seconds.
Before redirecting a call to the relevant emergency agency, the PEO would ask the caller basic questions such as the type of emergency, location, address and contact number (to verify whether the call is genuine).
The emergency agency concerned might also require further details from the caller before sending help.
For more other questions, feel free to contact us at www.ibd2019.mensa.my/contact