Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips

Visas

It is a legal requirement that all visitors posses a valid passport or another internationally recognised travel document with a minimum validity period of six months beyond the period of intended stay. A passport is also necessary for travel between Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Visa-free stays for up to three months are granted to citizens of the United States, Japan and Western European countries.

Those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) do not need to acquire visas for visits of up to a month. Citizens from countries in the British Commonwealth (except the Indian subcontinent) do not need visas.

Corporate travellers attending meetings and conducting business negotiations in Malaysia will be issued passes at the point of entry. However, anyone who desires to work in Malaysia must apply for a business or professional pass prior to arrival in Malaysia.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM), divided into 100 sen. Ringgit notes are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1. Notes in denominations of 500 and 1000 have been withdrawn from circulation since 1998 and ceased to be legal tender in 1999. Coins are issued in denominations of RM1, 50 sen, 20 sen, 10 sen, 5 sen and 1 sen.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted at restaurants, shops and star-class Kuala Lumpur hotels. If your credit card is also issued with a personal identification number, it is possible to obtain cash advances from ATMs. Commercial banks in Malaysia are generally linked to international banking networks, which will allow you to withdraw money from overseas savings accounts through ATMs. Before your trip, verify with your bank to see if you can withdraw money from your home account whilst in Kuala Lumpur.

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory, and is not encouraged unless the service is excellent. Many hotels and glitzy restaurants routinely add a 10% service charge in addition to a 5% government tax on all bills.

Health Risks

Commercial hubs in Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur are presently safe from most sanitation-related diseases. However, it is still recommended to exercise extra precaution, like making sure meat is cooked very well, avoiding local dairy products and peeling fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Tap water in the cities is relatively safe to consume, but bottled water is a safer option when travelling to rural areas. Malaria is present in Sabah, Sarawak and some remote areas in Peninsular Malaysia, so carry insect repellent and inquire from a local doctor about protective vaccinations.

Business Hours

Department stores and supermarkets
Open:
Daily - 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Shops
Open:
Daily - 9:30 am to 7:00 pm (in Kuala Lumpur, as well as in most major towns, there are several 24-hour stores)

Banks
Open:
Monday to Friday - 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday - 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Clothing

Light comfortable clothing is the norm with lightweight woollens required for visits to highland areas. It is imperative to remember that Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country and modest attire is advisable. For men, a long-sleeved white or plain-coloured shirt and tie is the norm for business meetings. A jacket can be worn when meeting senior officials. A long-sleeved ‘batik’ shirt and long trousers are often worn for evening events. Shorts and casual shirts should be avoided. Women should dress for business events as they would do in Western countries, remembering to cover the shoulders and avoid very short skirts and shorts.