Malaysia Travel Guide

Language

Bahasa Melayu is the national language, but English is widely spoken and is the language of business. Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are spoken by the Malaysias Chinese population and Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi among the Indian population.

Currency

The Malaysian Ringit (MYR), also referred to as the Malaysian Dollar, is divided into 100 sen. Malaysian banks charge in the region of US$2-3 for foreign exchange transactions. Moneychangers are generally quicker to deal with and do not charge commission; their rates however are variable. Pounds or dollars are the easiest to exchange. Travelers checks can be exchanged at banks and some hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants. ATMs are widely available.

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Electricity

Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international access code for Malaysia is +60. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)3 for Kuala Lumpur, (0)4 for Penang. International Direct Dial is available throughout the country, but the service can be erratic. Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is best to check before making international calls. Coin and card-operated public phones are widespread, and phone cards can be purchased at the airport, petrol stations and newsagents. Cards are not transferable between phone companies: Uniphone and Telekom phone boxes are the most common. Mobile networks cover most of the country; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international phones. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 liter wine, spirits or malt liquor; cosmetic products to the value of RM 200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM 75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM 200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM 500). Prohibited items include goods from Haiti, counterfeit money and illegal drugs.

Tourist Office

Malaysian Tourist Office, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2615 8188 or www.tourism.gov.my

Embassies in Malaysia

• United States Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2168 5000.
• British High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2200.
• Canadian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2718 3333.
• Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2146 5555.
• South African High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2400.
• Irish Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2161 2963.
• New Zealand High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2078 2533.

Malaysia Embassies Abroad

• Malaysian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 572 9700.
• Malaysian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 8033.
• Malaysian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 241 5182.
• Malaysian High commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 61 200 300/310.
• Malaysian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5990/1/2/3.
• Malaysian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 667 7280.
• Malaysian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 385 2439.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

Bahasa Melayu is the national language, but English is widely spoken and is the language of business. Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are spoken by the Malaysias Chinese population and Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi among the Indian population.

Currency

The Malaysian Ringit (MYR), also referred to as the Malaysian Dollar, is divided into 100 sen. Malaysian banks charge in the region of US$2-3 for foreign exchange transactions. Moneychangers are generally quicker to deal with and do not charge commission; their rates however are variable. Pounds or dollars are the easiest to exchange. Travelers checks can be exchanged at banks and some hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants. ATMs are widely available.

3.0075

Electricity

Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international access code for Malaysia is +60. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)3 for Kuala Lumpur, (0)4 for Penang. International Direct Dial is available throughout the country, but the service can be erratic. Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is best to check before making international calls. Coin and card-operated public phones are widespread, and phone cards can be purchased at the airport, petrol stations and newsagents. Cards are not transferable between phone companies: Uniphone and Telekom phone boxes are the most common. Mobile networks cover most of the country; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international phones. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 liter wine, spirits or malt liquor; cosmetic products to the value of RM 200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM 75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM 200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM 500). Prohibited items include goods from Haiti, counterfeit money and illegal drugs.

Tourist Office

Malaysian Tourist Office, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2615 8188 or www.tourism.gov.my

Embassies in Malaysia

• United States Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2168 5000.
• British High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2200.
• Canadian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2718 3333.
• Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2146 5555.
• South African High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2400.
• Irish Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2161 2963.
• New Zealand High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2078 2533.

Malaysia Embassies Abroad

• Malaysian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 572 9700.
• Malaysian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 8033.
• Malaysian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 241 5182.
• Malaysian High commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 61 200 300/310.
• Malaysian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5990/1/2/3.
• Malaysian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 667 7280.
• Malaysian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 385 2439.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

Bahasa Melayu is the national language, but English is widely spoken and is the language of business. Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are spoken by the Malaysias Chinese population and Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi among the Indian population.

Currency

The Malaysian Ringit (MYR), also referred to as the Malaysian Dollar, is divided into 100 sen. Malaysian banks charge in the region of US$2-3 for foreign exchange transactions. Moneychangers are generally quicker to deal with and do not charge commission; their rates however are variable. Pounds or dollars are the easiest to exchange. Travelers checks can be exchanged at banks and some hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants. ATMs are widely available.

3.0075

Electricity

Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international access code for Malaysia is +60. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)3 for Kuala Lumpur, (0)4 for Penang. International Direct Dial is available throughout the country, but the service can be erratic. Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is best to check before making international calls. Coin and card-operated public phones are widespread, and phone cards can be purchased at the airport, petrol stations and newsagents. Cards are not transferable between phone companies: Uniphone and Telekom phone boxes are the most common. Mobile networks cover most of the country; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international phones. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 liter wine, spirits or malt liquor; cosmetic products to the value of RM 200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM 75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM 200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM 500). Prohibited items include goods from Haiti, counterfeit money and illegal drugs.

Tourist Office

Malaysian Tourist Office, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2615 8188 or www.tourism.gov.my

Embassies in Malaysia

• United States Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2168 5000.
• British High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2200.
• Canadian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2718 3333.
• Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2146 5555.
• South African High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2400.
• Irish Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2161 2963.
• New Zealand High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2078 2533.

Malaysia Embassies Abroad

• Malaysian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 572 9700.
• Malaysian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 8033.
• Malaysian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 241 5182.
• Malaysian High commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 61 200 300/310.
• Malaysian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5990/1/2/3.
• Malaysian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 667 7280.
• Malaysian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 385 2439.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

Bahasa Melayu is the national language, but English is widely spoken and is the language of business. Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are spoken by the Malaysias Chinese population and Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi among the Indian population.

Currency

The Malaysian Ringit (MYR), also referred to as the Malaysian Dollar, is divided into 100 sen. Malaysian banks charge in the region of US$2-3 for foreign exchange transactions. Moneychangers are generally quicker to deal with and do not charge commission; their rates however are variable. Pounds or dollars are the easiest to exchange. Travelers checks can be exchanged at banks and some hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants. ATMs are widely available.

3.0075

Electricity

Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international access code for Malaysia is +60. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)3 for Kuala Lumpur, (0)4 for Penang. International Direct Dial is available throughout the country, but the service can be erratic. Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is best to check before making international calls. Coin and card-operated public phones are widespread, and phone cards can be purchased at the airport, petrol stations and newsagents. Cards are not transferable between phone companies: Uniphone and Telekom phone boxes are the most common. Mobile networks cover most of the country; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international phones. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 liter wine, spirits or malt liquor; cosmetic products to the value of RM 200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM 75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM 200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM 500). Prohibited items include goods from Haiti, counterfeit money and illegal drugs.

Tourist Office

Malaysian Tourist Office, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2615 8188 or www.tourism.gov.my

Embassies in Malaysia

• United States Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2168 5000.
• British High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2200.
• Canadian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2718 3333.
• Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2146 5555.
• South African High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2170 2400.
• Irish Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2161 2963.
• New Zealand High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2078 2533.

Malaysia Embassies Abroad

• Malaysian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 572 9700.
• Malaysian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 8033.
• Malaysian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 241 5182.
• Malaysian High commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 61 200 300/310.
• Malaysian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5990/1/2/3.
• Malaysian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 667 7280.
• Malaysian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 385 2439.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.