Malaysia travel tips

Malaysia Visa

Passport holders from the following countries/territory are not required to obtain a visa (Visa Exemption) when visiting Malaysia for tourism purposes:

US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Belize, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Uruguay, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Iraq, Taiwan, Turkey, Egypt, Sri Lanka, India (Valid until 31 Dec 2026) and ASEAN countries.

Other passports need to have a Malaysia Visa (Visa on Arrival/E-Visa) when entering this country and can apply the E-visa by the below link: https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/visa/evisa-en/

For more details about the country that need to apply the Visa or no need to apply (Visa Exemption), kindly open the below link of the Malaysian government:

https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/visa/visa-requirement-by-country

Do’s and Don’ts in Malaysia

Carry cash

Although credit cards are accepted in most places in Malaysia, carrying some cash is always a good idea. Some smaller shops and food stalls may only accept cash payments, so having some on hand will be handy.

Bargain at markets

Haggling is part of shopping fun in Malaysia, especially at the bustling markets and colorful street stalls. If you find something you love, but the price seems steep, don’t be afraid to use a bit of Bahasa Malaysia and ask the vendor, “Boleh kurang sikit?” (Can you make it lower?)

Bring an umbrella when sightseeing around the city

Thanks to the tropical location of the country, the rains come short, sudden and may be heavy. So, if you are a traveler who is exploring the cities on foot, an umbrella could help you in this case.

Underestimate the time on the road

It might look that with such widespread and efficient transport, you can reach airports in the wee of time. But that’s not the case. At peak hours, Kuala Lumpur in particular and Malaysia in general are infamous for their congested roads. So, to avoid delays like missed flights, we would suggest taking a cab hours before, calculating the traffic time.

Don’t go for Taxis – Take Grab by yourself

For transportation in Malaysia, Grab is most recommended since this ride-hailing service offers such an affordable price compared to traditional taxis. Grab is a convenient and reliable option with the ability to track your ride.

Don’t drink tap water

Like most Asian countries, it is not safe to drink tap water. Buying bottled drinking water is very inexpensive and easy to buy when you are on the streets.

Don’t use your left hand

In Malaysia, the left hand is believed to be unclean, so avoid using it to touch food or pass items to other people. Show your good manners by using your right hand instead.

Don’t drink alcohol

If you want to drink alcohol on vacation, remember that Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not widely accepted. So, it’s best to be mindful of your alcohol intake and avoid excessive drinking in public places.

Don’t bring pork and alcoholic beverages to a Muslim restaurant

Alcoholic drinks and pork dishes must not be offered to Muslims and beef to Buddhists and Hindus. Muslims follow halal dietary guidelines, which restrict pork and alcoholic beverages. Accordingly, when dining at a Muslim restaurant in Malaysia, it is vital to be familiar with their dietary restrictions.

Don’t wear shoes into the church/temple/mosque

When visiting churches or mosques or temples in Malaysia, it is customary to remove your shoes before stepping inside. This cultural practice is believed to help maintain cleanliness and show respect for sacred spaces and personal homes.

Don’t give money to beggars

When you walk around, you might come across beggars on the street, usually children, and women with babies. Or they might approach you under the pretext of raising funds for a school, orphanage, etc. Although you may feel tempted to help, you really shouldn’t. These beggars are often part of a begging syndicate. They could be victims of human trafficking. Giving them money is only going to make the traffickers richer.

Don’t confuse the terms Malay and Malaysian

They are very different, but it gets confusing for a lot of people. Everyone who is from Malaysia is a Malaysian. But not every Malaysian is a Malay. Malays are the largest ethnic group in the country. They are Muslim and speak Bahasa Malaya as their first language. The Chinese and Indians, who came to Malaysia in the late 1700s, are Malaysians. They refer to themselves as Chinese Malaysian or Indian Malaysian. They are not Muslim, Bahasa isn’t their first language, and therefore they are not Malay.