Home >  Travel Guides >  South and Southeast Asia >  Malaysia > Facts

Malaysia Facts

 
  • Information
  • Trips
  • Facts
  • Visa and Health
  • Climate
  • Culture
  • Business
  • Destinations
  • Airports
  • Attractions
  • Resorts
  • Travel Photos
  •  
    Selected Travel Guide:     More Malaysia Travel Guides: Adjust Font Size:
    Word Travels Guide   World Travel Guide +-
    Printable Destination Summary

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter

    Get exclusive travel deals, trip reviews, and unique adventure travel ideas monthly.



    We hate spam! Privacy Policy

    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 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 cheques can be exchanged at banks and some hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants. ATMs are widely available.

    Time: Local time is GMT +8.

    Electricity: Electrical current is 220 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 or 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 liter wine, spirits or malt liquor; 100 matches; cosmetic products to the value of RM200; 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 RM75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM500). Prohibited items include goods from South Africa and Israel, counterfeit money, and illegal drugs.

    Tourist Office
    Malaysian Tourist Office, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2693 8188 or www.tourism.gov.my

    Emergency
    Emergencies: 999.

    Embassies
    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 6273 1543.

    Malaysian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5990/3.

    Malaysian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 667 7280.

    Malaysian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 385 2439.



    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 2412.

    Irish Embassy, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2161 2963.

    New Zealand High Commission, Kuala Lumpur: +60 (0)3 2078 2533.



    Next Page »

       Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
  • Information
  • Facts
  • Visa and Health
  • Climate
  • Culture
  • Business
  • Destinations
  • Airports
  • Attractions
  • Resorts
  • Travel Photos
  • Related Malaysia Content

       The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
  • Overview
  • Where to Go
  • Activities
  • Country Information
  • History
  • Weather
  • Travel Tips
  • Food
  • Shopping
  • Visa & Health
  • Travel Photos
  •    The iExplore Community offers travel guides to thousands of destinations, first-hand travel reviews and vacation pictures from everyday travelers like you.
    All Of Malaysia - Bintulu - Borneo - Cameron Highlands - Cherating - Genting - Georgetown, Penang - Ipoh - Johor Bahru - Kedah - Kota Bharu - Kuala Lumpur - Kuantan - Kuching - Kukup - Langkawi - Malacca - Melaka - Negeri Sembilan - Pahang - Pangkor Island - Pedu Lake - Penang - Perak - Perhentian Island - Perthentian Islands - Putrajaya - Rawa Island - Redang Island - Sabah - Sarawak - Taman Negara - Tioman Island More City Guides


    Malaysia City Guides:
    Malaysia Community:






    Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us