Useful things in Kuala Lumpur

Since August 1, 2022, the authorities of Malaysia have lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for arrivals. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers are allowed to enter. Airlines such as Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air Malaysia, and AirAsia operate direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar.

The stamp is issued upon entry at the border (free of charge). The passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry. Currently, it is mandatory to have a return ticket confirming that you will not stay in the country beyond the allotted period. You need to fill out a form, which may be required at the border control.

Indonesian operator Telkomsel's roaming service works well in Malaysia with the Malaysia roaming package. To purchase the package, you need to open the app and select 'shop' from the bottom menu, then go to 'roaming' and choose the 'package Malaysia' option. The cost of internet roaming for 3 days with 15GB is 150,000 IDR. There are options available for durations ranging from 1 to 30 days.

Local SIM cards with a minimal amount of GB (3-8) will cost between 20 to 30 ringgit (106,000 IDR) depending on the place of purchase. If you still wish to buy a local SIM card, you have a choice of several operators: Celcom, Maxis, Digi, TuneTalk. All of them are available at the airport. The first SIM card counter is located even before passport control, so you have the opportunity to buy one on your way out of the plane.

A convenient option for groups of up to four people. Gojek is available in Malaysia, but it operates poorly with few cars, so it's not recommended. However, Grab works excellently here and is quite popular. You can link your bank card to the app or pay with cash. The cost of a ride from the airport to the city center will be around 60-70 ringgit ($14-16 or 250,000 IDR).

Trains KLIA Express and KLIA Transit operate daily between the KLIA and KLIA2 terminals and KL Sentral railway station (KL City Air Terminal).

The first KLIA Express train departs from KL Sentral at 05:00, with the last train at 00:40. The train interval is 15-20 minutes, and the one-way travel time is approximately 30-35 minutes.

The KLIA Express train travels to the station without additional stops from the airport. KLIA Transit has intermediate stops.

Cost: For adults (15 years and above) - 55 ringgit (195,000 IDR).

For children aged 6 to 15 - 25 ringgit. Children under 6 - free.

Family tickets: 2 adults + 2 children - 40 ringgit for each adult and 20 ringgit for each child.

Group trips (3 people or more): 40 ringgit per adult.

Additionally, you can reach the city center from the airport by bus. This journey takes about an hour. Buses depart approximately every 20 minutes, nearly around the clock from 3 am to 12:30 am. If you want to save money, you can take the bus to KL Central station and then either take a taxi or switch to the metro.

Cost of the bus fare: 13 ringgit."

Finding an ATM at the airport will be easy - there are plenty of them. There are CIMB Bank, Maybank Islamic, AmBank, and other ATMs from local banks. Cash is dispensed only in the local currency - Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).

The Permata bank card is accepted by most places, with the only inconvenience being a cash withdrawal fee. The transaction screen will display the fee amount before the transaction is completed. Typically, it's around 4%.

Paying in Malaysia can only be done using the local currency - Malaysian Ringgit. It might be possible to negotiate payment in foreign currency when making significant purchases, but the exchange rate will be unfavorable, and you'll receive change in Malaysian Ringgit in any case. Exchange points here are called 'Money changers' and have corresponding signs.

As of December 2022, the exchange rate for the dollar is: buying rate 4.33, selling rate 4.43. The difference between buying and selling rates shouldn't be more than 30 cents; if it's higher, it's better to look for another place. Some of the most favorable exchange points are the Jalinan Duta and Antara Duit networks.

Addresses:

LG51 Lower Ground Floor

Mon-Fri 10:00 to 22:00

KL Sentral, Level 1, Block 14 Mon-Sat 8:30 to 1:00, closed on Friday

Antara Duit exchange points

1st floor, from 11:00 to 20:00

1st floor, from 11:00 to 20:00

You can rent a car in two cases: with a local driving license or with an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Upon exiting the terminal, there are car rental counters. Prices for 7 days range from 500 to 1,500,000 Ringgit (115 - 340 USD).

In Kuala Lumpur, there are several car-sharing applications available. Conditions of use:

- Verification requires: passport + driver's license of your home country + International Driving Permit (IDP).

- Payment can be linked to local/international Visa/MasterCard or Grab wallet.

1. SOCAR - the app is available on Google Play Market and AppStore.

- Hourly payment and packages with kilometers.

- Insurance is covered by the app.

- Gas expenses are reimbursed after the trip if receipts are provided.

2. Trevo - available on Google Play Market and AppStore. Car rental from individuals.

- Daily payment.

- Some options are ONLY available for weekly rentals, as specified by the owners.

- Payment includes insurance.

- You refuel using your own funds - no reimbursement for fuel.

As Trevo and SOCAR share a single customer database, one account is used for both services. This means that verification in one app automatically verifies you in the other, and vice versa - if you are denied verification in one app, you'll also be denied in the other.

3. GoCar - available on Google Play Market and AppStore. Convenient car-sharing.

- Hourly payment.

- Insurance is covered by the app.

- You refuel using your own funds, but you'll be reimbursed for fuel expenses after the trip (receipts are necessary).

- In addition to hourly payments, you'll need to purchase kilometer packages.

In Kuala Lumpur, there's a quite convenient metro network (both underground and aboveground). You purchase tokens from the machines and use them for your travels. You can also buy a pass. There's an unlimited time pass with a slight discount, a weekly pass, and a monthly pass available. Fare rates for each type of pass can be found directly on the metro's website.

The metro system of Kuala Lumpur consists of various types of lines - MRT, LRT, monorail, KTM Komuter. Sometimes, to transfer, you need to return your token to the machine and purchase a new one. Transfers between stations can be quite long in terms of distance. If you get lost, approach the cashier's manager - they all speak English and are happy to help. The machines only accept coins and small banknotes. If you only have large bills, get them exchanged at the cashier's.

Right in front of the Pasar Seni metro exit, where Chinatown is located, there's a GoKL stop. These are free tourist buses that pass through major attractions and offer free WiFi onboard.

To ensure your trip is interesting and leaves a pleasant impression, the choice of accommodation and particularly the area is very important. When renting in Kuala Lumpur, it's crucial to consider a couple of factors:

- Proximity to Petronas Towers, Menara telecommunication tower, no more than 2.5 km away - beyond this radius, the beautiful wide sidewalks and pleasant urban views end.

- Building height - the center is dominated by skyscrapers, it's better to stay on floors no lower than the 20th.

One of the most central and popular areas is Bukit Bintang; the Chow Kit district covers the center from the west.

188 Suites by CoBNB - from $38

Regalia Suites - from $20. Different accommodation options: apartments, studios, multi-room apartments.

Expressionz Suite - from $43

Mercu Summer Suites - from $38

Hosting:

PODs Backpackers - from $20

Raizzy's Guesthouse - from $11

We recommend visiting simple Malaysian-Indian restaurants, like Restoran Yusoof Dan Zakhir. Try dishes like roti chanai, teh tarik, naan, and other local delicacies there! Prices are relatively affordable. You can have a meal at a food court in a shopping center for roughly the same amount.

Next to China Town, in Central Market, on the second floor, there's an excellent, air-conditioned food court. Generally, in all shopping centers, you'll find food courts with a wide variety of restaurants serving various cuisines: Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Thai. Additionally, malls have large supermarkets where you can buy fresh fruits and prepared food.

For a true culinary feast, you can head to Jalan Alor - a street lined with diverse local food restaurants and cafes. There you can sample everything Malaysia is rich in: from seafood to durians.