Recently I’ve met
several long-term travelers who are visiting Malaysia for the first time.
Somewhat to my surprise, I quickly found myself giving lots of tips about
choosing products, finding restaurants, and saving money on all sorts of
things. Even though they are veteran travelers, they didn’t know many simple
practical things about ‘living’ in Malaysia because they’ve never spent time
here.
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| evening with travel bloggers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
I suppose that
many common daily-life practicalities about any destination you figure out only
by spending a significant amount of time there. Perhaps by returning several
times, working there, or having local friends who fill you in on daily life
details. And apparently guidebooks skip many of those practicalities.
Since I’ve spent
so much time in Malaysia over the years, I discovered that I can dish up lots
of useful money-saving tips that you probably won’t find in guidebooks. Here’s
what I’ve come up with so far:
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| Hot Link sign in Malaysia |
1.
cell phones / sim cards
In all Asian
countries, Australia, UK and Europe, you can easily and inexpensively buy a new
sim card for your mobile phone, thus obtaining a local phone number. (Excluding
use with US phones, which operate on a different phone system).
In Malaysia,
several phone companies sell sim cards. I recommend ‘Maxis’ also know as
‘Hotlink’. They sell new sim cards for just 8.80 RM ( < $3 US) which
includes 4 RM phone credit. Domestic text messages/sms cost 0.10 RM. So, with
your new sim you can already send 40 domestic text msgs, without buying any
more credit! International sms rates vary per country, but are also very cheap.
You can sms to every country except the USA. (Thanks US) You can call to US
phones, but not text.
You can add more credit when you run out by
buying ‘top up’ credit at 7-11s, many local convenience stores, phone shops,
and Maxi/Hotlinks stores. Pre-paid (top up) cards come in increments of 10 RM /
30 RM /60 Rm / 100 RM.
Hotlink IDD 132
promoHotlink has a special international calling rate program, ‘IDD132′. To use it, you
have to add extra numbers in front of your calling number. Ask about it when
you buy your sim and/or check Maxis website.
You’ll need your
passport to buy the sim, since Maxis officially registers the phone number to
your name.
Even if you’re
traveling through Malaysia for just one or two weeks, it may already be worth
buying a Malaysian sim to communicate with people.
2.
Internet
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| Internet shop in Penang, Malaysia |
Generally, internet connections in Malaysia
are fast, consistent and abundant every where. Plentiful local internet shops
typically charge 3RM/ hour ($1 US). Many guest houses, hostels, and hotels also
have internet centers. I generally find their rates higher. To save money,
visit a nearby internet shop.
In Kuala Lumpur,
the Malaysian Tourism Office on Jl Ampang, just one block down from Petrronas
Twin Towers, offers free internet sessions of 30 minutes. They also have
unlimited free wifi.
Wifi
Most modern
cafes, coffee shops, hotels, and some restaurants offer free wifi. Many budget
guest houses also have wifi, either free or for a minimal charge. It’s really
easy to use your own computer in Malaysia, and throughout SEASia, in fact.
3.
Buses / trains
…between Kuala
Lumpur and Singapore
Malaysian trains
and buses are great: super clean, with spacious padded seats and air
conditioning. Overnight sleeper trains offer decent-sized beds with clean
linens. Private cabins are also available.
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| Malaysian Train |
If you’re making a round-trip journey between
KL and Singapore, buy BOTH tickets in Malaysia! You will pay Malaysian prices.
Currently, the overnight train from KL to Singapore costs 30 RM ($10 US). When
you buy tickets in Singapore, you pay Sing $30 Sing ( $25 US) Big
difference! Read more in my post
Overland Travel Between Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia (prices are subject to change).
note- Malaysian
buses and trains are what I term ‘super-refrigerated’. C O L D. Make sure you
have some warm pants, shirts and jacket on hand when you enter… unless, of
course, you like refrigeration.
4.
Drinking water
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| filtered water and boiled water at hotel in Malaysia |
Many guest houses
and hotels offer filtered drinking water free to guests. Sometimes there’s a
filter attached to the tap. Other times they have a huge bottle to refill from.
Malaysians drink filtered tap water, boiled water, or commercial bottled water.
They generally don’t drink water directly from the tap unfiltered.
You can save a
lot of money by not buying water while traveling in Malaysia. For example, if
you drink one bottle-1.5 L – per day, then in 30 days, you’ll spend minimum
60-90 RM ($20-30 US) per month (prices are subject to change). If you’re on a tight budget, that makes a
difference.
If you prefer
commercial bottled water, it’s cheapest at super markets, where you can buy 1.5
L bottle of local brands for ~ 2 RM. Branded water costs more and varies by
brand.
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| taxi in Penang, Malaysia |
5.
Taxis
Make sure you get
a metered taxi. The cost will be half to one-third of a ‘set fee’.
On the streets
and when ordering a taxi, you will generally get a metered taxi automatically.
But make sure you discuss it beforehand. And make sure they flip on the meter
when you start.
At some places,
like Sentral Station, you don’t have the option to get a metered taxi. The
station has a taxi service set up whereby you pay for the taxi at a booth
inside the station, get a receipt, then go wait in line for the next taxi.
However, you can
walk from Sentral Station down to the main road to flag down a metered taxi if
you prefer. It’s less than 2 blocks down the road ramp to the main street.
Also keep in mind
that after midnight there’s an extra night charge of +50%. The fee should not
be charged before midnight.
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| Old Town White Coffee sign, Malaysia |
6.
Coffee
If you prefer
espresso coffees, keep in mind that prices at Starbucks, Coffee Bean, San
Francisco Coffee, Dome, and other modern coffee chains the are the same or
higher than in US and Europe! Various espresso drinks cost 8-15 RM ( $3-5 US)
If you’re a bit
of a coffee gourmand, like me, but don’t want to pay US prices, here are some
rescue options.
You can get
delicious, high-quality local coffee at a few shops in Malaysia. It’s not
exactly the same flavor as espresso coffee, but it’s strong and delicious. I’m
extremely picky about coffee, so I do not recommend these shops lightly.
* Old Town Coffee
is a Malaysian high-end coffee shop/restaurant chain. They serve a variety of
dark, potent coffee drinks in a charming retro colonial setting. I often order
their iced coffee for 4.30 RM ($1.50) At Starbucks or Coffee Bean, the
equivalent costs about 10- 14 RM ( $3.35- 5 US) - prices are subject to change.
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| Old Town White Coffee branch in Penang, Malaysia |
* Local coffee
shops. Nowadays, local neighborhood coffee shops aren’t so easy to find. You’ll
find tea shops, either Chinese or Indian, much easier. But when you do come
across a local coffee shop, stop in. You’ll get an excellent strong local
coffee for just 1-1.50 RM ($0.35-.50 US)
* Another tactic
I often use is to switch to Indian teas. Te Tarik is sweetened tea with milk, topped
with froth. Like a tea cappucino! Te tarik is a potent caffeine/sugar combo,
thjus a great substitute for espresso. And at a fraction of the cost. The going
rate is 1- 1.5o RM ($0.35- 0.50 US)
Lash
http://www.lashworldtour.com
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