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Getting around the country
poses little difficulty. There are various modes of travel - air, rail,
or road. Each mode is efficient, convenient, and affordable.
More Malaysians are
now utilizing the North-South Expressway, which stretches from Johor Bahru
at the southern tip of the peninsular all the way up to the Thai border
in the North.
This may not be the Orient
Express of old, but KTM or the Malaysian Railway provides a charm and
romance of its own to anyone who chooses to travel this way. KTM has a
number of travel plans for both domestic and foreign tourists. It would
be a good idea to check with the railway authorities on what these travel
plans are and how you can get the best out of them. The railway runs all
the way into Singapore in the south and to Padang Besar in the north,
at the Thai-Malaysian border. There is also an eastern link that takes
you to the East Coast states of the Peninsula. For train ticket booking,
please logon to http://www.ktmb.com.my/utama.htm
The national airline, Malaysia
Airlines (MAS) provides an excellent domestic link to all the major towns
and cities in the country. Kuala Lumpur is the hub, from which you could
head off to Penang, Langkawi, Alor Setar, Ipoh, Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu,
Kuantan, and Johor Bahru. These are the major towns in the Peninsula.
The two eastern capitals of Kuching (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)
are also served on a daily basis by MAS. Other flights would take you
to Labuan, Tawau, and Sandakan.
Taxi service is another
good way to travel overland in the country. Usually there are taxi stands
that take you to your destinations like Melaka, Johor Bahru or even to
Penang. You could in fact get a taxi ride to any part of the country.
But remember that the law allows for four passengers and that you only
pay your share of the ride. Hence, there is no need to hire the whole
taxi.
There are regular bus services
to almost every part of the country. You could easily take an express
bus into Singapore or Thailand. These buses are usually air-conditioned
and run on express service. Regular routes are plied and they stay very
much on schedule. They are efficient and quite convenient. For bus ticket
booking, please logon to http://www.plusliner.com
Several car-hire services
are available, even international ones like Avis. This means that you
can hire a car in one city and self-drive it to another and leave the
car at a pre-designated stop. Usual car rental formalities apply. You
need an excellent road map, an international driving license, and insurance.
Payment by major credit cards is also accepted by most companies. Your
travel agent or the hotel could provide you with the details.
Some of the country's islands
are served by ferries. Langkawi, for instance, is a good example. There
are two places where you can take the ferries: Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah.
Another resort island that is serviced by a ferry is Pangkor. You begin
your journey at Lumut. Another is the Mersing-Tioman Island ferry service.
Although most people prefer to use the Penang Bridge these days, there
remains a 24 hour ferry service from Butterwoth to Penang island.

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