Travel Information

ACCESS TO MELAKA

By Air
Malaysia Airlines and other airlines operate daily flights into Kuala Lumpur and from there it's a quick journey to Melaka on the highway.

By Road
On the PLUS highway, the journey to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur is about 2 hours, and from Singapore about 3 hours.

Bus
The are buses every hour plying North, South & East of Peninsular Malaysia.

Taxi
Taxis are easily obtainable and fares depend on the distance within Melaka.

Car Rental
cars can be rented easily with rates between RM160 and RM200 per day depending on the type of vehicle. Rentals can be arranged at the hotel.

Rail Travel
Melaka does not have a train station, but visitors wishing to travel by train do so by going to the nearest station at Tampin which is just 38km north of Melaka. Tourists are advised to check the Railway offices, for schedules and fares at the following places:
Melaka Office: Tel: 06-2823091
Tampin Station: Tel: 06-4411034

By Ferry
Ferry services are available to and from Melaka - Dumai

MEDICAL SERVICES
Government hospitals will accept foreign patients in emergencies, and it is also possible to attend private hospitals and outpatient clinics for consultations.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Most of the hotels and numerous camera shops in Melaka sell and develop films.

POLICE AND THE LAW
The police headquarters is located in Melaka city and there are police stations in all districts.

RELIGION
The official religion of Malaysia is Islam but there is freedom of worship

LANGUAGE
Bahasa Malaysia is the official language but English is widely spoken and understood.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
There are good telephone communications throughout Melaka town with phone-booths operated by different companies which either accept coins or phonecards. International calls can be direct-dialled from private phones, some public phone-booths using a phone card and Telekom offices. The access code for making international calls from Malaysia is 00. For telephone directory information, dial 103 for domestic and 108 for international.

TIPPING
A service charge of 10% and a government tax of 5% are added to bills in all hotels and tourist class restaurants. Tipping is not mandatory.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Tourist information can be obtained from Melaka Tourist Information Centre, Jalan Kota, 75000 Melaka. Tel: 06-283 6548 / 281 4803

WATER
Tap water is safe for drinking in Malaysia. Hotels usually provide bottled water for guests in their rooms.

WORKING WEEK
The working week for Governement departments is from Monday to Saturday with Sunday being a public holiday. However, most of the food markets, businesses and commercial enterprises are open for business on Sundays, except on public holidays when most shops open for half the day.

BANKS
Money can be changed at most hotels, banks and the airport. Major banks and moneychangers are located in Melaka, with banks being from 9.30am to 3.30pm from Monday to Friday and from 9.30am to 12.00 noon on Saturday.

CURRENCY
Malaysia currency is in Ringgit (RM) and sen. Most establishments accept major travellers' cheques and credit cards. The exchange rate for US Dollars is fixed at RM3.80 = US$1.00.
[Read more on Malaysia's new currency control]

CUSTOMS
There is no duty-free allowance for visitors arriving in Melaka from elsewhere in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak or Singapore. Weapons and walkie-talkies are prohibited, while possession of narcotics and other illegal drugs carries the death sentence. Firearms are subject to licensing.

ANTI-DRUG LAW
Visitors to Malaysia are advised that the trafficking of drugs in the country is an offence punishable by the death penalty.

ELECTRICITY
Malaysian electricity voltage is on a 240 volt 50 Hz system.

HEALTH
The only vaccinattion requirements are yellow fever for those from infected areas. Cholera, smallpox and malaria have largely been eliminated. Those who are staying in remote villages are advised to take malaria prophylactics, commencing the coursei nadvance of arrival in Malaysia.

IMMIGRATION
Citizens from the following countries are required to have a visa to visit Malaysia: North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam and the People's Republic of China. Nationals other than those stated are allowed to enter Malaysia without a visa for a visit not exceeding one month. However, it is recommended that visa enquiries are made at the Malaysian embassy or Malaysian consulate closest to you, as regulations are subject to change.