Malaysia Travel Guide

Malaysia Travel Guide web

Malaysia is a beautiful, exotic and surprisingly varied destination in south east Asia. Whether you are specifically planning a trip to Malaysia or perhaps planning a train trip through south east Asia, this Malaysia travel guide will help you get the most out of your trip.

Malaysia seems to have one of the better postal systems in the region. Particularly in Kuala Lumpur post offices are easy enough to deal with if you need to send a package home from Malaysia. Something to bear in mind if you go a bit crazy with the shopping. Particularly in Kuala Lumpur there are a lot of really huge malls so some shopping may well be on the cards.

This Malaysia travel guide will go through some great places to visit in Malaysia, how to get around and what you need to pack.

Contents

When To Visit Malaysia

Being virtually on the equator you can expect warm weather all year round with no sign of anything resembling winter.

Wet season on the east coast is between November and March and many resorts will close during this time. On the west coast the wet season is much less severe and is mostly limited to a heavy but brief shower in the afternoon. If you will be visiting western or central Malaysia I would not worry about the wet season at all.

Burning season is however worthy of consideration. The Indonesian island of Sumatra is nearby and August through November typically see a spike in the amount of illegal slash and burn land clearing occurring on the island. This sometimes leads to out of control fires that can blanket the whole region in smoke. Although it is impossible to predict what exactly will happen bad years have resulted in flight delays and made outdoor activities extremely unappealing.

Getting To Malaysia

As Kuala Lumpur is a major hub for air travel, Malaysia is exceptionally easy to reach. Many airlines from all over the world fly to KL with tourists traveling to south east Asia frequently arriving here before transferring onto a regional airline. Although less common, there are also flights from nearby countries to other parts of Malaysia such as Penang.

Malaysia has land borders with both Singapore and Thailand (although the Singapore border is actually a big bridge). Catching trains through Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand is a great way to explore the region. Buses are also available if you want to travel between Malaysia and its two neighbors.

Of all the countries in south east Asia Malaysia is arguably the easiest to travel to.

Do I Need A Visa For Malaysia?

Citizens of many countries can enter Malaysia and automatically qualify for a 90 day permit to stay. These countries include Australia, the UK, the US, Japan, Spain and others. Many others receive 30 days with relatively few countries having to arrange a visa in advance. Here is a detailed breakdown of Malaysia visa requirements.

Eating In Malaysia

Food is one of the highlights of a trip to Malaysia. It is a multicultural country with large Malay, Indian and Chinese populations (among others). Those three ethnic groups have one thing in common, great food.

Different parts of Malaysia and even different parts of town often have a different ethnic make up. That manifests in one area having an abundance of great Indian food while another area has great Chinese etc. Pay attention to your location, look for bustling businesses and follow the locals to fill your belly.

There are two special kinds of eateries that are worth being aware of.

Hawker centers. We call these food halls in Australia. Typically a hawker center consists of a large open area filled with tables and chairs while the walls are lined with food vendors, each operating their own little shop. In Australia these are associated with cheap and nasty food. While hawker centers in Malaysia also have a very cost effective reputation they certainly do not have the negative connotation. Some of the best meals we have eaten anywhere have been in hawker centers.

delicious indian food in malaysia
A delicious and absurdly cheap meal in Penang

Mamaks. These are Indian restaurants, often they are open to the street and in many cases they are open 24 hours a day. Do not be put off by the unglamorous decor as extreme deliciousnous awaits within. Overlook the cheap furnishings and the often surly waiters and you will have an amazing meal that is also very easy on the wallet.

Malaysia Attractions

the Stadthuys, one of the places to visit in melaka
Melaka near the Stadthuys

Melaka/Malacca

Located on Malaysia's south west coast between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore Melaka is a former trading port that has repeatedly passed from colonial ruler to colonial ruler over the centuries. Many elements of its varied and colorful history are visible as you explore the town.

The Best Food In Melaka

As is common throughout Malaysia a wide variety of affordable but very tasty food is available.

Chicken Rice Balls
chicken rice balls are a notable local speciality. It is a matter of great debate as to who has the best chicken rice balls in Melaka.

There were a few other interesting dining experiences to be had around Melaka. Satay celup and the Malaysian take on the humble burger spring to mind.

Satay Celup
Satay celup involves sitting around a pot of extremely hot satay sauce. You then cook an assortment of raw ingredients in the sauce. It is similar to fondue but using a spicy peanut sauce instead of cheese. There are a few satay celup places scattered around but there is one famous satay celup and queues are common.

Malaysian Burgers
Burgers in Malaysia are surprisingly different to anywhere else. The burger itself is typically swimming in some combination of oil, sauce and butter during cooking. Once cooked it is smothered with sauce. The end result is most likely incredibly high in calories but it is spectacularly tasty.

Melaka Cendol
Made with shaved ice plus an assortment of sweet and tasty treats cendol is common around much of south east Asia. Melaka cendol is distinctive for containing “melaka gula” which is a local variety of palm sugar. It is rich brown deliciousness.

Seafood At the Portuguese Settlement
Roughly thirty minutes walk from central Melaka is the Portuguese Settlement, also known as the Portuguese village. This area is inhabited by people of mixed Portuguese and Malay ancestry. On the waterfront is a row of restaurants offering seafood looking out onto the Malacca Straight.

Nyonya Cuisine
The word Nyonya and Perinakan are used interchangeably. The Peranakans are descendants from Chinese migrants who settled in south east Asia between the 15th and 17th centuries. Their food mingles Chinese and Malay techniques and ingredients creating something similar yet distinctive. There are plenty of Nyonya restaurants around Melaka.

Other Contenders
There is a famous coconut shake stall in Melaka (apparently). It is however a long way away from everything else so we opted for something that didn't involve taking a taxi just to get a coconut shake.

An honorable mention goes to t-bowl in Melaka, a toilet themed restaurant that has unfortunately now closed.

Places To Visit In Melaka

We have taken a huge number of photos of the many places to visit around Melaka.

The center of most of Melaka's historic attractions is The Stadthuys. Originally built by the dutch in 1650 it is now a museum detailing the area's history. I recommend this as a starting point to get you a basic overview of the place's history.

From the front of the Stadthuys if you walk away from the roundabout and follow the road to the right you will find the Dutch graveyard. It contains the graves of a mixture of Dutch and British individuals. A quick browse around is a great reminder of how it easy it is to travel these days compared to past centuries.

Going the other way from the Stadthuys you will see fragments of the fortifications that once guarded this important shipping port. Unfortunately only a tiny proportion of these fortifications remain intact.

Further on just over the Melaka river is Jonker Street, Melaka's main walking street. On Jonker Street you can find all manner of touristy trinkets and restaurants, including plenty of cendol and chicken rice places in particular. Melaka is a popular weekend trip from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore so Jonker Street gets really crowded on weekends. During the week however it is more sedate.

It is slightly awkward to get to but the Melaka Straits Mosque is rather pretty. The whole area is interesting as the mosque sits on an artificial island, Pulau Melaka.

Melaka Accommodation

I actually do not recall exactly how many times we have stayed there but if you are looking for Melaka accommodation we highly recommend Old Town Guesthouse. We have stayed there multiple times and never had a bad experience.

Batu Caves In Kuala Lumpur
one of the large statues at Batu Caves In Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia's national capital is a melting pot of people and cultures from all over the world. When we first arrived in Kuala Lumpur it was not exactly our favorite city but it has definitely grown on us over time.

Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur

Batu Caves

On the outskirts of KL is an amazing religious site you have to see to believe. Read more about Batu Caves.

Kuala Lumpur Food Tour

We had the good fortune to go on a really fun educational food tour. Not only did we get to eat lots of delicious food but we also learned a lot about life in Kuala Lumpur. Read more about the KL food tour.

Dining In The Dark

This unique dining experience saw us eat our meal in total absolute darkness. It is a profoundly weird experience to be consuming mysterious dishes with no way to know what it is until you put it in your mouth. Read more about dining in the dark.

Kuala Lumpur Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

There is a very comprehensive hop on hop off bus tour available. Be warned that doing the whole circuit will likely take you all day. If you want to see a lot of KL in a single day check out this tour. Read more about the Kuala Lumpur Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour.

River Art

Some of the canals around KL are lined with beautiful art to be enjoyed by people passing by. Read more about KL river art.

A Strawberry farm in the Cameron highlands
A Strawberry farm in the Cameron highlands

Ipoh, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands

Ipoh is a pleasant enough town that most tourists only pass through to get up into the Cameron Highlands. Although we did not have a whole lot of time to look around owing to some illness there are a few rather old fashioned British buildings and we were able to have an excellent yum cha experience due to the large Chinese population in Ipoh.

It is easy enough to catch the bus from Ipoh to the Cameron Highlands. Once in the highlands you can travel around tea plantations, strawberry farms and a few other sites. Frankly it is a little dull if you have previously ever spent any time on a farm. The cool weather is a pleasant change but we personally found it somewhat underwhelming and rapidly moved on. If you are interested you can read more about our experience in Ipoh, Tanah Rata and the Cameron Highlands.

beach on Pulau Pangkor Pangkor Island
A hard to access beach on Pulau Pangkor

Pulau Pangkor

Pangkor Island is a small island that represents a very affordable option if you want a simple beachy existence without the resort price tag. The only negative to the place was that the Internet connection on the island was a bit unreliable. Other than that it was a cheap and pleasant place to be beach bums without breaking the bank.

Scooters are available for rent. You can rent a scooter on Pulau Pangkor then do a lap of the island in about 45 minutes. Be extremely careful as the roads are very windy and get really narrow in parts.

One warning, unless there is another spot other than right in front of Nipah bay the snorkeling there is hilariously underwhelming. Do not bother.

A quiet alleyway in Georgetown on Penang
The back streets of Georgetown, Penang

Penang

Penang is one of the world's premier foodie destinations. Its long history as an important stop on the trading route from Asia to India and Europe means this area has been a cultural and culinary melting pot for centuries.

Best Places To Visit In Penang

The best thing we did on Penang may not be easy to replicate. An airbnb host took us on a scooter tour of the island that allowed us to visit a bunch of places. If you are interested in our experience you can read about our motorcycle tour of Penang. If you do happen to have a scooter or motorcycle while staying on Penang riding across the Penang bridge then coming back on the ferry is a pleasant circuit.

The historic center of Georgetown is fairly compact. It is easy enough to wander around and see all you want to see. Fort Conwallis marks the northern bounds of the historic center while Little India marks the other end. There is of course stuff outside of that area but between those two landmarks you will find most of Georgetown's historic attractions as well as a great cross section of Penang's famous food.

Further afield is the very beautiful Kek Lok Si Temple.

The Best Food In Penang

Penang is justifiably famous for its food. The island of Penang is home to thriving communities of Malays, Chinese and Indians who have brought their own culinary traditions. More recently Japanese and Korean restaurants have been popping up. This makes it a great place to eat a huge variety of food from around the world, all in the one location.

We have previously written an introduction to food in Penang, food in Penang part 2. On Penang it is easy to have Indian for breakfast, Japanese for lunch, Malay for first dinner and Chinese for second dinner because one dinner is not enough in Penang. Add in some medicinal tea to wash it all down.

Quite a few hotels and cafes in Penang offer an afternoon tea package, usually referred to as high tea. This gets you all the tea you can drink plus an assortment of cakes, sandwiches and snacks. We had a good experience at Macalister Mansion although the Eastern and Oriental Hotel does it, as does a chain of restaurants called Winter Warmers who offer a more casual option.

An honorable mention goes to the now defunct Clinic Cafe, a hospital themed restaurant. However weird you think that sounds, it was even weirder.

Penang Accommodation

We have mostly stayed in airbnb places in Penang. We have however tried a few different hotels. These are two we recommend.

In Georgetown we very much liked the Red Inn Heritage Guest house. It is extremely well located in the midst of Georgetown's historic attractions. Read our Red Inn Heritage Guesthouse review

Meanwile, in Batu Ferringhi we had a great stay at Shangri La's Golden Sands Resort. This beach front resort is packed with facilities for a great family vacation. Read our Shangri La Golden Sands review

swimming at Pantai Cenang on Langkawi
An early morning swim at Pantai Cenang, Langkawi

Langkawi

Just north of Penang the island of Langkawi is far more beach and resort focused. If you are wondering where you can find resorts in malaysia, Langkawi is a good starting point.

Our experience on Langkawi was very positive. Not even a fire near our accommodation could spoil our enjoyment.

Things To Do In Langkawi

Langkawi’s Cable Car Experience

Renting a Motorcycle and Riding Around Langkawi

Laman Padi Langkwai – The Rice Museum

The view from our balcony at Shangri La Tanjung Aru
The view from our balcony at Shangri La Tanjung Aru

Honeymoon In Malaysia

We actually had our honeymoon in Malaysia. If you are considering it you can read about our Malaysia honeymoon. Unfortunately we were very new to blogging at the time so do not expect a really detailed write up. We did however have a GREAT experience.

We started our Malaysian honeymoon by spending a few days in the fabulous Shangri La Tanjung Aru resort, briefly visited Kota Kinabalu before spending time in the wonderful city of Kuching in Sarawak. Some time in a resort then a few days exploring Kuching and venturing out into the jungles of Borneo is a pretty great honeymoon and I would recommend it to anyone.

Red Inn Heritage Guesthouse in Penang
Red Inn Heritage Guesthouse in Penang

Where to stay in Malaysia. Accommodation in Malaysia we loved.

Cameron Highlands - Eight Mentigi Guesthouse - View the latest prices here.
Simple but adequate. We didn't actually spend much time here as we did one tour, felt like we had seen enough tea and strawberry farms and moved on.
Ipoh - Hotel Shangg - View the latest prices here.
A short walk from some nice Chinese restaurants. Comfortable which was good as Andrew was violently ill while here after eating some truck-stop chicken
Johor Bahru - T-Hotel Johor Bahru - View the latest prices here.
Really just a place to sleep.
Kota Kinabalu - Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa - View the latest prices here.
We spent part of our honeymoon here and it was AMAZING!
Kuala Lumpur - Sky Express Hotel Bukit Bintang - View the latest prices here.
Decent mid-priced option. Near Jalan Alor and across the road from the best breakfast buffet in KL.
Kuala Lumpur - Step Inn Guesthouse - Read our review and view the latest prices here.
Cheap and cheerful. The area immediately around it is rather gritty but its only a short walk to a lot of KL's attractions.
Kuala Lumpur - KL Shortstay - on AirBnB - View the latest prices here and click here to get credit when you join airbnb.
Spacious rooms, very private, just make sure you ask for a non-smoking room.
Kuala Lumpur - D Oriental Inn Hotel - View the latest prices here.
Bustling hotel in the heart of bustling Chinatown.
Kuala Lumpur - Sahabat Guesthouse - View the latest prices here.
Great location, breakfast is very limited, very nice room.
Kuala Lumpur - Tune Hotel KLIA2 - View the latest prices here.
Convenient hotel right at KLIA2. Perfect for a sleep between flights.
Kuching - The Limetree Hotel - View the latest prices here.
Super comfy hotel, rooftop bar, walkable to the Kuching waterfront, helped organize tours out into the jungle.
Langkawi - Shirin Guesthouse - Read our review here.
Basic but affordable room, the couple who run it have some differences to work out so be prepared for some friction.
Melaka – Old Town Guesthouse - Read our first review and our second review. Also view the latest prices here.
We have stayed here repeatedly. Run by a very friendly family. Clean and a great location. Love it!
Melaka - Apa Kaba Home Stay - Read our review.
An old traditional house. Looks great but be prepared for sweat and mosquitoes.
Penang -Red Inn Heritage Guesthouse - Read our review and view the latest prices here.
Very comfortable but try to get one of the back rooms. The front rooms have have people clomping past them at night.
Penang - Airbnb room - click here to get credit when you join up.
The host is a stickler for the rules but as a result the place is clean and everything is in perfect working order.
Penang - Luxfort 118 Service Suites - Get the latest prices here.
Really nice serviced apartments in a very convenient location. There is a supermarket literally in the building with all manner of food options nearby.
Penang - Shangri-La's Golden Sands Resort- Read our review and get current prices here.
A really nice family resort right on Batu Ferringhi beach. It has great child friendly swimming pools and indoor play areas for both toddlers and older children.
Pulau Pangkor – Ombak Inn Guesthouse - Read our review here.
Basic chalets thirty seconds from the beach. Good breakfast.
The hotel we believe has the best breakfast buffet in Kuala Lumpur....
Swiss-Garden Hotel Kuala Lumpur
catching the train in Malaysia
One of the very comfortable trains that you can catch around Malaysia

Getting Around Malaysia

We have traveled extensively around Malaysia. Generally it is an easy country to move around with an abundance of trains and buses to take you wherever you need to go.

Although it is not nearly as scooter-centric as Thailand there are parts of Malaysia where it is common for tourists to rent a scooter. I encourage you to get your motorcycle license before coming to south east Asia if you are likely to rent a scooter. The dangers of riding a scooter can be very significant.

Taxis In Malaysia

Particularly in the more populous areas like Kuala Lumpur and Penang taxis are plentiful. There is occasionally a little argument over the using the meter. In the case of the Guerney shopping centers in Penang there are allegedly actually set prices required of taxi drivers. Regardless of whether or not this is true the prices involved are quite moderate.

Particularly in Kuala Lumpur the traffic can be extremely heavy. That means that taxis may not be as convenient as they appear compared to the train and bus system.

MyTeksi, now renamed Grab, is an app for your smartphone that is worth installing. It allows you to request a taxi from wherever you happen to be. While you are at it, install Uber. Uber is usually cheaper than taxis.

Getting From The Airport

Kuala Lumpur international airport is located outside of the city. There are two terminals KLIA1 and KLIA2 and you are looking at thirty minutes to an hour to reach the city from the airport.

Taxis are of course available which have the advantage that they will deliver you right to your accommodation. They are however the most expensive way to travel between Kuala Lumpur and the international airport.

Both terminals are connected to a rail system that can deliver you into KL. A station called KL Sentral is the most common spot to board trains headed for the airport and the most common spot to disembark from trains arriving from the airport. The trains are fast and comfortable.

Buses are available. They are slower than the trains and generally less comfortable. They may however go to some places in KL that the airport trains do not. For example the 1 Utama Shopping Mall. If your accommodation happens to be near there the bus may be a better option.

If you are flying out consider speaking to your accommodation about arranging transport. The inevitably know a taxi driver who will pick you up at an agreed upon time and take you to the airport for a fixed fee. This is usually somewhat expensive but it is convenient, particularly if you have to get to the airport either late at night or early in the morning.

We have written a great many guides to getting around Malaysia. Hopefully they are helpful.

From Singapore To Kuala Lumpur

How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train. We were traveling by train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur but if you need to go the other direction, from Malaysia to Singapore, this guide should provide you some insight.

From Kuala Lumpur To Melaka

Read our guide on how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka

From Melaka To Ipoh

Read our guide on how to get from Melaka to Ipoh

From Ipoh To The Cameron Highlands

Read our guide on how to get from Ipoh to the Cameron highlands

From The Cameron Highlands To Pulau Pangkor

Read our guide on how to get from the Cameron highlands to Pulau Pangkor (Pangkor Island)

From Pulau Pangkor To Penang

Read our guide on how to get from Pulau Pangkor to Penang

From Kuala Lumpur To Penang

Read our guide on how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. This includes information on catching the train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.

From Butterworth To Penang

Read our guide on how to get from Butterworth to Penang

From Penang To Hat Yai

Read our guide on how to get from Penang to Hat Yai in Thailand

From Penang To Langkawi

Read our guide on how to get from Penang to Langkawi

From Langkawi to Hat Yai in Thailand

Read our guide on how to get from Langkawi to Hat Yai in Thailand

Malaysia Travel Budget Tips

Although not as cheap as neighboring Thailand, Malaysia is still a budget friendly destination.

Accommodation is always going to be a big part of your travel expenses. There is unfortunately no substitute for shopping around. Hotels Combined works great as a starting point for your research or to verify that the price you are seeing elsewhere is actually a good price. They make shopping around easy.

The cost of a meal does not always directly relate to how much you will enjoy it, especially in places like Malaysia and neighboring Thailand that have a tradition of affordable street food. By eating at hawker centers and mamaks whenever possible you will get really tasty and extremely affordable meals. There is absolutely no reason that food should eat into your budget in Malaysia. Nasi lemak, roti canai, mee goreng, and wonton noodle soup are all extremely common and cheap yet extremely tasty.

Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around Malaysia. See the travel guides above for details. Flying is very definitely not your only option. Traveling by land is usually cheaper and also offers the opportunity to see parts of the country you would otherwise miss.

Melaka, featured in our Malaysia travel guide
The beautiful historic town of Melaka

What To Pack For Malaysia

The weather in Malaysia varies between warm and hot. High humidity can compound the heat and lead to a very sweaty experience. Lightweight clothing that can help protect you from the sun while still letting in the breeze is very much the order of the day. Visiting the Cameron Highlands or during an air-conditioned bus trip is the only time you are likely to require even a light jacket.

Fine dining is available in all of the larger cities, Kuala Lumpur in particular. Aside from high end restaurants casual attire is acceptable everywhere. The heat and humidity generally preclude too much concern about people's appearance. Do bear in mind that Malaysia is a socially conservative country so dress modestly. Shoulders covered, nothing transparent or skin tight. This will also reduce your risk of sun burn and mosquito bites.

Speaking of mosquitoes, Malaysia does have periodic Dengue Fever outbreaks. Dengue Fever is a mosquito borne disease that you really do not want. DEET based mosquito repellents are the most effective. When buying DEET repellent make sure to check what percentage DEET it is. 30-40% is usually adequate.

In areas of less risk we will use a citronella repellent instead. We will also use it during low risk times in high risk areas to avoid wearing DEET 24/7.

We have typically traveled around Malaysia with only a single set of footwear each. Typically something like a pair of Keen sandals. Both men's and women's versions exist. These help keep your feet cool, they are comfortable when walking all day and not having additional pairs of footwear in your luggage greatly reduces the size of your bag.

Malaysia Packing List

-At least three days worth of warm/hot weather clothing
-Hats. It gets really hot out there.
-Sunscreen/suncream.
-Swim wear, particularly if you are staying somewhere with a pool you will really appreciate the chance to take a dip.
-Basic toiletries. All of this can easily be purchased on arrival so there is no need to bring a large stockpile.
-Mosquito repellent
-Thongs/flip flops/jandels
-A light jacket and trousers for when flying, or taking a bus.
-Passports
-Bank/credit cards and a small amount of cash. There are ATMs at the airport so you should be able to get cash out when you arrive but having a small stash of cash doesn't hurt.
-Travel insurance details.
-Any electronic devices you require plus their chargers or cables.
-Books, toys etc for any kids traveling with you.

Stuff For Babies And Toddlers

If you have children traveling with you we have some specific advice.

Baby Carrier

Malaysia's streets are frequently not stroller/pram friendly. Although having your child pressed against you in the tropical heat is not very appealing it can still be preferable to trying to navigate the broken (or absent) sidewalks with a stroller.

We have written a lot of baby carrier reviews. Two quick picks however:

If you foresee using your baby carrier a great deal start your research with the Ergobaby. They are one of the best known brands for a reason.

If you do not think you will use your baby carrier often but you want one tucked away check out the very lightweight Boba Air. It weighs just over 1 pound (0.5 kg) and packs up very small so it is perfect to have in your bag for occasional use.

Stroller

Malaysia's many shopping centers and some parts of KL are stroller friendly. Other than that however using a stroller can be a bit of a mixed bag. It is certainly helpful both for transporting your child and to have something to carry your day pack. Unfortunately stairs that cannot be avoided, broken sidewalks and plant filled islands in the middle of roads that provide no way for pedestrians to cross aside from clambering over knee high vegetation can make it more physically demanding than you might expect.

Unless you spend your entire trip in shopping malls you are virtually guaranteed to have to lift your stroller plus your child and bags multiple times a day. Up stairs, on and off buses, over gardens apparently designed to keep pedestrians out, and over broken concrete. Above all you want a lightweight stroller.

We have used two very frequently and highly recommend them. Both fold up small enough to go into the overhead compartment on a plane.

The Babyzen Yoyo is sturdy, reclines and is suitable right from birth. It weighs 13 lbs (5.9 kg) and appears to be virtually indestructible.

The GB Pockit Stroller weighs only 10 lbs (4.6kg). It does not recline so is not suitable for newborns. Although it feels flimsy it is tougher than it appears and has held up to a great deal of punishment and never missed a beat.

If you are interested in travel strollers we have written an extensive guide to lightweight travel strollers.

Travel Cot/Travel Crib

We made the decision early on to travel with a travel crib to ensure we had a safe, familiar environment for our daughter to sleep in. Of the various options we have tried the Phil & Ted's Portable Traveller Crib has very definitely been the best. It is light, packs up small, and very stable.

Infant Car Seat

The traffic in Malaysia is quite intense. If you are likely to be traveling frequently in cars you may want to bring a car seat from home. We do not have any specific suggestions. This requires some set up and disassembly making it awkward for short taxi rides.

We have made use of a baby carrier instead. Put your child in the baby carrier on an adult's front. Then the adult puts on their seatbelt ensuring that the lap section is beneath the child's bum while the chest strap is between parent and child. That way in the event of an accident the seatbelt should stop the adult, the carrier stops the child and the seatbelt position ensures that the child is not squashed by the adult's weight.

This is not perfect by any means but we are usually only talking about five minute taxi trips. Using your baby carrier has the advantage that you can get in and out the car quickly.

Nappies/Diapers

These are available at supermarkets. Large supermarkets like Carrefour will have vast walls of nappies/diapers for you to choose from. The brands will be different to what you get at home so there may be some experimenting required before you find your favorite brand. Our favorite was brand “Pet Pet”.

Baby Formula

This is also available from supermarkets. If you are only visiting for a short while considering bringing a stash so your child can have a familiar taste. If you run out head to a supermarket and you will have an abundance of choice.

Still want more? Here is everything we have written about Malaysia.