Getting to Malacca
The Historical City of Malaysia

Getting to Malacca, which is situated about 147 km southwest of Kuala Lumpur, facing the Straits of Melaka on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is fairly easy and convenient. There are a few ways to get there. Unfortunately, Air travel is not one of them.

Although there is an airport in Malacca, which is situated about 9 km from the city, the small landing strip only caters to small aircrafts like the Fokker Friendship.

Hence, you cannot fly stright into Malacca from overseas. You would have to fly into the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), then get to Kuala Lumpur before choosing other modes of transportation to Malacca. However, if you're either in Singapore or Ipoh, getting to Malacca by Air is possible as there are regular air services between Malacca & Singapore and Malacca & Ipoh.

So, with the option of getting to Malacca by Air cut off, that leaves us with Bus, Taxi, Train or Renting your own car to get there.

Getting to Malacca by Bus

Getting to Malacca by Bus is, in my opinion, the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way. From the Puduraya Bus Station in Kuala Lumpur, you can choose from several bus operators to ride a bus down to Malacca. The details of the bus operators are as follows:

Malacca - KL Express

Fare = RM 7.90

Operation Time =

6.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. (Weekdays)

7.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. (Weekends)

Jebat Express

Fare = RM 7.90

Operation Time = 8.30 a.m. - 7.30 p.m. (Hourly)

Metrobus Express

Fare = RM 7.90

Operation Time = 9.00 a.m. - 5.45 p.m. (Hourly)

Koperasi Express

Fare = RM 7.90

Operation Time = 8.00 a.m. - 7.30 p.m.

Transnasional Express

Fare = RM 8.00

Operation Time = 5.30 - 8.00 p.m. (Hourly)

With the number and frequency of buses to Malacca, you can normally just show up and hop on to any available buses waiting at Puduraya Bus Station. However, if you plan to visit Malacca on a long holiday weekend, it is best to show up the day before and buy your tickets. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

The trip from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca will take around 2 hours. The bus will stop at the new "Melaka Sentral" bus station about 5 - 6 kilometres outside of Malacca town. From Melaka Sentral, simply hop on to a taxi to get to Malacca town.

Getting to Malacca by Taxi

Getting to Malacca by Taxi would probably cost the most. But then again, for the comfort, privacy and privilege of getting down at the doorstep of your destination, I would say it's well worth the money.

Getting to Malacca by Train

Another way of getting to Malacca would be by Train. However, the nearest train station to Melaka is Tampin, which is situated about 40 kilometres east of the city.

With only 3 trains a day, this mode of transportation is less convenient and more expensive compared to the other options. Furthermore, when you reach the Tampin railway station, you would still need to get to the local bus station to catch a bus to Malacca Sentral Station.

Of course, traveling by Train has its up sides too. This mode of transportation is the most relaxing and scenic as compared to the other forms of transportation. While on the train, you can admire the beauty of the rural country side at a pleasant and relaxing pace. This "back to nature" feeling is what differentiates the train from the other modes of transportation.

You can board the train in Kuala Lumpur at the Kuala Lumpur railway station if this is your chosen mode of transport.

Getting to Malacca by Car

An alternative to all the above mentioned modes of transportation would simply be, to rent a car and drive yourself there. You can rent a car from car rental agencies in Kuala Lumpur and pay a deposit on top of the daily rates. Absolutely convenient, having your own ride means you have total and complete control of your own schedule in Malacca.

From Kuala Lumpur, hit the KL-Seremban highway and from there, just follow the signboards along the highway towards Seremban. Just keep on driving until you see the Ayer Keroh, Melaka exit. Upon exiting the toll, just keep driving straight and you should be able to see signboards pointing towards Malacca town.

Some Tips on driving in Malaysia:

To drive in Malaysia, you are required to have an international driving permit or a valid driving license issued by the government of any nation party as per the Geneva Convention 1926 and 1949.

Malaysia adopts the "left-hand drive" system. So, if you're used to driving on the right hand side of the road, this may be a little uncomfortable for you in the initial stages. But you'll get used to it after a while. At roundabouts, the driver on the right has the right of way.

International traffic signs are used. Some of the road signs used in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia include:

AWAS - Caution

Jalan Sehala - One Way Street

Ikut Kiri - Keep Left

Ikut Kanan - Keep Right

Beri Laluan - Give Way

Note: The driver and front seat passenger are required to wear safety belts. Those who fail to comply with this regulation will face a fine of up to RM 200.00 or imprisonment not exceeding six weeks, or both.

Historical Malacca Tour

If you're thinking of making a one day trip to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur, you don't actually have to go through the hassles of looking for transportation and planning your trip (which would waste a lot of your time, and when you're here in Malaysia, you have no time to waste because there's just too much to see and enjoy!).

What you can do is simply take a Historical Malacca Private Tour from Kuala Lumpur or a Historical Malacca Tour from Kuala Lumpur to enjoy a hassle-free sight-seeing experience!