Discussion
yo,
Been offered the opportunity to go to Malaysia with a friend for a few weeks. Sounds like we'll only be in KL.
Just wondering if it's worth going if I'm going to be stuck in the city - unless there's some good stuff to do. Certainly got drinking lined up, but I'd like the opportunity to maybe go a bit further afield - ie day trips outside the city.
Bearing in mind I'd be leaving KL on my own (it's a family visit for my friend) is this sensible? Plenty of experience with Eastern Europe means I'm a bit wary (in fact, I've never traveled outside of Europe).
I don't know much about Malaysia, so would it be wise to have others with you, either for local knowledge or security.
Also, if anyone can point me in the right direction for budget accommodation in the city that would be great, and any other tips would be much appreciated!
cheers!
Been offered the opportunity to go to Malaysia with a friend for a few weeks. Sounds like we'll only be in KL.
Just wondering if it's worth going if I'm going to be stuck in the city - unless there's some good stuff to do. Certainly got drinking lined up, but I'd like the opportunity to maybe go a bit further afield - ie day trips outside the city.
Bearing in mind I'd be leaving KL on my own (it's a family visit for my friend) is this sensible? Plenty of experience with Eastern Europe means I'm a bit wary (in fact, I've never traveled outside of Europe).
I don't know much about Malaysia, so would it be wise to have others with you, either for local knowledge or security.
Also, if anyone can point me in the right direction for budget accommodation in the city that would be great, and any other tips would be much appreciated!
cheers!
Havent been there for the best part of 10 years now (but my step son has just returned from there) bur it was/is my favourite city in the FE by far. Very friendly place; interesting places to visit; cheap food; expensive beer!
We hired a car and toured around a bit (East Coast and down to Singapore) which was an experience. The roads were fine but the Malay lorry drivers had little sense of right of way
I'm sure someone else will come along and update this thread on places to stay/visit which will be much better than my memory. I did enjoy a day trip on one of these organised coaches which took in the Batu (spelling?) Caves which is a must and also the pewter factory (Royal Selangore). I also recall the butterfly farm and planetarium which were both worth a visit.
Also visit Petaling Jaya (Petaling Street) market for great haggling for cheap (some knock off)stuff.
You will love it
...I am jealous 
We hired a car and toured around a bit (East Coast and down to Singapore) which was an experience. The roads were fine but the Malay lorry drivers had little sense of right of way
I'm sure someone else will come along and update this thread on places to stay/visit which will be much better than my memory. I did enjoy a day trip on one of these organised coaches which took in the Batu (spelling?) Caves which is a must and also the pewter factory (Royal Selangore). I also recall the butterfly farm and planetarium which were both worth a visit.
Also visit Petaling Jaya (Petaling Street) market for great haggling for cheap (some knock off)stuff.
You will love it
...I am jealous I loved KL and would go back in a heart beat.
Humidity was breath taking, quite literally.
and when it rained ( about 3pm most days) Oh Boy........
The only place whare I have been to a night club abd the bouncer shook my have and gave me a business card!
Very friendly people.!
Humidity was breath taking, quite literally.
and when it rained ( about 3pm most days) Oh Boy........
The only place whare I have been to a night club abd the bouncer shook my have and gave me a business card!
Very friendly people.!
Edited by odyssey2200 on Saturday 16th June 12:06
Great place. Really friendly and safety isn't really a problem. Lots to do but if you're there for a few weeks I'd suggest hiring a car every now and then and do a bit of travelling - Singapore is a few hours drive (keep a few US dollars in your wallet in case you get stpped for speeding ).
Given the time you have I'd also suggest you consider taking advantage of the really cheap flights from KL (AirAsia is the main carrier) to take a look at some places you may never have the chance to visit again - take a look at the destinations / prices here http://booking.airasia.com/.
Plenty of good cheap places to stay (try tripadvisor) - I always used Mandarin Oriental (one of the best in the city but a room can be got for £70 an night!).
Definitely go for it.
).Given the time you have I'd also suggest you consider taking advantage of the really cheap flights from KL (AirAsia is the main carrier) to take a look at some places you may never have the chance to visit again - take a look at the destinations / prices here http://booking.airasia.com/.
Plenty of good cheap places to stay (try tripadvisor) - I always used Mandarin Oriental (one of the best in the city but a room can be got for £70 an night!).
Definitely go for it.
Kl is a great place to live, but there is not much for the tourist, you can do it all in 2 days, China Town, Batu Caves, The Twin Towres, he Zoo and bird park are second rate, the National Musum is Islamic, the fun parks at Sunway and Ganting are cheap around 5 pound for a all ypu can ride day ticket, but are small in comparrison tot he European ones.
There is great night life, the bars around the beach club (Jalan P Ramlee) and Chnkit are the main areas, if you want 3 weeks in bars you can do one a night and not go to the same one twice.
Best bet is to get outside, either on the cheap flights as said or even the long distence bus, (11 pound to singapore) the night train to Hatyai in Thailand is good, again about 12 pound for a sleeper.
The big thing in KL is shopping and night life, there is not much culture.
When you coming? Ther is some good club rcing at Sepang the weekend of 15th July.
There is great night life, the bars around the beach club (Jalan P Ramlee) and Chnkit are the main areas, if you want 3 weeks in bars you can do one a night and not go to the same one twice.
Best bet is to get outside, either on the cheap flights as said or even the long distence bus, (11 pound to singapore) the night train to Hatyai in Thailand is good, again about 12 pound for a sleeper.
The big thing in KL is shopping and night life, there is not much culture.
When you coming? Ther is some good club rcing at Sepang the weekend of 15th July.
Security is no problem you can walk anywhere at any time, vilont crime in Kl is mainly confined to crimial classes, or the very rich, (car jacking) its a no issue for the tourist, even bag snatching has almost stopped since the clubed a few of the people who did to death.
Budget accomadation is no problem the Radius Hotel has rooms with breakfast for 140 Rm a night, the are loads od budget accomadaion in the Buckit Bingtang, chankit raja Chulan area for 10 rm a night, rmeber that all rates you wl be quoed will be plus 6% tax and 10 % sercice, so quote of 100 will cost 115 a night, as an examlpe look at the yy38, cheap clean good area, but the matresses are thin and foam.
If your on your own Pm me I'm on KL most weekends but tavel in the week, but willing to meet for apint.
Budget accomadation is no problem the Radius Hotel has rooms with breakfast for 140 Rm a night, the are loads od budget accomadaion in the Buckit Bingtang, chankit raja Chulan area for 10 rm a night, rmeber that all rates you wl be quoed will be plus 6% tax and 10 % sercice, so quote of 100 will cost 115 a night, as an examlpe look at the yy38, cheap clean good area, but the matresses are thin and foam.
If your on your own Pm me I'm on KL most weekends but tavel in the week, but willing to meet for apint.
thanks a bunch everyone, some great info.
accommodation is now sorted as I can now stay with my friend. Pretty much 99% sure I want to go, annoyingly I can't book yet as I'm waiting for a passport in the post, but it should be here in a few days.
I'd love to go to Sepang but the departure date is after the 15th!
two things-
-hiring a car seems like a good idea, is there any extra paperwork I might need to obtain in england? Obviously I have a full clean UK license, insured here etc but someone mentioned an international license to me a while ago. Never hired a car before
-jabs? malaria etc
accommodation is now sorted as I can now stay with my friend. Pretty much 99% sure I want to go, annoyingly I can't book yet as I'm waiting for a passport in the post, but it should be here in a few days.
I'd love to go to Sepang but the departure date is after the 15th!
two things-
-hiring a car seems like a good idea, is there any extra paperwork I might need to obtain in england? Obviously I have a full clean UK license, insured here etc but someone mentioned an international license to me a while ago. Never hired a car before
-jabs? malaria etc
You do not need any jabs, and you do not need an international license if you have a photo on the license, you used to have to have an internaional in the old days when British licenses did not have a photo.
You can hire a car either in town or at the airport, don't get anything big, just get a local Proton or Peradua, you can get a Peradua Kancil, which I think you call a nipper for around 12 pound a day with insurance.
You do not need a car in KL or the surrounding area, you can not park in KL and you could not spend 12 pounds a day on taxi's.
If you are coming in ugust rember it is Ramadam, not a big issue but just to be aware at i will effect traffic flow, what area are you planning to stay in?
You can hire a car either in town or at the airport, don't get anything big, just get a local Proton or Peradua, you can get a Peradua Kancil, which I think you call a nipper for around 12 pound a day with insurance.
You do not need a car in KL or the surrounding area, you can not park in KL and you could not spend 12 pounds a day on taxi's.
If you are coming in ugust rember it is Ramadam, not a big issue but just to be aware at i will effect traffic flow, what area are you planning to stay in?
I visited in March for the F1 en route through to Thailand, staying in the Park Royal apartments in Bukit Bintang.
I loved it, the nightlife was close by and there were plenty of places to go for food after getting back from Sepang at 11pm+ after the F1 each evening.
There's also a whisky bar with a massive selection, if you like a dram.
I loved it, the nightlife was close by and there were plenty of places to go for food after getting back from Sepang at 11pm+ after the F1 each evening.
There's also a whisky bar with a massive selection, if you like a dram.
Tou got to watch the wisky bar, they have a reputation for rebottling malts, it is now largly off the map with people in the know, pity because it was a great palce and the nearest bar to where I live, if you do go there only buy main stream malts and avoid the expensive exotic stuff,which has the highest risk of being rebottled.
As Berw says, KL is a great City to live and work in but as a tourist destination not that great. It does however have some fantastic bars and clubs, but things may be a little quieter over Ramadan.
Hiring a car and getting out and about is a good idea too, Singapore is a 4 hour drive South, with Melakka on the way.
North gets you to Penang or Langkawi, or Frazer Hill / Genting so with some planning there is lots to be able to see and do without it costing too much.
No jabs are needed but do get a can of Deet (mozzie repellant) and stay hydrated as the heat and humidity will get to you.
Hiring a car and getting out and about is a good idea too, Singapore is a 4 hour drive South, with Melakka on the way.
North gets you to Penang or Langkawi, or Frazer Hill / Genting so with some planning there is lots to be able to see and do without it costing too much.
No jabs are needed but do get a can of Deet (mozzie repellant) and stay hydrated as the heat and humidity will get to you.
pointedstarman said:
Singapore is a few hours drive (keep a few US dollars in your wallet in case you get stpped for speeding ).
).
that is Indonesia .... local currency RM50 covers most indiscretions (about a tenner) but if you are sticking to the speed limit (and in a perodua / Myvi etc its fairly hard to break it) you will have no issues. Give them your UK license then let the copper offer you to "compound the fine" on teh spot.
allegedly ......
Edit - DO NOT try this approach in Singapore.
cheers everyone - we'll be heading to penang at some point, as well as some other bits north of KL. really looking forward to it (except for the several hour stopover at dubai). Going off mid july to early aug (3 weeks). especially looking forward to the food and drink!
Can't really think of anything else I need to know, but any more ideas are welcome. Still weighing up the idea of hiring a car - obviously the cost appeals but I have to weigh that up against the risk of mental locals and the fact I've never driven outside of the UK - and only for a couple of years at that.
I'll be doing a travel blog for my family and friends at home to read, if anyone's interested here i'll share before I go!
Can't really think of anything else I need to know, but any more ideas are welcome. Still weighing up the idea of hiring a car - obviously the cost appeals but I have to weigh that up against the risk of mental locals and the fact I've never driven outside of the UK - and only for a couple of years at that.
I'll be doing a travel blog for my family and friends at home to read, if anyone's interested here i'll share before I go!
Corus Hotel, KL ok for the money and good location, close to KLCC (twin towers shopping centre), also very close to KLCC LRT (subway) and the new pedestrian walkway (enclosed/air con etc) that links the two major shopping malls/eateries etc..
Pick and choose your taxis, some will try and rip you off.
Avoid Bukit Bintang late at night, can get some hassle down there.
Mind ur wallet n phone in the beach club...
Pick and choose your taxis, some will try and rip you off.
Avoid Bukit Bintang late at night, can get some hassle down there.
Mind ur wallet n phone in the beach club...
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