Malaysia
Last checked:
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- Currency
- MYR · Malaysian ringgit
- Languages
- Malay, English, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien), Tamil
- Plugs
- Type G · 240 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC Park · Kuala Lumpur
Landmark towers with a skybridge and observation deck; book timed tickets ahead.
- Batu Caves · Selangor (near Kuala Lumpur)
Hindu temple caves up 272 steps, reached by KTM Komuter train.
- George Town · Penang
UNESCO-listed old town with shophouses, street art and some of the country's best food.
- Langkawi · Kedah
Island with beaches, the Sky Bridge cable car and mangrove tours.
- Mount Kinabalu and Sabah · Kota Kinabalu (Borneo)
Malaysia's highest mountain, islands and wildlife; climbs need permits and booking.
Getting around
Ride-hailing app
Grab
The main ride app nationwide; fixed upfront prices, English interface, cash or card. Usually cheaper and easier than street taxis.
Ride-hailing app
inDrive / AirAsia Ride
Alternatives in Kuala Lumpur and some cities; fewer drivers than Grab (varies).
Taxi
Taxis
Metered, but drivers often refuse the meter at peak times or near tourist spots. At airports buy a fixed-price coupon at the official counter.
Public transport
RapidKL (LRT, MRT, Monorail) and Touch 'n Go card
Good rail network in Kuala Lumpur. The Touch 'n Go card works on all lines and buses; contactless bank cards work on KTM and ERL but not on all RapidKL lines (varies).
Trains
KLIA Ekspres
Non-stop from KL Sentral to KLIA in about 28 minutes (around RM55); fastest airport link.
Trains
KTM ETS trains
Electric trains from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, Butterworth (for Penang) and the south. Book on the KTMB app.
Buses
Long-distance buses
Cheap and frequent between cities; book on platforms like Easybook or at TBS terminal in Kuala Lumpur.
Money and cash
Currency: MYR · Malaysian ringgit
Cards and e-wallets (Touch 'n Go eWallet, DuitNow QR) are widely used in cities; hawker stalls, night markets and rural areas often want cash. Use ATMs inside banks or malls; card fraud and ATM skimming are reported. Hotels charge foreign guests a tourism tax of RM10 per room per night.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Malaysia. Many restaurants and almost all hotels add a 10% service charge, plus service tax (SST), so you will see '++' after menu prices. No extra tip is needed; leaving small change for good service is a nice gesture, not an obligation.
| Restaurants | Hawker stalls and local eateries: no tip. Restaurants with a service charge: no extra tip needed. Elsewhere, rounding up or a few ringgit is generous. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Not expected. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Not expected; round up if you like. Grab lets you tip in the app. |
| Hotels | Optional: a few ringgit for porters or housekeeping in upscale hotels. |
| Tours and guides | Optional but appreciated for private guides and drivers, roughly RM10-50 depending on length (varies). |
| Food delivery | Not expected; optional in the app. |
Service charge: what’s true
Many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge, shown on the menu as '++' and as a separate line on the bill. Service tax (SST) is added separately: 6% on food and drink at larger restaurants and 8% on many other services such as hotels (rates changed in 2024 and 2025, varies). The service charge is collected by the business and is described as shared among staff, sometimes after deductions for breakages or staff events. It is not a legal tax, but it is disclosed in advance and charged as a condition of service.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Pressure to tip is rare. If a card terminal or bill suggests an extra tip on top of a service charge, you can decline. A simple 'Terima kasih' (thank you) is enough.
Useful phrases
- Minta bil. The bill, please.
- Termasuk caj perkhidmatan? Does it include the service charge?
- Simpan baki. Keep the change.
Etiquette
- Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques; look for shoes at the door of shops and guesthouses too.
- At mosques, cover arms and legs; women cover their hair (robes are often lent at the entrance). Non-Muslims may be restricted during prayer times.
- Use the right hand to eat, give and receive; point with the thumb rather than the index finger.
- Public displays of affection are frowned upon, especially in conservative states such as Kelantan and Terengganu.
- Dress modestly outside beach resorts, and respect fasting during Ramadan by not eating in public in conservative areas.
- Bargaining is normal at markets and night markets but not in malls or fixed-price shops.
- Avoid public comments on religion, race or the royal families; laws on these topics are strict.
Scams and how to handle them
Card game (poker) scam
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Penang; targets solo travellers
How it works: A friendly local invites you home to meet a relative, then teaches you a card game to 'cheat' a rich gambler. You lose large sums and may be taken to an ATM.
How to avoid it: Decline home invitations from strangers met on the street and never join gambling games.
Taxi meter refusal
Where: Kuala Lumpur (Bukit Bintang, KLCC, KL Sentral), tourist areas
How it works: Drivers refuse to use the meter and quote high fixed fares, especially at rush hour or in rain.
How to avoid it: Use Grab, airport coupon taxis, or insist on the meter before getting in.
Fake police officers
Where: Kuala Lumpur streets
How it works: Plainclothes men claiming to be police ask to check your wallet or passport and take cash or cards.
How to avoid it: Ask for ID and offer to go to the nearest police station; do not hand over your wallet.
ATM and card skimming
Where: Standalone ATMs, some shops
How it works: Card details are copied by skimmers or when cards are taken out of sight.
How to avoid it: Use bank-branch ATMs, cover your PIN and keep your card in view.
Bag snatching from motorbikes
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang streets
How it works: Thieves on motorbikes grab bags, sometimes cutting straps or dragging victims.
How to avoid it: Carry bags away from the road and let go rather than resist.
Drink spiking in bars
Where: Nightlife areas, including upscale venues
How it works: Drinks are tampered with and victims robbed or assaulted.
How to avoid it: Watch your drink, buy your own and avoid cheap spirits (methanol risk).
Safety
- Bag snatching by motorbike thieves is the most common risk in cities; walk facing traffic and keep bags on the inside.
- Keep your passport secure and carry a copy; police carry out spot checks on foreigners.
- Assaults and robberies happen around nightlife areas late at night; use Grab rather than walking.
- Drug penalties are severe, including death sentences for trafficking.
- Check boats are not overloaded and have life jackets, especially on island trips.
- Eastern Sabah coastal islands have a kidnapping risk; check your government's latest advice.
How widely English is spoken
Widely spoken in cities and tourist areas; signs are often in Malay and English. Less common in rural areas and the east coast.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Malaysia, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Kuala Lumpur
- Kuala Lumpur Insider: Tipping in Malaysia
- iChef: SST in Malaysia for F&B
- Malay Mail: Hoteliers insist 10pc service charge not going anywhere
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.