The best colourful ways to travel across Malaysia is journey through vibrant cities. Johen Redman / Unsplash
Destination » Asia » India
The 12 Best Ways to Travel Across Malaysia
Most tourists don’t know Malaysia has a Jungle Railway, a historic train route cutting through dense rainforest from Tumpat (near the Thai border) down to Gemas. It’s known as one of Southeast Asia’s most scenic yet underused train journeys, offering glimpses of rural villages and untouched jungle few travelers ever see.
Few travelers realize Malaysia’s east coast is home to the Jungle Railway, a train route that winds through thick rainforest, crossing rivers and remote villages rarely visited by outsiders. From city streets to jungle trails, this guide takes you through the best ways to travel across Malaysia.
Jungle train of east coast Malaysia Passing through every small rural villages. Chen Heng / Unsplash
1. Jungle Rail: The Legendary “Jungle Train” of East Coast Malaysia
Step aboard the Jungle Train, Malaysia’s historic rail journey that takes you deep into the natural heart of the east coast. Known as the KTM East Coast Line, this route offers more than just a way to travel; it’s an experience that immerses you in the country’s untamed beauty. As the train slowly winds its way through thick rainforests, you’ll see towering trees, hidden waterfalls, and a landscape untouched by modern highways.
Passing through small rural villages, known locally as kampungs, the train offers glimpses of simple village life. Children wave from dirt roads, farmers tend their fields, and traditional wooden houses dot the greenery. Every stop at an old colonial-era station feels like stepping back in time, with faded signs and weathered platforms standing as reminders of Malaysia’s past.
This isn’t a high-speed journey; it’s a chance to slow down and connect with the landscape. The rhythmic sound of the train, the sight of misty hills in the distance, and the peaceful vibe of traveling through nature make the Jungle Railway a truly unique way to explore Malaysia.
Island-hopping by wooden boats is a fun and best ways to travel across Malaysia’s beautiful islands. Faizah Othman / Unsplash
2. Island-Hopping by Traditional Wooden Boats
Hopping between Malaysia’s islands on traditional wooden boats isn’t just transportation; it’s a journey steeped in history and local tradition. Tambang Bot is the lifeline for fishing communities. It invites you to glide across turquoise waters, feel the ocean breeze, and witness island life in a truly authentic way. Island-hopping in places like Langkawi, the Perhentian Islands, and Tioman becomes even more special aboard these vessels. and this is the best way to travel across Malaysia.
Instead of modern speedboats, the wooden boats glide steadily across clear blue waters, letting you soak in the scenery at a slower, more peaceful pace. You might spot flying fish, playful dolphins, or fishermen casting their nets as you travel between islands. At each stop, you’ll arrive directly onto sandy beaches or small wooden jetties, greeted by colorful fishing villages or quiet stretches of coastline.
Cycle the Heritage Streets of Penang takes you past famous street art. Lightscape / Unsplash
3. Cycle the Heritage Streets of Penang & Melaka
Exploring Penang and Melaka by bicycle is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience their rich history and culture. Both cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, filled with narrow lanes, colorful murals, and centuries-old architecture. Riding a bike is the best ways to travel across Malaysia that allows you to slow down and soak in the details from ornate temples and colonial buildings to hidden cafés tucked away in alleyways.
In George Town, Penang, cycling takes you past famous street art, bustling food stalls, and lively markets, where the aroma of char kway teow and laksa fills the air. You can stop anytime to admire Chinese clan houses, old mosques, or British colonial landmarks, all within a compact, bike-friendly area.
In Melaka, pedaling through Jonker Street and the riverside promenade feels like stepping into a living museum. You’ll pass vibrant Peranakan townhouses, Dutch-built churches, and old fort ruins. Renting a bike or joining a guided cycling tour gives you the freedom to explore hidden spots off the tourist trail while enjoying the breeze and laid-back atmosphere of these historic towns.
4. Road Trip on Malaysia’s Pan-Borneo Highway
Taking a road trip along Malaysia’s Pan-Borneo Highway is an adventure through the untamed beauty of Sabah and Sarawak. The Pan-Borneo Highway weaves across Borneo, seamlessly connecting coastal towns, verdant rainforests, soaring mountains, and indigenous villages, offering travelers an extraordinary journey through Malaysia’s untamed and diverse landscapes.
The journey isn’t just about getting from one place to another; it’s about witnessing diverse landscapes unfold mile after mile, from wild rivers and limestone caves to paddy fields and jungle canopies.
As you drive, you’ll pass through small towns where local markets, food stalls, and longhouses welcome visitors with warmth and simplicity. Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and cultural heritage sites lie along the route, making it best to stop and explore.
5. Hop-On Hop-Off City Buses with Night Routes
Exploring Malaysia’s cities is even more exciting aboard the Hop-On Hop-Off buses, especially the night routes. These open-top, double-decker buses give travelers the best and most beautiful way to see top landmarks without the hassle of navigating public transport. By day, they stop at popular attractions like the Petronas Towers, Bukit Bintang, and Merdeka Square, but at night, the experience transforms into something magical as the city lights up.
At night in Kuala Lumpur, the bus route offers stunning views of the city skyline shimmering under the stars. Iconic buildings shimmer, street markets come alive, and the streets bustle with nightlife energy. You can hop off to explore famous food streets, visit illuminated landmarks, or simply stay on board to enjoy panoramic views of the city lights from the upper deck.
What makes these buses special is their flexibility, allowing you to discover the city whenever you want. Whether you want to catch a cultural performance, snap photos of the city’s vibrant street art, or grab late-night street food, the Hop-On Hop-Off night buses make it all easily accessible. It’s not just a ride; it’s a moving window into the heart of Malaysia’s urban life after dark.
6. Luxury Train Ride on the Eastern & Oriental Express
This luxury train, known for its elegant vintage design, runs between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok, offering passengers a chance to experience Southeast Asia in style. Inside, polished wood panels, plush furnishings, and attentive service create an atmosphere of timeless sophistication. It’s more than transportation; it’s a rolling boutique hotel.
Along the way, the train makes carefully selected stops at scenic and cultural sites. You might disembark to explore historic towns, vibrant markets, or riverside temples, each excursion adding depth to the journey. As the train moves through tropical landscapes, rice paddies, and limestone cliffs, you can relax in your cabin or sip a cocktail in the observation car, watching the changing scenery unfold.
7. Cruising the Rivers of Borneo by Longboat
In Sarawak and Sabah, traditional longboats glide along the Rajang and Kinabatangan rivers, carrying travelers deep into landscapes untouched by roads. These narrow wooden boats, steered by skilled local boatmen, have been used for generations by indigenous communities to navigate the winding waterways.
As you cruise along, the riverbanks come alive with sights and sounds of nature: hornbills soaring above, proboscis monkeys lounging in treetops, and crocodiles basking along muddy shores. The dense jungle seems to close in around the water, creating a sense of being completely immersed in nature. Passing by small riverside villages, you’ll witness a way of life deeply connected to the river, from fishing to trading goods by boat.
8. Ride Sharing the Local Way: Using Grab and Motorcycle Taxis
Getting around Malaysia about tapping into the local way of travel. Whether you’re zipping across Kuala Lumpur’s busy streets or heading to a hawker stall tucked in a quiet neighborhood, Grab connects you directly with drivers who often know the city’s hidden gems.
In some areas, especially smaller towns and islands, motorcycle taxis locally called ojek in neighboring countries provide a fast, nimble way to weave through traffic and narrow streets. Hopping on the back of a motorbike lets you experience the city like a local, feeling the wind in your hair and soaking up the sights from an open-air seat.
Choosing ride-sharing options like Grab or motorcycle taxis isn’t just about convenience; it’s a chance to interact with locals, hear stories, and explore places off the tourist trail. Every ride can turn into a conversation or lead you to a spot you wouldn’t have found on a map, making your journey feel more connected to the people and culture of Malaysia.
9. Flying with MASwings to Remote Destinations
If you’re looking to reach Malaysia’s most remote and untouched corners, flying with MASwings offers an unforgettable gateway. As a regional airline serving Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo, MASwings operates short-haul flights that connect small towns, rural communities, and hard-to-reach destinations often inaccessible by road.
The experience itself is unique. You might board a small turboprop plane, flying low over sprawling rainforests, winding rivers, and dramatic mountain ranges. Watching the landscape unfold beneath you gives a sense of how vast and wild Borneo truly is. Upon landing, you’re often greeted by tiny airstrips surrounded by jungle or coastal scenery, where life moves at a slower, more traditional pace.
Flying with MASwings isn’t just about convenience; it’s a way to connect with isolated communities, support local tourism, and step into Malaysia’s most authentic environments. Each flight feels like the beginning of an adventure, carrying you from urban centers into places where culture, nature, and tradition remain deeply intertwined.
10. Taking the “Ferry to Nowhere”: Penang Ferry Adventure
The Penang Ferry Operating since 1920, this iconic ferry connects Butterworth on the mainland with George Town on Penang Island, offering passengers more than just transportation. As you step aboard the open-air deck, you’re greeted by sea breezes, the hum of engines, and sweeping views of George Town’s colonial skyline rising in the distance. For many travelers, it feels less like a commute and more like a nostalgic ride, evoking memories of Penang’s maritime heritage.
The ride itself is short, usually under 20 minutes, but the experience is rich. You’ll see fishing boats bobbing on the water, watch locals and tourists snapping photos, and hear the lively chatter of commuters heading home or to market. Vehicles line up alongside motorbikes and pedestrians, creating a charming mix of people and purposes all sharing the same vessel.
Even as bridges and modern transport options connect the island and mainland, the Penang Ferry remains a beloved symbol of the state’s history and character. Riding it offers a slow, scenic way to approach George Town, a fitting introduction to a place where past and present flow side by side.
11. Exploring by Campervan: Malaysia’s Growing Van Life Scene
In recent years, Malaysia has quietly embraced the global “van life” movement, with more travelers choosing campervans to explore the country at their own pace. Traveling by campervan in Malaysia offers the freedom to wake up by a quiet beach one day and in the cool highlands the next. With well-maintained highways, accessible petrol stations, and an increasing number of caravan-friendly campsites, it’s becoming easier than ever to experience Malaysia beyond the usual tourist routes.
Driving a campervan across Malaysia allows you to connect with nature in ways few other modes of travel can. Imagine parking by the turquoise waters of Langkawi, setting up camp in the misty hills of Cameron Highlands, or stopping overnight near a peaceful paddy field in Kedah. You’re not bound by hotel check-ins or rigid itineraries; every turn of the road offers a new possibility.
Beyond convenience, campervanning also lets you engage more deeply with local life. You might pull over at a roadside stall for freshly grilled satay or camp near a fishing village and chat with locals over a shared meal. It’s a slower, more intentional way of traveling, where the journey itself becomes as meaningful as the destination.
As Malaysia’s van life community grows, more travelers are discovering the joy of this mobile adventure blending independence, spontaneity, and a spirit of exploration that turns even the simplest road into a memorable story.
12. Hitchhiking Culture in Sabah & Sarawak (With Local Tips)
Hitchhiking across Sabah and Sarawak isn’t just a way to get from one place to another; it’s a window into the warmth and hospitality of Borneo’s people. While it’s not as common as in some Western countries, locals in rural parts of Malaysian Borneo are often open to giving travelers a lift, especially in areas where public transport is scarce. Along winding jungle roads and quiet village paths, it’s not unusual to find yourself hopping into the back of a pickup truck or sharing a ride with a family heading to the next town.
The experience is less about speed and more about connection. Drivers might invite you to stop for lunch at a roadside stall or point out hidden waterfalls and wildlife along the way. It’s a way of travel shaped by trust, spontaneity, and community, and every ride comes with its own unexpected stories. However, hitchhiking here requires patience, flexibility, and a respectful approach.
For those considering this adventure, a few local tips can make all the difference. It’s helpful to learn a few basic phrases in Malay or the local dialects to show appreciation and communicate your destination. Always carry water and snacks, as some stretches of road can be remote with little traffic. Smiling, dressing modestly, and standing near a visible landmark or junction will increase your chances of catching a ride.
Above all, hitchhiking in Sabah and Sarawak is about embracing the journey with an open mind. It offers not just transportation but a rare glimpse into the daily rhythms of life in Borneo, where strangers are often treated like friends, and every shared mile brings a new connection.
This is the official portal managed by Tourism Malaysia, offering verified information on attractions, activities, travel tips, and events across the country. Malaysia Truly Asia – The Official Tourism Website of Malaysia
GUIDED BY EXPERT
Yoga within Travel the perfect flow of Experience
Explore wellness in anywhere
by
