Malaysia is one of the best-connected countries in Southeast Asia, with direct flights from most major cities worldwide.
By air
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the main gateway, located about 50 km south of the city center. It has two terminals: KLIA for full-service carriers and KLIA2 for budget airlines, principally AirAsia, which uses KL as its hub and flies cheaply to dozens of destinations across Asia and Australia. The KLIA Ekspres train reaches KL Sentral in 28 minutes. Taxis and Grab rides take 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.
Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching also have international airports with regional connections to Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and other Southeast Asian cities.
By land from Thailand
Several border crossings link Malaysia and Thailand. The most popular is at Padang Besar, served by the KTM railway between Butterworth (Penang) and Hat Yai. Buses also run from Hat Yai to Penang and onward. The east coast crossing at Rantau Panjang/Sungai Kolok connects to Kota Bharu.
By land from Singapore
Two causeways link Johor Bahru to Singapore. Buses cross frequently from both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. The KTM Shuttle Tebrau train also runs between JB Sentral and Woodlands. Border queues can be long during weekends and Malaysian holidays.
By sea
Ferries connect Langkawi to Satun in Thailand. From Indonesia, ferries run between Sumatra and several Malaysian ports including Melaka, Port Klang and Johor. The Brunei-Labuan-Kota Kinabalu ferry route serves Malaysian Borneo.
Visa requirements
Citizens of most Western countries, ASEAN nations, Japan, South Korea and many others can enter visa-free for 90 days. Indian and Chinese nationals currently enjoy a 30-day visa exemption extended through the end of 2026. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. Most visitors must complete a free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival.