Getting Around, Malacca Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Malacca / Melaka City, Malaysia)

Malacca is not the easiest major Malaysian tourist destination to travel into. It has an airport, albeit with flights originating outside Malaysia (Sumatra, Indonesia). There is also no direct rail transport access, and the nearest major highway is a good 20 km / 12 miles from the city.

You can, however, travel into Malacca direct by bus from Kuala Lumpur and other prominent Malaysian cities, although, again, the main bus station is a fair way from the centre. Public transportation is thin on the ground, consisting of buses and taxis. Getting about the most interesting parts of the city can often simply be achieved on foot.

Malacca International Airport (MKZ) / Arriving by Air

Address: Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam, Malacca, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 06 317 4577
Malacca's recently revamped airport is just a short distance to the north of the city, although it is not much use to most travellers, as flights only currently come in from Medan and Pekanbaru in Sumatra. The Batang Bus serves the airport road and connects the Melaka Sentral bus station, while taxis are also available. For most people intending to fly in, the best bet is to fly to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and from there, catch public transport to Malacca. This journey will usually take no more than two hours.

Car Rental

There is car rental at the airport, although most people go with their hotel, or from city outlets, such as those in the northerly Taman Seri Cempaka area. A major highway runs between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, putting drivers within about 15 km / 9 miles of Malacca. The city itself is less than 150 km / 93 miles from Kuala Lumpur. Driving in the old town is not recommended, as it is too tight and busy. If you are planning to drive around the city, do be aware that there are a number of one-way systems, which will likely test your patience a little.

Buses and Coaches

The city's bus station is huge and goes by the name of the Malacca Sentral (Melaka Sentral). Residing on the northerly side of the city, the bus station is to be found just off the Jalan Tun Razak and is a painful few kilometres from the historic core. Taxis into the city centre are available here, although the Panorama Melaka bus provides a useful hop-on hop-off service, which may appeal to sightseers.

Express buses travel in from Kuala Lumpur (two hours), Johor Bahru (three hours and 30 minutes) and Singapore (four hours and 30 minutes), as well as from Jerantut (five hours), Kota Bahru (ten hours), Kuala Terengganu (eight hours), Mersing (four hours and 30 minutes) and Muar (one hour). The Malacca Town Bus (No 17 - green) travels around the historic core from Melaka Sentral.

Trains

You won't be able to reach Malacca by rail, since the closest railway station is situated around 35 km / 22 miles away to the north, in nearby Tampin. Trains arrive here from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru several times a day. The Tai Lye bus runs from Tampin to the Melaka Sentral station, and taxis are also to hand for a little more money.

Taxis

Shared chartered taxis travel from Kuala Lumpur, its airport (KLIA) and Singapore. Taxis can carry four passengers and when the cost is shared, the price of the journey becomes all the more reasonable. Taxis in the city are not recommended, with most being non-metered (or not prepared to turn them on) and charging a lot for short trips. Trishaws (a type of bicycle rickshaw) are fun but expensive, and should be pre-negotiated if possible.

Boats and Ferries

Ferries serve Malacca from Sumatra (Bengkalis, Dumai and Pekanbaru), landing at Jeti Shahbandar (the Harbour Master's jetty) near the Maritime Museum. The high-speed ferries to and from Dumai are especially popular and depart each morning, offering a journey time of just one hour and 45 minutes. Bus 17 runs from near the jetty into the city centre.