2 1/2 weeks in Malaysia - a travel itinerary
start of journey in Kuala Lumpur (2 nights)
highlights: Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, Chinatown, Bukit Bintang, shopping and eating
Lord Murugan statue, Batu Caves
transport Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands:
bus (approx. 4h, RM30)
Cameron Highlands (2 nights)
highlights: tea plantation, jungle walks, cooler climate
tea plantations
transport Cameron Highlands - Georgetown (Penang):
bus (approx. 4h, RM30)
Georgetown, Penang (1 night)
highlights: UNESCO world heritage site, colonial buildings, eating
Old Town Hall, Georgetown
transport Penang - Langkawi:
boat (approx. 2h, RM60)
Langkawi (2 nights)
highlights: cable car, island exploring with rental bike or car, relaxing at the beach
Langkawi Cable Car
transport Langkawi - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA):
flight (ca. 1h, Malaysian Airlines)
transport KLIA - Melaka:
shuttle bus from KLIA to LCCT Terminal (RM2, every 30min)
from LCCT, bus to Melaka with Transnasional (ca.2h, RM22 - bus schedule: 9.30am, 11am, 5.30pm, 10pm)
Melaka (1 night)
highlights: UNESCO world heritage site, colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses, river tour
street decorated for Chinese New Year
transport Melaka - Johor Bahru:
bus (approx. 3h, RM20 )
Johor Bahru / Singpore (2 nights)
We stayed 2 nights in a hotel in Johor Bahru and did a day trip to Singapore (MRT day ticket: S$8). This saved some money and was more convinient because we had early flight from Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu. The travel time between JB and Singapore is about 2 hours including the border crossing.
highlights: no particular highlights for tourist in Johor (other than cheaper prices than neighbouring Singapore), in Singapore: Little India, Chinatown, Orchard Road, Boat Quay, Marina Bay Sands, Mt. Faber and many more...
view from Johor Bahru to Singapore across the causeway
Singapore skyline
transport Johor Bahru - Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Borneo):
flight (ca. 2h20min, Air Asia)
transport Kota Kinabalu - Mount Kinabalu National Park:
taxi to Inanam Bus Terminal
long distance bus Mount Kinabalu National Park (ca. 3h, RM15)
Mount Kinabalu National Park (1 night)
highlights: jungle walks, mountain trekking
view of Mount Kinabalu
transport Mount Kinabalu NP - Sepilok:
bus to Sandakan (ca. 4h, RM25, get off at the round-about in Sepilok)
Sepilok (2 nights)
highlights: Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Rainforest Discovery
Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary
transport Sandakan - Semporna:
bus (approx. 5-6h, RM40, twice daily: 7.30am, 2pm)
Semporna (1 night), Mabul (3 nights)
transport Semporna - Mabul:
boat (approx. 1h, RM50)
highlights: snorkeling, diving around Mabul / Sipadan - Accommodation, trips and diving with Scuba Junkie
It is advisable not to fly within 24h after diving.
beach view on Mabul Island
transport Mabul - Kuala Lumpur:
boat to Semporna (approx. 1h)
mini bus to Tawau airport (approx. 1h, can be arranged at the dive shops)
flight Tawau - Kuala Lumpur (approx. 2h40min)
end of journey: Kuala Lumpur (1 night)
view from KL Tower
Thanks to Hendrik and Christian for providing the information. All photos are courtesy of Hendrik.