2 1/2 weeks in Malaysia - a travel itinerary

This is a travel itinerary for 2 and half week trip through Malaysia (Peninsula and Sabah/Borneo) from end of January to beginning of February 2012. At this time of the year it is still monsoon season at the eastcoast of the Peninsula so the itinerary only includes locations along the western part.

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, Cameron Highlands
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.

Mabul
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.