Getting around Malaysia by air is easy and affordable. Carriers
including Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiaries Firefly and
MASwings and budget Asian airline giant, AirAsia offer frequent
services to all major destinations. KL serves as the hub for most
flights, with Penang in the north west and Kota Kinabalu in the
east operating as secondary hubs. Expect many internal flights to
require a change of planes in KL.
On the ground, buses are the local's preferred mode of transport
because they're cheap, safe and connect directly to many remoter
areas. Comfort levels may vary, but they're a good choice. Trains
do run along a few lines but are mostly slower, more expensive and
less convenient than buses.
On the East Coast regular ferry services allow for easy island
hopping, with tickets pre-sold from nearby office outlets. In
Sarawak, travel to really remote places, such as longhouse villages
in the jungle, is only possible via longboat rides upriver, making
the journey an exciting part of your adventure.