Satay - Cyberjaya Farmers Market - Rekascape Cyberjaya Malaysia

The Silicon Valley of Malaysia, Cyberjaya is a modern city with wide streets, modern high rises and an abundance of green space. It is an IT-themed city established in 1997 as Malaysia’s first cybercity. A number of tech companies have offices and commercial facilities in the city. There is also a Multimedia University located in Cyberjaya. Other facilities in the city include vast public recreation spaces, lakes, a number of shopping centres as well as restaurants and food markets. Find out more in this Cyberjaya destination guide.

What is Cyberjaya Malaysia famous for?

Cyberjaya is known as Malaysia’s Silicon Valley. Its science park is an integral part of the Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia.

Why you should visit Cyberjaya Malaysia

Unicorn Frappe - Tapak Urban Street Dining Cyberjaya Hawker Centre Malaysia
Unicorn Frappe – Tapak Urban Street Dining Cyberjaya Hawker Centre Malaysia

Cyberjaya is a great place to visit if you want a peaceful environment in a convenient location. It is one of the closest cities to Malaysia’s major airport (KLIA) and is also within easy reach of both of Malaysia’s capital cities – Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. While the city itself feels a bit like a ghost town, its lakeside parks are a great place to surround yourself in nature. It has a great food scene with good quality international restaurants as well as a number of street food markets. Shopping is another popular activity in the city, with a number of excellent shopping centres to choose from. Cyberjaya is an affordable place to stay in Malaysia, with great value short-stay apartments which often include pool facilities.

Cyberjaya Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Cyberjaya Malaysia

Nasi Kandar Melayu Mad Cyberjaya Malaysia
Nasi Kandar Melayu Mad Cyberjaya Malaysia

  • City name in other scripts – سايبرجاي (Jawi), 赛城 (Chinese)
  • Language – Malay. There are 10 dialects of Malay used throughout thought the country, with Standard Malay being the unifying language. English is becoming more widely spoken in the country. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English. Mandarin Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Tamil, other Indian languages as well as Creole are spoken by the various ethnic groups that live in Malaysia.
  • Currency – Malaysian ringgit (MYR). This has been the official currency of Malaysia since 1967. Currency exchanges are in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
  • Population – 144,000 (2020)
  • Area – 3.2 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
  • State – Selangor
  • Emergency number – 999
  • Police number – 999

Utilities in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Tapak Urban Street Dining - Cyberjaya Malaysia
Tapak Urban Street Dining – Cyberjaya Malaysia

  • Electricity – Malaysia uses Type G power plugs. The country operates on a 240v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are reasonably common in Malaysia.
  • Water – the tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Tap water is usually treated, but pipes may be old. Therefore most locals boil their water or use a water filter just to be safe.
  • Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets as well as Asian style squat toilets are common in Malaysia. Toilets generally come equipped with a spray hose (sometimes referred to as a Muslim shower). The spray hose is like a European bidet and is used for cleaning personal areas as an alternative to toilet paper. All of the accommodation we stayed in throughout the country was equipped with the western style sit-down flushing toilets with spray hoses. Toilet paper is also usually provided. Don’t flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. The use of bathroom slippers is customary and is provided in accommodation and sometimes also in public bathrooms. Public bathrooms often offer both sit-down and squat style toilets. Public toilets are common in Malaysia. The charge is usually around 30-50 sens.
  • Telephone country code: +60

Where is Cyberjaya Malaysia?

Cyberjaya is in the state of Selangor Malaysia. This city is next to Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia. It is also located within MSC Malaysia, the Special Economic Zone and high-technology business district of Malaysia. Furthermore, the Cyberjaya is roughly halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The closest cities to Cyberjaya are Putrajaya, Petaling Jaya, Klang and Kuala Lumpur. Cyberjaya is 20 minutes by car from Putrajaya, 30 minutes by car from Kuala Lumpur, 40 minutes by car from Petaling Jaya and 50 minutes by car from Klang.

How to get to Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cyberjaya destination guide: Arriving by land

Cyberjaya Malaysia intercity land transport

Train at Platform - Putrajaya Central Train Station Malaysia
Train at Platform – Putrajaya Central Train Station Malaysia

The main transport options for travelling overland to Cyberjaya Malaysia are:

  • Private vehicle
  • Private transport operator
  • Train
  • Bus
  • Bike

Driving to Cyberjaya from within Malaysia

If you are driving to Cyberjaya from within Malaysia, here are the travel times and distances:

  • Putrajaya, Selangor – 18 minutes (12km, 7miles) without tolls
  • Kuala Lumpur – 30 minutes (31km, 19miles) with tolls, 45 minutes (39km, 24miles) without tolls
  • Petaling Jaya, Selangor – 39 minutes (39km, 24miles) with tolls, 40 minutes (35km, 21miles) without tolls
  • Malacca, Malacca – 2 hours 3 minutes (133km, 83miles) with tolls or 2 hours 2 minutes (132km, 82miles) without tolls
  • Kuantan, Pahang – 3 hours 54 minutes (282km, 175miles) with tolls or 5 hours 11 minutes (309km, 192miles) without tolls
  • Johor Bahru, Johor – 3 hours 59 minutes (313km, 194miles) with tolls or 6 hours 10 minutes (366km, 227miles) without tolls
  • George Town, Penang – 5 hours 9 minutes (381km, 227miles) with tolls or 6 hours 57 minutes (406km, 252miles) without tolls
  • Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu – 5 hours 35 minutes (478km, 297miles) with tolls or 7 hours 53 minutes (509km, 316miles) without tolls
  • Kota Bharu, Kelatan – 7 hours 26 minutes (470km, 292miles) with tolls or 8 hours 30 minutes (479km, 298miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Cyberjaya Malaysia

Putrajaya Central Train Station Malaysia
Putrajaya Central Train Station Malaysia

The Cyberjaya and Putrajaya train station is at Putrajaya Central (Putrajaya Sentral). This train station services both Cyberjaya and Putrajaya, connecting these cities with Kuala Lumpur as well as Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Putrajaya Central is only 10 minutes drive away from Cyberjaya. We do not recommend walking between Cyberjaya and Putrajaya Central as there is a multi-lane highway in the way which is not easy to cross. There are buses that connect Putrajaya Central with Cyberjaya. However when we were there in 2023 the buses were infrequent and the timetables were unreliable.

Intercity buses to Cyberjaya Malaysia

A common way to get around Malaysia is by using intercity buses. These are budget friendly and the network is extensive. Intercity bus companies in Malaysia include KKKL Express as well as S&S International.

Popular bus destinations from Cyberjaya include:

  • Putrajaya Sentral train station Malaysia – travel time 10 minutes. Tickets around 1 ringgit one way (as at 2023). Please note that when we visited the area in 2023 we found the buses were infrequent and unreliable.

Cyberjaya destination guide: Arriving by air

Check-in Desk - Kuala Lumpur International Airport Malaysia
Check-in Desk – Kuala Lumpur International Airport Malaysia

The closest airport to Cyberjaya is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Airport code KUL). This airport is 21km (13 miles) away.

Other nearby airports include:

  • Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Airport code SZB). This airport is 25km (15 miles) away.
  • Pinang Kampai Airport (Airport code DUM). This airport is 150km (93 miles) away.
  • Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IPH). This airport is 192km (119 miles) away.

The national airline of Malaysia is Malaysia Airlines.

Cyberjaya destination guide: Arriving by boat

Port Klang is the closest port to Cyberjaya, located 42km (26 miles) away. This port is also known as Kuala Lumpur Cruise Port and was previously called Port Swettenham. Klang Port is the major port of Malaysia. In 2012 it was the 11th busiest container port in the world.

Cyberjaya destination guide: How to get around Cyberjaya Malaysia

Walking in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Boardwalk - Taman Tasik Cyberjaya - Cyberjaya Lake Gardens Malaysia
Boardwalk – Taman Tasik Cyberjaya – Cyberjaya Lake Gardens Malaysia

Cyberjaya is a very walkable city with leafy areas and footpaths. The lake areas are particularly pleasant to walk around. However it is difficult to walk between Cyberjaya and Putrajaya Central as the pedestrian infrastructure does not support it and there are are multi-lane highways in the way.

Local buses in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Local buses service Cyberjaya. However when we visited the area in 2023 we found the buses were infrequent and unreliable.

Shuttle buses in Cyberjaya Malaysia

There are free shuttle buses in Cyberjaya which operate Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, with a break between 2pm-3pm. The stops for this shuttle service are:

  • Tan’yaa Hotel
  • OldTown White Coffee
  • Dash Box Hotel
  • Kanvas
  • Prima11
  • Prima10
  • Hewlet Packard

No bookings are required. For more information call Kelvin on +60193188368.

Trams in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cyberjaya does not have a tram system.

Local trains in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cyberjaya does not have a local train line.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cyberjaya does not have an underground train line.

Vehicle hire in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Electric Scooters - Putrajaya Lake Malaysia
Electric Scooters – Putrajaya Lake Malaysia

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Malaysia. This includes:

  • Electric scooters
  • Bicycles
  • Motorcycles
  • Cars
  • SUVs
  • Boats

In Malaysia they drive on the left side of the road.

Taxis in Malaysia

Taxis are common in Malaysia. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. However taxi drivers in Malaysia do not have the best reputation, which is why alternative services like Grab are very popular.

In general your fare will include the following costs:

  • The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle.
  • Airport surcharge – this is an additional fixed fee for travelling to an airport.
  • Price per kilometre – the rate is double between midnight and 6am.
  • Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.
  • Surcharge for more than 2 adult passengers – this is an additional fixed fee.
  • Surcharge for using the luggage compartment – this is an additional fixed fee.
  • Surcharge for booking by phone – this is an additional fixed fee.
  • Road toll charges

Check that the meter gets switched on at the start of your journey at the right rate. We also recommend bringing enough change in cash as drivers generally only accept cash and may not have change.

Alternatively, if booking in advance the fare may be a fixed price that is agreed on before the trip. Some taxis also operate on a pre-paid coupon system where the coupon is purchased from a counter at the airport.

It is not necessary or expected to tip taxi drivers in Malaysia.

Ride-share services in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Grab rideshare - Cyberjaya to Putrajaya Malaysia
Grab rideshare – Cyberjaya to Putrajaya Malaysia

Grab is the main app based ride-hailing service in Malaysia. Other ride-share services in Malaysia include MyCar, MULA, DACSEE, EzCar, inDriver as well as the women only service Riding Pink. Uber no longers operates in Malaysia after Grab acquired all of its Southeast Asia assets. Lyft services only Cyberjaya in Malaysia via its Grab partnership.

Cyberjaya destination guide: Is Cyberjaya Malaysia worth visiting?

Cyberjaya is a futuristic city with a harmonious balance of skyscrapers and green space. It’s conveniently close to the airport as well as the city of Kuala Lumpur. It also has a great range of affordable, good quality accommodation. The city itself has some nice parks and a few shopping centres, restaurants and food markets. However the city doesn’t have the vibrant atmosphere of other parts of Malaysia. If you are after an affordable base as a digital nomad in Malaysia, we’d recommend visiting Cyberjaya, but otherwise we’d give it a miss.

Cyberjaya destination guide: How long to spend in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cityscape - Taman Tasik Cyberjaya - Cyberjaya Lake Gardens Malaysia
Cityscape – Taman Tasik Cyberjaya – Cyberjaya Lake Gardens Malaysia

Cyberjaya is a spacious modern city. It is also a convenient and budget friendly base for exploring Malaysia. It has a tranquil environment, perfectly blending natural and urban elements. Perfect for those seeking a more Western atmosphere, Cyberjaya has many parks, lakes, shopping centres, modern buildings and restaurants. Located within half an hour drive of Kuala Lumpur as well as KL International Airport, it is a convenient base for a Malaysia trip. It is perfect for a short stay but also provides a relaxed lifestyle choice if you are considering a longer stay. Cyberjaya is a particularly good base for digital nomads due to its great value modern accommodation as well as its positioning as a technology hub. We spent 2 weeks in Cyberjaya and particularly enjoyed relaxing lakeside strolls, sampling the great range of international cuisine on offer and getting to know the locals at local markets.

Cyberjaya destination guide: What to do in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cyberjaya is a peaceful Malaysian city with a number of interesting activities. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Cyberjaya destination guide: Free things to do in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Lakeview-Taman Tasik Cyberjaya - Cyberjaya Lake Gardens Malaysia
Lakeview-Taman Tasik Cyberjaya – Cyberjaya Lake Gardens Malaysia

There are enough free activities in Cyberjaya Malaysia to keep you entertained for a day or two:

  • Cyberjaya Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Cyberjaya)
  • Tamarind Square
  • Dpulze Shopping Centre
  • Raja Haji Fisabilillah Mosque
  • Cyberjaya Farmers Market at Rekascape
  • Tapak Urban Street Dining
Rekascape Cyberjaya Malaysia
Rekascape Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cyberjaya destination guide: Paid activities in Cyberjaya Malaysia

A number of attractions in Cyberjaya Malaysia charge a fee:

  • Sembunyi Spa
  • WePlayGames Cafe Cyberjaya
  • KidzTechCentre
  • BonaVox Karaoke

Weather in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Airbnb Cyberjaya Malaysia - Kanvas SOHO - Pool
Airbnb Cyberjaya Malaysia – Kanvas SOHO – Pool

The climate for Cyberjaya is classified as tropical, with relatively uniform hot temperatures and also high humidity throughout the year. The hottest month is May with an average temperature range of 24°C to 32°C (76°F to 90°F) and coldest month December with an average temperature between 23°C to 31°C (74°F to 88°F). There are two monsoon seasons in Malaysia, November to early March, which is typically the most rainy, and June to September. The period of March through to June between the two monsoons is the hottest and also the most uncomfortable weather of the year.

Internet and mobile phones in Malaysia

Major internet and phone companies in Malaysia – Celcom, Digi, Hotlink (Maxis), U Mobile, UniFi Mobile, Tune Talk, Yes, XOX Mobile / ONEXOX, redONE, Yoodo, Telekom Malaysia and Time dotCom.

5G has been in Malaysia since December 2021. 2G will not be be switched off in Malaysia. 3G is was switched off in March 2022.

Malaysia is ranked 61st fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 38th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 90mbps and upload is 51mbps (as at October 2022).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in a numbers of places throughout Malaysia. These include phone stores, in shopping malls, at bus stations as well as at airports. Some form of ID, such as a passport, is required in order to purchase a SIM card in Malaysia.

How much to budget for Cyberjaya Malaysia?

Cyberjaya destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Mr. Kabab & Biryani Cyberjaya Malaysia
Mr. Kabab & Biryani Cyberjaya Malaysia

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

  • Low-budget daily spend – 150 ringgit per day for a couple will get you hostel accommodation, meals from bakeries and markets, local transport and free or cheap activities such as visiting shopping centres and markets
  • Mid-range daily spend – 300 ringgit per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, local transport, restaurant meals and a few paid activities
  • Luxury spend – 2000 ringgit per day for a couple will get you a premium experience in Malaysia, staying at luxury hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range of paid activities and eating at high end restaurants

Cyberjaya destination guide: Accommodation in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Airbnb Cyberjaya Malaysia - Kanvas SOHO
Airbnb Cyberjaya Malaysia – Kanvas SOHO

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Cyberjaya Malaysia. Airbnb operates in Malaysia, and there are a number of Airbnb properties in Cyberjaya. Not all Airbnb properties in Malaysia have wifi, so we recommend checking the Airbnb details carefully. One thing to keep in mind with hotels in Malaysia is that smoking in hotel rooms is often permitted. We also noticed that some accommodation in Cyberjaya rents rooms for the day and it’s an extra cost if you stay overnight. Other accommodation is catered to Muslim guests only.

Where to stay in Cyberjaya Malaysia

We recommend the following accommodation in Cyberjaya Malaysia:

  • Best hostel in Cyberjaya Malaysia – Solitude Space Hotel was the only hostel we could find in Cyberjaya. It is clean and comfortable with great service.
  • Best boutique hotel in Cyberjaya Malaysia – De Cyber Boutique Hotel (also known as OYO 915 De Cyber Boutique Hotel) is the best boutique hotel in Cyberjaya Malaysia. This hotel is conveniently located near restaurants and shops. It is clean, comfortable and good value. The staff are also friendly and helpful.
  • Best luxury accommodation in Cyberjaya Malaysia – Cyberview Resort & Spa is the best 5 star hotel in Cyberjaya. The grounds of the resort are beautiful and green. The atmosphere is very peaceful and relaxing. Additionally, the rooms are spacious and comfortable.

How much is accommodation in Cyberjaya Malaysia?

Airbnb Cyberjaya Malaysia - HYVE Soho Suites
Airbnb Cyberjaya Malaysia – HYVE Soho Suites

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

  • Budget accommodation – there is limited dorm accommodation in Cyberjaya. The cheapest accommodation is 79 ringgit for a private room.
  • Mid-range accommodation – 100-150 ringgit for a private room.
  • Luxury accommodation – 210-1000 ringgit a night for a luxury hotel.
  • Rental property – 170-350 ringgit a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home.

Tourist tax on accommodation in Malaysia

From 1 January 2023 there is a tourist tax of 10 ringgit per accommodation per night in Malaysia. This tax is collected by the property. Permanent residents and Malaysian nationals are exempt from the tax. Furthermore the tourist tax does not apply to homestays and kampung stays registered with the Ministry of Tourism.

Cyberjaya destination guide: Food in Cyberjaya Malaysia

How much does food cost in Cyberjaya Malaysia?

Ketam Manis Seafood Cyberjaya Malaysia
Ketam Manis Seafood Cyberjaya Malaysia

Our price guide for your food budget in Cyberjaya Malaysia is as follows (prices as at 2022):

  • Restaurant meal – 20-60 ringgit for a main dish
  • Night market or hawker market food – 5-15 ringgit for a dish
  • Ais kachang – 4-6 ringgit
  • Coffee – 1.50-2.50 ringgit

Must eat food in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Kiraku Japanese Restaurant Cyberjaya Malaysia
Kiraku Japanese Restaurant Cyberjaya Malaysia

Cyberjaya has a great range of international cuisine available at its many restaurants and eateries. In particular, we recommend:

  • Japanese cuisine from Kiraku Japanese Restaurant
  • Arabic cuisine from Namo Garden
  • Korean cuisine from Kor B Korean Restaurant
  • Chinese Muslim cuisine from Ketam Manis Seafood Restaurant
  • Middle Eastern cuisine from Mr Kabab & Biryani
  • Thai cuisine from Aroii Thai @ Shaftsbury Square Cyberjaya

Additionally, Cyberjaya has a number of great local markets and night markets:

  • Cyberjaya Farmers Market
  • Tapak Urban Street Dining

Cheap Eats in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Ayam Goreng Set - Nasi Kandar Melayu Mad Cyberjaya Malaysia
Ayam Goreng Set – Nasi Kandar Melayu Mad Cyberjaya Malaysia

  • Bakeries are a great place to get cheap and delicious food.
  • Hawker centres in Malaysia are ubiquitous and have excellent budget friendly food. The variety of stalls available means that you have a good range of options to choose from.
  • Night markets in Malaysia are another of our go to places for affordable and tasty food. There’s also usually stalls selling items like clothes, toys and shoes in addition to the food stalls.
  • Street food is also a very common cheap eat option in Malaysia. You can often find street food around transport hubs as well as scattered in various places around the city.

Cyberjaya Malaysia culture

Weekends in Cyberjaya Malaysia

Aroii Thai Restoran Cyberjaya Malaysia
Aroii Thai Restoran Cyberjaya Malaysia

Which days are weekdays and weekend days vary in Malaysia depending on the state or territory you’re in. In Cyberjaya weekdays are Monday to Friday and weekends are Saturday and Sunday. Keep this in mind as weekends can affect prices and availability (particularly for accommodation). Additionally weekends may impact opening hours as well as how crowded attractions are.

Selangor public holidays

Pekan Ipoh Kopitiam Cyberjaya Malaysia
Pekan Ipoh Kopitiam Cyberjaya Malaysia

Malaysia has one of the highest number of public holidays in the world. In total, there are between 18 and 20 public holidays observed in each state. This includes national holidays as well as state based holidays. Public holidays for Selangor are as follows:

  • New Year’s Day – 1st January
  • Thaipusam – full moon in the month of Thai, in January or February
  • Chinese New Year’s Day – 1st day of 1st lunar month, in January or February
  • Chinese New Year Holiday – 2nd day of 1st lunar month, in January or February
  • Labour Day – 1 May
  • Wesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) – May or June, date varies
  • Hari Nuzul Al-Quran – 17th day of Ramadan, date varies
  • Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa – the last day of Ramadan, date varies
  • Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday or Hari Raya Puasa Holiday – day after the last day of Ramadan, date varies
  • Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday (King’s Birthday) – 1st Monday in June
  • Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice) – date varies
  • Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) – date varies
  • Merdeka Day (National Day, Independence Day) – 31 August
  • Malaysia Day – 16 September
  • Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) – 12th day of the 3rd month of the Islamic calendar
  • Deepavali – date varies, October or November
  • Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday – 11 December
  • Christmas Day – 25 December

National symbols of Malaysia

Village Grocer - Tamarind Square Cyberjaya Malaysia
Village Grocer – Tamarind Square Cyberjaya Malaysia

  • Malaysia flag – 14 alternating red and white stripes with a blue canton with a yellow crescent and 14 pointed star. The Malaysian flag is called the Stripes of Glory.
  • Malaysia coat of arms – two tigers supporting a shield with a yellow crescent and a 14 pointed star on top and a yellow banner with words that translate to “Unity is strength” written in both romanised Malay and Jawi at the bottom.
  • National flower – hibiscus
  • National bird – rhinoceros hornbill
  • Malaysia national animal – the Malayan tiger

Malaysia pastimes

  • National dish – nasi lemak
  • Popular drinks – teh tarik, Ipoh white coffee, milo ais, sirup bandang
  • National sport – sepak takraw
  • Religion – 64% Islam, 19% Buddhist, 9% Christian, 6% Hindu (as at 2020)

Is Cyberjaya Malaysia Safe?

Malaysia travel guide: Safety in Malaysia

Street Vendor Neocyber Malaysia
Street Vendor Neocyber Malaysia

We have spent around 4 months travelling extensively through Malaysia over two separate trips. In our experience the country is extremely safe. Malaysia ranks 18th safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2022). As with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatching particularly at crowded tourist attractions. In particular, when eating out don’t leave your bag, phone or wallet on the table or next to you where someone can quickly grab it and run away. Instead keep your belongings physically attached to you at all times. Make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Malaysia

Other general safety considerations for travel in Malaysia:

  • Drinking water – tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Tap water is usually treated, but pipes may be old. Therefore most locals boil their water or use a water filter.
  • Mosquitoes – mosquito borne illnesses are a significant risk in Malaysia, particularly dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Malaysia is in the pre-elimination phase of malaria. While malaria is a greater risk in Malaysian Borneo, there have also been cases on the Malaysian peninsula. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
  • Altitude sickness – Malaysia has areas of high altitude and therefore altitude sickness risk. If you visit high altitude areas in Malaysia, allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience signs of altitude sickness, including headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
  • Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk in Malaysia. While road conditions in Malaysia are generally very good, traffic is often very heavy. Furthermore drivers in Malaysia tend to speed up rather than slowing down for amber lights. We also found that roads in Malaysia are not typically built with pedestrians in mind, and footpaths often stop unexpectedly in busy areas.
  • Water safety – take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
  • Earthquakes – Malaysia experiences both regional and local earthquake activity. In an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall. If inside, get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
  • Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.
  • Dogs – rabies from rabid dog bites is a risk in Malaysia. For more on dog safety while travelling, check out this video.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

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