Mersing Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Mersing is a small town which is known mainly as the entry point to some of the most beautiful islands on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The town itself has a small town feel. It has a decent range of restaurants and eateries serving fresh local fish and seafood. Additionally the town has a number of small shops, supermarkets, local markets and other attractions. There are some nice beaches 20 minutes drive away and there are a number of excellent boat tours, fishing tours and snorkelling / diving tours which depart from Mersing Jetty. Find out more in this Mersing destination guide.

What is Mersing Malaysia famous for?

Mersing is known for being the launching point for ferries to Tioman Island as well as other stunning Malaysian islands.

Why you should visit Mersing Malaysia

If you want to go to Tioman Island, you will most likely pass through Mersing as most ferries to Tioman Island depart from Mersing Jetty. Mersing is also the gateway to a number of other beautiful islands in the area.

Mersing Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Mersing Malaysia

• City name in other scripts – مرسيڠ (Jawi), 丰盛港 (Chinese), Merecing (Terengganu Malay)
• Language – Malay. Terengganu Malay as well as the Johor dialect of Malay are common dialects in Mersing. Cantonese is the main Chinese dialect spoken by the Chinese community in Mersing. Additionally, many locals, especially business owners can also speak some Mandarin.
• Currency – Malaysian ringgit (MYR). This has been the official currency of Malaysia since 1967. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 70,894 (2010)
• Area – 761.5 km² (294 sq mi)
• District – Mersing
• State – Johor
• Emergency number – 999
• Police number – 999

Utilities in Mersing 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 Mersing Malaysia?

Mersing is a seaside town on the South China Sea. It is located in the Mersing district of the state of Johor Malaysia. Notably, Mersing is the main port for ferries to Tioman Island as well as islands in the Seribuat Archipelago. These ferries depart from Mersing Jetty, at the mouth of the Mersing River.

The closest towns to Mersing are Tanjung Gemok (and also its neighbouring town Endau), Kuala Rompin, Kota Tinggi and Kluang. Mersing is 1 hour by bus from Tanjung Gemok, 1.5 hours by bus from Kuala Rompin, 1.75 hours by bus from Kota Tinggi and 2 hours by bus from Kluang.

How to get to Mersing Malaysia

Mersing destination guide: Arriving by land

Mersing Malaysia intercity land transport

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

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Mersing from within Malaysia

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

• Endau, Johor – 35 minutes (37km, 23miles) without tolls
• Tanjung Gemok, Pahang – 41 minutes (40km, 25miles) without tolls
• Kuala Rompin, Pahang – 57 minutes (62km, 39miles) without tolls
• Kluang, Johor – 1 hour 26 minutes (88km, 55miles) without tolls
• Johor Bahru, Johor – 2 hours 32 minutes (128km, 80miles) without tolls
• Malacca, Malacca– 3 hours 38 minutes (246km, 153miles) with tolls or 4 hours 10 minutes (236km, 147miles) without tolls
• Kuala Lumpur – 4 hours 51 minutes (358km, 222miles) with tolls or 5 hours 38 minutes (338km, 201miles) without tolls
• Kuantan, Pahang – 2 hours 59 minutes (195km, 121miles) without tolls
• George Town, Penang – 8 hours 30 minutes (718km, 446miles) with tolls or 11 hours 43 minutes (730km, 454miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Mersing Malaysia

There are no trains at Mersing. The closest train station is at Kluang, which is 1.5 hours drive away. Kluang is a train station on the Malaysia West Coast Railway Line. This Malaysian railway line extends from Padang Besar railway station near the Malaysia-Thailand border to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore. It also connects with the East Coast Railway Line (Malaysia’s Jungle Railway) at Gemas. Train travel in Malaysia is a cheap and scenic way to see the country. We caught the train from Johor Bahru to Kluang in 2022. We paid 14 ringgit per person for our train tickets and the journey was a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Intercity buses to Mersing Malaysia

A common way to get around Malaysia is by using intercity buses. These are budget friendly and the network is also extensive. Intercity bus companies in Malaysia include Perdana Express, Maraliner, KKKL Express as well as Plusliner. Popular bus destinations from Mersing include:

• Singapore – travel time 3 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 114 ringgit one way.
• Johor Bahru Malaysia – travel time 2 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 13 ringgit one way.
• Malacca Malaysia – travel time 4 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 35 ringgit one way.
• Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – travel time 5 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 38 ringgit one way.

Mersing destination guide: Arriving by air

The closest airport to Mersing is Tioman Airport (Airport code TOD). This airport is 56km (35 miles) away.

Other nearby airports include:

• Senai International Airport, Malaysia (Airport code JHB). This airport is 90km (56 miles) away.
• Seletar Airport, Singapore (Airport code XSP). This airport is 113km (70 miles) away.
• Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore (Airport code SIN). This airport is 122km (76 miles) away.

The national airline of Malaysia is Malaysia Airlines.

Mersing destination guide: Arriving by boat

Ferries to Tioman Island, Besar Island, Rawa Island as well as other nearby islands operate from Mersing Jetty. The two ferry operators at Mersing are Bluewater Express and also Cataferry. A one way ticket to Tioman Island is around 40-130 ringgit one way and the journey time is 1.5-2 hours. You can purchase tickets online, at the Mersing Harbour Centre or at a tour office the main town area of Mersing. Additionally, you must pay a 30 ringgit per person Tioman Marine Park Fee at the office in the Mersing Harbour Centre any time prior to boarding the ferry. Be sure to allow sufficient time to pay that fee or you will not be allowed on board the ferry.

Mersing destination guide: How to get around Mersing Malaysia

Walking in Mersing Malaysia

By far the easiest and cheapest way to get around Mersing is to walk. Mersing is a small town and most of the main attractions are within easy walking distance.

Local buses in Mersing Malaysia

Local buses service Mersing. However these are only for Malaysian nationals and you need proof of citizenship to board the bus.

Trams in Mersing Malaysia

Mersing does not have a tram system.

Local trains in Mersing Malaysia

Mersing does not have a local train line.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Mersing Malaysia

Mersing does not have an underground train line.

Vehicle hire in Mersing 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 Mersing Malaysia

While ride-share services are available in Malaysia, they do not currently operate in Mersing. 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 Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia via its Grab partnership.

Mersing Malaysia destination guide: Is Mersing Malaysia worth visiting?

Mersing is only worth visit as a means to get to the nearby islands. The town itself is pleasant but not worth visiting in and of itself.

Mersing destination guide: How long to spend in Mersing Malaysia

Mersing is a tranquil town that serves as the entry point to Tioman Island. It is a sleepy port town that boasts a delicious food scene – especially its seafood and street food. We tried two different budget lodgings in Mersing and found them satisfactory, but not very cheap by Malaysian standards. We spent 4 nights in Mersing and savored the tasty food options around the town. However, we suggest only a brief stopover here before catching a ferry to Tioman Island. If you choose to stay longer, 1 night is ample for this small Malaysian town.

Mersing destination guide: What to do in Mersing Malaysia

Mersing is a quiet town which most people only briefly pass through on the way to Tioman Island. There is not too much to do in the town itself, but it does have a number of good cafes, restaurants and eateries. There are also a small number of free activities as well as paid activities in Mersing.

Mersing destination guide: Free things to do in Mersing Malaysia

There are enough free activities in Mersing Malaysia to keep you entertained for a few hours:

• Masjid Jamek Bandar Mersing
• Pantai Air Papan
• Kuil Sri Subramaniam
• Mersing Harbour Centre
• Fushun Temple
• Mersing Esplanade
• Pantai Bandar Mersing
• Pusat Taman Laut Mersing

Mersing destination guide: Paid activities in Mersing Malaysia

A number of activities in Mersing Malaysia charge a fee:

• Fishing tours
• Scuba diving and snorkelling tours
• Boat tours

Mersing island hopping tour vlog

Move over Thailand – Malaysia Islands are incredible! Explore the Maldives of Malaysia with a Malaysia Island hopping tour. In the Malaysia vlog below we go on a beach hopping tour from Mersing Malaysia. Our Malaysia travel vlog starts at Mersing Johor and we visit the Malaysia Islands Besar Island, Seri Buat Island and Hujung Island. We also get a glimpse of Rawa Island and Tioman Island (Pulau Tioman). Our Seahunter Mersing Island Tour also includes a number of fun things to do in Malaysia such as cliff diving, snorkelling and of course eating plenty of delicious Malaysian food! This Malaysia tourism destination is just a few hours drive from Singapore, which makes it a great day trip from Singapore. This Malaysia travel vlog is perfect for anyone interested in finding out about the best tourist destinations in Malaysia.

Weather in Mersing Malaysia

The climate for Mersing is classified as tropical, with relatively uniform hot temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. The hottest month is May with an average temperature range of 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F) and coldest month December with an average temperature between 24°C-29°C (75°F to 85°F). Malaysia has two monsoon seasons, but these monsoons affect different parts of the country at different times. November to early March, which is typically the most rainy, affects the east coast of Malaysia whereas June to September affects Malaysia’s west cost. Mersing is only affected by the November to March monsoon season. The period between Malaysia’s two monsoons (March through to June) is the hottest and most uncomfortable weather for Malaysia.

Best time to visit Mersing Malaysia

The best time of year to visit Mersing is from January to March as well as from July through to September when it is the least rainy. We visited Mersing in July and the weather was hot, sunny and perfect for island hopping.

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 61^st fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 38^th 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 Mersing Malaysia?

Is Mersing Malaysia expensive?

Mersing Malaysia is a very affordable destination to visit. Food costs are on par with the rest of Malaysia and there are no high-end hotels in town. However there is also no dorm accommodation in town and budget accommodation was slightly more expensive than some other areas that we visited in Malaysia. Keep in mind that most people visiting Mersing will also stay on Tioman Island, which is an expensive part of Malaysia.

Mersing destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Mersing 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 budget accommodation, meals from street food and hawker centres, local transport and free or cheap activities such as visiting beaches and temples.
• 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 – Mersing itself is not a luxury destination. However it is the gateway to Tioman Island, which certainly is a luxury destination.

Mersing destination guide: Accommodation in Mersing Malaysia

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Mersing Malaysia. Airbnb operates in Malaysia, however the range of Airbnb properties in Mersing is limited. One thing to keep in mind with hotels in Malaysia is that smoking in hotel rooms is often permitted.

Not many hotels are listed on aggregator websites for Mersing. We also found that in some cases the rooms were cheaper if you booked directly rather than through an aggregator hotel website.

Where to stay in Mersing Malaysia

We recommend the following accommodation in Mersing Malaysia:

• Best hotel in Mersing Malaysia – if you want to know where to stay in Mersing Malaysia, look no further than MG Hotel. The hotel is clean and in an excellent location. They provide a free shuttle to the jetty and there is also secure parking available for a fee.

How much is accommodation in Mersing Malaysia?

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

• Budget accommodation – there is no dorm accommodation in Mersing. The cheapest accommodation is 34 ringgit for a private room
• Mid-range accommodation – 60-130 ringgit for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – there is no luxury accommodation in Mersing
• Rental property – 230-580 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.

Mersing destination guide: Food in Mersing Malaysia

Being on the water, seafood is very popular in Mersing.

How much does food cost in Mersing Malaysia?

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

• Restaurant meal – 30-60 ringgit for a main dish
• Night market or hawker centre food – 5-15 ringgit for a dish
• Ais kachang – 4-6 ringgit
• Coffee – 1.50-2.50 ringgit

Must eat dishes in Mersing Malaysia

• Ikan bakar from Brother Joe Ikan Bakar & Seafood
• Nasi Dagang from Nasi Dagang Mak Yah Mersing
• Salted egg squid (also known as salted egg sotong)
• Kaya toast from Sri Mersing Cafe
• Satay from Satey Teluk Iskandar
• Steamed fish
• Nasi lemak
• Black pepper crab
• Satar

Cheap Eats in Mersing Malaysia

• 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. There’s a small hawker centre across the road from the ferry jetty in Mersing. There’s also a hawker centre on the Mersing River, on the other side of the bridge to the KFC.
• 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. Our favourite street food in Mersing was just off the main road Jalan Endau Utama, on the other side of the river to the KFC.

Mersing Malaysia culture

Weekends in Johor Malaysia

Which days are weekdays and weekend days vary in Malaysia depending on the state you’re in. In the state of Johor weekdays are Sunday to Thursday and weekends are Friday and Saturday. 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.

Johor public holidays

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 the state of Johor are as follows:

• Thaipusam – full moon in the month of Thai, in January or February
• Chinese New Year’s Day – 1^st day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Chinese New Year Holiday – 2^nd day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Sultan of Johor’s Birthday – 23 March
• Labour Day – 1 May
• Wesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) – May or June, date varies
• Awal Ramadan – 1^st 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) – 1^st Monday in June
• Hari Raya Qurban (Aidiladha) (Feast of the Sacrifice) – date varies
• Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) – date varies
• Hari Hol Almarhum Sultan Iskandar – 6 Safar on the Islamic calendar
• Merdeka Day (National Day, Independence Day) – 31 August
• Malaysia Day – 16 September
• Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) – 12^th day of the 3^rd month of the Islamic calendar
• Deepavali – date varies, October or November
• Christmas Day – 25 December

National symbols of 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 Mersing Malaysia Safe?

Malaysia travel guide: Safety in 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 18^th 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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