Travel Guides

Malaysia

Car Rental in Malaysia

A country that boasts its own car manufacturing industry, excellent infrastructure and all-round good facilities is bound to have car rental amongst those services – and Malaysia ticks all those boxes. Travelers to Malaysia from America will not be disappointed by this well-advanced nation. The down side for US citizens is that Malaysia has a British background, so driving is on the left. But that apart, being able to compare car rental and then collecting a vehicle on arrival could not be simpler.

Travelers’ favorites

The capital of Kuala Lumpur, or as it is locally known, KL, has a good deal to offer for a few days. It’s is a vibrant modern city that also has kept some of the country’s more traditional ways. In the center there are the famous Petronas Towers that were, for a short period, the highest buildings in the world. In the older part of the city there is still a very vibrant Chinese community, where markets thrive and all sorts of items are on sale.

Outside of KL, the resorts of Langkawi and Penang are just two favorites for the traveler who will enjoy driving on the well-maintained roads. Traveling north, the Cameron highlands provide a glimpse of the old British colonial days, so this is another great region to explore with the car hire.

Best time to visit

Malaysia can get very wet with some spectacular thunderstorms late in the day, especially in the central districts of the country. As a country close to the Equator this is normal. But to reduce the potential for a downpour travelers coming here prefer the drier season from November through to February. It may still rain however, and in the rainforest area of the country, it will almost certainly be hot and humid.

Driving in Malaysia

The roads in Malaysia are generally excellent as there has been a program of regular upgrading over the years. The main route from KL north to the border with Thailand is a two-lane highway, but visiting drivers should be aware that most of the sections have a toll charge. Those looking to travel into the rainforest regions would require a more robust vehicle that can be selected when looking to compare car hire.