by An-Nur Nasir

Created on: December 18, 2009

Public transportation in Malaysia is quite comprehensive and comfortable. If you are entering Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), you will have a lot of destinations that can be reached by bus service in Kuala Lumpur. From Kuala Lumpur International Airport tourists can take a fast and hassle free KLIA Express train to KL Sentral. From KL Sentral you will take another train, KL Monorail to Plaza Rakyat. Plaza Rakyat or also popularly known as Pudu Bus Station is the hub of bus service to all destination in Peninsular Malaysia.

The intercity buses are very comfortable nowadays and they reach destinations within West Malaysia in less than 8 hours compare to intercity train which take about 12 hours and only travel at night. The buses are usually offer passenger VIP seats which mean only three seats in a row compare to conventional buses which have 4 seats in a row. For tourists from the West you will not have to worry about the size of the seat as it will surely fit you comfortably. Some of the buses also have power point and side table so you can switch on your laptop or recharge your gadgets.On normal working days the bus rarely full. But on the weekend some destinations such as Kota Bharu in Kelantan might be fully booked. During festive season and school holidays most destinations are fully booked. As an alternative you will have to use other alternatives such as train, flight or taxi. The tickets can be bought on the counter at Pudu Bus Station. All destinations within Malaysia are priced at no more than RM60.

For tourists who would like to enjoy the traditional life in Malaysia, they might want to visit Kelantan State and Terengganu State situated in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Buses bound to Kelantan and Terengganu are stationed at Putra Bus Station. So If you reached KL Sentral from KLIA, instead of going to Pudu Bus Station you will have to go to Putra Bus Station. It is also can be reached by KTM Commuter train from KL Sentral. The train took about no more than 15 minutes from KL Sentral to reached Putra Bus Station.  Kota Bharu, Kelantan Bus Station is about 8 hours journey from Putra Bus Station while Kuala Terengganu Bus Station is about 7 hours journey. During the travel, the bus will stop at local food stall for lunch or tea break. The food stall is usually equipped with toilet and prayer room for Muslim. During the stop, you might want to enjoy local dishes which usually a lot tastier than one that is served in the hotel.

If you are bound to Northern Malaysia like Penang and Alor Setar or maybe to the south like Singapore and Johor, the journey is far more comfortable as the bus will travel along the North South Expressway. The Expressway is pay per entry highway and only connects distance locations. So there will be no traffic light and vehicles which travel at short distance. The journey will be smooth and the bus will only stop for a rest at a very comfortable designated stop called R&R. You can have your lunch or tea break with variety of food as R&R placed more than 5 stalls in one roof.     

So next times when you visit Malaysia why not take a bus, it is cheap and comfortable besides you can also enjoy the panorama.

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