So you plan to travel to Malaysia, and you’re confused on deciding whether to rent a self driven car or not? Perhaps these tips might help clear up the cloudy sky.
Pro
- * Malaysia has many secrets off the beaten path. Some of these destinations are often not visited when using public transportation. For example, Lata Kinjang, a reserved rainforest with a fresh and tempting waterfall and river, definately worth it to have a BBQ, and have a dip in the cool water.
- * Gasolene/petrol is cheap. If you’re traveling in groups, this is definately a good option.
- * Driving across the country is easy. Signboards to destination on highways are efficient. Highways are all over connecting from north to south, and south to north
- * There are so many beautiful panaromic views. The highway from east to west (eg, Penang to Kota Bharu) climbes the Titiwangsa mountains - lush greenery, valleys, drive among the clouds. The road climbing up to Cameron Highlands, also has lush green scenery, has a waterfall stop, and aborigine villages. Drive around the Penang island, and across the Penang bridge (the world’s third longest bridge). Also, the coastal road from Kuantan to Terengganu means literally driving next to the beach almost all the way through. You can stop whenever you want, have a picnic and a good laugh.
Contra
- * Driving in the city can be a hazard. Motorcyclists and bus drivers can get a little crazy. There are many winding roads, and you can easily get lost. The traffic can delay you for hours. If you’re just visiting the cities, avoid self driving. Public transportation is efficient enough.
- * Malaysia follows UK - right hand drive. People from US or Europe may have difficulties
- * Cars with automatic transmission is almost something new. Manual transmission is still at large. You can find automatic transmission at slightly a more expensive price.
This site has a good itenerary if you plan to drive throughout the whole Malaysia peninsular
Here are some car rental companies:
Advantage Car Rentals
http://www.advmsia.com.my/
Tel: 03 2142 5855, Fax: 03 2142 7855
Avis Malaysia
http://www.avis.com.my/
Tel: 03 9222 2558 (Grd Floor, Menara MAA, Jalan Dewan Bahasa)
Tel: 03 8787 4087 (Counter B-16, Arrival Level, Main Terminal, KLIA)
Tel: 04 643 9633 (Arrival Hall, Bayan Lepas Airport, Penang)
Budget
http://www.budget.com/ (international site)
Tel: 1 800 80 1563
Calio Car Rentals & Limousine Service
G4, Ground Floor, Tropical Inn Hotel, Johor Tower, Jalan Gereja, 80100 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 223 3325, Fax: 07 222 4744
Enesty Hire & Drive
http://www.enesty.com.my/
Tel: 03 7984 7535, Fax: 03 7984 7536
Extra Rent-A-Car (Borneo Rendez Vous)
http://www.e-erac-online.com/
2nd Floor, Beverley Hotel, Jalan Kemajuan, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel: 088 21 8160, Fax: 088 25 5458
Hawk Rent A Car
http://www.hawkrentacar.com/malaysia.shtml
Tel: 03 2164 6455, Fax: 03 2164 6466
Hertz Malaysia
http://www.hertz-malaysia.com/
Tel: 03 2148 6433 (Kompleks Antarabangsa, Jalan Sultan Ismail)
Tel: 03 8776 4507 (Counter B10, Arrival Level, Main Terminal Building, KLIA)
Tel: 04 643 0208 (Penang International Airport)
1 800 88 3086 (Toll Free Nationwide)
Insas Pacific Rent-A-Car
http://www.iprac.com/
47-5 The Boulevard, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2287 0131, Fax: 03 2287 0139
Where & how? Getting there: Map | Directions | MyCen Location (what’s this?)
Kinabalu Rent A Car
http://www.kinabalurac.com/
Lot 3.60/3.61, Karamunsing Complex, P.O. Box 12562, 88828 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel: 088 23 2602, 088 23 2603, Fax: 088 24 2512
Kasina Rent-A-Car
http://www.kasina.com.my/
Counter A1, Arrival Hall (Domestic), Main Terminal Building, KLIA 43900 Sepang
Tel: 03 8787 1739
Where & how? Getting there: Map | Directions | MyCen Location (what’s this?)
Mayflower Car Rental
http://www.mayflowercarrental.com.my/
Mayflower Building, 18 Jalan Segambut Pusat, 51200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 6252 1888, Fax: 03 6258 2970
Lot No.18, Covered Car Park, Ground Floor, Block D Building, KLIA.
Tel: 03 8787 3850, Fax: 03 8787 3849
Lot 12B Arrival Concourse, Main Terminal Building, Bayan Lepas International Airport, Penang
Tel: 04 641 1191, Fax: 04 641 1192
Nova RentaCar Reservations
http://www.rentacar-malaysia.com/
Orix Car Rentals
http://www.orixcarrentals.com.my/
Tel: 03 9284 7799 (No.16-1 Jalan 6/91, Taman Shamelin Perkasa)
Tel: 03-242 3009 (Ground Floor, Federal Hotel, Jalan Bukit Bintang)
Tel: 03-8787 4294 (Counter C2, Arrival Level, Main Terminal Building, KLIA)
Popular Rent a Car
http://www.mbesb.net/rentacar/
149 B Batu Feringgi, Penang.
Tel: 04 657 6510
SMAS Rent A Car
http://www.smasrac.com.my/
Suite 5.03, 5th Floor, Wisma Chase Perdana, Off Jalan Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2080 5066, Fax: 03 2080 5009
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