Malaysia Road Trips: 5 places to visit in Malaysia by car

Are you looking for travel ideas now that the school holidays are approaching? Consider a road trip to Malaysia!

Road trips give you the freedom to travel at your own pace. You can stop whenever and wherever you want, and travel in the comforts of your own car without having to mask up if you don't want to. It's generally cheaper too! Ready to start driving? Here's five places to visit in Malaysia by car.

1. Desaru: 2-hour drive

Look no further if you're up for a beach holiday. Located just 100km away from Singapore, you can get yourself to Desaru in less than 2 hours if traffic conditions are good. There, you'll be greeted with a 22km stretch of coastline that's facing the South China Sea.

Besides sandy beaches, Desaru also hosts a golf course and farms of all kinds, - from fruit to ostriches and crocodiles - which makes it an ideal location for a weekend visit with your family!

2. Malacca: 3-hour drive

A coastal town that is rich in history and culture, Malacca offers much to see, do and eat with a healthy dose of nostalgia. Located roughly 236km from Singapore, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to drive to this UNESCO World Heritage City.

Once there, visit the museums, take a boat ride down the tranquil Malacca river, or indulge in local delicacies along Jonker Street or at one of the many rustic cafes in this charming city.

3. Kuala Lumpur (KL): 4-hour drive

Approximately 353km away from Singapore, it takes about 4 hours to reach the capital of Malaysia. Like all big cities, you'll be spoiled for things to do in Kuala Lumpur - whether it's shopping at the malls, admiring the sights and skyline, or getting acquainted with its lively hawker and local food scene.

Some places to visit in Kuala Lumpur include magnificent sights Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves, shopping haunts Berjaya Times Square and Connaught Market, and food mecca Jalan Alor.

4. Ipoh: 6-hour drive

It takes half a day to drive 575km to Ipoh from Singapore, but you'll be rewarded with scenic sights of a historic town surrounded by limestone hills. Enjoy a cup of Ipoh white coffee or a silky bowl of tau fu fah (beancurd) as you take in the old world charms of this sleepy city.

Need a pit stop to break up the ride? Consider dropping by a tea plantation on the way to stretch your legs. Take a slight detour to the BOH Tea Centre or stop along the HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley on the way from KL to Ipoh.

5. Penang: 8-hour drive

Penang is quite a distance away from Singapore and the drive usually takes about 7 to 8 hours at minimum. With this being the longest drive on the list, you might have to make a stop or two along the way. Whether you choose to take breaks at rest stops along the way, or break your journey by spending a day or two in Malacca or Kuala Lumpur for example, what's for sure is that the drive up to Penang is worth your while.

For starters, make your way to Penang island via the first or second Penang Bridge, which also happens to be the longest bridge in Southeast Asia, before heading to Georgetown - a UNESCO World Heritage site - for some of the best hawker fare you'll find in Malaysia. Char koay teow, anyone? When looking for places to visit in Penang, don't forget to include the IG-worthy street art that will delight both the young and old.

What to prepare when you travel to Malaysia from Singapore by car

Make sure you're all geared up before setting off on your Malaysia road trip. This includes fulfilling Malaysia's entry requirements, preparing your vehicle, and ensuring that you have insurance.

1. Preparing your vehicle
   
   

   Before you make the drive into Malaysia, make sure you have registered for Malaysia's Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), which all foreign vehicles require. You will also need a Touch 'n Go stored-value card to pay for the road charge when you first enter Johor Bahru, as well as highway tolls throughout Malaysia. If your Touch 'n Go card has expired, you can get a new one at selected 7-11s in Singapore.
   
   If this is your first time driving to Malaysia in your car, you can apply for the VEP online, and choose to have your VEP RFID Tag delivered to your home. At the same time, register for a Touch 'n Go eWallet and pair it with your VEP RFID Tag. This way, you can pay for road charges and toll fees without a physical card, by using the designated RFID lanes on highways in Malaysia.
   
   

2. Make sure you have insurance
   
   

   Since your car is the main mode of transport for your trip, it's worth checking if your car insurance coverage extends to your travels in Malaysia. Particularly, check if you are covered for accidents and towing services. The last thing you want is for your car to be stranded on foreign soil.
   
   As an added precaution, consider getting travel insurance too. You might be tempted to go save some money since it's just a short trip to Malaysia, but travel insurance is actually pretty affordable. Think of it as your backup plan if things go awry on the road.

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