World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Kuala Lumpur  - Road
Road

Roads in Malaysia are generally in good repair and driving standards are higher than in most Asian countries. Traffic drives on the left and it is compulsory to wear a seat belt. The speed limits are 60kph (37mph) in the city, 90kph (56mph) on main country roads and 110kph (69mph) on highways and expressways. A national driving licence is required and it is advisable to obtain an International Driving Permit. Without the latter, any national licence must be endorsed by the Road Transport Department. The North-South Highway, which extends from Singapore to the Thai border via Kuala Lumpur, has made driving in Malaysia a relative breeze. Although driving standards are good, Malaysia still has its share of drivers who take risks such as overtaking on blind corners, speeding in heavy rainfall and jumping red traffic lights. A letter of introduction from a driver's own automobile association is required to join the Automobile Association Malaysia (tel: (03) 262 5777).

Emergency breakdown service:

Automobile Association Malaysia
(1 800) 800 3554

Plusronda
provide 24-hour emergency telephones, every two kilometres on expressways and highways.

Routes to the city:


The North-South Expressway Central Link (NSECL), Federal Highway, Shal Alam Expressway and Klang Valley Expressway Highway are the main routes to the city centre.

Driving times to Kuala Lumpur: from Melaka - 2-3 hours; Singapore - 5-6 hours; Butterworth/Penang - 6-7 hours.

Coach services:
Kuala Lumpur has four interstate express bus terminals serving different regions of Peninsula Malaysia. A large number of companies operate air-conditioned services including Transnasional Express (tel: (03) 230 3300). In most cases, there is no need to book in advance and passengers simply turn up and get on the next bus. The main terminal Puda Raya Bus Station (tel: (03) 230 0145), Jalan Puda Raya, is a hub for services all over Peninsula Malaysia, as well as international services to Singapore (journey time - 7-8 hours) and Thailand. Putra Bus Station (tel: (03) 442 9530), opposite the Putra World Trade Centre, is the main terminal for services to the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia. Pekeliling Bus Station (tel: (03) 442 1256) also operates services to the east coast, but mainly serves destinations to Jeranaut (journey time - 3 hours 30 minutes). Banguan MARA (tel: (03) 291 8113) serves destinations to the south.



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