Asia - Driving in Singapore/Malaysia

I have done a number of searches on SIN daytrips, and it sounds like a lot of hassle to make it all the way to KL for a few hours of visiting, but I'm wondering if it would be a worthwhile trip to rent a car and drive along the Malaysian coastline, maybe going to KL, maybe just enjoying the sights and returning to SIN.

If it is a reasonable idea, what do I need to know about renting a car in these countries? Is it that difficult to drive on the left? Do I need a special license? Will I need special insurance coverage? How severe are speeding penalties, etc.? Should we rent in JHB instead of SIN?

Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by robb:
Should we rent in JHB instead of SIN?
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FWIW, Have been pondering the same questions, I've read it is cheaper in JHB than SIN but have not read actual savings that would be realized. Also east coast of Malaysia is supposed to much more interesting than west.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
FWIW, Have been pondering the same questions, I've read it is cheaper in JHB than SIN but have not read actual savings that would be realized. Also east coast of Malaysia is supposed to much more interesting than west.
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Cost savings, as always, depend a lot on how well you can negotiate discounts and what you want; but a Proton Waja from Malaysia will cost only around US$50/day, approx. half of an equivalent-size car from Singapore. Hawk in JB is a good rental agency. Note that there are frequently restrictions/extra charges for taking a MY car into SIN and vica versa, and even if possible SIN levies its own charges and requires ERP units etc for any MY cars entering.

The east coast is more interesting in the sense that the main highway is one lane in each direction and not uncommonly has lorries, water buffaloes, traffic jams, floods, etc. The west coast has the North-South Highway, which is an excellent road for getting around quickly, but has little in the way of scenery at least until you reach the mountains around Ipoh after KL.

Also beware of traffic in Malaysian cities. KL is a mess and suicidal motorcyclists abound everywhere; I had one poke his head in through the rear window on the highway.

Anyway, the reason I think it's better to get a Malaysian car is that -- especially if you're pressed for time -- you can arrange to (say) drive it from JB to Penang, drop off the car for a small charge, and then fly back.

Renting a car from SIN is very expensive (&gt;$100/day). If you decide to rent a car from JHB, you would have already made it to that airport and in that case, for a daytrip, the AK flight to KUL makes more sense than renting a car.

Car rental: The roads on the west coast are great - the North-South Expressway lets you drive all the way to Thailand in 8 hours (speed limit 70-75mph so you probably won't need to drive faster and risk getting a ticket!). Your driver's license is valid and insurance is included with car rental. Driving on the left is easy until you come to a roundabout http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif It goes the other way. I learnt that the hard way.

If you start at 9am, get to Malacca (historic town) by lunchtime and explore. Head on up to KL, have dinner and see the bright lights before either driving back (3-4hrs) or ditching the car at KUL and fly back to JHB/SIN (AK to JHB is US$10 and SQ/MH to SIN is $75 o/w).

Flight: Take 0840 flight from JHB to KUL and express train to downtown by 10. Whole day to sightsee/play. After dinner, take 2035 flight KUL-JHB. AK r/t US$15. Alternatively, SQ/MH runs hourly shuttle between KUL-SIN - much more convenient but pricey $150+ r/t. You do get to leave SIN earlier (6am) and return later (10pm) on the shuttle.

Or alternatively, go to Sentosa or ferry to Bintan for lovely beaches! Bintan is doable for a daytrip and you can say you've been to Indonesia http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Well, I think I would be able to give you this advise as my mother is a Malaysian and I go back to Malaysia very often via Singapore. So, I guess I can say that I know it pretty well.

First of all, it is cheaper to rent a car in Malaysia i.e. Johore Bahru as it uses Malaysian Ringgit and the cost is much cheaper than ingapore Dollars. One thing to keep in mind is that to rent it from an International company such as Avis or Hertz (just to be on a safeside).

Driving in Singapore would not be a problem as they're very wise people but just be careful of other drivers in Johore Bahru and around Malaysia, because they're a bunch of maniacs when they control the wheels (including Singaporeans in Malaysia), especially on the highways.

You do not need a special license to drive, as long as your license is in English, then you're ok.

It is of course nicer to drive on the East coast but they don't have any highways there and to start off from JB, would be a nuisance because it's a far ride and there is nothing to see from JB to Pahang, until you reach Terengganu and Kelantan. It would be adviseable to drive on the highway (especially if you have a short time) and exit at main cities such as Malacca and Port Dickson (which is on the way to Kuala Lumpur, from JB).

From KL, then you can drive up north to Penang, which is a beautiful island full of tourists and beaches. In KL itself, you don't have to worry much about the traffic, as they have newly built good roads around and nice places to see.

About the speed: the speed limit is 110KMH on the highway. If you get a speeding ticket, then the price for it is RM150, which is about USD40.

Well, have a nice drive.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Biggy:
You do not need a special license to drive, as long as your license is in English, then you're ok.
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YMMV, but I was told by Hawk that an international driver's license is required. I'm not sure whether this is a company or legal requirement.