travel to.....?

Question

i planning to go to malaysia in july/aug.
1.) how do i get a "travel pass" or visa whatever they call it there. i am american.
2.) i have to stop in seoul, south korea. i have to change planes. what i want to know, to change plans there do i have to have a visa for s. korea or will they just alow me to change planes with no hassle?
3.) also,i understand i must have sufficant funds in both countries? what does that mean? it says in malaysia that i have to have $500 usd to even get in there country, does it have to be cash or can it be a travelers check card?
any american been to malaysia? and been to KUL airport? was it a big pain in the butt to have to change planes? how much money should i bring? any tips at that may help a FIRST time traveler!!! i never been on a airplane!! help!

i dont have a travel agent!

Answer 1

Hi there, I'm a Malaysian and hope that I would be able to answer your curiousity as the first time traveller.

1) You as an American do not need to apply any visa to come to Malaysia. In the flight to Kuala Lumpur, you will be given an Embarkation card that you have to fill all the relevant particulars. The normal question that you have to answer are personal particulars including health, purpose of the visit - holiday, business, confrence etc, how long are you staying in Malaysia, Address in Malaysia (if you know the hotel name & adress will be much better)...if you have any problem filling the form, check with the air steward.

2. Arriving in KL International Airport (KLIA) - for the first time traveller. Normally you will arive at the International Terminal, you have to take the train to bring you to the main terminal. The train is located near the gate C1 (just follow the flow of people).

Once at the main terminal, find the escalator down to passport control - if you cannot find the signboard follow the "baggage claim" signboard. There are two main exit, one is for Malaysian and the other one is foreign passport holder. At the counter, give the passport and embarkation card to the Immigration. They normally will stamp your passport with 3 months visa (holiday). They might ask you where are you staying and so on but should be of no problem. If you have your hotel reservation print out it might be handy as your proof. As for the money is concern, what I normally do when I travel abroad is I bring some cash and if the immigration ask me bout the fund, I just show my credit card and they never ask more.

Once passport is cleared, go and take your luggage at the baggage claim area. They have a screen that shows which baggage belt is for which flight. Sometime it can take 20 minutes for your luggage to arrive (I dunno why).

After that you have to go through Custom clearance, if you are normal traveller with a normal luggage, just go through the "Green Lane" and you will be out of arrival hall in no time.

If you have prior pick up arrangement, go and find your driver outside otherwise I suggest you take the train "KLIA Express" to the city. The ticket vending machine and ticket counter for the train are right after the Custom before the exit. It will cost you RM35(about USD10.30) for a single trip. The train will depart every 15 minutes if I'm not mistaken and it will take you to the city in half hour. Ask the attandent at the counter the direction to take the train (it's quite easy).

You will arrive at KL Sentral (it's the transportation hub). From there, take a cab to your hotel. There is a cab counter at the KL Sentral where you can buy a cab coupon to your destination and you just give the cab driver the coupon. You do not have to pay any extra to the cab driver.

Hope I've answered your concern and enjoy your holiday. :)

Answer 2

Time Travel

Answer 3

Ok thats alot of questions, I am Australian and I have been to Malaysia before, so here are a few tips for you.

Your Travel agent will sort out any visa requirements you need, how long are you going for? I think you dont need a visa if you are only going to be there for a few weeks. The most important thing is that you have proof that you will be leaving the country, so a return ticket home or a ticket to another country. You will not need a visa for South Korea if you are just changing planes.

3. Technically you do need to prove that you have enough money to stay in Malaysia for the time you will be there, however I have never been asked to give any proof ever and they say this in every country. They really only enforce this if you look like you have no money. So being American and freshly arriving in the country I doubt you will get asked. But it is important for your own sake that you have enough money.

Do not carry $500 US dollars in cash, if you are really worried take a bank receipt with your balance on it.

The hard part about Malaysia is the airport, it is located very far from KL 75kms. This means that you will be greeted by an onslaught of hungry cab drivers just waiting to rip off unknowing westerners. As soon as you step out of customs its like a feeding frenzy you will be approached by alot a people wanting to get your business. If you want to save money take the train from the airport to the city, it is actually the fastest way to get to the city. There will be directions to the station, just make your way there, if you need help ask airpot staff or a fellow passengers dont ask the cab drivers because they will probably lie.


Do abit of reading about Malaysia before you go, remember it is Islamic, so if you are female or travelling with females be curtious and dont wear anything too revealing. My girlfriend and I didnt realise this and she got a lot of stares.

Answer 4

your problems quite complex, and when i came across the "i dont have a travel agent" i thought i'd have suggestion for you. get one. travel agents are really easy working with airlines tickets. besides, most of travel agents get discounts from airline companies for tickets. airline companies have seat allocations for travel agencies..

good luck

Answer 5

if you are not familiar on travelling, dont travel.