Traveling to Melaka
Being only 145 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur 225 kilometres from Johor Bahru (and Singapore) there are precious few direct flights to the city (and none from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore). Unfortunately for both visitors and the city itself, there is no direct transportation connection (bus or otherwise) between KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and Melaka. That said, most visitors traveling to Melaka start from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and the following information applies to such instances.

Whether your journey to Melaka begins in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore the most convenient and economical mode of transport to travel to Melaka is by bus. Another option would be to take the train however the nearest train station to Melaka is in Tamping - some 40 kilometres east of the city. However with only 3 trains a day this is less convenient, more expensive and again you will need to get to the local bus station to catch the 26 bus and you will still end up at Stasiun Sentral.

From Kuala Lumpur
There are several bus companies that run Express Buses from Kuala Lumpur that leave on the hour and half hour from the Puduraya Central Bus Station. For the most part with the number and frequency of buses to Melaka you can just show up and hop on the next one. However that said if you plan to visit Melaka on a long holiday weekend it is best to show up the day before and secure your ticket especially if you haven't used the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal previously - this will give you better options and a chance to familiarise yourself with the bus station.

The Puduraya Bus Central Station is located on Jl Pudu Raya (just 2 blocks from the Swiss Garden Hotel (click here for map). The current cost (as of 2nd quarter 2004) is only RM 7.90 (that's right - just over US$2.00!) per person. Buses leave from 8.00am - 7.00pm and the trip takes between 21/2 and 3 hours depending on traffic and the driver's willingness to drop passengers off during the trip. Express buses are large, clean and comfortable making it a very enjoyable trip through Malaysia's scenic countryside.

The bus will stop at the new Stasiun Sentral (see sidebar) about 5-6 kilometres outside of Melaka's downtown area necessitating a taxi ride into town.

From Singapore
The most convenient way get to Melaka from Singapore is with Transnational Express Sdn Bhd which runs twice daily departures (8.30am and 10.00am). The trip takes about 5 hours with buses leaving from the Lavender Street Bus Station. The cost will be about SGD12.00. You can usually purchase your ticket at the station on the day of your departure however be advised that Melaka is a very popular with Singaporeans on weekends and national holidays. If you plan to visit Melaka from Singapore on a weekend best to get your ticket a day or two ahead, if you plan to go on a long holiday weekend purchase your ticket several days in advance.

Arriving to Malaysia from Singapore
If you do originate from Singapore you will need to pass through immigration and customs when entering Malaysia and the following rules and regulations apply (same as applies when arriving to Malaysia via an airline).

While many nationalities do not require a visa for short social or business visits however there are nationalities that need to obtain a visa prior to entering the country and Malaysia has specific rules for obtaining and using a visa. For more information on visa requirements click here.

Foreign nationals entering Malaysia must present a valid passport or travel documentation with a minimum validity of at least six months beyond the intended stay period. Be advised that your passport is also necessary for travel between Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Together with your passport, you will need to present a completed Disembarkation Card, Travel Declaration Form and Customs Declaration Form to the immigration officer. With the Travel Declaration Form you are required to declare the amount of currency you are carrying. The permitted limits are detailed below.

Permitted currency limits:

	Residents and nonresidents alike are permitted to carry into and out of Malaysia Ringgit notes not exceeding RM1,000 per person.
	There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency note and traveler's cheques carried into Malaysia by residents and nonresidents.
	A resident is permitted to carry out of Malaysia, foreign currency notes including trailer's cheques, not exceeding RM10,000 or the equivalent thereof per person.
	A nonresident is permitted to carry out of Malaysia foreign currency notes including traveler's cheques, only up to the amount brought in.

After presenting the Disembarkation Card and TDF a thirty to sixty day permit is given to most nationalities upon arrival (see visa info). As a rule, coming overland though you may be given only thirty days unless you specifically ask for a 60 day permit. Extensions are obtainable at an immigration office in the country for a total stay of up to three months.

After clearing immigration you can proceed to customs area.

Customs Formalities
Once you have cleared immigration, proceed to Customs area and present your "Customs Declaration" to the customs officer. Be forewarned: trafficking in illegal drugs carries a mandatory death penalty in Malaysia.

Dutiable Goods
Certain goods such as the following, imported by visitors are liable to duty: carpets, garments, clothing accessories, jewelry, chocolates, handbags, spirits and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and cigarettes (see below for more info). Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure. To get your deposit returned the goods are to be presented at the time and place of departure together with the deposit receipts.

Exemptions on Dutiable Goods
Foreign nationals visiting Malaysia for 72 hours or less (except Labuan, 24 hours and Langkawi, 48 hours) receive a duty exemptions for the purchase of souvenirs, gifts and items intended for personal use up to a limit of RM200.00 (RM500.00 in Labuan and Langkawi) Items include:
Wines and spirits - up to one litre.
Tobacco - up to 225g (200 cigarettes or 50 cigars).
One pair of leather footware.
New clothing - up to 3 pieces.
Cosmetics, personal hygiene items (not including powder, hair products).

Duty Free vs. Free Duty Goods
Duty Free Goods are items that are exempted from import duty only in designated shopping zones in Malaysia.

Free Duty Goods are goods that are free from duty nationwide all the time.

Free Duty Goods:
Free Duty items include: Cameras, perfume, cosmetics, watches and clocks, fountain pens and cigarette lighters (except plastic), computers, cameras, portable radios, carpets made of jute, fishing equipment, golf clubs (except balls) and most musical instruments.

Health Regulations:
Be advised that a Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all visitors coming from Yellow Fever infected areas or endemic zones except for children under 1 year of age.

Upon passing Customs, you will pass rest rooms, moneychangers and ATMs etc. Exchange rates at the bus terminal are not as good as money changers in Melaka however there are not that money changers in Melaka to begin with so if you do not have any local currency, you will need to change some now for the payment of the taxi from Melaka's new Central Bus Station to your hotel and now is a good time to do so.

Now you proceed to your bus for the remainder of the journey.