How to Go

Follow this guide for directions to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or other destinations. Visitors and tourists can travel to Melaka by road from anywhere in Peninsular Malaysia. There are no international airports in Malacca, only a small air strip in Batu Berendam which serves only small air planes. Since Malacca is a port, many international cruise ships at sea make a stop over while ferries travel daily from some places in Sumatra to Melaka.

Malacca is located along the coast about 140 km away from Kuala Lumpur City, and is linked via the North-South Highway and several other smaller trunk roads meandering from neighbouring states. Bordered by Negeri Sembilan state in its entirety, except for the coastal line, Malacca can be reached in a little more than 1 hour at a quick pace, but usually 1 and-a-half hours for most travellers using the highway at exiting at Ayer Keroh. Visitors and tourists arriving from international destinations from plane, and coming from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) can take a cab directly to Melaka. There is also a daily bus from both airports to Malacca travelling at certain times. If already in Kuala Lumpur, those on a budget can hop on a bus to Malacca from KL instead of renting a car or taking a taxi.

Buses and coaches depart daily from Pudu Raya terminal in Kuala Lumpur daily, but during festive seasons, getting a ticket may be tough so do purchase them a few weeks beforehand, if you're staying in the city for a long period. Visitors coming from northern destinations such as Penang and Ipoh need to head through Kuala Lumpur first, and then follow the directions explained above. The same goes for travellers coming from the East Coast destinations, except from Johor onwards. From East Coast destinations such as Kuantan, head through the Karak Highway and then exit at Kuala Lumpur to join with the North-South Expressway. Other than the highway, visitors can also drive along the coastal road from Klang to Port Dickson and then straight through to Malacca, or take another trunk road from Kajang.

Travellers from Singapore will usually drive up from Johor Bahru to Malacca using the North-South Highway. The total distance is about 220 km from the Causeway to Melaka City, or slightly more than 2 hours. Drive along the expressway and exit at Ayer Keroh, and it is about 20 km to the Melaka Town center. Buses and coaches are also available from Singapore in Lavender Street Terminal, or from Johor Bahru, to Melaka Sentral, the main bus terminal in the state. There is no railway to Malacca, the nearest train station in Alor Gajah, which is 30 km away. If travelling by train, you can take a bus or taxi from the station to visit Malacca.