Book your hotel or accommodation early and before you arrive in Singapore or Malaysia. During the school holidays in both countries, hotels can be fully booked. You get the better rates for hotel when the hotel is offering a promotion, usually during the non-peak season or non holiday period. Promotional rates are usually available if you book your flight together with hotel stay and sometimes inclusive of local tours.    

- Pick clothes suitable for the hot weather and remember an umbrella. Its summer all year round in Singapore and Malaysia - Hot in the daytime (temperature about 30degC) and cooler at night (25deg.C). For informal wear, tee shirts are commonly worn. You may need only a light cardigan and the coldest places are usually at some hotels!, and the highland areas. Temperature may fall to below 15deg.C on some highland areas. When it rains it pours! literally - rain can be very heavy, but usually lasts a short period. Malaysian will only carry an umbrella rather than wear a rain coat.

- Malaysians are generally very casual dressers. Its OK to dress in your finest in posh restaurants but many Malaysians dress casually when dining, unless it is a special function. Ladies should avoid wearing low cut tops or short skirts or shorts when travelling in the countryside or small towns.

- Try not to put on a beach wear which exposes to much of your body, if you go to the public beaches, especially in Malaysia. Its OK to put on your bikini if you are swimming in hotel pools or stretches of beaches facing hotels.

- In Malaysia, remember Malaysia is a Muslim country. Be more conservative in what you wear when you travel outside Kuala Lumpur, especially in the countryside and small towns. Ladies should avoid low cut tops and exposing too much of their bodies.

Shoes

- Sandals or sports shoes are common for informal wear. Court shoes are good if you need to dress formally. Slippers are OK but may not allow you into some posh places or some government departments. 

- Walking or sports shoes are best if you are going outside the city, sightseeing or hiking.

Where you keep your money and important documents

- A hidden pocket in your clothes may be the best option. To carry a bag, it is safer to wear a pouch bag or carry a handbag that hangs in front of you. Though Malaysian carry all sorts of gear, if you look like a tourist, you tend to draw attention. Snatch thieves and pickpockets are not uncommon in urban areas.

Other bags and luggage

- A haversack or backpack is good if you want to travel light. Big luggage bags with wheels are only good if you move only from the airport/station to your hotel. But if you travel by express bus (intercity buses), a small luggage bag with wheels is OK, as there are storage compartment available.

Medication

- Always take your essential medication and prescriptions along, it many not be easily accessible outside the cities in Malaysia. If you need medication, there are doctor clinics, western pharmacies and Chinese drugstores.

Medical facilities in Malaysia and Singapore

Wheelchairs

- Not many places in Malaysia are friendly to the old or disable person, especially if you need to move around in a wheelchair. Checkout the places first. Wheelchairs are usually sold in special shops or the pharmacy.

Outdoor equipments and gear

- You can get special gear usually only in bigger cities like Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and only some hypermarkets in smaller towns.

Electrical appliances

- Electric supply is on a 240-volt AC, 50-cycle system (similar to UK). so get the correct appliance and plugs before you arrive. Square three-pin plugs are generally used.

Medication

- Always take your essential medication and prescriptions along, it many not be easily accessible outside the cities in Malaysia. If you need medication, there are doctor clinics, western pharmacies and Chinese drugstores.

- You will find public and private hospitals, doctor's clinic or private medical facilities in all major towns in Malaysia and in Singapore.

Visa Requirements and Customs regulation

Check visa requirements before you book your flight or tour and embark on your journey. Be sure to know the law for carry drugs, goods or cash into a country. (Drug trafficking is a capital offence in Malaysia and Singapore)

     Keep contact numbers of your country's mission/embassy, hotel no., your contact nos. or emergency nos. on your person. Visitors to Malaysia and Singapore must hold a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits.

Air travel

The best rates for airline tickets comes with hotels accommodations and sometimes inclusive of tours. It is advisable to book early during the holiday season. Take note of the holidays and celebrations in Malaysia and Singapore, some hotels may be fully booked during this period especially during the school holidays

Singapore to Malaysia

     Most airport security do not allow you to carry, in your cabin bag, all kinds of knives, sharp objects (metal or other material) and some sporting goods. New airline regulations does not allow passengers to carry many items - CHECK WITH THE AIRLINE AND AIRPORT!. Packed them in your check-in-baggage. Carry fragile and valuable items, laptops, mobile phones, cameras, cash, keys and jewellery etc. in your carry on baggage/ cabin bag. But keep carry-on baggage as light as possible. You may have to walk a considerable distances to walk upon arrival or departure at some airports.

Learn more on how to travel smoothly into Malaysia or Singapore

- Be sure you have a valid international driver's licence. Know the traffic rules and regulation in the country you are driving. It is necessary to be able to read the road signs - English in Singapore but in the Malay language in Malaysia.

- It is NOT advisable to drive if you are not knowledgeable about the country or is not accustomed to the type of traffic. It is advisable to travel with a local if you want to drive out of the city or if it is your first time to the country. However for those who know Malaysia and Singapore and love to drive, you get one of the best system of roads in Asia. There are fewer roads in East Malaysia.

- You will find many petrol kiosk located in the urban areas, but few or far apart in the countryside in Malaysia. Petrol prices in Malaysia is one of the cheapest in Asia, so just fill up you tank when you travel. You will pass many towns all along the trunk roads. There are petrol station at specific rest areas along the expressway.

- Caution: drive slowly on rural roads near villages - as many residents may cycle or walk along these roads. Be extra cautious, when driving past villages, as there are animals on the road at times.

- It is easy and economical to drive in Malaysia and but not in Singapore. If you want to drive from Malaysia to Singapore using a foreign-registered car, there is a lot of hassle -it is advisable not to do so if you are not familiar with the regulations (for details check with the land transport authorities of Singapore). Public transport is efficient and convenient in Singapore.

Detail on travelling around Malaysia at: