Cheap Flights to Malaysia

If you're on an international flight to Malaysia, you're probably going to be flying into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) - there are no direct flights from but there are many one stop flights available. There are also options for one stop flights Kuching International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Penang International Airport and Langkawi International Airport. In order to book your cheap flights to Malaysia:

Compare prices and complete your booking using the tools on your left.
Use any SouthAfrica.TO travel vouchers you have to discount your flight prices. If you have none, then start earning them by telling us about your flight to Malaysia. Simply send us an email about your experience flying, including as much detail as possible, and we will give you a travel voucher. Make sure to include which airline you used, why you picked that airline and how your experience was.

From Johannesburg

From Cape Town

From Durban

Visa Requirements

Attractions

When to Go

Malaysia Trip Report

29 July 2013. For the start of this story, read about Fiona's Emirates flight from Cape Town to Malaysia. "I arrived in Kuala Lumpur a day later and stayed at the Melia Hotel. The accommodation at this hotel was luxurious and the service was amazing! The breakfast was the best. The Melia was right across from the “Times Square” Shopping Mall, which was very convenient. The heat and humidity was challenging and it took me 3 days to acclimatise. It was very unfortunate that I did not do much touring there, except visit the Genting Highlands Resort, the famous Petronas Towers, the Pink Mosque in the beautiful, clean Putrajaya. My other days were filled with cricket at the most beautiful, well-maintained Pink Mosque in Kuala Lumpur cricket stadia about 45 minutes out of KL, in Puchong and Bayuemas. My son played in a South African invitational team, against national teams from Malaysia, Singapore, India and Sri Lanka. I was very proud and moved to tears when our boys sang the national anthem before they played their games at the Bayuemas Oval. The cricket was entertaining and I met wonderful friends, who were helpers at the tournament. The Malaysian people are lovely and soft-hearted. All of them have a special place in my heart. Our South African team were runners up in the tournament. My son was fortunate enough to make it to the local Malaysian newspaper. Wow! So much excitement. I could hardly contain myself. This was truly an experience in a million, one I will not forget in a hurry. Beautiful memories were made with just one leap of faith and a desire to watch my son play cricket. I have made a commitment to attend all of his tours in future as this one was a worthy experience. I only Melia Hotel Room have one regret … that my experience could not have been shared with my husband, who missed out miserably. He has the kindest heart and sent me for the tour on my own as only one of us could attend. I am forever grateful to him for his selflessness. Fiona Saloojee

Johannesburg to Malaysia flights

You can book flights from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) with Cathay Pacific Airways (via Hong Kong), Egyptair (via Cairo), Emirates (via Dubai), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi), KLM (via Amsterdam), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) and South African Airways which is operated by Egyptair (via Cairo), Air Mauritius (via Mauritius) and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). Malaysia Airlines quit flying the JNB-KUL route in 2012.

Flights to Kota Kinabalu (BKI) from Johannesburg can be done with Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong where you would take Dragonair to BKI, Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), and South African Airlines to Hong Kong where you would take Dragonair to BKI.

Flights to Penang (PEN) can be taken from Johannesburg with Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) and South African Airways to Hong Kong where you would take Cathay Pacific Airways to PEN.

You can fly from Johannesburg to Kuching International Airport (KCH) on Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) and South African Airways to Singapore connecting with SilkAir to KCH.

You can fly to Langkawi (LGK) from Johannesburg with Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) or South African Airlines to Singapore where you would take SilkAir to LGK.

Cape Town to Malaysia flights

You can fly from Cape Town to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) with Air Mauritius (via Mauritius), Emirates (via Dubai) or Turkish Airlines (via JNB, IST).

There are also two stop flights to Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Penang (PEN), Kuching (KCH) and Langkawi (LGK).

Durban to Malaysia flights

You can fly from Durban to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) with Emirates (via Dubai) - there are a number of 2-stop options available.

There are also flights with two stops available to Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Penang (PEN), Kuching (KCH) and Langkawi (LGK).

Flying within Malaysia

"My husband and I had quite a memorable flight on Asia Air when we were in Malaysia in 2010. At 06h00 we had just arrived at Kuala Lumpur from Cape Town, went through customs, and had gone to look for the bus that would take us to the other side of KL Airport where we would board the Asia Air flight for the island of Penang. We found the bus, boarded and when we got on the bus, there was a Chinese couple seated on the two seats on the opposite side of the bus. One could immediately tell that she was not well, fidgety all the time and he appeared very worried. They could not wait for the bus to leave. Eventually we drove off to the other side of the airport, and the whole way she was moaning about something to her husband. About 15 minutes later we arrived at the other airport and disembarked. The couple disappeared and we went and checked into our connecting flight to Penang.

Imagine our surprise when we saw the same couple sitting waiting at the Air Asia gate for the very same flight that we were taking, and only then did I realise that the woman was pregnant. He was looking quite frantic by this time, and in deep conversation with the flight attendants. From what we could see they were trying to persuade him not to take his wife on the flight, but she was adamant that she wanted to board the flight and assured them that she would be okay.

Eventually our flight was called and we all boarded, they let the couple board first. The Air Asia flight was about 40 minutes, but it seemed like 4 hours to us, as we were now so involved in this couple and their predicament. Finally the flight landed and they disembarked first. When it was our turn, we saw that there was an ambulance just outside the plane and by the time we walked past the couple, they had managed to stabilise her and driven off. We were left wondering what happened, or actually whether the baby was born in the ambulance, because I had timed her contractions on the plane and being a mom of three children myself, at some point thought she going to pop right on the flight. Imagine if she did!"

Visa Requirements

South Africans can travel for up to 3 month without a visa in Malaysia.

Passport that will be valid 6 months after the return date
The completed application
2 passport sized photos
The original air ticket as well as a copy
A letter to prove employment
A letter to prove residence in Malaysia
A letter to prove the visa amount has been paid

Visa requirements may have changed so for the latest visa requirements, contact the Malaysian Embassy in South Africa at 012-342-5990 or malprtoria@kln.gov.my. Their physical address is No. 1007 Schoeman Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa. The embassy is closed on Malaysian public holidays.

South African High Commission in Malaysia

Bookmark these details in case you run into trouble in Malaysia:

Physical address: Suite 22, 01 Level 22, No. 3 Jalan Kia Peng, Kaula Lumpur
Phone number : +60-3-2170-2400

Currency

Malaysia’s currency is the Malaysian ringgit.

Languages

Malay is the official language. In addition, other native languages that are widely spoken include Iban and Kadazan and English is well-recognized and taught in both primary and secondary schools.

Attractions

Areas of interest in Malaysia include:

The Petronas Twin Towers: Until 2004 the Petronas Twin Towers were known to be the tallest buildings in the world. While they have been surpassed by the Taipei 101 they are still the world’s tallest twin buildings.
Langkawi: There is no better known destination for tourists in Malaysia than Langkawi. The 99 island archipelago is located in the Andaman Sea and is very close to the Thai border. Pulau Langkawi is the largest of the islands and the most populated with Pulau Tuba being the second.
Perhentian Islands: Also close to the Thai borders in the northeastern part of the country you will find the Perhentian Islands. Not only are these islands some of the most beautiful in the world, they are also great for budget travelers. The islands are known for great diving and beautiful waters.

When To Travel To Malaysia

In the country of Malaysia there are two seasons which are considered the high season. The first one takes place from December until the end of January which is usually the winter in most of the northern hemisphere. The second peak season in the country starts in June and it runs all the way through mid-September. During this season most people who visit are families from the Middle East.

Public holidays in Malaysia

There are national and state-level public holidaysin Malaysia. National public holidays are:

1 May
31 August (National day)
16 September (Malaysia day)
25 December

Floating public holidays:

Birth of the Prophet
Chinese New Year (2 days)
Wesak Day
King Agong's birthday
Hari Raya Puasa (2 days)
Eid al-Adha
First day of Muharram