Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
234
Today Melaka is a sleepy backwater . The historic hear t of to wn is distinctiv e, with
narrow one-way lanes hugged b y old colonial-style shophouses built b y the D utch and
British and later inhabited b y w ealthy Chinese and P eranakan (S traits-born Chinese)
families. The buildings that stand out, ho wever, are the bright r ed structures, a chur ch
and administrative buildings built by the Dutch during their rule. Just steps away are the
remains of a Portuguese fort and church, and also close b y you'll find English churches
as well.
ESSENTIALS
Visitor Information
The
Melaka Tourism Information Centre
is on Jalan Kota at the Town Square next to
the bridge (
&
06/281-4803
).
Getting There
BY TRAIN
Melaka doesn't have a proper train station, but the
KTM
stops at Tampin
(
&
06/441-1034
), 38km (24 miles) nor th of the city . I t's not the most conv enient
way in and out of the city , but if y ou decide to stop en r oute between Kuala Lumpur
and Johor Bahru, you can easily catch a waiting taxi to y our hotel in to wn for RM40
($12/£7.20).
BY BUS
From S ingapore, contact
Grassland E xpress
at
&
65/6293-1166,
www.
grassland.com.sg. A bus depar ts at 8am daily for the 4
1
/
2
-hour trip (S$27/US$18/£12).
From
KL's Puduraya Bus Terminal
on Jalan Pudu,
Transnasional
(
&
03/6201-3463
)
has hourly buses between 8am and 10pm for about RM10 ($2.90/£1.80). The trip takes
about 2
1
/
2
hours.
The bus station in Melaka is at Jalan Kilang, within the city. Taxis are easy to find from
here.
BY T AXI
Outstation
taxis
can bring y ou her e fr om K uala L umpur for RM140
($41/£25). The outstation taxi stand in Melaka is at the bus terminal on J alan Kilang.
Getting Around
Most of the historic sights around the town square are well within walking distance. For
other trips,
taxis
are the most conv enient way around but are at times difficult to find.
They're also not as clearly marked as in KL or Johor Bahru. They are not metered, so be
prepared to bargain. Basically, no matter what you do, you'll always be charged a higher
rate than a local. Tourists ar e almost always quoted at RM10 ($2.90/£1.80) for local
trips. Malaysians pay RM5 ($1.45/90p). I f you're feeling spor ty, you can bargain for a
price somewhere in between.
Trishaws
(bicycle rickshaws) ar e all o ver the historic ar eas of to wn, and in M elaka
they're renowned for being very, very garishly decorated (which adds to the fun!). Nego-
tiate for hourly rates of about RM30 ($8.70/£5.40) for two people.
Fast Facts: Melaka
Melaka's
area code
is 06. Major
banks
are located in the historic center of to wn, with a
couple along Jalan Putra.
Internet
places come and go. Your best bet is to ask your hotel's
concierge or the Melaka Tourism Information Centre (see above) for the nearest cafes.
13
WHERE TO STAY
Melaka is not very large, and most of the places to stay ar e well within walking distance
of attractions, shopping, and restaurants.
