8 International Holiday Spots Near Malaysia You Can Reach Without Flying

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Did you know you could take a sleeper train and wake up in the city of Bangkok? If you're seeking a scenic adventure through picturesque landscapes, you can embark on a 17-hour train journey for a truly unique holiday.

Departing from KL Sentral will be about a five to six-hour journey, while leaving from Butterworth station take about two hours to arrive. From there, hop on a Thai Railways train to the bustling capital city of Bangkok.

There is only one train per day that departs from Padang Besar at 5pm. Tickets can be booked from Thai Railway and cost 898 baht (approximately RM109).

Batam, an Indonesian island paradise, offers stunning beaches, vibrant markets, duty-free shopping, delicious cuisine, and exciting activities, making it a perfect escape for relaxation and adventure. 

A typical route from Malaysia would be through Johor, starting at the Berjaya Waterfront Ferry Terminal. There are 14 daily ferry trips to and from Batam Centre, with round tickets costing roughly RM234 (inclusive of port fees). You can purchase your ferry ticket online here.

From Berjaya Waterfront Ferry Terminal, you can also travel to Tanjung Pinang, the bustling capital city of the Riau Islands province in Indonesia. Located on Bintan Island, it's a vibrant hub known for its rich history, diverse culture, and delicious seafood.

A ferry ride to Dumai offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the Strait of Malacca. You can catch a two-hour ferry from either the Melaka Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex or Port Dickson Passenger Jetty.

The terminal in Melaka offers two trips per day during weekends, while Port Dickson doesn't have ferry services to Dumai on Sundays. However, ferry services aren't available every day.

A round trip from Melaka costs approximately IDR1,000,000 (RM280), while departing from Port Dickson costs around IDR1,200,000 (RM337).

You can purchase tickets and check the ferry schedule here.

Further enquiries can be made by calling:
- Port Dickson Passenger Jetty: +6012-638 1969
- ICQS Complex: +6017-648 1280

A vibrant destination bordering Malaysia, Hat Yai is an easy 11-hour journey by train, where you can take in Malaysia's rural scenery and wake up in the vibrant city of Southern Thailand.

KTM Berhad (KTMB) offers a limited train service operated by MySawasdee, departing from KL Sentral with stops at Tanjung Malim, Ipoh, and Taiping, before stopping at Padang Besar. At Padang Besar, you'll pass through immigration before re-boarding the train to reach Hat Yai.

A one-way ticket typically costs about RM95 to RM119.

Escape to Karimun Island, a hidden gem just a short ferry ride away! Also known as Nuwi Island, this Indonesian paradise is about two hours away from Singapore's Harbourfront Centre by ferry.

Reaching Karimun is easy – simply take a ferry to Tanjung Balai Terminal. There are two daily trips departing from Harbourfront Centre at 11.40am and 8.20pm, while return ferries depart from Tanjung Balai at 7.30am and 2pm local time.

Tickets can cost up to SGD137 (approximately RM455) per trip, depending on the season.

Visit Sindo Ferry's website for more info.

Koh Lipe is a Thai island in the Andaman Sea, located just 90 minutes away from Langkawi. With pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs, it's a popular spot for snorkelling, diving, and simply soaking up the sun.

Only 42km apart, Telaga Terminal and Kuah Jetty in Langkawi are the closest Malaysian ports to Koh Lipe. During the monsoon season, these ferries are often closed, so always look out for the best times to visit the islands — usually from October to May.

There are two ferry trips daily between the two islands and return trips cost around RM300, depending on the terminal. You can book ferry tickets from Ferry Lipe, Telaga Terminal or Kuah Jetty's website.

Satun, a hidden gem in southern Thailand, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, diverse cultural heritage, and laid-back island vibes.

You can take a ferry from Kuah Jetty, Langkawi, embarking on about a 75-minute journey to Tammalang Pier, Satun. Langkawi Andaman Ferry Venture operates only one ferry trip daily, departing Langkawi at 9.30am and Satun at 11.30am, with the schedule subject to change due to tides. A round-trip ticket costs RM113. Book your tickets here.

Alternatively, a drive from Kuala Lumpur to Satun will take approximately seven hours and 15 minutes.

Soak in the gorgeous scenery and countryside sights by taking a six-hour train ride. Take the ETS train from KL Sentral to Gemas. From there, switch over to the JB Sentral train, and then hop on the JB Sentral shuttle train to Woodlands.

You can book tickets on KTMB's website.