Hi, Kathie, TravelTwiddle, and anybody else who might help. Here I am again asking for advice. Our Borneo trip is almost upon us. We're leaving October 12 and are very excited. We will have four days on Penang at the very end of the trip, and just before that a bit of time in Kuala Lumpur. We would like to use one of our days there for a side trip to Malacca. We know it would have to be rushed--a day trip-- but Malacca has such rich history as a trading center that it would be a shame to be so close and not see it. We trust that there are group type day tours which we could tap into, and we are not closed to that possibility. We're wondering, though, about hiring a private driver/guide for the day so that we might have more latitude about arranging our time. Would any of you have a ballpark figure regarding the cost for the driver/guide? There are three of us. Any and all suggestions or input would be appreciated.

Sorry about the double "p" in Kuala Lumpur on the subject line. Bad proofing.

Long distance buses in Malaysia are fine. You could just take the bus and a guidebook.

It's not exactly "long distance" from KL to Melaka - a mere 2 hours journey each way. You could purchase bus tickets at KL's Puduraya bus station (in Chinatown).

The bus depot is quite a zoo (full of people, ticket touts etc) but head towards one of those windows selling tickets and you'd be sure to find a bus with empty seats leaving for Melaka within the next half hour (unless it's the school holidays etc). TRANSNATIONAL is a good bus company to try.

The hourly buses from KL to Melaka and cost approximately US$3 (RM9.50). When you arrive at the Melaka bus station, grab a taxi to the old part of town (US$5-8/RM15-20), approximately 15 minutes away.

Once you're in Melaka, head to the "fountain" area where there'd be loads of gaily-decorated trishaws - each trishaw can sit 2 people and costs approx US$15 (RM40 - fixed price) per hour.

Your trishaw "driver" will be your tour guide and bring you to several different spots around Melaka old town, depending on your interest. Many speak good-enough English to give you a good brief of what you're seeing.

You could also head to the river for a short (45 mins) boat ride for more local commentary.

Melaka is also a museum town - the Maritime Museum, Baba & Nonya Heritage House, Admiral Cheng Ho Museums are easily assessible and within walking distance of one another (grab a map in KL or buy a detailed one (~US$1.50/RM5) in Melaka upon arrival at the tourist information centre).

Stroll along Jonker Street and the surrounding lanes for antiques, curios, knick-knacks, souvenirs, junk, local art.

Melaka is also famous for its Peranakan cuisine.

As day trips go, it can't be easier with Melaka as everything is within walking distance around the old city area. A car and driver would be somewhat redundant.

Do go!

Thank you, Thursdaysd-- and, JannaG, you're hired!! You've outlined for us what we haven't been able to clearly nail down from the guidebooks we have. We'll do just as you've suggested. We really appreciate the time, effort, and thought which has gone into your very detailed reply. We know that this day trip will be a rewarding and rich experience for us. When we return, in the spirit of "pay it forward", we promise to post a report of our trip as a whole in hopes that others might benefit in the way we have benefitted from all the postings we've been combing through on this forum in preparation for own trip. Once again, many thanks to all of you who've responded to my questions over the past months.

i am doing some of the same route next week. could you give a short update, please? I would be so grateful!

I didn't catch Bo2642 post in Aug, sorry.

Lincasanova, it's still the same drill. Catch a bus from Puduraya KL, use Transnasional, and you'd end up in Malacca bus station called Melaka Sentral. It is slightly out of town center and it's best to take a 10 mins taxi ride. Tell the driver you want to go Christchurch enclave, as mentioned by JannaG "head to the "fountain" area where there'd be loads of gaily-decorated trishaws". This is the oldest part of Malacca and it is divided by a river. You will have no problem going around on foot and English signage is everywhere. Many guidebooks are outdated and point traveller to Jonker's Street but nowadays it is known as Jalan Hang Jebat.

i was there in june for 3 days...its quite enjoyable...very laid back etc..

the area around the church is the main tourist area as well as a small mall on the backside of the hill next to the church...there are two bigger malls up the street...

from the church there is a small bridge over the river which leads into the old chinese part...its very charming in that small area...

there is a tourist boat on the river which is a nice ride for perhaps 30 minutes....

there are two tourist routes on local buses....we took both routes and it allows you to see greater areas...both leave from around the church as i remember...

we stayed at the hyatt slightly out of the downtown which while old is decent... there are a couple of newer hotels in the central area...

the city is worth a two day stay imo

Website for Transnasional is at http://www.nadi.com.my/transportation_overview.asp. Cliock on “Journey” then “Inter-city Express” then pick your location a day. The schedule for buses will come up.

You can find a map of Meleka at http://www.malaysia.sawadee.com/malacca/malacca-map.htm
which may be useful before you arrive and to show to the taxi driver.

Also see if the Lonely Planet website has info, that might be useful.