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Travel Guide Malaysia

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Populated by a blend of Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous groups, Malaysia boasts a rich cultural heritage, from a huge variety of annual festivals and wonderful cuisines, to traditional architecture and rural crafts. There’s astonishing natural beauty to take in too, including gorgeous beaches and some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, much of which is surprisingly accessible. Malaysia’s national parks are superb for trekking and wildlife-watching, and sometimes for cave exploration and river rafting.

Facts about Malaysia

Where to go in malaysia, outdoor activities in malaysia, wildlife in malaysia, travel ideas for malaysia.

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Uniquely Rustic Malaysia

Malaysia has it all: great beaches, fascinating history, natural habitats and remarkable wildlife. Bustling KL offers the perfect city break; while further afield hiking trails, pristine jungles and fascinating ecosystems will keep the more adventurous visitors entertained.

Hidden UNESCO Sites of Malaysia

Steeped in historical significance and natural beauty, Malaysia is home to several emotionally moving UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It seems fitting, given the country's cultural touchstones and awe-inspiring parks—from solitude amidst the mangroves to history walks among colonial buildings.

The Cameron Highlands in a Nutshell

Experience Malaysia's largest and most impressive hill station, the Cameron Highlands, in all their glory, with this compact trip. Let your picturesque surroundings soak in as you visit the famous Batu Caves, the Lata Iskandar Waterfalls and a local tea plantation.

Malaysian Wildlife Explorer

Experience the stunning and varied wildlife of Malaysia with this exciting trip: meet the world's smallest bear, the Bornean sun bear; encounter injured orangutans preparing to rejoin the wild; then embark on a series of cruises on the Kinabatangan River to spot yet more Malaysian wildlife!

Traditional Malaysia & Wild Borneo

Combine the culture and traditions of Malaysia with jungle outposts and adventure in Borneo. From lively Kuala Lumpur to desert island beaches, highlands and dense rainforest, this is a wonderful introduction to Southeast Asia.

Highlands and Islands of West Malaysia

Experience the rolling highlands and stunning islands of West Malaysia, with this exciting, compact trip that would make the perfect add-on to an existing trip to Malaysia.

As part of the Malay archipelago, which stretches from Indonesia to the Philippines , Malaysia became an important port of call on the trade route between India and China, the two great markets of the early world, and later became important entrepôts for the Portuguese, Dutch and British empires. Malaysia has only existed in its present form since 1963, when the federation of the eleven Peninsula states was joined by Singapore and the two Bornean territories of Sarawak and Sabah . Singapore left the union to become an independent country in 1965.

Today, the dominant cultural force in the country is undoubtedly Islam , adopted by the Malays in the fourteenth century. But it’s the religious plurality – there are also sizeable Christian and Hindu minorities – that is so attractive, often providing surprising juxtapositions of mosques, temples and churches. Add the colour and verve of Chinese temples and street fairs, Indian festival days and everyday life in Malay kampungs (villages), and the indigenous traditions of Borneo, and it’s easy to see why visitors are drawn into this celebration of ethnic diversity; indeed, despite some issues, Malaysia has something to teach the rest of the world when it comes to building successful multicultural societies.

• With 28 million inhabitants, Malaysia is divided into two distinct regions. Peninsular Malaysia, where the capital, Kuala Lumpur, is situated, is separated by more than 600km of the South China Sea from East Malaysia, comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
• Malaysia is a British-style parliamentary democracy, with a ceremonial head of state known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agung (the post rotates among the sultans from each state of the federation).
• The world’s largest flower, Rafflesia, is a Malaysian rainforest plant measuring a metre across and smelling of rotten meat. It’s named after the naturalist and founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles.
• Malaysia’s economy, historically dominated by agriculture and mining, now features a healthy manufacturing sector.

Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur (usually referred to as KL), is the social and economic driving force of a nation eager to better itself, a fact reflected in the relentless proliferation of air-conditioned shopping malls, designer bars and restaurants in the city, and in the continuing sprawl of suburbia and industry around it. But KL is also firmly rooted in tradition, where the same Malay executives who wear suits to work dress in traditional clothes at festival times, and markets and food stalls are crowded in among high-rise hotels and bank towers, especially in older areas such as Chinatown and Little India.

Just a couple of hours’ drive south of the capital lies the birthplace of Malay civilization, Melaka, its historical architecture and mellow atmosphere making it a must on anybody’s itinerary. Much further up the west coast, the island of Penang was the site of the first British settlement in Malaysia. Its capital, Georgetown, still features beautifully restored colonial buildings and a vibrant Chinatown district, and is, together with Melaka, recognized for its cultural and architectural diversity as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a taste of Old England , head for the hill stations of Fraser’s Hill and the Cameron Highlands, where cooler temperatures and lush countryside provide ample opportunities for walks, birdwatching, rounds of golf and cream teas. North of Penang, Malay, rather than Chinese, traditions hold sway at Alor Star, the last major town before the Thai border. This far north, the premier tourist destination is Pulau Langkawi, an island with international-style resorts and picture-postcard beaches.

The Peninsula’s east coast is much more rural and relaxing, peppered with rustic villages and stunning islands such as Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Tioman, busy with backpackers and package tourists alike. The state capitals of Kota Bharu, near the northeastern Thai border, and Kuala Terengganu, further south, showcase the best of Malay traditions, craft production and performing arts.

Crossing the Peninsula’s mountainous interior by road or rail allows you to venture into the majestic tropical rainforests of Taman Negara. The national park’s four thousand square kilometres hold enough to keep you occupied for days: trails, salt-lick hides for animal-watching, aerial forest-canopy walkways, limestone caves and waterfalls. Here you may well also come across the Orang Asli, the Peninsula’s indigenous peoples, a few of whom cling to a semi-nomadic lifestyle within the park.

Across the sea from the Peninsula lie the east Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. For most travellers, their first taste of Sarawak comes at Kuching, the old colonial capital, and then the Iban longhouses of the Batang Ai river system. Sibu, much further north on the Rajang River, is the starting point for trips to less touristed Iban, Kayan and Kenyah longhouses. In the north, Gunung Mulu National Park is the principal destination; many come here to climb up to view its extraordinary razor-sharp limestone Pinnacles, though spectacular caves also burrow into the park’s mountains. More remote still are the Kelabit Highlands, further east, where the mountain air is refreshingly cool and there are ample opportunities for extended treks.

The main reason for a trip to Sabah is to conquer the 4095m granite peak of Mount Kinabalu, set in its own national park, though the lively modern capital Kota Kinabalu and its idyllic offshore islands, Gaya and Manukan, have their appeal, too. Beyond this, Sabah is worth a visit for its wildlife: turtles, orang-utans , proboscis monkeys and hornbills are just a few of the exotic residents of the jungle and plentiful islands. Marine attractions feature in the far east at Pulau Sipadan, pointing out towards the southern Philippines, which has a host of sharks, other fish and turtles, while neighbouring Pulau Mabul contains hip, but often pricey, diving resorts.

Discover more places in Malaysia

• The interior Travel Guide
• Kuala Lumpur and around Travel Guide
• Sarawak Travel Guide

With some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and countless beaches and islands, trekking, snorkelling and scuba diving are common pursuits in Malaysia. The more established resorts on the islands of Penang, Langkawi and Tioman also offer jet skiing and paragliding, while the exposed, windy bay at Cherating, the budget travellers’ centre on the east coast, is a hot spot for windsurfers.

Snorkelling, diving and windsurfing

The crystal-clear waters and abundant tropical fish and coral of Malaysia make snorkelling and diving a must for any underwater enthusiast. This is particularly true of Sabah’s Sipidan Island Marine Reserve and the Peninsula’s east coast, with islands like the Perhentians, Redang, Kapas and Tioman.

Dive shops, for example in Sabah’s Kota Kinabalu and Sarawak’s Miri, offer all-inclusive, internationally recognized certification courses, ranging from a beginner’s open-water course (around RM1300), right through to the dive-master certificate (RM2200). If you’re already qualified, expect to pay RM180 per day for dive trips including gear rental.

Most beachside guesthouses rent snorkelling equipment for around RM20 per day. Some popular snorkelling areas mark out lanes for motorboats with buoy lines – stay on the correct side of the line to avoid a nasty accident. If you’re not sure where it’s safe to swim or snorkel, always seek local advice. Never touch or walk on coral as this will cause irreparable damage – besides which, you risk treading on the armour-piercing spines of sea urchins, or a painful encounter with fire coral.

Windsurfing has yet to take off in all but the most expensive resorts in Malaysia, with the notable exception of Cherating. Its large, open bay and shallow waters provide near-perfect conditions during the northeast monsoon season.

Whitewater rafting

Whitewater rafting has become a popular activity on Sabah’s Sungai Padas, a grade 3 river which, at its northern end, runs through the spectacular Padas Gorge. Opportunities for rafting in Peninsular Malaysia tend to be in out-of-the-way spots in the interior; it’s best to go with an operator such as Nomad Adventure (wnomadadventure.com) or Khersonese Expedition (wthepaddlerz.com). Expect a day’s rafting to cost around RM250, including equipment.

The majority of treks in Malaysia require forethought and preparation. As well as the fierce sun, the tropical climate can unleash torrential rain without warning, which rapidly affects the condition of trails or the height of a river – what started out as a ten-hour trip can end up taking twice as long. That said, the time of year is not a hugely significant factor when planning a trek. Although in the rainy season (Nov–Feb) trails can be slow going (or even closed for safety reasons), conditions are less humid then, and the parks and adventure tours are not oversubscribed.

Treks in national parks almost always require that you go in a group with a guide; solo travellers can usually join a group once there. Costs and conditions vary between parks; each park account in the Guide contains details, while tour operators in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Miri and Kota Kinabalu (listed throughout) can also furnish information on conditions and options in the parks.

For inexperienced trekkers, Taman Negara is probably the best place to start, boasting the greatest range of walks, many of which can be done without a guide, while Bako National Park in southwest Sarawak offers fairly easy, day-long hikes. For the more experienced, other parks in Sarawak, especially Gunung Mulu, should offer sufficient challenges for most tastes, while Sabah’s Maliau Basin is at the very demanding end of the scale. The largely inaccessible Endau-Rompin Park in the south of Peninsular Malaysia is for serious expeditions only. Mount Kinabalu Park in Sabah is in a class of its own, the hike to the top of the mountain a demanding but highly rewarding combination of trekking and climbing.

Checklist of camping and trekking equipment

As camping and trekking are not especially popular with Malaysians, you need to bring your own gear if possible – especially core items like tents and sleeping bags – or buy the locally made version available at markets and general product stores. These might not look good or even last long, but at least won’t cost a fortune.

Hiking boots are especially hard to find, though one-piece rubber slip-on shoes (kasut gatah)costing just RM10 are sold everywhere (up to around size 40). Many national park guides use them as they dry out instantly and give good grip on forest floors, but they’re not suitable for multi-day trekking in difficult terrain.

There are small (and very expensive) “proper” outdoor gear stores in KL, Kota Bharu and elsewhere; you might also be able to rent some of what you’ll need on site, especially at Taman Negara, or have it supplied as part of a hiking package.

• Sleeping bag
• Tent (if sleeping out)
• Mosquito net
• Water bottle
• Water purification tablets
• Toiletries and toilet paper
• Torch (and/or head torch)
• Pocket knife
• Sunglasses (UV protective)
• Sun block and lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Breathable shirts/T-shirts
• Lightweight, quick-drying trousers
• Rainproof coat or poncho
• Cotton hat with brim
• Fleece jacket
• Trekking boots
• Sandals (for wading through streams)
• Cotton and woollen socks
• Basic first-aid kit

Other useful items

• Heavy-duty refuse bag (to rainproof your pack)
• Emergency snack food
• Spare bootlaces
• Small towel
• Insulation mat
• Leech socks

Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo are a paradise for wildlife-spotters, harbouring over 600 types of birds and 200 mammal species – including Asian elephants, sun bears, tigers, tapirs, barking deer, gibbons, hornbills and pythons. Borneo’s speciality is the proboscis monkey, so-called because of its bulbous, drooping nose. The island is also one of only two natural habitats (with Sumatra) for orang-utans – indeed, the name is Malay for “man of the forest”. Marine life is equally diverse: divers can swim with white-tip sharks, clown fish and barracuda, not to mention green and hawksbill turtles, which drag themselves ashore in season to lay their eggs by night.

Top image © jaiman taip/Shutterstock

• With 28 million inhabitants, Malaysia is divided into two distinct regions. Peninsular Malaysia , where the capital, Kuala Lumpur, is situated, is separated by more than 600km of the South China Sea from East Malaysia, comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

• Malaysia is a British-style parliamentary democracy , with a ceremonial head of state known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agung (the post rotates among the sultans from each state of the federation).

• The world’s largest flower, Rafflesia , is a Malaysian rainforest plant measuring a metre across and smelling of rotten meat. It’s named after the naturalist and founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles.

• Malaysia’s economy , historically dominated by agriculture and mining, now features a healthy manufacturing sector.

A standard feature of local townscapes is rows of shophouses – two- or three-storey buildings traditionally containing a shop at street level, with residential quarters behind and above. For visitors, their most striking feature is that at ground level the front wall is usually set back from the street. This creates a so-called “ five-foot way ” overhung by the upper part of the house, which shelters pedestrians from the sun and pelting rain.

Shophouses were fusion architecture: facades have Western features such as shuttered windows and gables, while inside there might be an area open to the sky, in the manner of Chinese courtyard houses. Some, especially from the early part of the last century, are bedecked with columns, floral plaster motifs and beautiful tilework, while later properties feature simpler Art Deco touches. Sadly, shophouses ceased to be built after the 1960s and many have been demolished to make way for modern complexes, though some have won a new lease of life as swanky restaurants and boutiques.

Travel advice for Malaysia

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Malaysia

• Sports and Outdoor activities in Malaysia
• Culture and Etiquette in Malaysia
• Eating and drinking in Malaysia
• How to get to Malaysia
• Getting around Malaysia: Transportation Tips
• Travel Health Malaysia
• Shopping tips for Malaysia
• Travel Tips Malaysia for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Malaysia

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updated 26.04.2021

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7 must-read travel books to visit malaysia.

Malaysia undoubtedly is one of the captivating and modern countries in Southeast Asia. The diversity of modern and colonial architectural style with the background of Titiwangsa mountains is exceptionally beautiful in Peninsular Malaysia. This time I mainly enjoyed exploring Kuala Lumpur. At the same time, I’ve loved the natural beauty of Cameron Highlands in East Coast Malaysia. I had no idea this country could have so much to offer. The following 7 must-read travel books  to visit Malaysia and explore the best.

I must say, I’m highly impressed by the high-tech infrastructure of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Tower became the main attractions and landmarks in Malaysia. Though beautiful skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur attracting the majority of tourists there are many other destinations which truly worth visiting. And so I’ve started to read Lonely Planet Malaysia  for a second visit to Malaysia. And more inside before planning a trip to Malaysia, yes truly Asia .

Disclosure: All are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

• 1 Insight Guides Malaysia (Travel Guide with Free eBook)
• 2 Malaysia – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
• 3 Lonely Planet Pocket Kuala Lumpur (Travel Guide)
• 4 Malaysia & Singapore Travel Guide: 101 Coolest Things to Do in Malaysia & Singapore (Malaysia Travel Guide, Singapore Travel Guide, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Penang)
• 5 Malaysia: Recipes From a Family Kitchen
• 6 Enchanting Penang (Enchanting Asia)
• 7 DK Eyewitness Malaysia and Singapore (Travel Guide)

Insight Guides Malaysia (Travel Guide with Free eBook)

Insight Guides: Malaysia will definitely provide you the insight tips and information to explore the best of Malaysia. This travel guide also depicted the history, people, and culture of Malaysia. Many travel tips from the local experts will surely help any first-time visitors to explore this diverse country.

A must-read travel guide to exploring Kuala Lumpur’s top attractions to the wild nature of offbeat destination East Malaysia.

• History and culture of Malaysia
• Kuala Lumpur top attractions
• Travel tips from local travel experts
• Detailed travel maps and colorful photos
• Malaysia tourist attractions
• Sabah, and Sarawak

Malaysia – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Malaysia – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Victor King is completely an essential guide to get the depth knowledge of Malaysian culture and customs. Before visiting a multi-diverse country like Malaysia, knowing the local customs will definitely add an extra benefit for any traveler.

The writer as a regular visitor in Malaysia nicely pointed out many dos and don’ts before a trip to Malaysia. A must-read guidebook to make yourself familiar with the common etiquettes and customs of Malay peoples.

• The culture and custom of Malaysia
• Common etiquettes and manners to interact with locals
• Business etiquettes to run or plan a business

Lonely Planet Pocket Kuala Lumpur (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Pocket Kuala Lumpur (Travel Guide) is the best Kuala Lumpur tourist guide to explore all top attractions in the city. Too handy and easily accessible for all to get insider tips and information related to Kuala Lumpur. From budget travelers to luxury will find it essential for all current updates to visit Kuala Lumpur.

You might like to read Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur, Melaka & Penang (City Guide) . This guidebook will also help you to make a historical and World Heritage Site tour in Melaka and Penang.

• Kuala Lumpur tourism
• Kuala Lumpur tourist attractions
• Comprehensive and colorful travel maps and photos of Kuala Lumpur
• Insightful and essential Kuala Lumpur travel tips and information
• Kuala Lumpur travel itineraries
• Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia & Singapore Travel Guide: 101 Coolest Things to Do in Malaysia & Singapore (Malaysia Travel Guide, Singapore Travel Guide, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Penang)

Malaysia & Singapore Travel Guide: 101 Coolest Things to Do in Malaysia & Singapore (Malaysia Travel Guide, Singapore Travel Guide, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Penang) will work as a two-in-one travel guide to explore all about Malaysia and the neighbor country Singapore. For quick information and to save your time, this guide is a must-read before planning a trip to Malaysia. If you have a plan to visit Singapore then you can check all the coolest things to do in Singapore as well.

This guide will also provide you with many ideas about top places , local food and restaurants, authentic shops, events, and festivals in nearby destinations.

• Things to do in Malaysia
• Things to do in Singapore
• Top attractions in Singapore
• Top attractions in Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Penang
• Local delicacies of Malaysia
• Local delicacies of Singapore

Malaysia: Recipes From a Family Kitchen

Malaysia: Recipes From a Family Kitchen is a great cookbook to know all about Malaysian cuisine. It’ll be rare to find any traveler who didn’t love the food of Malaysia. Specially Satay with Peanut sauce, one of the famous street foods in Malaysia. There are many varieties of Malaysian food and must-try for all food lovers around.

The writer Ping Coombs nicely depicted her family recipes (more than 100) to taste the best of Malaysian food. She herself from Malaysia and also the winner of 2014 MasterChef. So read, cook, and eat with Malaysian cooks.

• Malaysian food
• More than 100 Malaysian recipes
• Unique family recipes
• Easy to prepare

Enchanting Penang (Enchanting Asia)

Enchanting Penang (Enchanting Asia) is the ultimate guide to visiting Penang, one of the famous holiday destinations in Malaysia. For a relaxing vacation, Penang is recommended for tourists. It is a must to try many tasty cuisines when in Penang. Another city George Town in Penang is a popular UNESCO Cultural Heritage Siteto explore.

• Things to do in Penang
• Top attractions in Penang
• Local delicacies of Penang

DK Eyewitness Malaysia and Singapore (Travel Guide)

A must-read travel guide to explore all the top places in Malaysia and Singapore. This guidebook covers Kuala Lumpur, Eastern and Central Peninsula, NorthWest Peninsula, Southern Peninsula, and Sarawak Sabah.

• The best places  to stay, eat, drink, and shop
• Top attractions in Malaysia
• Detailed itineraries with maps

Last update on 2024-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nafisa Habib

Nafisa Habib loves nature and often got fascinated by old beautiful architecture. Here she is with My Own Way To Travel to share her adventures on the road. To her nothing is so interesting than exploring new destinations around. And knowing a new culture and meeting new peoples on the road? Oh, yeah she just loves that too.

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The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei

This practical travel guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei easier to navigate while you’re there. This guide book to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei has been fully updated post-COVID-19 and it comes with a free eBook. The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei covers:  Kuala Lumpur, the west coast, the interior, the east coast, the south, Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Singapore. Inside this Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei travel guide you’ll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER 

Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Mount Kinabalu, to family activities in child-friendly places like Georgetown, or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like the Cameron Highlands. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS 

Essential pre-departure information including Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES

Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE

Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL

Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for shopping, wildlife-watching and enjoying adventurous activities like river rafting, cave exploration and rainforest-trekking. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS

Rough Guides' rundown of Kuala Lumpur, the west coast, the interior, the east coast, the south, Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Singapore’s best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Written by Rough Guides’ expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei features fascinating insights into Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Perhentian Islands and the spectacular Kelabit Highlands. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Kuala Lumpur,  Georgetown, and many more locations in Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, reduce the need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT 

With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time. FREE EBOOK 

Free eBook download with every purchase of this guide book to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei allows you to access all of the content from your phone or tablet, for on-the-road exploration. 

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Book details.

This title is a part of Rough Guides Main Series

Practical travel guides series covering countries, cities and regions, with detailed factual travel tips, perfect for independent, long-stay, backpacking and budget-conscious travellers seeking comprehensive travel information and off-the-beaten track experiences

Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials 

Curated author picks with destination highlights at the beginning of each guide

Ready-made itineraries covering every corner of the destination

Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structure 

Extensive recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, shops and leisure activities for all budgets

Colour-coded detailed maps with marked-up key sights 

Insights on history and nature highlights  

Easy to use, newspaper-style layout

All guides published from January 2021 are printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards

Free eBook with each printed guide published from May 2019 

Format: 129 x 198mm

Price: £14.99-£26.99 | $13.99-$34.99

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Insight Guides Malaysia

Insight Guide to Malaysia  is a pictorial travel guide in a magazine style providing answers to the key questions before or during your trip: deciding when to go to Malaysia, choosing what to see, from exploring Sarawak to discovering Kuala Lumpur or creating a travel plan to cover key places like Mount Kinabalu, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. This is an ideal travel guide for travellers seeking inspiration, in-depth cultural and historical information about Malaysia as well as a great selection of places to see during your trip.

The Insight Guide  Malaysia covers: Kuala Lumpur and Environs; The Northwestern Penninsula; The Southern Penninsula; The Penninsula's East Coast; Sarawak; Sabah.

In this travel guide you will find:

IN-DEPTH CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL FEATURES

Created to explore the culture and the history of Malaysia to get a greater understanding of its modern-day life, people and politics.

The top attractions and Editor’s Choice highlighting the most special places to visit around Malaysia.

CURATED PLACES, HIGH-QUALITY MAPS

Geographically organised text cross-referenced against full-colour, high-quality travel maps for quick orientation in Selangor, Penang and many more locations in Malaysia.

COLOUR-CODED CHAPTERS

Every part of Malaysia, from Kota Kinabalu to Perak has its own colour assigned for easy navigation.

TIPS AND FACTS

Up-to-date historical timeline and in-depth cultural background to Malaysia as well as an introduction to Malaysia’s food and drink and fun destination-specific features.

PRACTICAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

A-Z of useful advice on everything from when to go to Malaysia, how to get there and how to get around, as well as Malaysia's climate, advice on tipping, etiquette and more.

STRIKING PICTURES

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning SkyBridge and the spectacular Cameron Highlands.

Free eBook download with every purchase of a printed book to access all the content from your phone or tablet, for on-the-road exploration.

Description

Book details.

This title is a part of Insight Guides Main Series

Inspirational, lavishly illustrated travel guides to countries and regions that provide all you need for every step of your journey. With in-depth features on culture and history and stunning colour photography throughout, they are perfect for inspiration as well as a souvenir of your trip, while detailed place chapters and travel tips make it ideal for trip planning.

In-depth coverage of the destination's history, landscapes, wildlife, people and culture, from the arts to sports.

The destination’s top ten attractions and editor’s choice of what to see and do at the beginning of each guide

Practical travel information includes when to go, getting there, getting around, entry requirements, food and drink highlights, and everything you need to know about local culture

Colour-coded chapters travel around each city or region in a highly-readable descriptive style, featuring fascinating historical information as well as detailed information on points of interest, backed up by handy tips on what to look out for when you’re there

Colour-coded detailed maps with key sights marked up by number and corresponding to the places chapters

Beautiful, inspirational full-colour photography throughout brings the destination to life and makes the book a memorable souvenir of a trip

Printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards

Free eBook with each purchased printed guide

Format: 152 x 228mm

Price: £14.99-£18.99 | $22.99-$26.99

Extent: 248–464 pages

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Malaysia Travel Guide 2023: The Best And Essential Travel Guide To Malaysia 2023 Paperback – May 5, 2023

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Print length 305 pages
• Language English
• Publication date May 5, 2023
• Dimensions 6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
• ISBN-13 979-8393595050
• See all details

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C47TBMD8
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (May 5, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8393595050
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
• #61 in Malaysia & Brunei Travel Guides
• #1,046 in Beach Travel
• #1,413 in Cruise Travel Reference

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Dive Into Malaysia

How To Plan A Trip To Malaysia: The Ultimate Malaysia Travel Guide!

Do you need to plan your trip to Malaysia? Great! You are in the right place!

In this article, I walk you through exactly how to plan a trip to Malaysia which is perfect for you. I talk about what steps you need to take, how far in advance you should take them as well as break down when the best time is to go to Malaysia, how to get to Malaysia, where to visit, where to stay, how to get around and everything else you could possibly need to know for the perfect break.

I also talk budget and what to pack. Everything you need to know!

If this is sounding overwhelming, don’t worry! I’ll help you plan your own travel Malaysia step-by-step. This handy travel booking list along with the timeframes below will keep you on track.

Because the good news is that it is quite easy to plan a trip to Malaysia by yourself with the information in this article, on this site and with some help of some online booking engines.

We travel to Malaysia multiple times a year and have also lived there. We always arrange everything ourselves – it’s easy, fun and the most cost-effective option. Although if you would rather do a tour to save any hassle then I also have suggestions for that below too!

Ready to get started? Let’s make that Malaysia tour plan!

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

If you aren’t just interested in Malaysia and wondering how to plan a Singapore/Malaysia trip, this is also covered. If you haven’t yet decided if Malaysia is the right place for you,  be inspired by this list of places to visit in Malaysia!

How To Plan A Trip To Malaysia

The first step in how to plan Malaysia trip is to work out when exactly you will go. If you have set dates, you can skip the next section. Otherwise, I’ll help you decide when to go.

Then I will give you a list of what to book, when and you can read each further section below as you work through your planning list.

Looking for the ultimate Malaysia Itinerary Planner for your trip? Click here to get it now! It’ll help you plan an awesome trip.

I also talk about how to plan a trip to Malaysia in my podcast episode here.

Let Me Plan Your Perfect Malaysia Itinerary!

Want to save time and have the best Malaysia trip ever? Let me create your itinerary for you.

I’ll use my insiders knowledge gained over years of Malaysia travel to help you craft the perfect trip.

Find out more here >

Malaysia Map

But before we start going through everything, here is a Malaysia map. If you aren’t familiar with the geography of Malaysia, you can quickly and easily see where all the places are that we talk about below.

If this is you, I recommend you take a minute to take a good look at this map. You can open it by clicking on it. You can zoom using the controls to get an idea of where all the places mentioned below are. Keep it open while you read the rest of this article.

Basically, there are two parts of Malaysia – peninsular Malaysia which is attached to Asia and is where you will find the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and popular destinations like Langkawi and Penang.

Then there is Borneo or East Malaysia which is a big island a couple of hours flight from Kuala Lumpur. This island is also shared with the countries of Brunei and Indonesia.

When To Go To Malaysia

The good news is that it’s never a bad time to go to Malaysia! It’s always a good time of year somewhere.

One of the major destinations in Malaysia, the capital Kuala Lumpur, does not vary much year round. Singapore is close to the equator and does not vary much either if you plan to add that to your Malaysia trip.

Most other areas have a more distinct monsoon/rainy season and a dry season. It is best to visit in the dry season which is November – March on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia (which includes Penang and Langkawi) and April – October on the east coast (which includes Perhentian Islands and Redang Island) and in Borneo.

On the west coast, it does not matter too much and rainy periods do not tend to last long or cause too many problems. On the east coast, however, it is a different story and many of the islands basically shut down in the monsoon period so it is best to avoid this area then.

Other things to take into account are school holiday periods in Malaysia and Singapore. These fall from mid November to the start of January and there are shorter periods in March, May/June and July/August. See the latest ones here .

Finally, “the haze” is a problem that occurs annually around June – November thanks to pollution from fires in Indonesia. The affect of this is variable – sometimes it is minor and won’t affect your travel. Other times, the pollution can be quite bad especially in areas like Singapore and Malaysia.

Peak tourist times are December, January and Chinese New Years. Expect things to fill up quicker and be pricier at these times so it’s especially important to book ahead.

Here is a full article  with more specific details about the best times to visit Malaysia in different parts of the country.

Travel Booking List And Countdown

Malaysia does not tend to get booked out completely but there are definitely times when it pays to book in advance which is mainly in the peak tourist season in December and January. If you are visiting for an event or festival, like Chinese New Years, it is also important to book in advance.

However, you are generally best off booking flights and accommodation 6 – 12 months in advance for the best deals. There can be a big cost saving on flights particularly when they are booked far in advance especially if you want to go in the peak tourist time or school holidays.

6-12 months in advance:

• Book international flights
• Get travel insurance
• Plan itinerary
• Book any domestic flights
• Consider booking accommodation and any tour packages

3 – 6 months in advance:

• Book accommodation if not booked yet including overnight tours ( like these )
• Work out how you will get around Malaysia, book car hire if necessary and any remaining domestic flights

1 month in advance:

• Get visa if necessary
• Work out how you will access money
• Book attractions and tours
• Book bus tickets
• Book airport transfers or plan how you will get to your hotels
• Work out sim card for phone
• Make sure you print out or have easy access on your phone to all bookings

1-2 days in advance:

• Fill in the online form for your digital arrival card. All foreign travellers must do this up to 3 days before arrival.

How To Travel To Malaysia

Unless you are from or visiting a neighbouring country, you are most likely flying into Malaysia. Thankfully, this is usually quite easy with Kuala Lumpur being a major hub. There are also international airports in other parts of the country like Langkawi and Penang but options are usually limited and this tends to only work if you are flying from a neighbouring country.

Even if you are coming from nearby, like Thailand, flight deals can be very good so it can be worth flying over the extra hassle of overland transport.

Best Flight Deals To Malaysia

To find the best flight deals to Malaysia, I recommend using  Skyscanner  or  CheapOair  which will give you a good comparison of all available options.

Skyscanner is particularly good for searching for the cheapest days to fly and you can also set up price alerts so it will email you if the price changes.  Click here to give it a go.

CheapOair is a better choice if you are looking for business or first class flights. Click here to do a search.

There are two major airlines based in Malaysia: AirAsia (budget airline) and Malaysia Airlines  and these can be convenient options especially if you want to connect to a domestic Malaysia flight. However, many great airlines fly to Malaysia and it’s not necessary to travel one of the local airlines.

I highly recommend you listen to my podcast episode here where I walk you through how to get the best flight deals as well as many things to consider when flying to this part of the world.

It can often be cheaper to book flights to Kuala Lumpur separate to any domestic flights.

It’s also worth considering flying into Singapore instead especially if you want to visit Johor Bahru or Tioman Island. Flights to Singapore can be cheaper and there can be more options too.

If you want to visit Singapore on your trip as well as Malaysia , this is particularly a good option but there are also many flights from Singapore to different locations in Malaysia and it’s easy to go straight from the airport across to Johor Bahru in Malaysia as well.

In fact, you can book a taxi directly from Singapore airport to Malaysia here.

If you have plenty of time before you plan to travel, are flexible with dates and live in Asia or Australia, then signing up for the  AirAsia newsletter  is a great idea. There can be some great sale fares but you do need to be ready to book the second they come out as they usually sell out fast.

If you are in a neighbouring country, it’s also easy to travel overland into Malaysia.

There are buses, trains and boats between Malaysia and Thailand. The most frequent and often easiest option is by bus.

Hat Yai, in southern Thailand, is a common point to get buses into Malaysia (and they leave frequently) although there are many places from which you can travel to Malaysia.

Click here to look for tickets now.

It’s also possible to get a train into Malaysia. You will first need to catch a train in Thailand to the border with Malaysia at Padang Besar. From here, you can catch a second train to Alor Setar (for Langkawi), Butterworth (for Penang) or all the way to Kuala Lumpur.

You can also take a ferry, There are regular fast ferries between Satun in Thailand and Langkawi ( find times and ticket prices here ). In high season, there can be boats operating to Koh Lipe in Thailand from Langkawi as well ( timetables here ).

It’s very easy to travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru in Malaysia with frequent buses to many places in the country.

It’s also possible and very easy to take taxis between the two countries which is what I do and recommend. You can book a taxi here and be picked up at your hotel or airport and taken anywhere in Malaysia.

There is also a train from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint across to Johor Bahru although a bus or taxi is more convenient.

Find more details on exactly how to do this here.

It’s possible to take ferries between Indonesia and Malaysia. If you are in Kalimantan (the Indonesia part of Borneo) then it’s also possible to bus to Malaysia from Pontianak ( timetable and prices here ).

Most ferries depart from Sumatra in Indonesia and arrive in Melaka and Penang. There are also ferries from the islands of Bintan and Batam to Johor Bahru or Tarakan in Kalimantan to Tawau in Sabah, Borneo.

Brunei is surrounded by Malaysia in Borneo and it’s easy to travel between the two. There are buses or you can take a ferry from Brunei to Pulau Labuan which is a Malaysian island just off the coast of Borneo.

Find ferry information here and bus information here.

Passports And Visas

If you are from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA or the EU you do not need a visa at time of publishing. Many other nationals do not need visas either for stays for up to 90 days. However, it is best to always check this for yourself.

Your passport does need 6 months validity at the time you enter so get a new passport before you go if this is an issue.

You also need to fill in an online form here up to 3 days before entering the country. You can’t do it any earlier and all foreign travellers need to do this.

This is a new requirement that came into effect on 1 December 2023. It will give you a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).

When entering, if you talk to an official and you plan to stay in the country for more than 30 days, ask for 90 days entry. Sometimes, they will give you less than the allowed 90 days if you do not ask.

When travelling to Sabah and Sarawak (which are Borneo), your passports will be inspected again.

Money In Malaysia

The Malaysian currency is called the ringgit (RM) and there are many ATMs around which is the best (and usually cheapest) way to get cash. You will need to carry around this currency as it’s rare for anything else to be accepted. You can use credit cards at many places as well.

Note that your card from home can have some killer fees when it comes to using it overseas.

I highly recommend you consider getting a Wise multi-currency account. It’s free and makes it super easy and cheap for you to exchange your currency for ringgit or other currencies when you travel. You can use the card at ATMs as well.

Click here for more information.

Where To Go And Malaysia Itineraries

The hardest part of how to plan a trip to Singapore and Malaysia is likely to be working out where you can go. There are many great options!

The most popular places are:

• Kuala Lumpur  – the capital and largest city with many attractions and things to do
• Penang – an island with an interesting history, UNESCO listed old town, beaches and great food
• Langkawi – a popular island for beaches and relaxing with the best resorts in the country and some good attractions
• Johor Bahru – a popular starting point from Singapore especially for families as it’s home to Legoland Malaysia
• Melaka – close to Kuala Lumpur, this is a great destination to learn more about the mixed history of Malaysia
• Cameron Highlands – cool down in the highlands with beautiful views, tea plantations and many farms and low key attractions
• Tioman Island – a popular beach and diving destination from Singapore
• Perhentian Islands – some beautiful beaches and good diving off the east coast of Malaysia
• Sabah – this fantastic state in Borneo is full of amazing wildlife and natural attractions
• Kuching – the capital of Sarawak in Borneo, there are many amazing day trips to enjoy cultural, natural and wildlife attractions from this pretty, riverside city
• Singapore  – yes this is its own country and not in Malaysia, but combining a trip to Malaysia with Singapore is a popular option and worth considering

There are also many other fabulous places to visit in Malaysia which I recommend you consider if you have more than two weeks. However, if it’s your first trip and you have up to two weeks, these places are your best bet.

As a general rule, I recommend 3 days per place minimum. You can adjust this based on whether you are someone who likes to take it easy when you travel or like to go quick and see as much as possible.

Looking for the ultimate Malaysia Itinerary Planner for your trip? Click here to get it now!

You can also  find some itineraries combining Malaysia and Singapore here and more Malaysia itineraries here . You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, just use one of mine!

If you are looking for some destinations to add to your travel planner Malaysia which are slightly less popular, consider making the journey to Borneo and exploring the states of Sabah and Sarawak and perhaps adding Brunei . I only recommend this if you have at least a week available and I would only visit one state with just a week.

Some other destinations in peninsular Malaysia worth considering are:

• Ipoh – known for its street art and amazingly good food
• Redang Island  – beautiful beaches and some solid resort options on the east coast if you would like something less popular than Tioman and the Perhentians
• Port Dickson – if you don’t have long in Malaysia and want a beach destination convenient to Kuala Lumpur

Recommended Group Tours In Malaysia

If you would rather just enjoy your holiday while not worrying about the details, a group tour is an excellent option. Here are some recommend options…

Trafalgar Tours

Trafalgar Tours is the best choice if you want everything taken care of on a bus tour.

They offer a great tour program in Malaysia and Singapore which you can see here.

Click here to find more information about Trafalgar Tours.

G Adventures

I have done a couple of G Adventures tours and love them because they are good at making things easy for you while still getting you to out of the way destinations and giving you local experiences as well as giving you some time by yourself if you want it.

The groups tend to be small with a maximum of 15 travellers making it easier to visit places and keep things local.

Click here to see G Adventures tours in Malaysia.

Intrepid Travel

I have done a few Intrepid Travel tours as well and I love how many of them use public transport and put an emphasis on local experiences while keeping everything hassle free with your own tour guide.

They have an average group size of 10 which works well compared to big bus tours.

Click here to find more Intrepid Travel tours.

Customised Tour Packages

A great alternative to group tours and booking accommodation and attractions separately is to purchase customised tour packages.

We have some great Malaysia tours and experiences that you can book through us. These enable you to save money and effort by combining accommodation, transport, meals, activities and more to make your trip super easy and comfortable.

In fact, some attractions in Malaysia you can only visit this way. Some attractions and activities also limit numbers (like Turtle Island in Sabah) so booking a tour this way is the only way to experience.

You can see all our special tours for Dive Into Malaysia readers here.

Accommodation In Malaysia

One of the reasons we love Malaysia is because of the huge range of accommodation available for all budgets and what great value it is. This is somewhere where you can find a 4-star over water chalet for under $100 a night!

Budget hotels abound and there are hostels for people on low budgets. Cheap hotels tend to still be clean and a reasonable standard, just basic.

Midrange options are excellent and this is somewhere I recommend you aim to pay for at least this if you can. Often you can find solid midrange options for around $50.

Finally, on the upper end, there are some truly amazing resorts and hotels which can be incredibly good value. The best options are in the most visited places of Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Kuching and Port Dickson. If you go to less busy places, there can be a lack of really great accommodation so if 5 star resorts with great service are important to you then the places just mentioned are your best bet.

Note that Malaysia has a tourism tax for foreigners of RM10 per night. From the 1 January 2023, you may need to pay this when you check in to your hotel if you didn’t pay when booking.

Best Accommodation Booking Sites

I highly recommend  Agoda  for booking accommodation in Malaysia.

It usually has the best price and has a rewards scheme where you quickly gain credit to use towards your next booking. In fact, if you pay upfront, often you get the credit straight away so you can use it for your next hotel booking.

Agoda also has a great range of accommodation in Malaysia including private home and apartment rental.

Click here to start searching now.

Booking.com  also tends to have similar prices but without the rewards. It has less options in Malaysia as well. If you would like to check it out as well,  click here.

Airbnb is also possible here for people who like to stay in apartments and homes and we have stayed in some great deals in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

I find  TripAdvisor  useful for looking at reviews for hotel options to double check they are good quality.

Note that there is a tourist tax of RM10 a night which is often not added to your hotel cost until you arrive at the hotel. This is not a scam and needs to be paid.

We have many hotel guides to help you book your perfect stay. Here are some of them:

• Best resorts in Malaysia
• Best beach resorts
• Best resorts for families
• Resorts with private pools
• Best resorts in Langkawi
• Best hotels in Kuala Lumpur
• Best hotels in Penang
• Best hotels on Pangkor Island
• Best hotels in Ipoh
• Best hotels in Taiping
• Best hotels in Cameron Highlands
• Best hotels in Johor Bahru
• Best hotels in Desaru
• Best hotels in Melaka
• Best hotels in Muar
• Best resorts in Redang
• Best resorts on Tioman Island
• Best resorts on Perhentian Islands
• Best hotels in Kota Bharu
• Best hotels in Kuala Terengganu
• Best hotels in Taman Negara
• Best hotels in Kota Kinabalu
• Best hotels in Sandakan/Sepilok
• Best hotels in Semporna
• Best hotels in Tawau
• Best hotels in Labuan
• Best hotels in Miri
• Best hotels in Bintulu
• Best hotels in Sibu
• Best hotels in Kuching

You can also listen to my podcast here about booking accommodation, tours and attractions in Malaysia.

How To Get Around Malaysia

There are a few options for getting around Malaysia. All are quite easy!

Buses in Malaysia go most places and can be great quality between cities and towns. They are usually quite quick and are easy to book online or on arrival. Booking before you go can help you save time when you are there and ensure you get a bus at the perfect time.

However note that if you don’t see any buses scheduled on your dates that you may be looking too early. They often only appear 1 – 3 months before the travel date. Looking at closer dates can help give you a good idea of when they may run on your travel dates.

Click here to see bus timetables, prices and to book your bus.

Train is also a good option although it is more limited than bus in both routes and frequency. Trains can be tough to work in to your schedule if you have limited time.

The main routes are from:

• Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur (switching trains at Gemas)
• Johor Bahru to Tumpat. This is also known as the jungle line and takes you through the middle and up the east coast of Malaysia
• Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (for Penang)

Click here to see train timetables, prices and to book.

Buses can be more comfortable and luxurious and I recommend them over the trains unless you are a train lover.

3. Shared Taxi

Shared taxis are also an option over longer distances. You pay for your seat and they leave when they are full. I prefer buses as they can be more comfortable but a shared taxi can be faster if you don’t wait too long for them to fill up.

4. Private Taxi

It’s possible to hire private taxis to take you anywhere in Malaysia. This is generally more expensive than the other options on this list but it depends how many people you have. This can be a great option for families.

The good news is that for foreigners, private taxis between towns and cities can be very affordable.

You can simply take a shared taxi and buy all seats or arrange one beforehand.

You can click here to book a taxi through this site . We work with local operators to give you a great price and reliable service.

5. Car hire

Car hire is a fun and easy way to explore the country. We find driving in Malaysia quite easy and it is our preferred option along with private taxi . It can be cost effective for families or bigger groups and it also gives you more freedom.

You can find more information on driving in Malaysia including road rules here.

Click here to check out car rental prices.

If you plan on visiting an island in Malaysia, you will probably need to take a ferry. These tend to run frequently to popular choices and be easy and good value.

You can find ferry timetables and book tickets for many popular routes here.

Finally, flying is a great option within Malaysia. Domestic flights can be as cheap as a few dollars during sales but even outside of sale periods, they tend to be a bargain.

Flights are especially a good idea for covering a larger distance and when you are short on time. So, for example, if you are visiting Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur, I would definitely fly. Or maybe, you are visiting Penang and Kuala Lumpur and a few places along the way. Going overland one way and then flying the other could make sense.

It’s also necessary to fly if you want to travel from peninsular Malaysia to Borneo. This is the only way to make this journey. Flights tend to be a great deal between these points as well and you can fly to Borneo from a few points in Malaysia like Johor Bahru, Penang and Langkawi so you don’t necessarily have to go via Kuala Lumpur.

Click here to check out flight prices.

You can also listen to my podcast here about the best ways to get around Malaysia.

Want the Easiest (and BEST) Way to travel around Malaysia?

We can book a taxi for you between anywhere in peninsular Malaysia. Travel straight from one hotel to your next without any fuss or sweat.

You can pick your own departure time, relax and know everything will go to plan.

Click here for prices and online booking.

Attractions And Tickets

While the only attraction you need to book in advance is the  Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur , many attractions in Malaysia have much cheaper prices if you book them in advance on  Klook .

Klook is a trustworthy site we use all the time for attractions, tours and activities as it has the best prices and is always very easy to use.

I highly recommend that once you have your itinerary, you go through Klook and book tickets for any attractions you want to visit, particularly big ones like  Legoland Malaysia  or  Sunway Lagoon .

Klook is also great for tours. A tour is invaluable for finding out more about the places you are visiting. Or, in the case of Malaysia, for getting you out and tasting the best food!

Some tours we particularly recommend:

• Melaka Day Tour – If you don’t have time to stay in Melaka, visit with this easy day tour from Kuala Lumpur
• Kuala Lumpur Food Tour – Visit local neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur while trying the best food on offer. Use code DIVE30 to save RM30
• Batu Caves – Visit this top attraction near Kuala Lumpur easily on this tour
• Simply Enak KL Food Tour – Amazing food to try on this tour of the best of Kuala Lumpur
• Kuala Lumpur City Tour – Explore and learn more about the capital of Malaysia
• Penang Heritage Tour – See and learn about UNESCO listed George Town
• Penang Hill And Temple Sightseeing – Visit Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple
• Simply Enak Penang Food Tour – Amazing food to try on this tour of the best of Penang. Use code DIVE30 to save RM30
• Langkawi Island Hopping Boat Tour – The scenery in Langkawi is stunning and this is the best way to relax and enjoy it
• Langkawi Helicopter Tour – Don’t miss the chance to see Langkawi from the air!

Want Help Having An Awesome Food Experience in KL?

Join a Simply Enak (aka delicious) Food Tour!

There are three different options depending on whether you want to concentrate on street food, nightlife or off the beaten track places.

No matter what you pick, you’ll taste a range of fabulous local food and drinks while learning the history and culture of Kuala Lumpur.

There’s no better way to discover this great city.

Make sure you use the coupon code DIVE30 for RM30 off your tour.

Click here for all your option s .

Airport Transfers And Arrival

Arriving in Malaysia is straightforward but it can be daunting the first time, especially if you have a long flight.

You can read  our guide here  about getting from KL Airport to KL Sentral in the city centre.

On arrival at either terminal in Kuala Lumpur, you can follow signs to get to transportation hubs and buy a coupon for a taxi to your hotel. You can also use the Grab app to book yourself a taxi. It works the same as Uber.

However, if you would like to just arrive and not think at all, I recommend booking a transfer in advance, especially if you have a long journey to get to Malaysia. Here are some options:

• Kuala Lumpur Airport
• Penang Airport
• Langkawi Airport

If you want to go straight to another city on arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (like to Melaka, Cameron Highlands, anywhere 🙂 ), we can book a long distance taxi for you which will pick you up directly at the airport and drop you at your hotel.

Click here for the latest prices.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is invaluable. You just never know what will happen!

A few years ago, I broke my leg getting into the shower in Thailand. Doctor and hospital visits, tests then needing to cut our trip short and get a direct flight home added up and it was great to have travel insurance take care of it all – especially when they even paid for me to get home in business class and I was able to talk to an Australian doctor about what was going on.

In my opinion, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

I recommend buying travel insurance as soon as you book your flights as they will start covering you for some problems from that point.

We have a few recommended options depending on your country of origin:

• Cover-More for Australians here
• Cover-More for New Zealanders here
• VisitorsCoverage for US travellers here

If you are coming from Europe or elsewhere, World Nomads is our recommended option and  you can get a no-obligation quote here.

Malaysia Travel Costs

Malaysia can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. The best part is that Malaysia is very good value, so while it may not be as cheap as some nearby countries, you do tend to get more for your money.

Some sample budgets for two people:

Budget travellers: RM200 a day

Mid-range travellers: RM300-600

High-end travellers: RM700+

Of course, budgets will vary due to many factors like how often you move around, how many places you want to visit, how much you like to drink alcohol (relatively expensive) and much more. These are rough estimates only to help you plan.

It’s also worth noting that you can get incredible food for cheap so there really is no need to spend a lot on that as long as you are happy eating the local cuisines.

What To Pack

The good news is that Malaysia is basically always hot and humid – so you can leave all the heavy sweaters and coats at home!

However, this doesn’t mean you should just pack shorts and tank tops.

It’s important to always be respectful to local culture when it comes to how to dress and beach attire is definitely best suited to the beach or your resort. Malaysia is majority Muslim and local people tend to cover up.

You do not need to keep covered but it is a good idea to keep your shoulders covered and, in more conservative areas on the east coast, I recommend covering your knees too. Lightweight, light coloured clothing is the best.

You can buy anything you need in Malaysia very easily and we often buy our toiletries when we get there because they are cheaper than at home! The one exception to this is sunscreen – it’s expensive. We even had my mum bring it over for us when we were living in Malaysia!

Other essential items:

• Umbrella or rain coat – rain can be sudden and heavy
• Good walking shoes that have good grip on wet surfaces. Preferably sandal style
• Scarf or sarong to cover up when going in mosques and some temples
• Plug Adapter – Malaysia uses a UK plug
• Power cube – so you can charge all your electronics in one place

Internet And Phone Coverage

Many accommodation providers and some restaurants will have wifi for keeping in touch with home. However, we always buy a local sim card so we don’t have to worry and because they are so cheap and easy.

You can get one at the airport in minutes and  even buy one beforehand here.

You can read our  full article about getting a sim card in Malaysia here.

Other Things To Consider

• While the majority of Malaysia has a Monday to Friday working week, some states follow a Sunday to Thursday working week. This occurs in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. There are usually still shops open but if you want to visit attractions like museums on a Friday, check they are open before you go.
• As mentioned above, there is a tourist tax on accommodation which is currently RM10 per night. This is paid at the hotel.
• Alcohol can be relatively expensive in Malaysia. If you are coming from a western country, it is unlikely to be so bad but it will seem expensive if you are coming from a neighbouring country like Thailand. It is also not that readily available thanks to the Muslim culture. Langkawi and Tioman Island have duty free status and alcohol is much cheaper.
• Ramadan is a period of fasting for Muslim people where they don’t eat during daylight hours. However, it is usually not hard for visitors to find somewhere to eat thanks to the sizeable Chinese and Indian communities who do not observe Ramadan. Those restaurants will generally still have normal opening hours.
• Foreigners pay more for many attractions in Malaysia. You will notice a “MyKad” price and a regular price. MyKad is just for Malaysians. It’s just how it is.
• Food in Malaysia is awesome!! Read our full food guide here and bookmark it for your trip.
• Download the Grab app before you go. This is just like uber and is generally the cheapest and easiest way to get taxis within a city/town/area. You can’t fully set it up until you arrive in the country though.

Malaysia With Kids

Our final section in this guide to plan a trip to Malaysia & Singapore is about travelling in Malaysia with kids. If you don’t have any kids, you can skip this and you are done! Feel free to ask any questions in our Malaysia travel Facebook group.

However, if you have kids, I want to put your mind at ease. We travel to Malaysia frequently with our three kids and have travelled here with a newborn and toddlers. In fact, I spent the first half of my last pregnancy in Malaysia so my third child was somewhat made in Malaysia.

This is a great destination with kids. We just love it!

Malaysians love kids. We always feel very welcome everywhere with our kids and they get lots of positive attention when they were little. This helps put all of us at ease which leads to much better behavior.

Many restaurants are outdoors which I find works great with kids and kids will love all the natural attractions as well as the big attractions like Legoland Malaysia , Sunway Lagoon , KidZania KL , Escape Penang and KL Bird Park  (and so will you!).

There are usually discounts on everything for kids with the youngest kids being free.

Many of the resorts in places like Langkawi and Penang offer kids club so you can get some quality adult time while your kids have a ball with new friends.

You can read our picks for the top family resorts in Malaysia here.

You can also listen to our best tips for families here and find out what my kids themselves think about travelling in Malaysia.

Some of our kids (and our) favourite places are:

• Port Dickson – The kids love the opportunity for a private pool villa over the sea like here  and the top resorts here have a range of family activities and programs
• Legoland Malaysia
• Kuala Lumpur – There are some great attractions here from kids including KidZania , a giant park at KLCC and science museum and aquarium and the fabulous  KL Bird Park
• Penang – We lived here with our kids and it is so great. There is the beach, natural attractions like Youth Park, the fabulous Escape Penang and many other things to do and eat
• Langkawi – Great for relaxing and nature time
• Ipoh –  The Lost World of Tambun is a big hit
• Cameron Highlands – There are some great low-key attractions here which appeal to families like bee and strawberry farms
• Kuching – This is a great place to hang out and do day trips to places like the Sarawak Cultural Village and to see orangutans
• Sandakan – Another great place in Borneo to base yourself for fabulous kid-friendly wildlife experiences like Sepilok Rehabilitation Orangutan Centre , Labuk Bay , Kinabatangan River , Turtle Island and more.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Remember we can also book a taxi for you to help you get around Malaysia quickly and easily. Click here for more details.

I hope this has helped you answer all your questions when you are working out “how to plan my trip to Malaysia”. Ask any questions in our Facebook group ! And find more useful Malaysia planning guides here. I also discuss how to plan a trip to Malaysia and walk you through it in my podcast episode here.

Related posts:

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

MALAYSIA Travel Guide: Trip Highlights, Itineraries, & Tips

Welcome to Malaysia!

Malaysia is an amazing and diverse country that has something to offer everyone.  If you’re looking for amazing food, gorgeous islands, and beautiful landscapes — Malaysia is a destination you should highly consider for your next holiday.  I have traveled pretty extensively through Peninsular Malaysia, and it has grown to become one of my favorite countries in entire world!  I’ve compiled this Malaysia Travel Guide as a source for people planning trips to this amazing country.

This guide will go over trip highlights, how to get around Malaysia, Malaysia itineraries, and general travel advice!

Hope you enjoy reading my Malaysia Travel Guide and favorite photos from my travels!

Note:  This Malaysia Travel Guide will focus entirely on Peninsular Malaysia.  I have never traveled to Sabah or Sarawak, and am not too well informed about those areas of the country. 

Traveling to Malaysia soon…?  I’d definitely recommend purchasing the Malaysia Lonely Planet Travel Guide !  I pretty much always travel with a LP guidebook, and it can definitely a huge asset on the road!

Pulau Kapas, Malaysia

 Malaysia Trip Highlights

Kuala lumpur.

You’ll most likely be starting your Malaysian holidays in the amazing capital city — Kuala Lumpur.  This is truly a special place with friendly people, beautiful sights, and delicious food (just like the rest of Malaysia).  During my travels in South-East Asia , I was lucky enough to call this city home for awhile.  The first time I visited Kuala Lumpur I actually didn’t enjoy the city too much, but after spending more time there I discovered how special the city really is.

Check out the following blog posts I’ve written:

• 10 Amazing Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
• Heli Lounge, Kuala Lumpur; Drinks + Sunset on a Helipad
• The Absolute Best Thing To Do in Kuala Lumpur

TOP KUALA LUMPUR TIP

Sign up for AirBNB , and stay at the REGALIA CONDOMINIUM .  I used to live there, and it’s by far the best place to stay in Kuala Lumpur.

It’s luxury complex that has all the amenities you’d want, perfectly located, and  has the most amazing infinity pool.   There is a mall right next door with a grocery store, movie theater, and tons of other shops.  Also, if you sign up for AirBNB with this link , you’ll get $38 off your first visit!   Which is easily a free-nights accommodation at The Regalia!   Trust me.  You want to stay here!

Best Hostel in Kuala Lumpur

Reggae Mansion

  Perfect location, amazing rooms, and wildly crazy rooftop parties every night!  If you’re backpacking around Malaysia, than you have to stay at Reggae Mansion!  This place does sell out, so check rates & availability !

Penang is the cultural hotspot in Malaysia!  You’ll fall in love with it’s busy streets, beautiful artwork, and enchanting history.  Oh, and the food is absolutely amazing.   Most people come to Penang only planning a few day stay, but end up staying much longer than they expected.  You can spend a day on Batu Ferringi beach, hike through the National Park, and take the journey up to Penang Hill for spectacular views of the entire city.        

Best things to do in Penang:

• Beach day and sunset on Batu Ferringi Beach
• Spend some time hiking through the National Park
• Take a visit to Penang Hill for spectacular views of the city
• Stroll through Georgetown and check out all the artwork
• Eat at Penang’s famous hawker stalls

Best Hostel in Penang

Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel :   This is a recently opened hostel in Penang,and has excellent affordable rooms, very well-located in George town, and a really cool Japanese theme.  It’s got terrific reviews by everyone, and you’ll love your stay here!   Check rates & availability .

Officially known as Langkawi the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, around 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia.  It’s right at the border of Thailand, and is a popular place to visit for traveller’s going north/south between Malaysia and Thailand.  It is truly an amazing island with amazing things to do, cheap accommodations, tax-free booze, and beautiful landscape.

Check out some of my blog posts on Langkawi:

• A Backpacker’s Guide to Langkawi, Malaysia
• Top 5 Reasons to Backpack Langkawi
• Berjaya Resort Crashing in Langkawi
• Chasing Waterfalls in Langkawi

Best Hostel in Langkawi

Langkawi Dormitorio :  

Just footsteps away from the beach, this perfectly located hostel had comfortable rooms, great prices, and an excellent atmosphere!   Langkawi Dormitorio .

Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands is a stunning hill station in central peninsular Malaysia, and has become a popular destination for visitors in Malaysia. Roughly the size of Singapore, the Cameron Highlands covers a large stretch of land, and there’s tons to see, do, and explore.  You’ll fall in love with the beautiful green tea plantations, and will leave you speechless when you visit the highest peak in the Cameron Highlands

For more information on the Cameron Highlands, check out the guide below!

• A Backpacker’s Guide to the Cameron Highlands

Best Hostel in The Cameron Highlands:

CH Traveler’s INN :  

A newly opened hostel in the center of Tanah Rata, and simply the best place to stay on a budget for traveler’s visiting the Cameron Highlands!   Check rates & availability .

Taman Negara

Teman Negara National Park is the perfect place for travelers who love wild life viewing, jungle trekking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, camping and many more. It is well established as one of the most popular ecotourism in Malaysia.  Popular activities include the canopy walk, jungle trekking, rapid shooting, cave exploration, and boat cruises.

Recommend days spent here:  1-2 days max

Check out the Teman Negara National Park website for more information

The Perhentian Islands

Welcome to paradise.  The Perhentian Islands consist of both Perhentian Kecil & Perhentian Besar.  They are both absolutely stunning, and the minute you step foot on of the two islands you’ll never want to leave.   I’ve visited Perhentian Kecil on two different occasions now, and I definitely would not mind going back for a third.  The beaches are gorgeous, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the nightlife can get pretty crazy.

Perhentian Kecil is more for a younger crowd.  It’s much more lively at night and has an incredible fireshow.  Perhentian Besar has a lot more resorts, and is a bit more family oriented.

If you’re going to Malaysia — you’d be mistaken to skip the Perhentian Islands!

Check out my blog posts on this paradise island!

• A Backpacker’s Guide to the Perhentian Islands
• The Perhentian Islands: Perfectly Picturesque (Photo Essay)

Pulau Kapas

Pulau Kapas is an idyllic island escape for those looking for a bit more of a remote location.  You won’t find any big crazy resorts, fast wi-fi connection, or luxury restaurants.  What you will be rewarded with is amazingly beautiful water, suburb underwater life, and an extremely laidback atmosphere.  Pulau Kapas is truly a Malaysian gem, and I guarantee if you go for a couple days you won’t regret it!

For more information about traveling to Pulau Kapas:

• The Ultimate Guide to Pulau Kapas, Malaysia
• Longsha Beach Camping on Pulau Kapas, Malaysia
• Pulau Kapas: The Most Beautiful Island in Malaysia (Photo Essay)

Tioman Island

If you’ve looking for some more island action, than definitely make your way over to Tioman Island.  It isn’t as gorgeous as the Perhentians or Kapas, but it has some of the best scuba-diving sites in the whole country.  The island is pretty massive, and is a 2-hour ferry ride from the mainland.  It is a DUTY-FREE island, which makes drinking on this island pretty cheap!  It’s a popular destination for weekend trips from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, so book in advance if you plan on being there on a Saturday & Sunday.  If you do plan on going, I’d definitely recommend staying on ABC Beach.

When I was there, I happened to catch really bad weather, and had some transportation issues.  I still had a great trip.  Read about it below:

• A Weekend Trip to Tioman Island

Melaka is just a short bus ride away from Kuala Lumpur, and can be a great place to spend one night.  It’s small enough to walk around, explore, and try some delicious food.  There’s not a whole lot to see here, but it’s definitely worth the visit.

To plan your visit, check out this post titled:

• Top 15 Places To See in Melaka

Getting Around Malaysia

The Malaysian transportation is some of the best I’ve found in all of South-East Asia.  Prices are relatively low, there’s tons of options, and they are all relatively comfortable.

Flights / Airfare

Malaysia is actually a really easy country to book extremely cheap domestic flights.

• Malindo Air

If you know your exact dates, you can actually get great flight deals.  Malindo Air is really great and includes 1 20kh checked bag.  These are particularly useful for flights to/from Kuala Lumpur.

Perhentian Islands

Traveling around Malaysia on the bus transport is actually really easy, budget friendly, and comfortable.  There are loads of different companies that offer a ton of different routes.  None of the journeys take that long, and the busses can actually be really nice.  For bus schedules, routes, and fares, check out the website below.  I’ve booked online tickets with them, and made the process extremely easy.  You can just show the email confirmation at the bus station, and receive your ticket.

• EasyBook.com

• Hitchhiking in Malaysia

Just like in any destination, you should be careful when hitching a ride alone.  With that being said, Hitchhiking in Malaysia can be done, and it’s actually not too difficult.  I met these Spanish girls on Pulau Kapas who found a ride all the way from Teman Negara – Kuala Terranganu.  It’s not that it saves a ton of money, but it’s a great way to meet some local people, and have a unique travel experience.  For more information on Hitchhiking in Malaysia check the website below:

Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur

• Trains in Malaysia

I’ve actually never taken a train in Malaysia, but I have heard that the system works out.  I almost boarded a train from Penang – Kuala Lumpur, but ended up extending my stay in Penang, and finding a flight that was cheaper than the train!  I honestly think that dealing with trains on other routes would just get complicated, so I’d just personally recommend Flights and Busses over taking trains in Malaysia.

Sunset on Tioman Island

Renting A Car

I’ve never rented a car and explored Malaysia on my own (mainly because I’m a solo budget traveler), but I have had some friends rent a van and go on weekend trips from Kuala Lumpur.  It’s definitely not the best option for everyone,

Jeep Excursions in the Cameron Highlands

Malaysia Trip Itineraries

If you look at each of these locations on a map, you can see that it actually fits pretty well

One Week Malaysia Itinerary

If you are only in Malaysia for a brief visit, than you want to enjoy your holiday.  My advice would be to enjoy 2-3 days in Kuala Lumpur, and fly to either Penang for 3-4 days.  You don’t want to rush around each destination, because you will want enough time to enjoy each place and do all the activities.

Two Week Malaysia Itinerary

Days 1-3 — Kuala Lumpur

Take a morning bus to Teman Negara

Days 4-5 — Teman Negara

Book the early bus ticket to the Cameron Highlands

Days 6-7 —  Exploring the Cameron Highlands

Book the early departure bus to Penang

Days 8-10 — Penang

Catch the two hour ferry to Langkawi

Days 11-13 — Langkawi

Catch a domestic flight from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur

Day 14 // End of Trip — Kuala Lumpur for your outgoing flight..

Island Hopping Boats in Langkawi

Three Week Malaysia Itinerary

Book transportation to Marang Jetty for access to Pulau Kapas (Close to Kuala Terranganu)

Days 8-10 — Pulau Kapas & Gem Island

Book early morning boat back to mainland, and get to main bus station.  Book transport to Perhentian Islands

Days 11-15 — The Perhentians Islands

Book Domestic Flight from Kuala Terrananu Airport – Penang.  Cheap fares available if booked in advanced. 

Days 16-17 – Penang

Days 18-20 — Langkawi

Day 21 // End of Trip — Kuala Lumpur for your outgoing flight..

Water & Lights show at KLCC

One Month in Malaysia Itinerary

If you have a full month in Malaysia, I honestly would just recommend to follow the 3-week itinerary, but travel slower.  This will also allow flexibility with the domestic flights, and also spending less time on travel.  I would also recommend staying in Kuala Lumpur for an extra couple days, and doing a one-day trip to Melaka.  If you want to see it all, you can switch up this itinerary to add Pulau Tioman, but I would honestly skip it.  I found it to be really touristy, difficult to get to, and there are much better islands and beaches in Malaysia.

If you have even more time in Malaysia, look out for cheap domestic flights over to Borneo.  You could scuba-dive off the coasts of the world famous Sipadan island, or hike the highest peak in Malaysia — Mt. Kinabalu!

General Malaysia Travel Advice

Eat as much as you possibly can!  The food in Malaysia is absolutely incredible.  When you get to Kuala Lumpur, check out a Nasi Kandar and try the various curries, Roti Canai, and Nasi Lemak!

Interact with the locals!  Malaysian people are extremely friendly, and generally speak really great English!  They are very open and welcome to tourism, and can be a great experience.

Understand you are in a Muslim country!  Be respectful with your clothing!

Get a local SIM card!  Malaysia has a wide variety of phone plans, and it will come in handy to have 3G / 4G internet when your traveling.  I’d recommend Tune Talk.  There are great prices and deals, and it’s good coverage.

Download my Free E-Book — 77 Amazing, Helpful, Money-Saving Tips for Backpacking South-East Asia .  This goes over a ton of valuable information for Malaysia!

If you haven’t figured it out by reading this post, I have traveled pretty extensively throughout Malaysia.   I think it’s an amazing country, and am always thinking about going soon and exploring different parts.  I’m actually dying to get over to Borneo, but I’m sure that time will come eventually.

If you’re ever planning a trip to Malaysia, feel free to Contact Me with any questions!

Thanks for reading!

Share the Malaysian Love!  

What a great resource! Malaysia is toward the top of my travel list…hopefully I’ll have the time to do the 3 or 4-week itinerary!

Thanks for the great info!

Glad you like it Sarah! :) When you do go to Malaysia, I guarantee you’ll love it! It’s such an amazing country, and so much fun to travel around! Enjoy!

Glad I could help out man! It really is an amazing country! I can’t wait to get back and explore even more.

Thanks for the information. It is really helpful. I am planing to go to Malaysia next month but i only have a week. Perhentian islans sounds like an amaizing place. I am between going there or visit Bali. What do you reckon? Thanks

Regards Gara

Hmm. Bali or Perhentian? Tough Decision. TO be honest, I’d probably choose Bali because you can do a whole lot more in one week. Bali is kinda small, but packed with stuff to do. Perhentian is more of a chill-out, diving destination. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hello, I am crazy about looking for amazing food, gorgeous islands, and beautiful landscapes ans Malaysia is my dream destination. your blog has very rich content which includes numerous photographs of spots, Island, culture..and many more. Nicely organized and detailed blog.

Thanks so much Jesse! Awesome to hear my site is helping you out! :-)

Hey thanks man for giving this list.I will go Malaysia with my friends in next years.But i don’t know which place to start travel.But after read this i got a brief idea.I will go for 15 days tour.Hope you list will fulfill my journey.Can you give me a list of affordable hotels of Malaysia?

Hey Tina, I normally stayed in hostels because I was a super budget traveler in Asia, lol. I’d just check booking.com and read reviews and everything. :-)

Hi if u wanna come to malaysia and need me to guide you just whatsapp me – +601129293631 or dm me on instagram @hakimzakaria98

What an awesome blog! I’m heading to KL tomorrow from Sebah, I only have a week and at abit of a loss with figuring out what i can squeeze in and what not to miss. This is really helpful, so much info all in one place.

Thankyou! :)

So happy to help! Enjoy Malaysia! :-)

Hi! I’m Thien from Vietnam. I was in Malaysia a couple of years ago. Your sharing strongly reminds me of my traveling experiences when in Malay. Thanks greatly for that!

Would you like to try out some wonderful places in Vietnam? Check out this Things to do in Vietnam for various useful suggestions.

Hope that you can visit and explore our country one day.

Wow! Nice post! I love KUALA LUMPUR in Malaysia. It is my favorite place! Me and my Keymalaysia team already visited there!

Been in love with Malaysia ever since our first visit. Their beaches and rich culture is outstanding! Definitely coming back soon. So many more islands and sites to explore. Such a detailed and informative post you have! Kudos!

Hey, this blog is so helpful!!

We’ve got 2 weeks in Malaysia, we’d like to go to Penang, Langkawi, Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Kapas and of course Kuala Lumpur which we fly in and out of. Could you give me any info on how to get from each place please?

Any advice would be great thankyou!

Do u have a travel agency ? or just a traveler ?

Nice Malaysia Travel post author. Thank you. Keep it up.

Nice post author.Thank you.

I adore Malaysia – the beaches, food, street art and culture is the best, not to mention the scuba diving! Your guide has inspired me to return when I can, thanks Jones!

Thanks so much for this! Very useful guide  

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Getting Around Malaysia

Travel Guide

The currency unit of the Malaysian currency is the Malaysian Ringgit, with the code MYR. It is commonly recognized by the symbol RM and is also referred to as Ringgit Malaysia.

Bank notes are available in various denominations, including RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, and RM100. Coins, on the other hand, are issued in 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, and 50 sen denominations.

When it comes to payment methods, most hotels, shopping complexes, restaurants, and shops in Malaysia readily accept international credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club.

In addition, for those who prefer a convenient, cashless experience, MY Tourist App offers a mobile payment solution specifically designed for international travellers visiting Malaysia. Furthermore, the country has embraced digital payment methods such as Touch N Go , GrabPay , and Boost as well as bank transfers which are widely accepted and utilized by locals and tourists alike.

For those who prefer to use travellers' cheques, they can be exchanged at local banks. However, it's worth noting that visitors bringing in significant amounts of foreign currencies are required to make declarations.

Malaysian hospitals and clinics are easily accessible to those who require them. Public and private hospitals and clinics are both located in every city. Malaysia’s healthcare facilities and services are top-notch and provide you with excellent aid and comfort. Government hospitals and clinics are open for 24 hours.

Given the perpetual warmth of the tropical climate in this country, visitors must prioritize their well-being by applying sunscreen, staying hydrated, and wearing appropriate attire to combat the humidity.

Malaysia, by and large, maintains a commendable standard of food hygiene. Additionally, the availability of bottled water and soft beverages is extensive.

Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT +8:00) and 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.

Public Holidays

Religious holidays and festivities typically receive 1 or 2 days of observance. Public holidays, such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas Day, and Wesak, are among the religious holidays that fall into this category. Additionally, several other public holidays are typically awarded a single day of recognition. Examples of these include National Day (31st of August), Malaysia Day (16th of September), Labour Day (1st of May), Islamic Day (date varies), Agong's Birthday (3rd of June), and numerous others.

Each year, Malaysia will have school holidays during the months of March, May, September, and December. Optimize your travel plan, as expenses tend to rise and popular attractions become more crowded during school holidays. Plan smartly for a smoother and more enjoyable adventure in Malaysia.

Electricity

A standard 3-pin plug and socket is commonly used. The supply voltage in Malaysia is 240V and at a frequency of 50 Hz.

Telephone Calls

The main telecom operators in Malaysia are CelcomDigi, Maxis, Umobile, and Tune Talk. Conveniently, prepaid SIM cards can be easily purchased at airports, malls, and city centers. For short-term visitors to Malaysia, there are traveller SIM card packages available. These packages typically include preloaded credit and a specific amount of minutes for calls and data.

Below are the area codes for domestic calls:

Do's and Don'ts

When travelling to Malaysia, it is important to familiarize yourself with the local laws and customs.

This includes understanding the dress codes, tipping etiquette, and appropriate behaviour at religious sites. Here are some guidelines to follow when visiting Malaysia:

• Respect local traditions and practices.
• Handshakes are generally acceptable, but Muslim women may prefer to acknowledge introductions with a nod and a smile.
• It is customary to remove your shoes before entering a Malaysian house.
• Always use your right hand when eating with your hands, giving or receiving something, or during a handshake.

By being informed and respectful of the local customs, you can have a more enjoyable and culturally immersive experience during your visit to Malaysia.

When entering places of worship, such as mosques and temples, it is important to remove your shoes.

Many of these religious sites also provide robes and scarves for female visitors and men wearing shorts. While it is generally allowed to take photographs at these places, it is always courteous to ask for permission beforehand.

Toasting is not a common practice in Malaysia due to the Muslim population's abstinence from alcohol. Moreover, it is advised to refrain from pointing with the right forefinger. Instead, the right thumb can be used by creating a gentle fist with the hand and placing the thumb above it.

Advice for Tourists

Deal with a travel agent licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia . Know and understand the terms and conditions of the tour packages that they bought. Use tour operators and transportation services licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. Use a valid licensed tour guide approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. Use only valid licensed transportation services approved by government agencies. Do not deal with any illegal agent or individual. Tourists who deal with unlicensed travel agents or tour operators risk NOT getting good services as stated in the package. NOT being covered by insurance. NOT being covered by the Tourism Industry Act. NOT being paid any compensations or reimbursements.

Emergency Assistance

Malaysia is equipped with a well-established system to provide immediate help during emergencies. The Auxiliary police, stationed in various regions, are crucial in delivering swift assistance. Here are the essential contact details to remember in case of an emergency:

• For ambulance and police services, dial 999.
• In the event of a fire-related emergency, contact 994.
• For any tourism-related inquiries, reach out to Tourism Infoline at 1300 885 776.

In various public places like shopping centers, terminals, and many other locations, one can enjoy the convenience of accessing complimentary WIFI. Nevertheless, certain free WIFI networks may necessitate a sign-in or registration process. Additionally, cafes, eateries, and establishments that serve beverages also offer patrons the perk of complimentary WIFI.

Food & Drinks

With its perpetual warm climate, Malaysia is famous for its tropical setting. Throughout the day, the sun's rays can be scorching, necessitating the appropriate attire to combat the heat.

Gifts & Souvenirs Ideas

Whether you’re exploring the lively Central Market, marvelling at the iconic KLCC, browsing the Karangkraf online store, or strolling through the charming local shops, you’ll undoubtedly find the perfect keepsake that captures the essence of your Malaysian adventures.

Be informed about Malaysia as a travel destination.

Bukit Gambang Resort City

Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast

LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort

A’ Famosa Resort

99 Wonderland Park

Resorts World Genting

Bukit Merah Laketown Resort

Lost World of Tambun

The Splash Out Langkawi

ESCAPE Penang

Monsopiad Heritage Village

Mari Mari Cultural Village

06. GENTING HIGHLANDS

10. CAMERON HIGHLANDS

14. FRASER’S HILL

18. BUKIT LARUT

22. KINABALU PARK

26. KUNDASANG

30. BERJAYA HILLS

34. PENANG HILL

38. JANDA BAIK

41. MALAYSIA AT A GLANCE

42. TOURISM MALAYSIA OFFICES

1 INTRODUCTION

4-12 doing the sights, 14 - 17 tropical enclaves, 18 - 22 treasure troves, 23 - 25 relax and rejuvenate, 26 - 28 enthralling performances, 29 - 31 celebrations galore, 33 - 37 entertainment and excitement, 28 - 44 sensational shopping, 45 - 49 eating out, 52 - 55 beyond the city, 56 - 67 - useful information, malaysia exotic ethnic heritage.

Get a glimpse into Malaysia’s rich mosaic of ethnic communities and indigenous people.

National and Marine Parks

Blessed with year-round sunshine and rain, Malaysia has a wealth of tropical flora and fauna. Visit its national and marine parks to enjoy the captivating sights both on land and underwater!

Malaysia a Preferred Cruise Destination

Get your complete info on cruising, yachting, anchorage facilities and land excursions around the country.

Culinary Delights

What better way to explore Malaysia than through its food! Follow the aroma to track down lip-smacking delights found around the country, together with interesting snippets on its culture and origins.

Homestay Experience

The best way to engage with the locals, a homestay programme gives a peek into the lifestyles, customs, cultures and pastimes of a local family.

Dive in Paradise

Enjoy exploring the South China Sea, Andaman Sea, Celebes and Sulu seas for incredible sights from pelagic species, sea turtles to reefs, wrecks and more.

Malaysia - A World of Luxury

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Malaysia is the place to indulge in sheer comfort and sophistication. Luxe Malaysia takes you beyond your expectations.

Malaysia Sport Fishing Paradise

Get your rod ready to reel in the best catch in Malaysian waters.

Dining & Entertainment

Find the coolest, trendy spaces to hang out while you tickle your tastebuds with the best delights.

Negeri Sembilan

Fun and fantasy, cool highland resorts, birdwatching paradise, kuala lumpur, tourist map of malaysia.

The Jewel of Kedah

5. LANGKAWI – YOUR FIRST STOP, KUAH

8. BEACHES & CRUISING

10. NATURE’S BEST IN LANGKAWI

14. RICH ISLAND CULTURE

16. THINGS TO DO, SIGHTS TO SEE

22. SAILING IN LANGKAWI

24. LIVE ACTION ON THE ISLAND

25. SHOPPING & DINING

26. ACCOMMODATION

28. GETTING TO LANGKAWI

Copyright © Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board

30. USEFUL CONTACTS

MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE

03. SELAMAT DATANG