Malaysia Travel Blog

Malaysia is an amazing country located in Southeast Asia. In fact, Malaysia is one of the most popular destinations in Asia. It has something for everyone – backpackers, couples, solo travelers, luxury travelers, etc.

Malaysia offers several experiences – from climbing mountains to jungle trekking, from island retreats to scuba diving, from colorful temples to delicious food tours, from the hustle of Kuala Lumpur to relaxing white sand beaches – you should find something that suits your needs and interests.

If you’re planning your first trip to Malaysia, this guide should answer any questions you may have. We’ll talk about travel facts, the best time to visit Malaysia, the best destinations, recommended itineraries, travel costs, travel essentials and how to prepare for your trip.

Information Malaysia
Language Malay
English-friendly Yes
Currency MYR (Malaysian ringgit)
Internet reliability Good

 

Best Time to Visit Malaysia

Malaysia is a big and versatile country and depending on your destination, you may be facing different types of seasons. We decided to split this section into three sections to help you understand the seasons in Malaysia. We also added info regarding the Ramadan.

  • Mainland southwest
  • Mainland northeast
  • Borneo

 

Areas Season Months
Mainland southwest

Dry season

Wet season

Ramadan

November to June

May to September

23rd April to 23rd May

Mainland northeast

Dry season

Wet season

Ramadan

November to May

November to March

23rd April to 23rd May

Borneo

Dry season

Wet season

March to October

December to February

Top Destinations in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Penang

Langkawi

Perhentian islands

Cameron Highlands

borneo

Malaysia Itineraries

 

Planning your trip to Malaysia? We created Malaysia itineraries to help you. You can pick the length of your stay and follow our recommended itineraries. We created itineraries for up to one month including our favorite Malaysian destinations. Note that since Borneo is quite far, you can either pick the mainland or Borneo. If you have more time, you could spend time in both places.

Malaysia

  • Kuala Lumpur (1 day)
  • Cameron Highlands (2 days)
  • Penang (2 days)
  • Back to Kuala Lumpur (2 days)

 

Malaysia

  • Kuala Lumpur (1 day)
  • Cameron Highlands (2 days)
  • Penang (3 days)
  • Langkawi (3 days)
  • Perhentian Islands (3 days)
  • Back to Kuala Lumpur (2 days)

Malaysia

  • Kuala Lumpur (1 day)
  • Cameron Highlands (2 days)
  • Penang (3 days)
  • Langkawi (5 days)
  • Perhentian Islands (5 days)
  • Ipoh (3 days)
  • Back to Kuala Lumpur (2 days)

Malaysia

  • Kuala Lumpur (1 day)
  • Cameron Highlands (2 days)
  • Penang (3 days)
  • Langkawi (5 days)
  • Perhentian Islands (5 days)
  • Ipoh (3 days)
  • Borneo (7 days)
  • Back to Kuala Lumpur (2 days)

Malaysia Travel Tips & Costs

 

In this section, you’ll find general information on costs and how to prepare for your trip. Finally, you will find a table that will provide an overview of cost and options depending on your travel budget.

 

Accommodation

 

In Malaysia, you’ll find several options when it comes to accommodation. Whether you’re a budget traveler or not, you won’t have difficulty to find options. You can find dorms starting at $5 per night.

 

Food

 

When it comes to food, you can find different types of restaurants. If you eat local food, you can eat for less than MYR 30. Obviously, you may find elegant restaurants around the country and you can pay more if you wish. The cheapest options are usually in small local restaurants and markets.

 

Activities

 

Some activities such as hiking or beach bumming are free. Although, if you’re planning on visiting temples and National Parks, going on a snorkeling or diving trip, or visiting museums you will have to pay for it. You can browse activities in Malaysia here to have an idea of the costs involved.

 

Transportation

In general, it’s pretty easy to get around Malaysia. You can either fly, take a bus or travel by train to reach your destinations. You can reach the islands easily by ferries.

To book your transport between destinations, you can book via 12GO or via a travel agency. Most of the time, your hotel and hostel may be able to arrange it for you.

 

 

Travel Cost Budget travel Mid-range Luxury
Accommodation $5-10 per night $25-70 per night $70+
Meal $5-10 per meal $10-15 per meal $15+
Activities Focus on free activities Mixing free activities & mid-range $30+ per day
Transport By bus/train By bus, train, flight, driver Private driver

Safety in Malaysia

 

Overall, traveling around Malaysia is pretty safe. Of course, you should always lock your valuables especially if you’re staying in a hostel.

 As a female traveler, it’s always smart to avoid dark alleys and walking alone in the dark. Although, been there, done that, and I never had any issues. Note that Malaysia is quite conservative, so you may have unwanted attention – to avoid this, you can dress in a more convervative way. “Cat-callling” happens often in Malaysia – I usually ignore it.

Pickpocketing and phone snatching is a common thing in Malaysia – so be careful when holding your phone in the street – I’ve seen this happens quite a lot. Also, I’ve heard several men having weird encounters at night under alcohol effect, so be careful.

I, myself, hitch-hiked with another female travelers around Malaysia without any problems. I felt safe every time. You can read more about it here.

 

What to Pack for Malaysia

 

Apart from the travel essentials, here are the things you should absolutely bring along with you in the Malaysia. Click on the images to shop on Amazon. You can also check out this list of travel essentials in Asia.

Visa for Malaysia

 

Most nationalities get up to 90 days for free. You can verify your visa requirements here.

 

Preparing Your Trip to Malaysia

Skyscanner

Browse flights on Skyscanner to find deals.

Go To Skyscanner

SafetyWing

Book your travel insurance for as little as $42/month.

Go To SafetyWing

Booking.com

Find accommodation anywhere in the world.

Go To Booking.com

iVisa

Check the visa requirements and apply for a visa if needed.

Go To iVisa

Worldpackers

Volunteer abroad in exchange for free accommodation.

Go To Worldpackers

Viator

Book transfers, tours, and activities in advance.

Go To Viator

Malaysia eSIM Plans

It’s hard to find a good data plan when you’re traveling. You have to research the best deals, go to a store, and hope they have a prepaid SIM card for travelers and tourists.

And if they don’t? You could be without service for the rest of your trip. Not only is that frustrating, but it can also be time-consuming.

eSIMs are the solution to your travel woes. With an eSIM plan, you can stay connected no matter where you go. Plus, there are no contracts or cancellation fees, so you can change your plan whenever you want.

If you’re looking for an eSIM plan while in Malaysia, then be sure to check out the providers below. They all offer great plans that will keep you connected while you’re there.

 

Airalo

$3 OFF with promo code: MELISS2943

190+ countries and regions

Go To Site

Read Review

Holafly

5% OFF with promo code: ABROKENBACKPACK

130+ countries and regions

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Nomad

No offer

100+ countries and regions

Go To Site

Read Review

Malaysia Blog Posts

Is Penang Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know

Is Penang Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know

As with any destination, there are always safety concerns to consider before planning a trip. But generally speaking, Penang is safe for travelers. That being said, it's always important to practice common sense and awareness while traveling anywhere. In this guide,...

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Is Kuala Lumpur Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know

Is Kuala Lumpur Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know

With its bustling atmosphere, endless entertainment options, and mix of traditional culture and modern architecture, Kuala Lumpur is one of the most exciting Southeast Asian countries to visit. However, Kuala Lumpur is a big city, and Malaysian culture differs from...

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Malaysia SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Malaysia SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting Malaysia soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Malaysia SIM card. In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Malaysia in person and online. We'll also discuss prepaid Malaysia SIM cards for tourists and eSIMs if...

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The 6 Best Places To Live In Malaysia

The 6 Best Places To Live In Malaysia

Are you wondering where the best places to live in Malaysia are? You're in the right place! Southeast Asia is well known for providing expats a comfortable lifestyle at a low cost. However, every southwest Asian country offers its own unique perks. Malaysia is...

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Backpacking Penang Itinerary

Backpacking Penang Itinerary

Although it is impossible to cover Penang in three days, with a carefully designed itinerary one can indeed make the most of their stay in Penang. After all, there is so much to do and see here, Penang's beaches and jungles, George Town’s hipster cafes and some of the...

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Perfect 3 Days In Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

Perfect 3 Days In Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

If you're planning 3 days in Kuala Lumpur, here are some fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur in 3 days (more or less) including some great restaurants and cool travel tips! Kuala Lumpur is one of my regular stops in Asia. I’m not a big city person, but hey, how could I...

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How To Get To Kuala Lumpur From Singapore

How To Get To Kuala Lumpur From Singapore

Wondering how to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur? Or even the other way around - from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore?  The best way to travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is by flight, but if you are on a budget, traveling by bus would be the cheapest option....

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Perfect One Week In Malaysia Itinerary

Perfect One Week In Malaysia Itinerary

If you're heading to Kuala Lumpur next, here's what you should do in one week in Malaysia. This article features two of the best cities in Malaysia and will help you make the most of your time in Malaysia. Traveling to Malaysia in a week is possible, but you might...

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Complete Guide: Best Hostels In Kuala Lumpur

Complete Guide: Best Hostels In Kuala Lumpur

Finding the right hostel in Malaysia, especially while backpacking Kuala Lumpur, can be quite complicated! Kuala Lumpur is such a big city and there are different areas to pick from! After spending six weeks working in a hostel in Kuala Lumpur I’ve been surrounded by...

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How Much To Backpack Southeast Asia

How Much To Backpack Southeast Asia

How much does it really cost to travel in Southeast Asia? Is it possible to do it very cheap? How much does it cost to move there? We tend to think that life in Asia is super cheap… until we start craving western food, luxury, comfort and too many trips to the 7/11....

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Hitchhiking In Malaysia: Should You Do It?

Hitchhiking In Malaysia: Should You Do It?

A few years back, I hitchhiked around Malaysia. I had no problems at all even though we were two girls. In fact, we had an amazing time and it was a great way to connect with locals along the way. In this article, I'm sharing my tips for hitchhiking in Malaysia as...

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