MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Everything you need to know before travelling to Malaysia.
Make the most of your trip to Malaysia with expert tips, ideas and recommendations
Malaysia Travel Guide
Tips For Travelling To Malaysia in 2021
Travelling to Malaysia will leave you with memories that’ll last a lifetime. The country has a rich cultural heritage and an abundance of diversity that will keep even the most eager explorers busy.
If you are a fan of natural beauty, fantastic food, and outdoor exploration, then a trip to Malaysia is an absolute must. Whether you want to explore ultra-modern cities or trek through the mountains, Malaysia has it all.
Our Malaysia travel guide will help you get everything in order for visiting Malaysia and ensure you don’t overlook anything important. We’ll outline the best Malaysia has to offer so that you get the most out of your trip.
In this Malaysia travel guide:
- Where is Malaysia?
Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia just North of the Equator. Malaysia shares borders with Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia. - What is the size of Malaysia?
Malaysia is divided into two distinct regions, Peninsular Malaysia, where Kuala Lumpur is located, and East Malaysia which comprises the island of Borneo, Sabah, and Sarawak. The total size of Malaysia 330,800 km2 (127,700 sq mi) which makes it the 66th largest country in the world. - How many people live in Malaysia?
The population of Malaysia is around 33 million people, which makes it the 43rd most populated country in the world. - What language is spoken in Malaysia?
The official language in Malaysia is Malay but English and Chinese are also recognized languages which you can use to get by when visiting Malaysia. - What is the main religion in Malaysia?
The biggest religion in Malaysia is Islam with more than 61% of the population being Muslims. While almost 20% of the country identifies with Buddhism, 9% are Christians and around 6% are Hindus. - What plugs are used in Malaysia?
The types of plug commonly used in Malaysia is type G. Malaysia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz. - What is the country code of Malaysia?
The country code for calling Malaysia is the prefix +60, website domains from Malaysia usually end with .com.my.
You’ll notice when traveling to Malaysia how diverse the country is. Its population is a blend of Chinese, Indians, Malays, and other indigenous groups. It means there are an array of great festivals each year from all the different cultures.
Malaysia used to be a British colony before during World War II when a wave of nationalism spread across the country. Malaysia then became independent on 31st August 1957.
While Islam is the most dominant religion in Malaysia, there are also large Christian and Hindu minorities. It means that the cities are full of temples, mosques, and churches all with different colour pallets and architecture, which make them ripe for exploring.
The country is packed full of natural beauty that ranges from stunning beaches to some of the oldest rainforests in the world. Their national parks are easily accessible and perfect for hiking, as well as other outdoor activities.
Malaysia is a central hub for tourism and saw over 26 million visitors last year alone, so a trip to Malaysia will always be action-packed and full of other travellers.
+ Discover what are the best beaches in Malaysia so you don’t miss out!
Best time of year to take a trip to Malaysia
Malaysia has two peak seasons. The first is from the start of December until the end of January when Europeans are trying to escape to a warmer climate. Hari Raya Puasa, which is the end of Ramadan, can occur during these months. I recommend checking ahead of time as the large Muslim majority take a week off to celebrate so travel and activities can be disrupted.
The second peak period is from April to mid-September. During this period, the majority of Malaysia doesn’t have the same levels of humidity and heat as other times in the year, making for pleasant traveling conditions.
If you are visiting the east coast, avoid traveling to Malaysia from November to March as the monsoon season is in full swing and it can rain for hours, completely disrupting your plans. The west coast, which includes Penang and Langkawi, sees the most rain in September and October so if you’re after some sun avoid these periods.
Thankfully, even when it rains the temperature in Malaysia doesn’t dip. The country sees an average temperature of 25°C throughout the year, so you’ll always need to pack your summer gear.
+ Read our article on the best time to visit Malaysia for more detailed information
Where to go and what to do when visiting Malaysia
Of course, the first stop on your trip to Malaysia should be to Kuala Lumpur. The modern city has some great spots for tourists to enjoy. I recommend taking a trip to the Petronas Towers at night to see them lit up in all their glory. For sunset in the city, grab a cocktail at the Heli Lounge Bar, it’s a helipad that overlooks the city and is the perfect spot to relax after a day of exploring.
Langkawi and Penang should also be at the top of your Malaysia travel guide itinerary. Penang exemplifies the diversity of Malaysian culture and is an excellent place to pick up an array of different cuisines. I recommend taking a trip over to Little India and exploring the back alleys until you find a place packed with locals.
For Langkawi, get ready to be blown away with stunning natural beauty. While you are there take a day trip to Tarutao national park and also book a seat on the cable car which has made the island so famous.
For the trekkers among you, I recommend Mount Kinabalu. It’s the highest in the country and open to both children and adults. The trek is situated in the national park so you’ll be surrounded by lush green vegetation the entire way up.
If you want something a bit easier, try out Bukit Tabur, or for seasoned climbers try out Gunung Tuhan which requires a few small multi-day hikes.
The east coast of Malaysia has some genuinely stunning islands which can’t be missed when visiting Malaysia. If you are into scuba diving, I recommend either Sibu Island or Redang, both have fantastic diving spots and are pure paradise
For something a bit more budget and backpacker-friendly, give the Perhentian Islands a go.
Of course, no trip to Malaysia would be complete without seeing the orangutans in Borneo. Sabah is the centre of a whole host of conservation efforts that are worth checking out and seeing the beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
Travelling to Malaysia – Visas and money
The currency you will need for your trip to Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit. While the currency conversion can fluctuate it is usually around 1 MYR to $0.25 USD, so traveling to Malaysia works out relatively cheap for foreigners.
The visa process for Malaysia is straightforward and hassle-free. Most countries in North America and Europe don’t require you to apply for a visa beforehand when visiting Malaysia.
Visitors are given a 90-day visa stamp when they arrive, although some countries are only permitted a 30-day stay, so make sure to check your country’s embassy online before you travel. As with other countries, you’ll need six months validity on your passport.
What to pack for Malaysia
The weather is excellent in Malaysia, so pack with this in mind. Generally speaking, stick with summer clothes like shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, and sunglasses. But make sure to pack a pair of jeans, a shirt, and some nice shoes in case you want to head out for a fancy dinner in Kuala Lumpur.
Tropical climates can make it difficult for any scrapes or scratches you pick up to heal, so as well as all your standard toiletries I’d recommend bringing:
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Antibacterial cream
- Hand sanitizer
- Pain tablets
- Mosquito spray
- Band-Aids
You’ll get a lot more sun than usual when traveling to Malaysia, so sunscreen and aftersun should be essential items on your list. If you are going to venture to the beach, pack enough swimsuits and towels so that you don’t have to do washing every few days.
Whether you are backpacking or taking a suitcase, there are a few items which everyone should bring when traveling to Malaysia to make their trip run as smooth as possible, these include:
- Universal charger/adaptor – to charge your belongings
- Ziplock bags – to keep everything separate in your back
- Combination lock – to keep your stuff secure
- Plastics bags – to keep dirty laundry separate
- Water bottle – cuts down on your plastic waste. Opt for one with a purifier if you can afford it.
Getting around Malaysia
Public Transport
Malaysia has great public transport links, particularly in Kuala Lumpur. Expect, buses, rail, and the MRT throughout the city. There is a free bus for tourists called GO KL City Bus which covers all of the hot spots so check that out.
In smaller cities such as George Town, use the buses to get around. They run regularly and generally cost like $1 USD per trip.
Renting a motorbike
When I visited Langkawi, we stayed outside the central hub and rented a motorbike to get around. I’d highly recommend this mode of transport on the smaller islands, and it allows you to move at your own pace and explore the beautiful destinations.
Taxis and Trishaws
If you are planning on taking a bicycle-powered trishaw, make sure to negotiate the price before taking the journey, they usually work out at around $10 USD per trip.
Taxis are generally the most expensive mode of transport. Many don’t have working meters so to avoid getting stung agree on a price at the start.
Flying
For those of you who are short on time, I highly recommend flying between the various regions rather than taking a bus. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia are the two leading carriers in the area and offer rock bottom prices to a variety of places. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang can be nabbed for under $24 USD, and to Kota Kinabalu for under $50 USD.
Staying safe while visiting Malaysia
Malaysia is a safe country to travel around, with violent crimes seeing a near 20% decrease in 2018 alone. The one thing you need to be on the lookout for is bag snatching in the bigger cities, which is primarily driven by economic hardship. While not unsafe, watch out for taxi scams – you need to agree on a price beforehand or ensure the meter is being used.
Malaysian people, in general, are incredibly friendly and welcoming, so getting into trouble is highly unlikely. Watch out for the monkeys, though! They can be aggressive, so never feed them and keep a wide berth.
It goes without saying that travel insurance is paramount when travelling. Get a comprehensive policy that covers illness, theft, injury, and cancellations to give yourself peace of mind.