Malaysia Travel Guide | Tourist4Tourist

Local time: 10:37 (capital)
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Calling code: +60
Drive on the: left

Overview

Malaysia joins Kuala Lumpur's skyline, the colonial streets and food of George Town and Malacca, cool tea highlands and island beaches on the peninsula with Borneo's rainforests, orangutans and Mount Kinabalu, all fed by Malay, Chinese and Indian cooking.

Malaysia spans the southern Malay Peninsula and the north of Borneo. It is a modern, multicultural country where things generally work and prices are more reasonable than in Singapore. Peninsular Malaysia has Kuala Lumpur, the capital, with the Petronas Twin Towers; the World Heritage cities of George Town and Malacca, with colonial architecture; tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands; the Taman Negara rainforest; and islands such as Langkawi, the Perhentians, Redang and Tioman, whose beaches see a fraction of Thailand's crowds.

East Malaysia, on Borneo, is the states of Sabah and Sarawak: jungles, longhouses, orangutans, great diving and Mount Kinabalu. Food is a reason to come in itself, where Malay, Chinese and Indian cooking meet, and festivals of every faith fill the calendar, from Hari Raya to Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Thaipusam.

Kuala Lumpur: The multicultural capital and its Petronas Twin Towers.
George Town: Colonial streets, an arts scene and great food.
Malacca: The historic city, with colonial architecture.
Cameron Highlands: Cool hills covered in tea plantations.
Perhentian Islands: Glittering East Coast islands for snorkelling and diving.
Mount Kinabalu: The great mountain of Sabah, in Borneo.

Places to visit

City
Town
Island
Park
Mountain

Cities

Kuala Lumpur: The multicultural capital, home of the Petronas Twin Towers.
George Town: The capital of Penang, famed for colonial architecture, food and arts.
Malacca: The historic city, with colonial-style architecture.
Ipoh: A historic colonial old town in a former tin-mining area.
Kuantan: The largest city on the peninsula's East Coast.
Johor Bahru: The third-largest city, on the border with Singapore.
Kota Kinabalu: Close to tropical islands, rainforest and Mount Kinabalu.
Kuching: The capital of Sarawak and largest city in East Malaysia.
Miri: A resort city near Brunei, gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park.

Beyond the cities

Langkawi (island): An archipelago of 99 duty-free islands with beaches, rainforest and mangroves.
Perhentian Islands (island): East Coast islands still untouched by mass tourism.
Redang (island): A popular island for scuba divers.
Tioman (island): A duty-free island once named among the most beautiful in the world.
Cameron Highlands (mountain): Cool highlands famous for tea plantations.
Fraser's Hill (town): A hill station that feels like the colonial era.
Taman Negara (park): A vast rainforest national park spanning three states.
Mount Kinabalu (mountain): The peak at the heart of Kinabalu National Park, in Sabah.
Gunung Mulu National Park (park): A World Heritage park in Sarawak, reached from Miri.
Sipadan (island): One of the best dive sites in the world. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive sites off eastern Sabah, between Sandakan and Tawau, because of the threat of kidnapping.

Regions

West Coast: The developed side: Kuala Lumpur, the World Heritage cities and Langkawi.
East Coast: The traditional Muslim heartland, with Taman Negara, unspoilt islands and the Jungle Railway.
Johor: Palm oil plantations, two coastlines and the gateway to Singapore.
Sabah: Diving, nature reserves and Mount Kinabalu.
Sarawak: Longhouses, jungles and national parks around Kuching.

Things to do

See

Petronas Twin Towers Kuala Lumpur: The icons of Kuala Lumpur's modern skyline.
Colonial George Town George Town: Chinese, Peranakan and Indian heritage in a World Heritage city.
Thaipusam at Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur: The country's largest Hindu procession, up 272 steps, in January or February.

Do

Rainforest and wildlife Taman Negara: Jungle treks from short walks to weeks with a guide.
Diving and snorkelling Perhentian Islands: East Coast islands, with a season from March to October.
White-water rafting: From gentle Grade I to Grade V rapids in the national parks.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu Mount Kinabalu: Sabah's great peak; altitude sickness is a risk.

Eat

Hawker food George Town: Char kway teow, laksa and roti canai at stalls and coffee shops.

Drink

Teh tarik: Sweet 'pulled' tea with condensed milk, the national drink.
Tea in the highlands Cameron Highlands: Home of BOH, the largest Malaysian tea brand.

Tours and tickets in Malaysia PartnerGuided tours, day trips and attraction ticketsSee activities

Itineraries

Kuala Lumpur to Penang in 10 days (10 days)

Kuala Lumpur (3 nights): The capital, the towers and Batu Caves.
Malacca (2 nights): The historic colonial city.
Cameron Highlands (2 nights): Tea plantations and cooler air.
George Town (2 nights): Heritage streets and hawker food.

Rainforest and islands in 8 days (8 days)

Kuala Lumpur (1 night): Start in the capital.
Taman Negara (3 nights): Rainforest walks; reached via Jerantut on the Jungle Railway.
Perhentian Islands (3 nights): Beaches and snorkelling, best from March to October.

Borneo in 9 days (9 days)

Kota Kinabalu (2 nights): The Sabah capital and nearby islands.
Mount Kinabalu (2 nights): The national park; malaria is present in rural forest areas.
Kuching (2 nights): The Sarawak capital, longhouses and parks.
Miri (1 night): The gateway to Mulu.
Gunung Mulu National Park (1 night): A World Heritage park.

Climate and best time to visit

Kuala Lumpur
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max °C	32	33	33	33	33	33	32	32	32	32	32	32
Min °C	23	23	23	24	24	24	23	23	23	23	23	23
Rain mm	170	165	241	259	204	125	127	156	193	253	288	246

In Kuala Lumpur it is hot and wet all year: highs of 31–33 °C and lows around 23 °C every month, with rain from about 125 mm in June and July to nearly 290 mm in November. Highland resorts such as the Cameron Highlands and Fraser's Hill are cooler, around 17–25 °C, and Mount Kinabalu can drop below 10 °C.

The timing depends on the coast. The north-east monsoon, from October to February, brings heavy rain and floods to Borneo and the peninsula's East Coast, while Langkawi and Penang stay drier; the milder south-west monsoon, from April to October, reverses the pattern. March to October is the season for the East Coast islands. Haze from fires in Indonesia can affect air quality and travel between June and October.

Getting there and around

Main airports	KUL, BKI, PEN, KCH

Getting there

By air: most international flights land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA); Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching, Langkawi and Johor Bahru also have regional flights. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia connect a large part of Asia. By land: trains and frequent buses cross from Singapore to Johor Bahru, and trains from Thailand meet at Padang Besar; buses run from Thailand, Brunei and Indonesian Borneo. There is no official land crossing from Indonesia into Sabah. By sea: ferries link the peninsula with Sumatra and the Riau Islands, Langkawi with Satun in Thailand, and Labuan with Brunei.

Getting around

There are no ferries between the peninsula and Borneo: you fly, cheaply with AirAsia. You go through immigration between the peninsula and Sabah or Sarawak, and between the two states, so keep your passport handy and make sure it is stamped. On the peninsula, fast and air-conditioned ETS trains run down the West Coast from the Thai border to Johor Bahru, and the slower Jungle Railway crosses the interior; tickets can be booked up to 6 months ahead. Buses are the cheapest option and reach every town; the air-conditioning can be freezing, so bring a sweater, and choose reputable operators, especially overnight.

Grab is the easiest way to get around cities. Many taxi drivers refuse to use the meter; airports use fixed-price coupons. Traffic drives on the left. The UK says you need a 1949 international driving permit with your licence, while Canada says a Canadian licence is valid for 3 months. Drink-driving can bring a heavy fine, prison or deportation. Motorcyclists are reckless, and drivers often ignore pedestrian crossings. Helmets are compulsory on motorbikes. After an accident it is illegal to leave before the police arrive. Ferries serve Penang, Langkawi and other islands; avoid overloaded boats.

Flying to Malaysia? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flights

Where to stay

Budget hotels and hostels: In most cities and tourist areas; YMCAs are a safe bet.
Mid-range hotels: Three- and four-star hotels from about RM100 as listed on Wikivoyage in October 2026, generally reliable.
Five-star hotels and resorts: Among the most affordable in the world, in the big cities and on almost every island.

Wikivoyage advises adding 16% to listed prices, which usually exclude service charges and taxes. International visitors also pay a tourism tax of RM10 per room per night, which may not be included in the advertised rate. Pick budget places carefully, as some house illegal vice activities. Durians are banned in almost all hotels because of the smell, and bringing one in means a heavy cleaning fee.

Eat and drink

Dishes to try

Roti canai: A classic of the Indian Muslim mamak stalls.
Nasi kandar: Rice with a choice of Indian-style curries, born in Penang.
Char kway teow: A Penang speciality.
Laksa: Noodle soup that is completely different in Penang and in Sarawak.
Satay: Kajang, near Kuala Lumpur, is famous for it.
Nyonya cuisine: The Peranakan fusion of Malay and Chinese cooking.
Hinava: A Sabah speciality.

Drinks

Teh tarik: Hot, sweet 'pulled' tea with condensed milk, the national drink.
Kopi: Local coffee, served sweet with condensed milk unless you ask.
Malaysian tea: Grown in the Cameron Highlands; BOH is the biggest brand.
Tuak: Rice wine for festivals in Sarawak, such as Gawai.
Soya cincau: Soy milk with black grass jelly, sold at hawker centres.

Tipping	Not customary. Most air-conditioned restaurants add a 10% service charge, shown as '++' on prices; porters expect RM5–10.

Hawker stalls and coffee shops (kopitiam) are the cheapest and often the best places to eat, and mall food courts let you try local dishes in air-conditioning. Food outlets are generally clean; at street stalls you may want to skip the ice and unboiled water. Eat with a fork in the left hand and spoon in the right, or with your right hand only.

Halal food is easy to find, but most Chinese places are not halal. Vegetarians do best at Chinese and Indian restaurants. Alcohol is sold to non-Muslims in licensed places and is expensive, except on the duty-free islands of Labuan, Langkawi and Tioman.

Entry requirements and visas

Passport validity	At least 6 months from arrival, undamaged and with no missing pages (FCDO); for Canadian passports, at least 6 months beyond the date you leave (Canada)

Passport	Entry	Max stay	Notes
United Kingdom	Visa free	90 days	Normally 90 days on arrival for tourism.
Canada	Visa free	90 days	Up to 90 days; extensions at any immigration office.

Other nationalities: check the official source below.

All visitors except Singaporeans must fill in the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online, up to 3 days before arrival; use only the official website, as scam sites charge fees. Travelling between the peninsula and Sabah or Sarawak means passing immigration again: carry your passport and get entry and exit stamps. Overstaying, even by a few days, can bring fines, detention, deportation or caning.

Officers may ask for a urine test on arrival if they suspect drug use. Declare cash or travellers' cheques worth US$10,000 or more in any currency, or customs can seize it. Taking ringgit worth US$10,000 or more in or out needs approval before you travel. Non-Muslims aged 21 and over can bring 1 litre of alcohol, but tobacco carries duty. A yellow fever certificate is needed if you come from a country with a risk of transmission. Rules depend on your passport: check the official link before you book.

Money and payments

Currency	Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Cards	Common

Malaysia uses the ringgit (RM, MYR). Cards with a chip work in most shops, restaurants and hotels, but card and ATM fraud is common, so stay careful. ATMs are widespread in cities, and many local banks charge no fee; always decline the machine's conversion to your home currency, and if a machine rejects your foreign card, try another. Take cash before heading to small islands or the jungle. QR-code payments are now more widely accepted than cards.

Exchange counters in shopping areas give better rates than banks or airports. Foreign currency is generally not accepted, apart from Singapore dollars at a poor rate. As listed on Wikivoyage in October 2026, hostels and hawker food can keep you under RM50 a day; double that for comfort.

Health

Required vaccines	Yellow fever: certificate from 1 year of age if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission, including airport transits of more than 12 hours there
Recommended vaccines	Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, for stays of a month or more or rural trips with hiking and camping, Rabies: consider it for outdoor activities
Malaria	Some areas
Tap water	Varies

Malaria: the CDC recommends preventive medicine for rural, forested areas, where a malaria passed on from animals (P. knowlesi) occurs; there is none in Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Dengue occurs everywhere, in cities too: the mosquitoes bite by day, so use repellent. The FCDO lists rabies in Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Sarawak, and altitude sickness on Mount Kinabalu. Haze from fires in Indonesia can worsen breathing problems.

Tap water is treated, but pipes are not always reliable: most locals boil or filter it, and bottled water is cheap. Healthcare in the cities is good and English is widely spoken, but all hospitals charge, private care is expensive and payment is often needed up front. Ambulance 999.

This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.

Safety

United States: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (2026-10-20)
Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
United Kingdom: Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country (2026-10-20)

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive sites off eastern Sabah, from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan, because of the threat of kidnapping; the Sabah mainland is not included. Canada advises a high degree of caution on the east coast of Sabah, between Kudat and Tawau, including offshore dive sites and resorts, where water-based curfews apply. Elsewhere all three governments advise normal precautions. Bag snatching by thieves on motorbikes is common in the cities: carry bags on the side away from the road. There have been robberies around bars, spiked drinks and card fraud.

Always carry your passport. Drug laws are very harsh, up to the death penalty for trafficking, and some crimes, including overstaying, can be punished by caning. Foreigners may not take part in demonstrations. Same-sex acts are illegal. Littering can cost RM2,000 and community service. Boats have sunk from overloading, so check for life jackets. Seasonal storms bring floods and landslides. Emergency 999.

Customs and etiquette

Malaysia is multicultural and mostly Muslim. Take off your shoes in homes and places of worship (and often in hostels). Use your right hand to eat, give and receive, point with your thumb rather than a finger, and do not touch people's heads or point your feet at them. Dress modestly, especially in rural areas and conservative states such as Kelantan and Terengganu; mosques and government offices may turn you away without covered shoulders and knees and closed shoes. Canada notes that particularly strict rules on alcohol and public decency can apply in Kelantan and Terengganu.

During Ramadan it is polite not to eat or drink in public. At festivals, many families hold an 'open house' for friends and visitors. Preaching to Muslims, including handing out non-Islamic religious material, is illegal. Swastikas at Hindu and Buddhist temples are religious symbols.

Language

Official languages	Malay
English	Common

Hello	Helo / Hai
Please	Tolong / Sila TOH-long / SEE-luh
Thank you	Terima kasih TREE-muh KAH-seh
Sorry / excuse me	Maaf mah-AHF
Goodbye (to someone leaving)	Selamat jalan SLAH-mah JAH-lahn
Goodbye (to someone staying)	Selamat tinggal SLAH-mah ting-GAHL

What to pack

Passport valid 6 months and undamaged: Required to enter, and you must carry it at all times.
Clothes covering shoulders and knees, and closed shoes: Needed for mosques and government offices.
Insect repellent: Dengue everywhere, malaria in rural forest areas.
A sweater: Air-conditioning on buses and trains can be freezing.
Cash in ringgit: For small islands and jungle areas without ATMs.
1949 international driving permit: The UK says it is needed with your licence to drive; a Canadian licence is valid for 3 months.

Quick reference

Country facts

Capital	Kuala Lumpur
Population	35,977,838 (2025)
Area	328,550 km²
Time zone	Asia/Kuala_Lumpur (UTC+8), Asia/Kuching (UTC+8)
Calling code	+60
Driving side	left

Staying connected

SIM and eSIM	4G coverage is good. Prepaid SIMs are cheap: in 2025, U Mobile SIMs started at RM10, with 30-day data plans from RM25, sold in every 7-Eleven. The country code is +60.
Wi-Fi	Free Wi-Fi is available in most accommodation, shopping malls and many fast-food outlets and cafés.

Staying connected in Malaysia PartnerMobile data on your phone, without a local SIM cardGet an eSIM

Emergency numbers

Police	999
Ambulance	999, or 112 from a mobile
Fire	994

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Malaysia?

Not for tourism with a UK or Canadian passport, normally up to 90 days. Everyone except Singaporeans must fill in the free online arrival card (MDAC). Check the official link before you book.

Is there malaria in Malaysia?

In rural, forested areas; not in Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Ask a travel clinic about preventive medicine for jungle trips.

Can I dive at Sipadan?

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive sites off eastern Sabah because of the risk of kidnapping. The East Coast islands of the peninsula are an alternative.

When is the best time to visit?

It depends on the coast: March to October for the East Coast islands, while Langkawi and Penang are drier from October to February.

Does Grab work in Malaysia?

Yes, it is the most popular ride-hailing app, and you can pay by card or cash.

Should I tip?

No. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge, and nothing more is expected.

Suggest an update

Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.

Malaysia