If you’re expecting typical Asian chaos, confusion, and dirt, you’ll be disappointed. Malaysia, compared to other Southeast Asian countries, is relatively civilized. However, the classic street food, beautiful beaches, rainforests, and tea plantations will definitely not disappoint you. Two to three weeks should be enough to explore the whole peninsula.
Transport
The transportation here is not as chaotic or busy as in other Southeast Asian countries. They drive on the left. The best modes of transport in Malaysia are buses or planes. Renting your own vehicle is not recommended due to long distances. In cities, you can use city buses or the monorail in Kuala Lumpur. It’s also easy to get from the airport to the city center using buses and the monorail. Tickets are not expensive and can easily be purchased from the machines.
Scooter
Renting a scooter is ideal in individual destinations to explore the surrounding areas. It is not suitable for long distances, as you would spend most of your time traveling. It is perfect for the islands where you can move freely with it. Rental starts at about 120 CZK per day, and the price of gasoline is around 12 CZK per liter.
Bus
The cheapest way to travel around the country is by bus. Unfortunately, it may not be that easy. Buses do not go everywhere; they mainly connect the main destinations, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out the schedule in advance. It doesn’t work like in other places where a bus leaves every few minutes. Sometimes a bus to a specific destination only runs once a day, and if you miss it, you’ll lose a whole day waiting for the next one. It’s a good idea to check the schedules with locals in advance and buy tickets if possible. For example, you can take a bus from Kuala Lumpur’s bus station to Taman Negara with a transfer in Jerantut (2016).
Additionally, you can use travel agencies and their shuttle buses. This option is more expensive, but it’s more reliable and without transfers. You know the departure time and when you will arrive at your destination. Several companies offer this service, where you can simply pay for your selected trip the day before, and they will take you there by minibus. You can use this option to travel between popular tourist destinations.
Uber
Uber is widespread and inexpensive in Kuala Lumpur. It works easily through a mobile app, so you can be sure you won’t have any price arguments with the driver.
By Air
Another quick way to travel is by plane. Domestic flights are frequent, and sometimes they are cheaper than buses. They will definitely save you a lot of time. For example, if you end your trip on Langkawi Island, it’s wiser to take a flight instead of a ferry and bus (which would take a whole day). You can buy a flight ticket online or at an office of a budget airline (such as AirAsia). If you buy your ticket in advance, it will probably cost only a few hundred CZK. The flight is very short, and since it’s a domestic flight, the process at the airport is very quick. If you don’t have checked luggage, you don’t need to arrive two hours before departure—one hour is sufficient.
If you’re flying from Kuala Lumpur, make sure to check which terminal you’re departing from. There are two terminals, and they are several kilometers apart. Taxi rides between them can be expensive.
Accommodation
Accommodation, like everywhere else, corresponds to the price. If you want to save money, you can stay in a “dormitory,” a simple room for about 15 people. You get a bed and a small locker, sometimes with a lock. The advantage of such places is that you meet people from all over the world and have a chance to get to know interesting travelers and maybe go on your next trip or excursion with them. You can also share travel experiences and learn more about other destinations.
If you’re looking for more peace and comfort, you can pay extra for a standard room for two or more people. These rooms can also be found at reasonable prices. It’s advisable to look for accommodation in advance through booking.com or other popular search engines. It’s not a problem to book accommodation at noon and stay in the evening. It’s recommended to get a local SIM card with internet to search for accommodation online during your travels at any time and place.
Food
Malaysian cuisine is not one of those unbearably spicy ones. The food is tasty and diverse. The typical Asian cuisine is based on rice, noodles, meat, and vegetables. You will most often find fried noodles with various sauces and meat, chicken with rice, and fried rice. Sometimes, you will receive a small cup with clear water, which is a soup. If you crave spicy dishes, you can use the local spicy sauces to accompany your meal, but the food itself is usually not hot.
You can, of course, try the classic street food, which is quite common in Malaysia both in cities and villages. A typical delicacy is pieces of various meats on skewers (meat kebabs). Fish are excellent here, which you choose chilled at the counter in a restaurant and wait for them to be grilled for you. Classic hamburgers are also common. Of course, there is tropical fruit and refreshing juices made from it.
As a European, you might be surprised by the portion sizes; sometimes, it seems like the portion is meant for a five-year-old, and you need to eat 2 or 3 times to feel full. A single meal costs about 20 – 30 CZK from local street vendors, while restaurants have different prices.
Religion
Malaysia is a Muslim country. You will see mosques and women covered in full-body veils at every corner, and you should expect this. Less often, you’ll encounter truly orthodox Muslims dressed in full black burkas from head to toe; instead, you’ll mostly see women in everyday clothes with a colorful headscarf (hijab). Of course, there are other religions here, but not as widely practiced. In addition to mosques, you can also visit Buddhist and Hindu temples.
Places to Visit
Kuala Lumpur
The capital of Malaysia. Since Kuala Lumpur is a major transit hub for flights across Asia, it’s likely that you’ll be transferring here or starting your Malaysian adventure. It’s definitely worth visiting this vibrant metropolis. Unfortunately, it is located about 60 km from the airport, so you’ll need to allow enough time for transport if you’re just passing through. Here, you’ll find world-famous buildings, landscaped parks and gardens, classic Asian markets, and at night, wild bars and nightclubs.
It is worth visiting the famous Petronas Twin Towers, which you can admire either from the outside (both during the day and at night they have their charm) from the nearby parks or take a look inside. The lower level has luxury shops, which are easily accessible. To visit the upper part, you need to pay an entrance fee. The city also features a large bird park. It is essentially a large aviary full of various species of birds roaming freely. Here, you can observe different types of parrots, toucans, flamingos, and even pelicans. At certain times, there is an entertaining bird program. The entrance fee for the park is about 300 MYR. Around the bird park, you can also find a well-maintained botanical garden that is open to the public.
You can also visit the old market, many restaurants, try street food, and visit luxurious clubs.
Batu Caves
On the outskirts of the capital, you will find Batu Caves, which are easily accessible by train from the city center. Everything is well marked and described. Since this is a well-known tourist attraction, be prepared for crowds of tourists. It is a Hindu temple complex located in limestone caves. To reach the caves, you need to climb 275 steps. Along the way, curious and cheeky monkeys will accompany you, so be careful with your belongings. At the top, in front of the cave entrance, you’ll be rewarded with a nice view of the surrounding area and the tall buildings in downtown KL. Inside, you will find several large caves with various statues and shrines. Entry is free. For a fee, you can visit a nearby cave in total darkness with a guide and a headlamp. Here, you can observe rare cave-dwelling creatures.
Taman Negara
A place in the middle of the jungle, which is also one of the relatively popular travel destinations. People come here to explore the tropical rainforest through treks in the dense jungle with lookout points. The best way to get here is by private bus, or take a bus to Kuala Tembeling and then take a boat ride on the river, which lasts about 3 hours. The final destination on the edge of the jungle is Kuala Tahan. Here, you’ll find several restaurants along the river, although they serve tiny portions, and one hostel where you can stay cheaply in shared rooms. Other accommodation options are also available at different prices. The main attraction here is the jungle walk and the canopy walk, a series of rope bridges up to 30 meters above the ground (Canopy walk). This was closed in 2017 but has been reopened in 2019. However, it’s best to check ahead. Nevertheless, the jungle still offers several hiking trails with great views.
The entrance to the jungle is on the other side of the river from civilization, so you must cross the river by boat for a small fee (about 6 MYR). At the entrance, you need to purchase a permit (again, it’s not expensive). For better orientation, you’ll receive a paper map with marked trails, but the routes are also clearly indicated on mapy.cz. You can spend several hours here or even the whole day, depending on the length of the trail you choose.
From this area, you can continue to the next destination (usually Cameron Highlands) by bus with one of the travel agencies, or take a small boat again along the river (which might also be the way you arrived) to the neighboring village of Kuala Tembeling, and from there, a bus. The boat trip along the river is a beautiful experience as you can observe the jungle and animals coming to the river to drink, right from the boat.
Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands is a beautiful mountain region located around 1200 meters above sea level, full of tea plantations. You can freely move around the tea fields and enjoy tea at a local restaurant on the terrace with a view of the plantations. You can also explore a pleasant town full of shops and restaurants. It’s easy to get here by bus with one of the travel agencies. The bus will likely take you to the town of Tanah Rata, where you’ll find restaurants, souvenir shops, and accommodation options.
Another interesting place in the area is the Mossy Forest. It’s a forest high in the mountains, full of various types of moss. The trek starts just outside the town of Brinchang. There are paths with scenic viewpoints, and entry is free.
As it’s a mountainous area, you should expect cooler temperatures.
If you want to go on treks in the mountains here, there are several options. Climbing the highest peaks in the area, up to around 2000 meters, is definitely an experience. You can climb, for example, Gunung Brinchang, Gunung Jasar, or Gunung Berembun – on this route, you’ll pass the Robinson Falls. The trails are well-marked on mapy.cz
Pangkor
A small island to the west of the mainland. It is particularly popular due to its clean waters and beautiful beaches. You can reach it by regular ferry from the town of Lumut. It is a lovely seaside resort with clean beaches, plenty of tourist activities, restaurants, and shops. The best beaches are located on the western side of the island, and to get there, you’ll need to cross the entire (relatively small) island. Renting a scooter here is a good idea, which is very affordable right at the harbor. Fuel is very cheap here—around 12 CZK per liter—so traveling around the island costs almost nothing. If you come across a vendor offering snorkeling trips to a small nearby island just off the coast, don’t be fooled. The coral that once existed there has long been destroyed by tourists. You can also rent a kayak directly on the beach and paddle to the island. Don’t miss the chance to taste fresh fish, which you can pick out yourself and have grilled right on the spot.
Penang
A small island to the northwest of the mainland. It is especially popular due to the unique city of George Town, and also has several beaches, hills, and temples.
In George Town, you can enjoy classic street food on every corner, admire interesting murals on the houses, visit several temples, explore the 3D museum, take a stroll along the coastline (but don’t expect beautiful beaches), visit the stilt village on the water, or take a city bus trip to the large Buddhist temple Kuil Kek Lok Si on the outskirts of the city.
The Kuil Kek Lok Si temple is located on a hill behind the city, offering a beautiful view of the surroundings. It is one of the largest temple complexes in Malaysia. You’ll find richly decorated temples, huge statues, and shrines. It’s definitely worth making your way to the giant statue at the top (you can reach it even after closing hours). You can take a bus directly from George Town to the stop near Jalan Pasar. The buses are numbered 201, 203, 204, 206, 306, or you can just ask. The bus is cheap, and you pay when boarding at the driver’s cash register. Entry to the complex is free.
On the island, you’ll also find several beaches, waterfalls, and hills suitable for hiking (for example, Penang Hill, which is accessible by a funicular). You can easily reach the island either by bus across the long bridge or by regular ferry from the town of Butterworth. You can also use air travel since there is an airport directly on the island.
Langkawi
A beautiful island located in the northwest near the Thai border. Here, you can find pristine beaches, jungles, several waterfalls where you can swim, and the famous Skywalk attraction.
Skywalk is an iconic bridge high in the mountains, towering 100 meters above the jungle, offering a spectacular view of the island. The bridge is located on Mount Gunung Machinchang (708 m above sea level), accessible via a cable car from Oriental Village. At the top, several viewpoints are accessible. There’s a separate entrance fee to the Skywalk. This trip is best on clear days, as fog (which is visible from the bottom of the cable car station) makes it less worthwhile. From Oriental Village, you can also walk through the jungle paths to the 7 Wells Waterfall, where you can swim and enjoy the view of the jungle.
Another interesting waterfall is Temurun Waterfall in the northwest of the island, where you can also swim. Below the highest mountain, you’ll find the Durian Perangin Waterfall, another great spot for a swim. On the northeast side, you can visit mangrove forests. In the center of the island lies the highest peak, Gunung Raya (881 m), which you can hike or drive up as the road leads to the summit. There’s a paid observation tower at the top offering wide views of the surroundings. The main tourist center is located in the southwest near the airport, in the Pantai Cenang area. Here, you’ll find long beaches with water sports, restaurants, accommodations, and currency exchange services. The island also offers attractions like a mini zoo, crocodile farm, and several temples.
You can reach the island by ferry from Penang, or from the nearby port of Kuala Perlis, or even from Thailand. The ferries will take you to the Kuah port, where you can rent a motorbike and explore the island. When you arrive, you can grab a map at the port highlighting all the must-see spots. Another option is to fly as the island has a small airport in the western part, close to beaches and tourist areas. Renting a scooter is recommended, as the island is relatively large, and traveling takes a few days. With a scooter, you’ll have mobility freedom and save on taxis.
Perhentian Islands
Beautiful islands located in the northeast of the country. You’ll find crystal-clear water and white beaches here. The islands are popular for snorkeling on coral reefs, spotting turtles and colorful fish, and relaxing in a tropical paradise. You can reach them by boat from Kuala Besut (reachable from Kota Bharu, which has an airport and is connected by long-distance buses, or by taxi). However, beware of the monsoon season. During this period, getting to the islands is unsafe due to waves, wind, and rain, and there’s not much to do.
Suggested Route
Kuala Lumpur → Taman Negara (bus, boat) → Cameron Highlands (arrive in Tanah Rata by bus) → Pangkor (bus, ferry) → Penang (bus, ferry) → Langkawi (bus, ferry) → Perhentian Islands (flight, ferry) → KL Airport/other destination (flight from Kota Bharu or bus)
