Malaysia Truly Asia, in every way you can imagine
Why Malaysia?
Why Malaysia, you ask, well, there is plenty to talk about! Fabulous beaches, stunning cities, a rich culture, and best-in-class landscapes and wildlife are just a few categories, to begin with. Regardless if you are starting your tour in the shadows of the famous Petronas twin towers in Kuala Lumpur or deep in the jungle of Borneo, you will quickly realize that you are in for a tour to remember. Even though it is a less-traveled country, it is worth putting it on your map.
Good to know
At a glance
Flag
Georegion
South-Eastern Asia
Population
32.8M
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Largest city
Kuala Lumpur
Official language
Bahasa Malaysia
Time zone
UTC+08:00
(local time)
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
1 USD =
1
1 EUR = 1.1
1 EUR = 1.1
Daily budget
$50 or less
(category:
budget
)
Driving side
Left
Solo female travellers
LGBTIQ+ friendly
What to do
Experiences
When to go
Best time to visit
Being a subtropical country, you can travel Malaysia all year round - even if it rains, it is still warm, and the rain showers are most likely short-lived. In general, the best time to visit Malaysia is the dry season in December and February. However, due to being a geographically diverse country, the best time to visit can vary:
Peninsular East Coast
Avoid the monsoon season from November to March since the monsoon tides come along with choppy water and thus are not well suited for any water-based activity.
Peninsular West Coast
On the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, the best season runs from May through September for a visit to the Perhentian Islands or Tioman Island.
Borneo
For Borneo, the summer months between June and August are best suited for outdoor activities like climbing Mount Kinabalu or hiking through the national parks. Try to avoid the months of December, January, and February due to heavy rainfalls.
Where to stay
Accommodation highlights
From A to B
Getting around
Flying
The majority of travellers will most likely arrive at Malaysia's largest airport, Kuala Lumpur (KUL). From here, you can either start your journey by visiting Kuala Lumpur or you catch a connecting flight to the different provinces on the mainland as well as to Borneo or Langkawi.
Trains
Train connections in Malaysia are limited to two routes on the peninsula and a short route on Borneo. For this reason, train connections play only a minor role in most travel plans because most travelers rely on buses.
Rental Car or Bike
With the excellent roads and, compared to other countries, relatively safe driving style of the population, Malaysia is made to be explored by car. Take a look at DiscoverCars for offers on rental cars, to explore the remote corners that otherwise remain hard to reach.
Buses
Longer distances by bus are very comfortable to travel in Malaysia, the buses are usually air conditioned and equipped with WIFI, so that this kind of travelling is an option many travellers choose. The booking portal Bus Online Ticket combines the offers of many bus lines in Malaysia and Singapore.
Taxi & Last Mile
To get from A to B there is no way to get around Grab. The ride sharing company can best be compared with Uber. Within the country, the service is used quite extensively and it usually doesn't take long to find a driver.
Boats & Ferries
Obviously, with 878 islands in Malaysia alone you are bound to have to use a boat transport at some point in time. Direct Ferries is a good starting point to check on ferry availabilities as well as schedules.
Know before you go
Essentials Partner links
Visa information
Not sure if you need a visa to enter Malaysia? You can usually find your visa requirements and the links to apply for your visa on the website of your foreign office
(DE
|
US ). Or you can ditch the stress of handling the visa process yourself and instead
use iVisa's fast and easy application process
Travel confidently
Unfortunately, bad things can happen even on vacation. To make sure you're covered for all eventualities, it is therefore advisable to have a good travel insurance in place before you go. Since 2002,
World Nomads
have been protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers. They offer simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel confidently.
Visit World Nomads
We receive a fee when you get a quote from
World Nomads
using this link. We do not represent
World Nomads
. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Stay connected
Are you one of those who desperately search for free WiFi when traveling? Look no further, it has never been easier to stay connected even when abroad. If your mobile device supports eSIM, check out Airalo. They offer digital SIM cards for 190+ countries at a fair price.
Get your eSIM now
Explore the details
It's always handy to have a travel guide that covers the details for each of your stops. We've had good experience with Lonely Planet and Rough Guide guidebooks when traveling and can recommend both. When in doubt, go for the most up-to-date one.
Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei (Mar 2022)
The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (Jul 2023)
Malaysia Tour Planner
Ready to plan your tour to Malaysia? Get your customized and free itinerary within minutes, we'll guide you through each step!