Travel Budget for Cities inMalaysiaMalaysia

Malaysian Girl
Malaysian Girl



Average Daily Expenses (Per Person)
All Budget Styles


Kuala Lumpur

Average Daily Travel Cost (per person):
MYR 108.72
Accommodation1 MYR 67.08
Food2 MYR 26.60
Water2 MYR 3.35
Local Transportation1 MYR 13.86
Entertainment1 MYR 12.10
Communication2 MYR 1.37
Tips and Handouts1 MYR 0.30
Souvenirs1 MYR 19.79
Alcohol2 MYR 28.72

Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see easily reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurants. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you will pay at home in Europe or the United States.

Kuala Lumpur is also a transportation center for the country. You're likely to find yourself passing through this city on bus, train, or plane transfers. There are incredibly affordable flights out of Kuala Lumpur, so if you are choosing to explore Asia by air, this will likely be a stop off for you on several occasions.

Within Kuala Lumpur, public transportation is quite convenient. The city continues to upgrade the train system, and you are likely to see ongoing improvements. Traffic in the city can be somewhat frustrating, but taxis are abundant and reasonably priced. There are also doubledecker buses that crisscross the city and are generally efficient to use.

The sights in Kuala Lumpur reflect the city's diverse population and colonial past. Make sure you visit Chinatown, Dataran Merdeka, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and the Islamic Arts Museum. Also head to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, which at one time were the world's tallest buildings. They are quite impressive and a trip to the top is enjoyable.

Food in Kuala Lumpur is very cheap, but also very delicious. If you're on a particularly tight budget, you can get all kinds of great local specialties at the many street stalls around town. There is also plenty of Chinese and Indian food, both of which a good and affordable. Of course, there is also no shortage of Malaysian cuisine, so whatever your style, you should be pleasantly surprised with your food selection.

Penang

Average Daily Travel Cost (per person):
MYR 229.86
Accommodation1 MYR 183.75
Food2 MYR 18.88
Water2 MYR 1.75
Local Transportation1 MYR 10.56
Entertainment1 MYR 32.86
Communication2 MYR 76.00
Souvenirs1 MYR 21.00

Tanah Rata

Average Daily Travel Cost (per person):
MYR 63.83
Accommodation1 MYR 18.46
Food2 MYR 26.33
Water2 MYR 8.60
Local Transportation1 MYR 1.84
Entertainment1 MYR 31.81
Communication2 MYR 7.85
Tips and Handouts1 MYR 0.12

Tanah Rata is one of the main tourist towns in the Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands are in western Malaysia and are a popular retreat for Malaysian residents and international travelers alike. The area's higher elevation offers an often much needed break from the country's oppressive heat. It also has a beautiful setting that is rich in agriculture and has rolling hills that are beautifully covered in green tea plantations. For some, the area feels too touristy, but if you linger longer, and explore on your own, you can easily escape the mass tourism and see the area for what it is.

Public transportation in the area is somewhat limited so you will be able to explore and enjoy more flexibility if you have access to your own car. Many budget travelers choose to organize a tour in the area, as this will provide you with the necessary transportation. It also contributes to what many feel is the "mass tourism" of the area. If you have your own car, or a lot of patience, you can explore the area on your own. There are buses, but they are often infrequent and slow, so plan your day accordingly.

The sights in the area are also very spread out. Some of the more popular destinations include Mossy Forest, Parit Waterfall, Robinson Rose Garden, and the Butterfly Garden. The tour companies also offer tours into the nearby rainforest, and trips to see the local villages.

You'll also find plenty of restaurants around the area, with the typical Indian, Chinese, and Malay options. Interestingly, there's also at least on decent German restaurant in town, so if you've had your fill of Asian food, that is an interesting option as well.

There are some large hostels around town, with the most popular being Fathers Guesthouse. Beds are cheap and the amenities are very comfortable. They have some great community space so it is a good area to meet and chat with fellow travelers who can always offer you some good advice on your future destinations.


Travel Tips

Malaysian Tea Plantations

By backpackguru on Nov 4, 2011 in Entertainment
Tanah rata is a great base for exploring the Cameron Highlands. Their high elevation means the Cameron Highlands are perfect for escaping the Malaysian heat. The major economic driver (aside from tourism) in this area is tea production. You absolutely must visit a tea plantation while you're hear. The tea plantations are quite beautiful. They're built into the hills and the green rolling landscape is incredibly picturesque. You can take a tour of the plantations and see how the tea is harvested and produced. Of course, there's a cafe and restaurant on the grounds where you can sample the tea for a rather hefty price. The tea plantations themselves are quite beautiful though.

George Town

Average Daily Travel Cost (per person):
MYR 76.35
Accommodation1 MYR 33.75
Food2 MYR 32.49
Water2 MYR 2.14
Local Transportation1 MYR 9.98
Entertainment1 MYR 11.33
Communication2 MYR 1.50
Alcohol2 MYR 5.35
Georgetown is both the capital and largest city on the island of Penang, which is also a state. The city is a wonderful place to spend a few days. It has a relaxed, laid back atmosphere and is well known for its excellent restaurants and world renowned cuisine. It also has a wonderful colonial city center that is fun to explore with many interesting shops and some larger shopping malls on the outskirts of town. In the morning hours make sure you stop by a dim sum stall which is a great way to sample the city's wonderful Chinese cuisine. In the evenings is when the city is at its peak. The locals head out to grab a meal of street food and there is plenty of entertainment around town.

The city has an efficient bus system that you can use to reach most destinations, even those further outside of town. The major inconvenience is that the bus service stops at 10PM, so you will have to take a taxi or walk after that time. Taxis will also become more expensive in the evening, so it is best to plan ahead.

Because of the city's historical past, there are some wonderful colonial buildings around town. Some of the more popular include Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Municipal Council of Pulau Pinang Hall, Fort Cornwallis, and Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi. If you're interested in doing some shopping, there are some great neighborhoods around town to explore. Definitely be sure and check out Little India and the Little Penang Street Market. There are some great shopping malls around town as well such as the Bukit Jambul Complex, Gurney Plaza, and One-Stop Midlands Park.

Food is really a major reason people head to Georgetown. It easily has some of the country's best food and you'll find anything from Indian food to Dim Sum, to Malay cuisine. Some of the best options are the evening food stalls that make an appearance at night. Also make sure you head to Little India for at least one meal, as the food is absolutely delicious, and very authentic.


Travel Tips

Indian Food

By backpackguru on Nov 4, 2011 in Food
The Island of Penang has some of the best food options in Malaysia. Little India has an interesting mix of colonial buildings with delicious and authentic Indian food. Many of the restaurant owners are incredibly friendly and will eagerly invite you to enjoy a variety of excellent Indian dishes for incredibly cheap prices. Some of the restaurants serve their food directly on banana leaves, and you eat the saucy dishes with your hands. Use naan bread or rice to sop up the gooey goodness and enjoy. If you need a food, most places have them if you ask.

Melaka

Average Daily Travel Cost (per person):
MYR 106.90
Accommodation1 MYR 25.04
Food2 MYR 28.46
Water2 MYR 2.71
Local Transportation1 MYR 94.07
Entertainment1 MYR 13.02
Tips and Handouts1 MYR 1.01

Pulau Perhentian Besar

Average Daily Travel Cost (per person):
MYR 131.81
Accommodation1 MYR 69.27
Food2 MYR 26.17
Water2 MYR 2.33
Local Transportation1 MYR 65.00

Search for Costs

Browse

Search

Plan Your Trip!

Budget Your Trip lets you plan and track your travel expenses.
Sign Up to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.