A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Arrowtown for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a colorful, historic, and modern city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a charming, quaint, and quirky town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kuala Lumpur. Although Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown are both popular with visitors, Kuala Lumpur has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kuala Lumpur is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Arrowtown is known for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Kuala Lumpur is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. It is also home to The Petronas Twin Towers. Arrowtown is popular for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arrowtown and Kuala Lumpur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a skiing destination.

Arrowtown offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Kuala Lumpur is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Kuala Lumpur from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kuala Lumpur has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Kuala Lumpur has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Arrowtown. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Arrowtown is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for shopping. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Kuala Lumpur. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

Arrowtown is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

Arrowtown is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown both high quality destinations for a couple.

Kuala Lumpur makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

Couples visit Arrowtown frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Kuala Lumpur is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

Arrowtown is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Arrowtown is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Kuala Lumpur. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Arrowtown is not popular with students.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Kuala Lumpur can take you anywhere. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

You'll find some public transit in Arrowtown, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Kuala Lumpur is very walkable. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kuala Lumpur than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Arrowtown. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kuala Lumpur, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Arrowtown. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kuala Lumpur that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Arrowtown if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kuala Lumpur.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

People visit Kuala Lumpur because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kuala Lumpur has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Arrowtown is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

People visit Kuala Lumpur because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the hiking. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

People visit Kuala Lumpur because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Arrowtown is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

Kuala Lumpur is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arrowtown is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Arrowtown is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arrowtown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arrowtown than you might in Kuala Lumpur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Arrowtown Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Arrowtown?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 680 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Arrowtown, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.