Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona. 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 is a welcoming, friendly, and diverse 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Barcelona is a laid-back, historic, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona and Kuala Lumpur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the sights and museums in either Kuala Lumpur or Barcelona.
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.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Barcelona are among the most recognizable in the world. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music.
Foodies will find both Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona both to be unique destinations.
Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.
For foodies, Barcelona is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and Jamon Iberico.
The nightlife scene is relatively similar in Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona.
Kuala Lumpur has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.
The nightlife in Barcelona is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.
Shoppers can find a variety of stores in both Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona.
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.
The abundance of shops in Barcelona make it a world-class shopping destination. Head to Portal De L’Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona are 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.
Barcelona is a very kid-friendly city. Check out the Magic Fountains Show near Plaça d’Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. There are also many great parks and playgrounds around town.
Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona are both good 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.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona are popular destinations for students.
Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.
Many students frequent Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do.
Visitors will find public transit in both Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona.
With a huge network, the transit system in Kuala Lumpur can get you around easily. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.
Visitors in Barcelona can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city.
Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona are similar when it comes to 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.
Barcelona is a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than some other major European cities, but there are many plazas and outdoor areas that are fun to explore on foot. The city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than Kuala Lumpur.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Kuala Lumpur is 1-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Barcelona is 3-7 days.
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.
In Barcelona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid-back city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
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.
Barcelona is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.
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.
In Barcelona, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this laid-back big city offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.
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.
Barcelona is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $51, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $134. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Barcelona? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Kuala Lumpur change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona is in Europe, 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Kuala Lumpur.
Barcelona has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a tropical climate with fairly warm weather most of the year.
The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Barcelona. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Barcelona in the summer. The temperature in Kuala Lumpur is usually 28°C (82°F) in July, and Barcelona stays around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Barcelona and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October are around 27°C (81°F), and Barcelona is about 17°C (63°F).
Kuala Lumpur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Barcelona and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Barcelona. Temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Barcelona stays around 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Barcelona in the spring. The temperature in Kuala Lumpur is usually 28°C (82°F) in April, and Barcelona stays around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Kuala Lumpur | Barcelona | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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