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

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

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 Dublin. 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 historic, modern, and welcoming city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Kuala Lumpur and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Dublin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dublin attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, and historical sights. Kuala Lumpur is famous for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. It is also well known for The Petronas Twin Towers. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kuala Lumpur are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kuala Lumpur is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Dublin just to party. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Kuala Lumpur is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is a very popular place for live music. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Dublin while you're in town. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin 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 Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Kuala Lumpur make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Dublin Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Dublin are great 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.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Dublin Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Dublin both great 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 Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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

Kuala Lumpur and Dublin are both great 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.

Dublin is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Dublin Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Kuala Lumpur is a great destination for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

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

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.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Dublin. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

In either Kuala Lumpur or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Kuala Lumpur has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Dublin. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Dublin 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 Dublin?

Kuala Lumpur is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Dublin, 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.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Dublin 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 nightlife. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Dublin, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this friendly destination 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. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Kuala Lumpur. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dublin is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Dublin, we can see that Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Dublin, 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.

When is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur or Dublin?

Dublin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Kuala Lumpur during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Kuala Lumpur. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Dublin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Dublin. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Dublin. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Dublin. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Dublin for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Dublin. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Kuala Lumpur