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

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Ghent?

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 Ghent. 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 welcoming, friendly, and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Kuala Lumpur is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Kuala Lumpur travel costs.

Ghent

Ghent is a under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ghent travel costs.

Kuala Lumpur and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Ghent?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kuala Lumpur is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Ghent is known for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Ghent and 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. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ghent 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 Ghent?

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Kuala Lumpur that are not to be missed. 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.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent 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 Ghent just to party. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent 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 Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Ghent?

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Kuala Lumpur is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Ghent is well-known for its shopping. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Ghent More Beautiful?

Ghent is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its medieval architecture and beautiful waterfront areas, the city has a lot to offer.

The beauty of Kuala Lumpur is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This city's beauty really comes from the welcoming and helpful personality of its residents, but the neighborhoods also have historic charm and character.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Ghent Better for Families?

Kuala Lumpur is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Ghent Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Ghent both excellent 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 Ghent frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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

Kuala Lumpur is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Kuala Lumpur. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Ghent Better for Students?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Ghent are terrific 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 Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

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

Visitors will find terrific public transit in both Kuala Lumpur and Ghent.

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 Ghent can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Ghent a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur and Ghent are excellent 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.

Ghent is a very walkable city. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Ghent?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kuala Lumpur and Ghent. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than in Ghent. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ghent.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Ghent. 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 Ghent. 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 Ghent 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 Ghent?

Each neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Ghent, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this youthful city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 city.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Ghent 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 Ghent?

Kuala Lumpur is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. 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 Ghent?

You'll find food and shopping around the modern big city of Kuala Lumpur. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ghent 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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Ghent?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Ghent, 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 Ghent?

Ghent 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 Ghent in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Ghent. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Ghent in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Ghent. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Ghent averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Ghent. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 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 Ghent. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Ghent in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Ghent. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Ghent in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 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 Ghent. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Kuala Lumpur