A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Milford Sound for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound?

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 Milford Sound. 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 modern, welcoming, and friendly city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a world renowned, remote, and iconic fiord. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing and hiking.

Kuala Lumpur and Milford Sound: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Milford Sound, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kuala Lumpur is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Milford Sound is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Milford Sound and is known for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. Also, Kuala Lumpur is famous for The Petronas Twin Towers. Milford Sound is well known for its iconic hiking trails, stunning boat tours, and dramatic mountains.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Milford Sound?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound Better for Skiing?

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

Milford Sound offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. Many locals head to the snow-capped peaks to enjoy skiing, but if you're unfamiliar with the area, a ski tour is your best option.

Kuala Lumpur is not a skiing destination.

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

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. However, Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kuala Lumpur has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

While Milford Sound is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. You'll find a restaurant or two in the small town of Milford Sound. Your best option is the Milford Sound Lodge. In the park you'll want to come prepared with your own food. Many organized tours include a picnic lunch.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Milford Sound is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Milford Sound is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound Better for Hiking?

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

Milford Sound is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the world's best hikes. It's also, arguably, the most famous hike in New Zealand. The 53 kilometer trek takes you from Lake Te Anau through stunning scenery, alpine settings, and across spectacular suspension bridges.

Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Kuala Lumpur specifically to go shopping. 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.

Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Milford Sound are excellent 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.

Milford Sound is a very kid-friendly city. The outdoor wonders will impress the kids as much as the adults. There are shorter walks that are family-friendly and the boat rides are also fun for the whole family. You can take a scenic flight or visit the stunning Mirror Lakes. This really is a playground for both kids and adults.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Milford Sound 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 Milford Sound frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This is one of the most stunning natural areas in the world, and the romance comes from the spectacular beauty, world class hikes, and breathtaking surroundings that will leave you awed and inspired.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Milford Sound is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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 Milford Sound. The area's remoteness and high price tag make it a bit challenging for backpackers and budget travelers. If you have plenty of time and enough money, it is truly a not to be missed destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Milford Sound is not popular with 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.

Milford Sound is not popular with students.

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

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Kuala Lumpur is top-notch. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

Public transit is generally limited in Milford Sound. There are buses in the area, but private vehicles or organized tours are your best option for getting around.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its walkability.

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable destination. 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.

Milford Sound is not a walkable city. This is one of the most remote places in New Zealand so you really must have a car or organized transportation to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Milford Sound or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound?

Kuala Lumpur and Milford Sound both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Milford Sound than Kuala Lumpur 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 2-6 days is enough time in Milford Sound.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Milford Sound. 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 Milford Sound. 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 Milford Sound 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 Milford Sound?

Kuala Lumpur is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Milford Sound, many people enjoy the skiing that this breathtaking fiord offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Milford Sound?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Milford Sound is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Milford Sound?

Kuala Lumpur is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Milford Sound, many people enjoy the skiing that this iconic destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 hiking. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milford Sound 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, and The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Milford Sound?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 3340 times larger than the population of Milford Sound. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Milford Sound, 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.