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

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise. 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, Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Kuala Lumpur travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a thrilling, active, and ritzy city. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Kuala Lumpur and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Surfers Paradise, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kuala Lumpur is better known for its museums and attractions, food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Surfers Paradise is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Kuala Lumpur and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. Kuala Lumpur is well 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.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Surfers Paradise. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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

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

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Surfers Paradise makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise just to party. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Surfers Paradise for its luxury resorts. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Kuala Lumpur is not a resort destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Kuala Lumpur is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Surfers Paradise offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Surfers Paradise offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

Shoppers can find a variety of world-class stores in both Kuala Lumpur and Surfers Paradise.

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 Surfers Paradise make it a world-class shopping destination. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise More Beautiful?

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Surfers Paradise is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors from all around. This city's beauty really comes from the welcoming and helpful personality of its residents, but the neighborhoods also have historic charm and character.

Surfers Paradise is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is very family-friendly. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

Kuala Lumpur is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise Better for Students?

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

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

Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise 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, Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Kuala Lumpur. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Kuala Lumpur 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

People visit Kuala Lumpur because there is so much to do. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Surfers Paradise, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this thrilling city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Surfers Paradise?

People visit Kuala Lumpur because there is so much to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Surfers Paradise is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

Kuala Lumpur is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Surfers Paradise, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this active destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Surfers Paradise is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

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 Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Kuala Lumpur during the autumn 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Surfers Paradise. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches.

In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Kuala Lumpur