Which place is cheaper, Washington 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 Washington. 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 colorful, historic, and modern 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.
Washington is a diverse, active, and monument-filled city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Washington than Kuala Lumpur. While Kuala Lumpur is larger than Washington, Washington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Washington is more popular for its theatre productions, music, hiking, and quaint atmosphere, while Kuala Lumpur is known for its shopping and big city activities. Kuala Lumpur is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. Washington is popular for its reputation as the capital of the United States, but it's also known for its many monuments, memorials, and museums. It is also home to The Washington Monument and the White House.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Washington and Kuala Lumpur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the first-rate sights and museums in either Kuala Lumpur or Washington.
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 Washington are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.
Washington is a very popular place for theatre. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a theatre destination.
Washington offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.
Kuala Lumpur is not a theatre destination.
Foodies will find both Kuala Lumpur and Washington both to be first-rate 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, Washington is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.
The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Kuala Lumpur and Washington.
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.
Washington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.
Washington is a good destination for live music. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.
You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Washington. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.
Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.
Washington is a decent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.
Washington has hiking trails if you want to get outside. Just outside of Washington DC you'll find plenty of places to go hiking. There's also an elaborate bike and walking trail system in the city. To enjoy a bit of nature, head to Teddy Roosevelt Island.
Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.
Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Washington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.
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.
Washington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.
Washington is a world-class destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Kuala Lumpur does not offer Christmas activities.
Washington offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. With it's beautiful lights and holiday shows, Christmas is beautiful in the capital of the United States.
Kuala Lumpur does not offer Christmas activities.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Washington are high quality 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.
Washington is a very kid-friendly city. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world. The city has nationally recognized landmarks, monuments, and memorials and it's also home to some of the best (free) museums in the United States including the world class Smithsonian Institutions. Many schools visit Washington DC as a field trip, particularly during the Spring months, so you'll kids groups in colorful t-shirts running around the National Mall.
Kuala Lumpur and Washington both high quality 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 Washington frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show. During the Spring months you'll find couples wandering through the Cherry Blossoms or along the waterfront.
Kuala Lumpur is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Washington is not a good destination 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.
Washington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it is an international travel destination, the city often isn't at the top of most backpacker's lists. There are some affordable accommodation options available though if you know where to look.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Washington are first-rate 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 Washington. International students come from around the world to study, learn, intern, and work in the capital of the United States. There are many internships available through the federal government as well as NGOs and nonprofits.
Visitors will find first-rate public transit in both Kuala Lumpur and Washington.
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 Washington can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.
Washington 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 Washington. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.
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 Washington Worth Visiting?.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Washington have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Washington 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 Washington.
Families should spend more time in Washington than Kuala Lumpur. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Washington, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Washington than Kuala Lumpur. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Washington that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Washington 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.
When visiting Kuala Lumpur, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kuala Lumpur, one day is sufficent for most.
In Washington, many people enjoy the live music and food that this monument-filled city offers. 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.
When visiting Kuala Lumpur, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Washington is a fun place to experience. 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.
Kuala Lumpur, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
In Washington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this monument-filled big city offers. 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 place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Washington is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. 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 2-Week Tours from Kuala Lumpur, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, while the average daily cost in Washington is $198. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kuala Lumpur and Washington in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Washington? 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 Washington are as follows:
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Washington 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:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Washington, we can see that Washington 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 Washington is in North America, 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington 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 Washington Expensive?.
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Washington, 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.
Washington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, many visitors come to Washington in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Washington in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Washington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Washington during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Washington. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Washington. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Washington for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Washington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Washington averages at about 60°F (15°C).
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Washington. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 197 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Washington. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Washington and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Washington because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Washington can be very cold. In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Washington during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Washington. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Washington and Kuala Lumpur during the spring 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, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Washington in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Washington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Washington. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 228 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Washington. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Kuala Lumpur | Washington | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |