Which city 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.
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 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.
Foodies will find both Kuala Lumpur and Washington both to be unique 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. You can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here, so it's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone.
The 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. Head into Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington to enjoy some of the area's best nightlife.
Shoppers can find a variety of stores in both Kuala Lumpur and Washington.
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.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Washington are 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.
Kuala Lumpur and Washington both fun 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.
Washington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show.
Both Kuala Lumpur and Washington are popular 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.
Visitors will find 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.
Kuala Lumpur and Washington are similar 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.
Getting around Washington on foot is easy. 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.
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 Kuala Lumpur.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Kuala Lumpur is 1-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Washington is 3-7 days.
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 international 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $51, while the average daily cost in Washington is $155. 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 city. 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.
Washington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a tropical climate with fairly warm weather most of the year.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Washington. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. 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 temperature in Kuala Lumpur is usually 28°C (82°F) in July, and Washington stays 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. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. 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 are around 27°C (81°F), and Washington is 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. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. 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. Temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Washington stays 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. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur 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 temperature in Kuala Lumpur is usually 28°C (82°F) in April, and Washington stays 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) |
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