Is Malaysia Expensive?

Is Malaysia expensive to visit?

While Malaysia is a popular destination, it is also fairly affordable and not very expensive to visit. Compared to other countries in Asia, travelers find it to be a moderately priced country. Ranked in the top 50% of countries in Asia for its travel costs, our cost analysis found it to be comparable to countries such as China and Thailand.

Malaysia is not frequented by travelers as much as other countries, but it still offers destinations that attract plenty of visitors. One of the most expensive places to visit in Malaysia is Penang. For more affordability, you can visit Kota Kinabalu.

Average daily price of selected cities in Malaysia, by affordability

How expensive is Malaysia?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Malaysia tends to be around $81 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Malaysia here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Malaysia?

On average, a one week trip to Malaysia costs about $569 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,137.

How expensive is a two week trip to Malaysia?

A two week trip to Malaysia costs about $1,137 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $2,274.

How expensive is a month long trip to Malaysia?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to Malaysia costs around $2,437 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $4,873.

Is it expensive to backpack in Malaysia?

Malaysia is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 110 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $9 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Malaysia here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and Penang. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Melaka and Kota Kinabalu has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $7 and $7 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Johor Bahru and Kuching with an average cost of $10 and $9 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Malaysia.

• $8 for a dorm bed at Sunshine Bedz KL in Kuala Lumpur
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• $8 for a dorm bed at Faloe Hostel in Kota Kinabalu
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• $10 for a dorm bed at House of Journey in Penang
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Where to find affordable hostels in Malaysia

Are hotels expensive in Malaysia?

When considering the analysis of hotel prices in Malaysia, it becomes apparent that they are notably more budget-friendly compared to other countries. The average nightly price for a hotel room is around $29. However, within Malaysia, be aware of varying prices across cities, with destinations like Tanah Rata commanding a higher average of $42 per night. For those looking for more economical choices, Penang offers a budget-friendly alternative, with hotel prices averaging $6 per night.

Where to find affordable hotels in Malaysia

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Malaysia?

Activities and things to do in Malaysia can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $26 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.

• Night Froggy Adventure at Kubah National Park: $52
• Half-Day Geopark Mangrove Kayaking Adventure: $56
• Kuala Lumpur InfoFun Walking Tour Experience: $29
• Lebam River Kayaking Adventure: $64
• Penang Tour With Your Experience Personal Driver : $100
• KL Tour with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave: $145
• Fireflies & Silver leaf monkey Gazing tour: $60
• Langkawi Jet Ski Tour Silver Package with Free Drone Video: $75

Is food expensive in Malaysia?

Food in Malaysia can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $18 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

• Food Tour at Penang - Eat Like a Local, Feel Like a Local: $120
• Silver Leaf Monkeys and Firefly Tour with Boat Ride and Seafood Dinner : $181
• Amazing Local Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur: $90
• Private Kuala Selangor Firefly Day Trip Include Dinner &Boat Ride: $75
• Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $50
• Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62

Is transportation expensive in Malaysia?

Local transportation in Malaysia can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $12 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Intercity transportation in Malaysia can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $42 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.

More for Malaysia

If you're planning a trip to Malaysia, check out these other informative travel guides.

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.