Is Kuala Lumpur expensive to visit?
Kuala Lumpur is a fairly affordable travel destination with an average daily cost of $62. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Asia for its travel costs, comparable to places like Yogyakarta and Ayutthaya.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
How expensive is Kuala Lumpur?
Travelers spend an average of $62 per day when visiting Kuala Lumpur (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Kuala Lumpur here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Kuala Lumpur?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Kuala Lumpur costs around $186 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $373.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Kuala Lumpur?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Kuala Lumpur will cost around $435 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $870.
Is it expensive to backpack in Kuala Lumpur?
With more than 40 hostels around town, Kuala Lumpur is a very popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost around $9 per night. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $4 and the most expensive rooms costing about $20. (See hostel prices in Kuala Lumpur here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Kuala Lumpur.
- $8 for a dorm bed at Sunshine Bedz KL
- $11 for a dorm bed at Chinatown Hostel by Mingle
- $20 for a dorm bed at 1000 Miles (Thousand Miles)
Are hotels expensive in Kuala Lumpur?
Examining hotel prices in Kuala Lumpur, we can see that they are moderately priced when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $30. The city is equipped with about 34 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $85. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $28 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $25 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Kuala Lumpur
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 34 | $85 |
| 4 stars | 59 | $63 |
| 3 stars | 104 | $28 |
| 2 stars | 124 | $25 |
| 1 star | 6 | $17 |
| No rating | 1 | $63 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Kuala Lumpur?
In Kuala Lumpur, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $13 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $26.
- Kuala Lumpur InfoFun Walking Tour Experience: $29
- KL Tour with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave: $145
- Fireflies & Silver leaf monkey Gazing tour: $60
- Wonders of Kuala Lumpur City & Countryside + Batu Caves (Private Guided Tour) : $93
- Kuala Lumpur Walk, Eat & See Tour: $50
- Flyboard Experience - SINGLE (30mins flight): $99
- Sky Mirror Experiences at Kuala Selangor plus Batu Caves Stopover: $132
- Fascinating Kuala Lumpur Tour with 13 Famous Landmarks: $43
Is food expensive in Kuala Lumpur?
In Kuala Lumpur, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $15 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $18.
- 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
- Kuala Selangor Firefly Seafood Dinner Tour Include Free Boat Ride: $65
- Fireflies Night Tour with Seafood Dinner: $83
Is transportation expensive in Kuala Lumpur?
Local transportation in Kuala Lumpur can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $6 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $12. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Kuala Lumpur
If you're planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, check out these other informative travel guides.
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.