How much does a trip to Malaysia Cost?
The Cost of a Trip to Malaysia
For a trip to Malaysia, you should plan for daily costs anywhere between $36 to $320. If there's two of you traveling, your daily expenses could range from $73 to $640. These price ranges are based on the average daily spending of $103 (RM449) per person which comes from the travel expenses of other visitors. These costs include food, accommodation, sightseeing activities, and getting around locally. Keep in mind, though, these figures can vary somewhat based on your individual travel style, level of luxury, and chosen activities. Destinations across the country, such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu, might might vary somewhat from the overall average price, but they usually stick close to this range. Read on for a breakdown of travel typical expenses as well as a comparison of tour prices versus Independent travel.
How much money should you budget for your trip to Malaysia?
If you're traveling independently in Malaysia, budget travelers should plan to spend around $36 (RM159) a day for their trip. This includes stays at budget hotels or hostels, affordable food options, local transportation, and low-cost activities. For those on a mid-range budget, plan for around $103 (RM449) a day which would cover the cost of a typical hotel, normal restaurants, and a variety of major attractions. Higher-end luxury travelers should allow for $320 (RM1,402) per day, which allows for luxury hotel stays, nice restaurants, and private tour options. These price ranges are based on our extensive travel cost data for Malaysia from other travelers along with hotel and tour data from travel companies.
| 3 Days | 7 Days | 14 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation1 | $142 | $332 | $663 |
| Intercity Transportation1 | $158 | $368 | $736 |
| Local Transportation1 | $39 | $90 | $180 |
| Food2 | $98 | $229 | $458 |
| Water2 | $3 | $7 | $14 |
| Entertainment1 | $84 | $196 | $392 |
| Souvenirs1 | $38 | $89 | $177 |
| Communication2 | $8 | $19 | $38 |
| Living Expenses2 | $67 | $156 | $312 |
| Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1 | $4 | $10 | $20 |
| Alcohol2 | $35 | $82 | $164 |
| Tips and Handouts1 | $7 | $17 | $33 |
How much does a one week trip to Malaysia cost?
On average, visitors to Malaysia spend between $254 and $2,240 for their week-long adventure, with the average being $718. This covers sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a duration of one week, you'll have the opportunity to explore one, two, or even three locations within Malaysia, depending on the level of depth you desire for your visit. Some of the most popular places to consider exploring are Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu. It's important to note that these figures are averages and can vary based on personal preferences and choices. Ultimately, the goal is to create a memorable and enjoyable experience tailored to your specific interests.
Penang, Malaysia
How much does a two week trip to Malaysia cost?
With two weeks, you should budget between $509 and $4,479 for your trip to Malaysia. The average price for a two week trip is $1,436. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as Melaka and Johor Bahru.
How much does a one month trip to Malaysia cost?
With a month-long trip to Malaysia, expenses can be anywhere from $1,091 to $9,599 with the average being $3,076. The cost of travel is dependent on your overall style of travel. If you have a full month, you'll likely want to stay at a vacation rental with a kitchen during at least part of your trip so that you can prepare your own meals. Backpackers often prefer hostels for the same reason. Hostels also offer a more social atmosphere at a very affordable price range.
Hostel Prices in Malaysia
With more than 120 hostels in Malaysia, the average price is $9 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in Malaysia not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in Malaysia here.
| Number of Hostels | Average Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 44 | $9 |
| Kota Kinabalu | 22 | $9 |
| Penang | 15 | $8 |
| Melaka | 10 | $7 |
| Kuching | 9 | $8 |
| Ipoh | 7 | $8 |
| Johor Bahru | 6 | $11 |
| Sandakan | 3 | $8 |
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Malaysia.
- $8 for a dorm bed at Sunshine Bedz KL in Kuala Lumpur
- $9 for a dorm bed at Faloe Hostel in Kota Kinabalu
- $11 for a dorm bed at House of Journey in Penang
Hotel Prices in Malaysia
You'll find a wide range of hotel options across Malaysia. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in Malaysia.
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Penang | $42 |
| Tanah Rata | $42 |
| Melaka | $33 |
| Kota Kinabalu | $31 |
| Sandakan | $31 |
| Kuala Lumpur | $30 |
| Johor Bahru | $21 |
Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in Malaysia?
Organized tours and independent travel are essentially the two main ways to plan a trip to Malaysia. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, with travel experts handling all the logistical details and the added benefit of an expert guide imparting valuable insights. This option is favored by those who appreciate the convenience and ease provided by tours that often include transportation and expert guides.
On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages, allowing for greater freedom and flexibility in customizing itineraries and exploring at one's own pace. This option appeals to individuals who value spontaneity and control, enabling them to immerse themselves in local culture on a deeper level.
Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on personal preferences and travel style, considering factors such as convenience, guidance, and flexibility.
Comparing Trip Costs in Malaysia
When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.
| Organized Package Tours | Independent Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip Cost | $1,048 - $1,048 | $109 - $960 |
| 7-Day Trip Cost | $693 - $3,199 | $254 - $2,240 |
| 10-Day Trip Cost | $716 - $9,059 | $364 - $3,200 |
| 14-Day Trip Cost | $1,549 - $5,400 | $509 - $4,479 |
Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons
Organized Tours
Pros- An expert guide familiar with the culture
- Convenient transportation
- Fellow travelers to socialize with
- Well researched activities
- Efficient and thought out itinerary
- The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
- Limited options
- Usually not customizable
- The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
- Usually more expensive than independent travel
- There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community
Independent Travel
Pros- Completely customizable
- Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
- Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
- Freedom to move at your own pace
- Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
- More affordable
- Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
- Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
- Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
- Popular sights may sell out well in advance
- If something goes wrong, you're on your own
Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in Malaysia?
Organized tours average $219 per day in Malaysia, and are generally all-inclusive with one large payment. Independent trips usually average $103 (RM449) per day, and include individual payments to hotels, local transportation, food, and sightseeing. When compared, organized tours and independent trips each come with their own set of challenges and benefits. It's important to understand all aspects of both types of trips to make a fair comparison. You can see our thorough analysis of tour prices in Malaysia here.
Here are a few sample tours in Malaysia:
-
Malaysia and Singapore Highlights (8 Days) ($1,256)
8 days, 5 destinations -
Tailor-Made Private Malaysia Holiday Package, Daily Departure ($3,959)
10 days, 5 destinations -
Mount Kinabalu Trek 3D/2N ($1,048)
3 days, 2 destinations -
Customized Private Malaysia Borneo Wildlife Tour, Daily Departure ($9,059)
10 days, 3 destinations -
Tailor-Made 1 Week Private Malaysia Tour, Daily Departure ($3,199)
7 days, 3 destinations
More for Malaysia
If you're planning a trip to 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.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
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.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.