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Malaysia travel guide
Rainforests, island beaches and a mix of food cultures.
Malaysia combines modern cities like Kuala Lumpur with rainforest, highlands and tropical islands. Its Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures create amazing food, especially in Penang, while Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo offer wildlife and Mount Kinabalu.
Travel tools
Getting there
Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main hub, with other international airports including Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Langkawi; land crossings link to Singapore and Thailand, and ferries connect with Indonesia.
Best time to visit: Dec–Apr for the west coast; Apr–Oct for the east coast islands.
Tougher months: November to February brings the north-east monsoon to the east coast, when many island resorts close.
Weather by month in Kuala Lumpur
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- 33°F●●
- 33°M●●
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- 33°M●●
- 33°J●
- 32°J●
- 32°A●
- 32°S●●
- 32°O●●●
- 32°N●●●
- 32°D●●
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Kuching, Asia/Singapore. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 167 of 198 other passports can enter Malaysia without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 28 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 3 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Malaysia (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-02-22). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Malaysia travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Malaysia are based around Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Penang or Malacca. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$30–45 for a backpacker and US$80–150 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Malaysia page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: G. Voltage: 240 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +60.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Kuala Lumpur (Peninsula · capital): A buzzing capital of skyscrapers, night markets, mosques, temples and food courts.
- George Town, Penang (North-west · heritage & food): Malaysia's food capital, with colonial architecture and vibrant street art.
- Malacca (South-west · colonial history): Portuguese, Dutch and British heritage along a riverside old town.
- Langkawi (North-west · islands): Duty-free islands with beaches, mangroves and rainforest-covered peaks.
- Cameron Highlands (Central · tea country): Cool air, tea estates, strawberry farms and jungle trails.
- Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu (Sabah, Borneo · mountains & islands): Gateway to Borneo's highest peak, marine parks and wildlife.
- Kuching (Sarawak, Borneo · culture & nature): A laid-back riverside city near orangutan reserves and Bako National Park.
- Perhentian Islands (East coast · beaches): Turquoise water, coral reefs and simple beach huts.
Things to do
- Eat your way through Penang. Graze on char kway teow, laksa and nasi kandar at George Town's legendary hawker stalls.
- Climb Mount Kinabalu. Summit Borneo's highest peak at sunrise after a night in a mountain hut.
- See orangutans in Borneo. Watch rescued orangutans at Sepilok or Semenggoh and look for wild ones along the Kinabatangan River.
- Explore Batu Caves. Climb colourful stairs past a giant golden statue to a Hindu temple inside a limestone cave.
- Dive Sipadan. Swim with turtles, sharks and barracuda tornadoes at one of the world's top dive sites.
- Wander George Town's street art. Explore murals, clan houses and shophouses in a UNESCO-listed old town.
- Trek Taman Negara. Walk the canopy bridges of one of the oldest rainforests on Earth.
- Island-hop the Perhentians. Snorkel clear waters and relax on white-sand beaches off the east coast.
Source: full Malaysia guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Nasi lemak – coconut rice with sambal, peanuts and egg
- Char kway teow – smoky fried flat noodles
- Laksa – spicy noodle soup
- Roti canai – flaky flatbread with curry
Source: RoamSun Malaysia guide
Money and safety
Currency: Malaysian ringgit (MYR). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not expected; a service charge is often added.
Emergency numbers: 999 all emergencies.
- The currency is the Malaysian ringgit.
- Cards are widely accepted in cities, while cash is needed for hawker stalls, markets and rural areas; ATMs are common.
- Malaysia is generally safe, but watch for bag snatching by motorbike riders in cities – carry bags away from the road.
- Check your government's travel advice for the east coast of Sabah before visiting remote islands.
Source: RoamSun Malaysia facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Malaysia?
Dec–Apr for the west coast; Apr–Oct for the east coast islands. Hot and humid all year, with monsoon rains that affect each coast at different times.
What time zone is Malaysia in?
Malaysia uses Asia/Kuching, Asia/Singapore.
Do I need a visa for Malaysia?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 167 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 28 need an e-visa or eTA and 3 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Malaysia use?
Malaysia uses plug type G at 240 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Malaysia?
The international calling code for Malaysia is +60.
Do you tip in Malaysia?
Not expected; a service charge is often added.
What is the emergency number in Malaysia?
999 all emergencies.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Malaysia?
Traffic drives on the left.