Malaysia Tours 2027 & 2028

Malaysia is a laid-back wonderland of varied landscapes from dynamic cities and time-honored cultural heritage to scenic islands and mysterious rainforests. For first-time visitors, the top 5 best places should not be missed: the world’s highest Petronas Twin Towers in the capital Kuala Lumpur, the oldest city Malacca, the mural-adorned George Town of Penang, Langkawi perfect for island hopping, and Cameron Highlands dotted with lush tea gardens and farms.

Blessed with two main landmasses, the country offers different optimal travel periods. If your itinerary primarily focuses on West Malaysia, like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi, Nov-Feb is the best travel window, thanks to the crisp, relatively dry weather and multiple grand events. May-Sep is the best time to visit East Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak, favorable for rainforest adventures with wildlife viewing and snorkeling.

May-Sep in West Malaysia and Nov-Mar in East Malaysia may be the cheapest months, with much lower prices of hotels and flights, but they mostly fall within the monsoon season with heavy rainfall, and some beach resorts on the east coast may even be closed. If your trip can only be scheduled during these periods, you might consider May and June.

With a tropical rainforest climate, Malaysia is sultry year-round, with temperatures of 25-34℃ (77-93℉). Thus, it’s advisable to bring light, breathable summer clothes, such as short-sleeved shirts, shorts or skirts, and sandals. Other must-haves are a compact all-weather umbrella, sunglasses, sunblock, and insect repellent.

Beach vacationers should remember to pack swimwear, bath towels, and waterproof phone pouches. As for mountain climbing and rainforest excursions, it’s recommended to prepare thin sportswear that covers the whole body and comfortable hiking boots, as well as carry medical alcohol in case of a leech bite.

Flying is the fastest, most convenient option, with an hour-long journey.

However, if you have ample time and wish to admire rural landscapes, consider a combination of train and ferry, totally taking 8-9 hours. The two specific routes are shown as below:
1. Board a 5-hour ETS (Electric Train Service) from Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station to Alor Setar Railway Station → Make a 30-minute taxi trip to Kuala Kedah Jetty → Take a nearly 2-hour ferry ride to Langkawi.
2. Board a 5-plus-hour ETS from Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station to Arau Railway Station → Make a 25-minute taxi trip to Kuala Perlis Jetty → Take a 1-hour ferry ride to Langkawi.

Yes, both are pretty much equally affordable. The following information is for your reference:

	Malaysia	Thailand
Budget Hostels	USD 10-25	USD 5-20
Mid-range Hotels	USD 50-100	USD 40-90
Street Food Stalls	USD 2-3	around USD 5
Moderate Restaurants	USD 5-10	USD 20-30
Taxi (< 10 km)	under USD 6	USD 4-5.5
Activities	free or quite cheap	free or quite cheap
Tours & Excursions	USD 10-50	USD 20-100

If you’re a first-time traveler to Southeast Asia, Malaysia is your better bet, owing to its modern conveniences, cost-effective intercity transport, well-developed facilities, and rich cuisine. Indonesia is well-known for its majestic volcanos, sacred temples, and more primitive natural beauty, but transportation and amenities are underdeveloped, making it more suitable for seasoned adventurers. You can also travel both at once, as they are just neighbors.

Of course you can! However, as a multi-religious society, Malaysia is rich in mosques, temples, and churches, where your shoulders and knees should be moderately covered. Women can consider preparing for a large shawl, while men are better to pack a pair of long pants.

Also, there are other taboos you need to know:
1. Please avoid kissing, hugging, and other intimate behaviors in public places in this Muslim country.
2. It’s not recommended to touch the head of locals, including kids, due to local customs and beliefs.
3. It’s better to use your right hand to give something and eat, since the left hand is considered impure in Muslim culture.
4. Please do not openly discuss and mock sensitive issues of religion and race.