Malaysia travel guide

Petronas Twin Towers

Kuala Lumpur

Skybridge and observation deck — book timed tickets

Batu Caves

Selangor

Hindu cave temples up 272 rainbow steps

Cameron Highlands

Pahang

Cool tea plantations and jungle trails

Mount Kinabalu

Sabah

Climb with a licensed guide and permit — book well ahead

Taman Negara

Pahang

Ancient rainforest with a canopy walkway

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Sabah

See orangutans at feeding times

Penang Hill

Penang

Funicular to views over George Town

Perhentian Islands

Terengganu

Clear water and snorkelling (best March–October)

Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, Chinatown and Bukit Bintang

Guides in Kuala →

George Town

Penang’s UNESCO-listed heritage city of street art and hawker food

Guides in George →

Malacca

Historic port with Dutch, Portuguese and Peranakan heritage

Guides in Malacca →

Kota Kinabalu

Sabah’s capital, gateway to Mount Kinabalu and island parks

Guides in Kota →

Kuching

Riverside capital of Sarawak, near orangutan centres and national parks

Guides in Kuching →

Ipoh

Colonial old town, cave temples and famous food

Guides in Ipoh →

✈️ Kuala Lumpur — KLIA (KUL)

• KLIA Ekspres non-stop train to KL Sentral (about 30 minutes from Terminal 1)
• KLIA Transit stops at intermediate stations
• Grab rides and airport coaches to KL Sentral

✈️ Penang — Penang International (PEN)

• Grab or taxis to George Town (about 30–45 minutes)
• Rapid Penang buses

✈️ Kota Kinabalu — Kota Kinabalu International (BKI)

• Grab or taxis into the city (about 15–20 minutes)
• Airport shuttle bus to the city centre

🚆 Getting around

• Rapid KL LRT, MRT and monorail cover Kuala Lumpur — use a Touch ’n Go card or contactless bank card
• Grab is the main ride-hailing app nationwide
• KTM ETS electric trains run up the west coast (KL–Ipoh–Butterworth for Penang)
• Domestic flights connect Peninsular Malaysia with Borneo; long-distance buses are cheap and comfortable

🙏 Culture & etiquette

• Remove shoes before entering homes, mosques and some temples
• Dress modestly at mosques — robes are often provided for visitors
• Use your right hand to give and eat; point with your thumb, not your finger
• Don’t show public displays of affection, especially in conservative areas
• During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in front of fasting people in public

📍 Places, scams & seasons

• Watch for bag snatchers on motorbikes in cities — walk away from the kerb
• Eastern Sabah coast and islands have security restrictions — check advisories
• Monsoon season (Nov–Mar) closes many east-coast island resorts
• Check the UK Foreign Office or your government’s advisory for current warnings

⚖️ Laws & restrictions

• Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty; possession brings heavy penalties
• Criticising the royalty or making remarks seen as insulting religion or race is illegal
• Vaping and e-cigarette rules vary by state — some ban sales outright
• Same-sex relations are criminalised
• Carry your passport or a copy

💬 Words & topics to avoid

• Avoid jokes about religion, race or the royal family
• Don’t call Malaysians “Indonesian” or “Singaporean”
• Keep criticism polite and indirect

Kuala Lumpur

Bukit Bintang (shopping, nightlife), KLCC (towers, upscale), Chinatown (budget), Bangsar (local cafes)

Stay near an LRT or MRT station

George Town

Heritage core around Armenian Street and Lebuh Chulia

Walkable to street art and hawker centres

Langkawi

Pantai Cenang (lively beach) or Tanjung Rhu (quiet)

Rent a car or use Grab — little public transport

Budget idea

Hostels and guesthouses in KL’s Chinatown and George Town

Cheap, social and central

Jalan Alor

Kuala Lumpur

Busy night-time street-food strip

Gurney Drive Hawker Centre

George Town, Penang

Seafront hawker classics like char kway teow and laksa

Jonker Street Night Market

Malacca

Weekend night market with Peranakan snacks

Kota Kinabalu Night Market

Kota Kinabalu

Waterfront seafood grilled to order

Nasi lemak

Coconut rice with sambal, anchovies, peanuts and egg — the national dish

Char kway teow

Wok-fried flat noodles, a Penang favourite

Laksa

Spicy noodle soup — Penang assam (sour) or curry styles

Roti canai

Flaky flatbread with curry dip

Satay

Grilled skewers with peanut sauce

Cendol

Shaved ice with coconut milk, palm sugar and green jelly

Chinese New Year

January/February

Nationwide, especially Penang and KL

Thaipusam

January/February

Batu Caves

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

End of Ramadan (dates vary)

Nationwide

Deepavali

October/November

Nationwide, especially Little India areas

Hari Merdeka

31 August

Kuala Lumpur

Rainforest World Music Festival

June/July

Kuching, Sarawak

📱 SIM & eSIM

• Main networks: CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, Unifi Mobile
• Tourist prepaid SIMs at the airport with your passport; eSIMs widely available

📶 Coverage & Wi-Fi

• Good 4G/5G in cities; weaker in rainforest and remote Borneo
• Free Wi-Fi in most malls and cafes

🔌 Power plugs

240V, 50Hz — plug type G (UK-style)