BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO MALAYSIA | TOP SIGHTS | ENTRY | CURRENCY | PENANG ISLAND GUIDE | KUALA LUMPUR GUIDE

Perhentian Islands Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Batu Caves

Welcome to our Malaysia travel blog. Malaysia is a diverse and exciting travel destination. Thanks to its good connections to Thailand, Indonesia, and the mainland of the Indo-Pacific, Malaysia is a convenient hub for Southeast Asia. Here, diverse cultures meet, forming an exciting mix of Chinese, Arabs, Indians, Malays, as well as British, Dutch, and Portuguese. In the up-and-coming metropolis Kuala Lumpur, you can experience modern Malaysia. On this page, you’ll learn everything about Malaysia and get our best travel tips.

Popular cities include Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Malacca, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. A trip to the beautiful Cameron Highlands is especially recommended. Popular islands in Malaysia include Penang, Langkawi, Pangkor, Tioman, Perhentian Islands, Sipadan, Mabul, and Kapalai. If you travel to Borneo, you can also marvel at the last wild orangutans in the world.

OUR TRAVEL PLANNING TOOLS

For our trips, we use platforms and tools that support us with booking and planning. Whether flights, accommodations, rental cars, or activities – here you will find our favorites, which are reliable and practical, so that your travel planning is uncomplicated and stress-free:

Rental car: Cheap rental car*
Hotels: Booking.com*
‍♀️ Excursions: GetYourGuide*
✈️ Flights: Skyscanner.de*
E-SIM: Airalo*
Secure internet: NordVPN*
Travel guide: DuMont Malaysia*
Entry: Federal Foreign Office
Packing list: Our Amazon Shop*

MALAYSIA TRAVEL BLOG & TRAVEL REPORTS

TRAVEL BLOG MALAYSIA

25-35 °C ☀️ 8-12 h 10-15

Malaysia is a truly diverse travel destination in Southeast Asia and consists of two main regions: West Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula, bordering Thailand to the north, and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, which it shares with Indonesia and Brunei. Both parts of the country are separated by about 300 kilometers of the South China Sea.

Quick Facts Malaysia

  • Capital: Kuala Lumpur
  • Population: approx. 33 million
  • Languages: Malay (official language), English, Chinese, Tamil
  • Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
  • Time zone: MYT (UTC+8)
  • Religions: Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism

Map of Malaysia

POPULAR EXCURSIONS & TOURS

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MALAYSIA TRAVEL BLOG & TRAVEL TIPS

Pulau Tioman

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO MALAYSIA

In principle, you can travel to Malaysia all year round. A tropical climate and temperatures between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius await you. However, the best time to travel depends on the region: In West Malaysia on the peninsula, the months November to March are ideal, as this is the dry season.

For East Malaysia on Borneo, the period from May to September is particularly suitable, as there is less rainfall there. Monsoon seasons vary by region, but usually only result in short, heavy rain showers that rarely significantly impact travel.

Learn more here: The best time to travel to Malaysia

KL Towers Kuala Lumpur

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS

What we particularly like about Malaysia is the mixture of nature, culture, and modernity. In Kuala Lumpur, the imposing Petronas Towers are impressive, while George Town and Melaka boast colonial architecture. The Cameron Highlands beckon with tea plantations, and Taman Negara National Park with untouched rainforest.

In Borneo, you can climb Mount Kinabalu and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Center. Other popular islands include Langkawi, the Perhentian Islands, and Sipadan. The latter awaits you with paradisiacal beaches and a spectacular underwater world.

Find out more here: The most beautiful sights in Malaysia.

Currency Malaysia ATM

CURRENCY IN THE COUNTRY

In Malaysia, you pay with the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), often simply referred to as “Ringgit.” One ringgit is divided into 100 sen. Cash is especially important in markets and smaller towns, while card payments are widespread in cities and tourist areas.

ATMs are available in many places, and exchanging euros or US dollars is easy and usually cheaper at exchange offices than at banks. We recommend a travel credit card, which allows you to withdraw cash and pay locally for free.

Learn more here: All about the currency in Malaysia.

Podcast Flugangst Flugzeug

ENTERING MALAYSIA

To enter Malaysia, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your entry date. Temporary passports are not accepted, and damaged passports may result in denial of entry.

As of January 1, 2024, all foreign travelers must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online no later than three days prior to arrival. Please note that entry requirements are subject to change. We therefore recommend obtaining the latest information from the Malaysian authorities or the Malaysian embassy before traveling.

You can find out more here: Everything about entering Malaysia.

Health Vaccination Doctor

HEALTH & VACCINATIONS

Medical care in Malaysia is well-developed in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, with modern facilities and English-speaking staff. However, in rural areas, particularly on Borneo, care is limited, which is why we recommend a well-stocked first-aid kit and international health insurance.

There are no mandatory vaccinations, but standard vaccinations such as tetanus, measles, and diphtheria should be up to date. Hepatitis A is recommended as a travel vaccination; others such as rabies or typhoid may be useful depending on your travel needs.

Learn more here: Entry into Malaysia & Travel insurance.

Thaipusam Festival

SAFETY IN MALAYSIA

Malaysia is a generally safe travel destination with a stable political situation and an open, hospitable population. However, in cities like Kuala Lumpur or Penang, as everywhere else, vigilance never hurts. Keep an eye on your valuables, especially in busy areas, to prevent theft or pickpocketing. At night, you should be a little more cautious in less frequented neighborhoods and when taking taxis – apps like Grab are a good alternative here.

In rural areas and on Borneo, you don’t really have to worry. However, it is important to be careful when engaging in outdoor activities: strong currents on beaches, rough terrain, or wildlife can pose risks. With common sense and a little caution, nothing will stand in the way of your adventure.

Handy Smartphone WLAN Internet

INTERNET IN MALAYSIA

In Malaysia, you can easily access the internet as a tourist. In cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Johor Bahru, free Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere—in hotels, restaurants, cafés, and even in many public facilities.

If you want to stay online while on the go, a local SIM card is worthwhile. You can get affordable prepaid packages with fast 4G and sometimes even 5G from providers like Maxis (Hotlink), Digi, or Celcom. A SIM card often costs less than €10 and contains several gigabytes of data. Alternatively, you can easily use the eSIM from Airalo*.

Food Malaysia

FOOD IN MALAYSIA

The food in Malaysia is varied and incredibly delicious! Malaysian cuisine combines influences from Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine, resulting in a huge variety.

Typical dishes such as nasi lemak (rice with coconut milk, egg, and sambal), roti canai (flat bread with curry), laksa (spicy noodle soup), char kway teow (fried rice noodles), and nasi goreng (fried rice with vegetables) are definitely worth trying.

You can find authentic food at reasonable prices, especially at night markets and street food stalls. Whether you like street food or eating out in restaurants, you’ll always find something delicious in Malaysia!

Malaysia Travel Blog – Highlights, Travel Tips & Insider

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transport in Malaysia is well-developed, especially in cities like Kuala Lumpur, where there is a reliable network of trains, buses, and the MRT. Tickets are inexpensive, and many routes can be easily planned using apps like Grab. In more rural areas or on islands like Langkawi, however, you’ll often have to rely on rental cars, scooters, or private taxis.

The long-distance bus network in Malaysia is very well developed, and it’s fun to travel on the usually very comfortable buses. Providers like Transnasional and Konsortium reliably connect many cities and regions. The best place to book bus, train, or ferry tickets is www.easybook.com or www.12go.com*.

The links marked with * are affiliate links. If you book something through one of these links, we will receive a small commission. This allows us to continue financing this free platform. There are no additional costs for you.

Image credits

  • Perhentian Island beach by haveseen | istock.com
  • Kuala Lumpur skyline by SeanPavonePhoto | istock.com
  • Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia by Martina Birnbaum | istock.com
  • Tioman Island in Malaysia by AsianDream | istock.com
  • Kuala Lumpur skyline by a_Taiga | istock.com
  • Money Malaysia by Andrzej Rostek | istock.com
  • Doctor & Patient by SARINYAPINNGAM | istock.com
  • Woman with Cell Phone by ipopba | istock.com
  • Indian Food by Simon Furlong | istock.com
  • Bus Riding by EyeEm Mobile GmbH | istock.com