Travel advice for Malaysia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Malaysia
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Malaysia covers such a spread-out area that it would be impossible to see everything, but each of the following itineraries is a great way to spend time in the country. While the Peninsula Circuit is the most varied, head east to Borneo if you prefer an outdoor-focused option.
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To effectively explore the various attractions in Malaysia, you need to make a detailed itinerary. Below we have provided suggested itineraries for Malaysia that will help you fully enjoy your visit:
Each of these itineraries can be customised to suit your preferences to ensure an unforgettable journey through Malaysia's rich tapestry of landscapes and cultural treasures.
Here's an outline of an exciting 3 day Malaysia itinerary that combines city exploration, historical sights and a touch of nature that you might enjoy:
This 5 day itinerary is designed to allow you to experience Malaysia's diverse attractions, from the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur to the tranquil beaches of Langkawi. Each day is filled with a unique blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration and outdoor activities, ensuring an unforgettable and well-rounded travel experience.
Follow a 10-day journey through Malaysia as you explore its bustling cities, historic settlements, tropical islands and unspoilt nature. This carefully crafted itinerary allows you to experience the country's cultural richness and natural beauty in a well-organised and action-packed journey.
Follow a 10-day journey through Malaysia as you explore its bustling cities, historic settlements, tropical islands and unspoilt nature. This carefully crafted itinerary allows you to experience the country's cultural richness and natural beauty in a well-organised and action-packed journey.
To create a truly memorable trip, you need to carefully consider your Malaysia itinerary. Firstly, decide on the length of your stay: Malaysia offers a wealth of experiences whether you're there for 3 days or 2 weeks. Think about your main interests, be it wildlife, hiking, beaches or culture.
Choose regions that match those interests. For short trips, it's best to focus on a single region, while longer stays allow you to explore a variety of places such as the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, the historic charm of Malacca and the idyllic beaches of Langkawi.
Take weather conditions into account (more on this later): the dry season is usually better for beach holidays and exploring the city, while the monsoon season offers lush, colourful scenery and the advantage of fewer tourists. Also, book accommodation and flights well in advance, especially during peak tourist periods, to get the most out of your Malaysia experience.
The number of days you need to stay in Malaysia depends on what you want to see and do, as well as how deeply you want to explore the country. Here are general guidelines to help you plan:
Getting around Malaysia can be convenient and flexible as there are several travel options to suit different preferences and budgets:
The best time to visit Malaysia depends largely on the region you plan to visit, as the country's equatorial climate is characterised by both wet and dry seasons. Here's a general guide:
Overall, if your itinerary includes several regions in Malaysia, planning your trip between March and September will be safest to enjoy a combination of good weather in most destinations.
It was on the west coast that the British got their first toehold in the Malay Peninsula, and long exposure to colonial influence has made it in many ways the most historical, multicultural and well-developed part of Malaysia today. Nowhere epitomizes this better than the island of Penang, whose capital, George Town, is arguably the most endearing city in the country, a fascinating conglomeration of century-old temples, museums and shophouses that set the backdrop to a modern and thriving art and café scene.
Aside from Penang, the west coast’s other major attraction is Langkawi, an island best known for its pricey resort hotels, although it also has plenty of budget places to stay along its southwestern beaches. The only other significant island off this coast, Pangkor, pales in comparison, but offers a more down-to-earth seaside experience.
The 400km-long stretch from the northeastern corner of the Peninsula to Kuantan, roughly halfway down the east coast, draws visitors for two major reasons: the beaches and islands, and traditional Malay culture. Islands such as the Perhentians, Redang and Kapas offer great opportunities for diving and snorkelling; further south, the backpackers’ coastal enclave of Cherating is a deservedly popular place simply to kick back for a few days. Among the cities, vibrant Kota Bharu, close to the Thai border, stands out for its opportunities to access Malay crafts and performing arts.
The south of the Malay Peninsula, below Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan, holds some of the country’s most historically and culturally significant towns. Foremost among these is the west coast city of Melaka, founded in the fifteenth century and ushering in a Malay “golden age” under the Melaka Sultanate. For all its enduring influence, though, the sultanate was short-lived and its fall to the Portuguese early in the sixteenth century marked the start of centuries of colonial involvement in Malaysia.
Today Melaka fascinates visitors with its historical buildings and cultural blend, including the Peranakan community (also called Baba-Nyonya), which grew from the intermarriage of early Chinese immigrant traders and Malay women.
With its beguiling tribal cultures and jungled highlands, Sarawak would seem to epitomize what Borneo is all about. By far the largest state in Malaysia, it packs in a host of national parks that showcase everything from coastal swamp forest to vast cave systems, and help preserve some of the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystems.
There are numerous opportunities for short or extended treks both inside and outside these protected areas, and it’s also possible to visit remote longhouse communities, some of which can only be reached by venturing far upriver.
Sabah is, in many ways, Malaysia’s “Wild East”, a state with a frontier feel tinged by the influence of neighbouring Indonesia and the Philippines. It’s markedly different to its western neighbour Sarawak, too, despite superficial similarities: both states are largely rural, and both encompass a bewildering number of ethnic groups. But whereas Sarawak is prosperous, Sabah is often visibly poor, and – more pertinently for visitors – where Sarawak makes a big thing of its tribal cultures, in Sabah the focus is overwhelmingly on nature.
Indeed, this is arguably the very best place in Malaysia for wildlife-spotting, a fact that has kept visitors coming despite the odd security scare. Part of the reason for that focus on fauna is the paucity of Sabah’s urban heritage; in few other parts of the country do the major cities exude such a sense of rootlessness, due largely to World War II bombing.
Going to visit Malaysia as a tourist for up to 90 days? Most nationalities do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, depending on bilateral agreements between Malaysia and the traveller's home country.
To enter Malaysia as a tourist, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. In addition, you must provide proof of onward or return travel confirming that you intend to leave the country before the permitted period of entry expires.
The period of stay can vary depending on the country of origin. Most travellers are granted a visa-free stay of up to 30 or 90 days. It is important to note that the final decision on the length of stay as well as entry into the country is made by immigration officers at the point of entry.
In some cases, immigration officers may also require you to show sufficient funds to pay for your stay in Malaysia.
For the most accurate and detailed information on entry requirements, it is recommended that you consult the official website of the Malaysia Tourism Board and the Malaysian government's immigration website.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Malaysia
written by
Olga Sitnitsa
updated 18.04.2024
Online editor at Rough Guides, specialising in travel content. Passionate about creating compelling stories and inspiring others to explore the world.