Malaysia
Malaysia splits into two very different halves. On the peninsula, Kuala Lumpur's towers and hawker stalls, George Town's shophouses and street art, and the tea hills of the Cameron Highlands sit a few hours apart. Across the South China Sea, Malaysian Borneo has orangutans, Mount Kinabalu and the vast caves of Gunung Mulu.
Overview
Malay, Chinese and Indian communities, plus the indigenous peoples of Borneo, give Malaysia a food culture and street life unlike anywhere else in the region; you can eat nasi lemak, dim sum and banana-leaf curry on the same street. A first trip on the peninsula usually runs from Kuala Lumpur north via the Cameron Highlands to Penang and Langkawi, or south to Melaka, with the Perhentian or Tioman islands on the east coast. Borneo needs its own week: Sabah for Kinabalu, Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River, Sarawak for Kuching, longhouses and Mulu's caves.
Costs are low for the standard of infrastructure: excellent hawker meals cost a few pounds, roads are good and English is widely spoken, so independent travel is easy. The heat and humidity are constant, and the monsoons split the country: the east coast islands largely shut from November to February, when much of Borneo is also at its wettest, while the west coast's heaviest rain falls around April and October–November. Malaysia is Muslim-majority but diverse, and alcohol is easy to find in cities and tourist areas, less so on the conservative east coast. It suits first-timers to Asia, families, food lovers, divers and wildlife watchers.
Map of Malaysia
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Kinabatangan River and Sepilok
Malaysia's second-longest river winds through Sabah's floodplain forest, where dawn and dusk boat trips from Sukau find proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles and sometimes pygmy elephants. Combine it with Sepilok's orangutan rehabilitation centre near Sandakan.
- 2Adventure
Mount Kinabalu
Malaysia's highest peak (4,095 m) is a two-day climb via the Laban Rata huts to a dawn summit on bare granite. Climbing permits and guides are compulsory and limited, so book months ahead; the park's botanical trails suit non-climbers.
- 3Beach
Perhentian Islands
Two small islands off Terengganu with clear water, reef snorkelling, and turtles and blacktip reef sharks close to shore. Kecil suits backpackers and Besar families; most resorts close during the November–February monsoon.
- 4History
Melaka
A UNESCO-listed port shaped by Portuguese, Dutch and British rule: the red Stadthuys, the ruined church on St Paul's Hill, Peranakan townhouses on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and the Jonker Street night market at weekends.
- 5Nature
Gunung Mulu National Park
A UNESCO-listed karst wilderness in Sarawak, reached by small plane from Miri. Deer Cave's evening bat exodus, the vast Clearwater cave system and the razor-edged Pinnacles trek make it Borneo's most spectacular park.
Biggest cities
Kuala Lumpur
Ride up the Petronas Towers, eat your way along Jalan Alor and Brickfields' Little India, then take the train to Batu Caves, where a giant golden Murugan statue guards Hindu cave shrines.
George Town
The UNESCO-listed core of Penang's capital is many Malaysians' idea of food heaven: clan houses, shophouses and murals by day, char kway teow and asam laksa at hawker centres by night.
Johor Bahru
Mostly a gateway across the causeway from Singapore, with Legoland Malaysia on its outskirts and a small heritage quarter around Jalan Tan Hiok Nee; few visitors stay long.
Figures are for conurbations (2020 census): Greater Kuala Lumpur, the George Town conurbation around Penang and the Johor Bahru conurbation. Kuala Lumpur city itself has about 2 million people.
When to go to Malaysia
Best time: Feb–Mar, Jun–Jul.
Average climate in Kuala Lumpur
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebChinese New Year
Lion dances, firecrackers, red lanterns and open houses, especially in George Town and Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown; many Chinese-run shops and restaurants close for the first few days.
- Jan–FebThaipusam
Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees climb the 272 steps to Batu Caves for Lord Murugan, many carrying ornate kavadi and with pierced cheeks; Penang holds its own procession.
- Jun–JulRainforest World Music Festival
Three days of world and indigenous Bornean music at the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching, with workshops by day and stage shows beneath the rainforest by night.
How much does Malaysia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Nasi lemak
Rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan, served with fiery sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber and egg; eaten at any hour, often wrapped in banana leaf.
Char kway teow
Flat rice noodles wok-fried over fierce heat with prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts and egg; Penang's hawkers are famous for its smoky 'wok hei'.
Roti canai
Flaky griddled flatbread from the mamak (Indian-Muslim) stalls, dipped in dhal or curry and eaten with teh tarik, frothy 'pulled' milk tea.
Getting around
KTM's electric ETS trains run quickly and cheaply from Kuala Lumpur north to Ipoh, Butterworth (for Penang) and Padang Besar. Comfortable long-distance buses cover the rest of the peninsula, and Grab is the standard app for cars and taxis everywhere. AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines connect KL with Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri. Ferries serve Langkawi, Penang, the Perhentians and Tioman.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G240V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +60
- Time zone
- UTC+8 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Not customary. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge, so check the bill; round up taxi fares and give hotel porters a few ringgit.
- Etiquette
- Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques, dress modestly at religious sites, use your right hand to eat and pass things, and point with your thumb rather than a finger.
- Main airports
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), Kuala Lumpur; Penang International Airport (PEN), George Town; Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), Kota Kinabalu
Visas & entry for Malaysia
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Malaysia without a visa for tourism. You will normally be allowed to stay for 90 days on arrival.
If you want to stay for longer than 90 days or are not a tourist, you must apply for a visa from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission before you travel.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- There is a low risk of malaria in mainland Malaysia: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Malaysia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Second Day) |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Second Day) (observed) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (Second Day) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha |
| Thu 20 May 2027 | Vesak Day |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year |
| Mon 7 Jun 2027 | Birthday of HM Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Prophet Muhammad's Birthday |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (observed) |
| Tue 31 Aug 2027 | National Day |
| Thu 16 Sep 2027 | Malaysia Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Malay
| English | Malay | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Apa khabar | AH-pah kah-BAR |
| Thank you | Terima kasih | tuh-REE-mah KAH-seh |
| Please | Tolong | TOH-long |
| Excuse me | Maaf | mah-AHF |
| How much is this? | Berapa harga ini? | buh-RAH-pah HAR-gah EE-nee |
Know before you go
- Download Grab before you arrive: it is the standard way to hail cars, order food and avoid haggling with taxi drivers in every major city, including in Borneo.
- Plan around the monsoons: the east coast islands largely close from November to February, while Langkawi and Penang are at their driest from December to February.
- Buy a Touch 'n Go card for KL's trains and buses and for motorway tolls if you drive; it also works in many convenience stores and car parks.
Malaysia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
The best time to visit Malaysia is generally Feb–Mar, Jun–Jul. Peak months are February, March, June and July. Average highs in Kuala Lumpur range from 32°C to 33°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Malaysia cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £75 mid-range and £170+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Malaysia?
Malaysian ringgit (MYR).
What plug type does Malaysia use?
Type G sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Malaysia?
Traffic drives on the left in Malaysia — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Malaysia?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Malaysia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Malaysia without a visa for tourism. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Malaysia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malaysia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Malaysia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Measles and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
