Welcome to Malaysia. Malaysia as a country is multiethnic and multicultural, consisting of Malays (Bumiputera), Dayaks (Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu), Kadazan-Dusun, Melanau, Bajau, Orang Asli (Indigenous or aboriginal groups in the peninsular) Malaysian Chinese, and Malaysian Indian (mostly of Tamil descent). You’ll get to experience Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is a big city. It’s the national capital and Malaysia’s largest city. Quickly, before fully jumping in, I grew up in Kuala Lumpur and in this travel guide blog post, I’m going to share some essential travel information and tips about the city. Written by a local just for you. I hope this will help you to make the most of your stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Let’s jump in!
Getting Your Tourist Visa
The easiest way to get a short-term visa for Malaysia, if your passport qualifies, is to just get a simple 15 or 30-day tourist visa on arrival. To find out which visa you need: check visa requirements here.
When you’re here all you have to do is fill out your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for foreign visitors, go through immigration, and you’re here!
Arriving and Leaving Kuala Lumpur
Airports in Kuala Lumpur:
There are plenty of ways you could potentially arrive and leave. The most common way is to fly directly into Kuala Lumpur.
When you fly into Kuala Lumpur, you’ll be arriving in 1 of the city’s 3 airports (KLIA 1, KLIA 2, and Subang Airport). Arriving at any of the 3 airports is perfectly okay because all 3 airports are accessible to the city.
Why are there 3 airports? It’s because each of Kuala Lumpur’s 3 airports was built to serve a different purpose:
- Most major full-service airlines operate from KLIA 1 (E.g. Emirates, Thai Airways, ANA, Singapore Airlines, etc.),
- Low-cost airlines operate from KLIA 2 (E.g. AirAsia, Scoot, etc.), and
- Subang Airport is commonly used when arriving from or leaving Singapore or Langkawi. It’s also the nearest airport to Kuala Lumpur City Centre (≈30 minutes by car during non-peak hours).
KLIA 1 and KLIA 2 are close to each other (1.5km apart). Both terminals are easily accessible through the, the free shuttle bus, or the airport liner bus. I recommend taking the ERL, it’s easy to find and directions are clear.
Bus Terminals in Kuala Lumpur:
- Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) – If you’re travelling by bus to or from a destination within Malaysia or outside Malaysia (Hatyai, Thailand or Singapore), you’ll usually arrive or leave from TBS.
How to Get into the City
Wherever you arrive I would recommend these options to get into the city.
From the airport, you can travel to the city by:
- Train to the inter-city railway station, KL Sentral by taking the Inter-Terminal Rail Transfer (ERL). KL Sentral links to all of the different train networks which will get you to most parts of Kuala Lumpur; or
- Taxi using the Grab App. I’d recommend taking this if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage or with children.
From the bus terminal:
- I would recommend hiring a taxi using the Grab App.
How to Get Around (within the City)
Kuala Lumpur is a city that offers a lot of transportation options – taxis, buses, above-ground trains, and underground trains. And some areas of Kuala Lumpur aren’t too bad for walking either. I’ll share a few details about the best ways to get around.
Train options — MRT / LRT / Monorail. The MRT / LRT / Monorail is easy and you don’t need to waste time in traffic. Plus it’ll get you to most major areas in Kuala Lumpur. Find the latest version of KL’s Transit Map here.
Kuala Lumpur’s trains use a ticketing system based on distance and time (6 am ~ Midnight daily, prices range per ride depending on distance, or you can get an all-day pass). Tickets can be purchased from either of these 2 options:
- Using Cash to Purchase Tickets: Use cash to purchase tickets at the station’s ticket vending machines or at the Customer Service Center’s semi-automatic vending machines.
- Using Pre-Paid Cards to Purchase Tickets: Use Touch ‘n Go card. A regular Touch ‘n Go card is available for purchase at most convenience stores. Purchasing a card costs RM10 and lasts for ten years.
Taxi options — Grab is the most convenient and the safer way to get around and gets you to places trains don’t.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur?
There are so many places to stay in Kuala Lumpur, but here are the areas I recommend. Renting next to the train (MRT, LRT, or Monorail) will make travelling around the city convenient.
- Short-term stays:
- Bukit Bintang – The energy here is palpable—it’s a mecca for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Explore world-class shopping malls like Pavilion KL, Starhill, and KLCC. When night falls, the area transforms with neon lights and an array of bars, clubs, and live music venues, offering something for everyone.
- Petaling Street (Chinatown) – With a new breath of life in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, experience trendy bars, food and entertainment in an area rich in history and culture.
- Long-term stays (recommended for digital nomads):
- Bangsar (within the Bangsar Village or Telawi vicinity) – lush greenery against an urban backdrop with many chic cafes, and eateries with live music, and unwind with a yoga session at a local studio.
- Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) – fresh air around the beautifully landscaped TTDI Park, trendy cafes, and co-working spaces with a plethora of eating and social options. Nearby shopping malls, rooftop bars, gyms, parks and more.
My Top Hotel Recommendations
Here are a few of my personal hotel recommendations. I like these hotels because of how centrally located they are.
City Centre:
These hotels are close to 2 train stations (Bukit Bintang MRT train station and Bukit Bintang Monorail tram station) that can get you access to most of the city. Also, KLCC is just a 20-minute walk from this area (using the pedestrian bridge from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Shopping Centre).
- Ansa Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Gold3 Boutique Hotel
- Right in the heart of the Bukit Bintang shopping district.
- The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel
- Close to Shawarma stalls, Changkat Bar Area, Bukit Bintang, and Jalan Alor.
Petaling Street (Chinatown):
Both these hotels are in Chinatown a great place for local street food and nightlife. Both are close to 2 train stations (Pasar Seni MRT train station and Pasar Seni LRT train station).
- Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
- Directly opposite all of the great nightlife.
- Tian Jing Hotel, Chinatown
- Right in the heart of Chinatown and surrounded by local street food.
What to Eat in Kuala Lumpur?
There’s a lot to see, but to me, Kuala Lumpur is a paradise for food lovers. If you’re someone who believes that food is the best way to explore a city, I’ve created a Kuala Lumpur Food Guide in a separate post.
Top Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
For me, these are the absolute must-dos in Kuala Lumpur. Attractions and sightseeing places that are totally worth your while.
Landmarks
- KLCC — Home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC offers stunning city views, a beautiful park, and world-class shopping at Suria KLCC.
- KL Tower — Enjoy panoramic city views from the Sky Deck, Sky Box, and revolving restaurant.
- Book KL Tower via Trip.com.
Shopping
- Bukit Bintang — A vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and nightlife, featuring luxury malls, street food at Jalan Alor, and lively bars.
- Popular shopping malls: Pavilion KL, The Starhill, Lot 10, The Exchange TRX.
Shrine and Temples
- Thean Hou Temple — A stunning six-tiered Chinese temple with intricate architecture, beautiful gardens, and panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur.
- Batu Caves — Famous for its colourful 272 steps, towering Lord Murugan statue, and impressive limestone caves housing Hindu temples.
- Sri Maha Mariamman Temple — KL’s oldest Hindu temple, adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant colours, dedicated to the goddess Mariamman.
- Guan Di Temple — A historic Chinese temple known for its striking red exterior, dedicated to the Chinese god of war, Guan Di.
Mosques
- Masjid Jamek Mosque — One of KL’s oldest mosques, featuring Moorish architecture, serene courtyards, and a historic location at the confluence of two rivers.
- National Mosque of Malaysia (Masjid Negara) — Malaysia’s National Mosque, is known for its unique umbrella-shaped roof, 73-meter minaret, and beautiful gardens.
Museums
- Islamic Art Museum Malaysia — Southeast Asia’s largest Islamic art museum, showcasing over 7,000 artefacts, including textiles, jewellery, and manuscripts.
- Museum of Illusions — An interactive museum offering mind-bending optical illusions and educational exhibits that challenge your perception.
- Ur-Mu (Urban Museum, Bukit Bintang) — A contemporary art museum with 10 themed galleries, featuring regional artworks and a rooftop sculpture garden.
How much to budget (Prices and Expenses)
In comparison to many of the other major Asian cities, Kuala Lumpur still remains a somewhat budget destination, and I think the value you get for what you pay for—when it comes to hotels, food, and attractions.
Kuala Lumpur is still an international city. You can travel on a budget, and it’s also easy to spend a fortune if you want.
Accommodation:
| Hostel | RM25 ~ 90 per bed ($ 5.74 ~ 20.67) |
| Mid-range hotel | RM150 – 300 per night ($ 34.45 ~ 68.90) |
| High end | For anything over RM300 per night, you can expect a very nice place ($68.90) |
Transportation:
| A train ride in the city | RM 3 ~ 15 per ride depending on the distance ($0.69 ~ 3.45) |
| Ride hailing (Taxi) | RM 5 ~ 20 for a short ride, RM 30 ~ 50 for a long ride ($1.15 ~ 5.68) |
| Bus ride | RM 3 ~ 10 depending on the bus ($0.69 ~ 2.30) |
How much does food cost in KL?
| Simple street food meal | RM 8 ~ 15 per plate ($1.86 ~ 3.48) |
| Local restaurant | RM 15 ~ 25 per plate ($3.48 ~ 5.81) |
| Indoor restaurant | RM25 ~ 50 per plate ($5.81 ~ 11.62) |
| High end restaurant | RM50 ~ 120 per plate ($11.62 ~ 27.90) |
How much do drinks cost in KL?
| Drink at a bar | RM30 ~ 50 ($6.97 ~ 11.62) |
| Coffee at a Coffee Shop | RM 15 ~ 20 ($3.48 ~ 4.65) |
| A bottle of water | From RM 3 ($0.69) |
Overall budget:
| Budget | $30 ~ 50 per person per day |
| Mid-range | $50 ~ 80 per person per day |
| High-end | $80 ~ 200 per person per day |
If you’re in Asia, Kuala Lumpur is without a doubt one of the greatest cities in the world to visit. Hope to see you here soon!
Cheers ✌️
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