Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital and largest city. It’s one of SE Asia’s fastest-growing cities both economically and by population. With 3 of the world’s top 10 shopping malls, it may seem as if it’s just another metropolitan city in SE Asia. But the biggest difference (in my opinion – and many other travelers I’ve encountered here) is the city’s vast amount of greenery. There are THREE forest reserves within the city, a botanical garden, and a number of parks.
So while it may be full of skyscrapers, there is so much more to see within the city. An incredible amount of beautiful mosques and temples, trendy cafes and street food, and tons of street art. Kuala Lumpur is the perfect hub within SE Asia. It provides access to a lot of incredible places – Melaka, Langkawi, Georgetown, and Singapore. I was able to spend 3 months in Kuala Lumpur, exploring all the city has to offer. That’s why I’ve pulled together this quick guide to visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for your next trip.
Things to Know Before You Go
It’s quite hot and humid all year round in Malaysia, so be sure to pack clothes that are made of lightweight breathable materials like linens and cotton.
Be mindful of what month Ramadan is as there are different hours for a lot of local businesses (especially restaurants). Hari Raya Aidilfitri closes Ramadan and is a national holiday that could also affect your travels. Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) is also a national holiday as there is a large Chinese community in KL. It can fall anywhere between January and February.
Climate: It’s a tropical climate which means it is very hot and humid year-round. Most of SE Asia has a specific rainy monsoon season. In Kuala Lumpur, it’s specified as being from October to May. But (unfortunately), KL gets an abundance of rainfall year-round.
Best time to go: As far as temperatures go, December and January are the best months to visit. The temperatures will drop and be a bit cooler.
Language: Malay is the official country language but with a large Indian and Chinese community you’ll often hear Mandarin and Tamil. Don’t worry though, most everyone speaks English in Kuala Lumpur!
Money: Malaysian Ringgit (RM or MYR). It’s important to note that tipping is not customary but 10-15% is appreciated for good service. ATMs are located all over the city in Malay and English. Many hotels, restaurants, and stores take VISA and AMEX cards.
APPs: GoogleTranslate, CityRail Map, GetYourGuide, and Grab
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing is truly an insurance company for Nomads, by Nomads. It’s designed to meet the medical and travel needs faced by Digital Nomads and other remote workers while they are outside of their home country. Coverage is mainly intended for long-term travelers which makes it ideal for Digital Nomads!
In terms of payment, SafetyWing uses a subscription-based payment system on a monthly basis instead of all up front and the rates can be as low as $42/month. Therefore, it’s truly a budget-friendly option!
Get a quick quote for your travel dates 👇
One of my favorite features is that SafetyWing may even offer you some medical coverage in your home country which is extremely rare in travel insurance and makes SafetyWing stand out from the rest.
Pros of SafetyWing Travel Insurance
- The monthly subscription model
- Can cover medical expenses when overseas
- Up to 2 children under 10 per family (1 per adult) can be included on your insurance free of charge
- Limited medical coverage in your home country
Cons of SafetyWing Travel Insurance
- Not as many travel insurance perks as other companies
- No coverage for personal electronics
Read this post The Best Travel Insurance for Every Type of Traveler for an in-depth review of the top 3 travel insurances.
How to Get to Kuala Lumpur
✈️ Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport is an incredible hub within SE Asia. There are a lot of domestic and international flight options. The airport is located 45 minutes outside of the city center (KLCC) and is easily accessible to most areas with the KLIA Transit that goes to KL Sentral Station.
🚌 Bus: The buses in SE Asia are very clean and safe. As a solo female traveler, I’ve taken them a handful of times. There are buses to and from Singapore and Thailand from Malaysia for a very reasonable price!
Read more about taking buses in SE Asia in my blog post here!
Getting Around Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is not a very walkable city. Most expats and locals get around by car. The sidewalks are not set up to walk. It can get a little bit dangerous in certain areas because Google or Apple Maps will give you a route to walk on the side of a freeway for a few minutes. While walking around certain neighborhoods (Chinatown, KLCC, Bangsar) is totally doable, it’s also humid AF. Here are some other options:
🚙 Grab: Grab is the SE Asian version of Uber and you can set up your account with a travel credit card or debit card. Sometimes the APP doesn’t accept foreign cards, so you’ll need to pay with cash at the end of your ride.
🚇 Public Transportation: KL has great public transportation with the free GoKL bus, light rail (LRT) monorail, and commuter trains (KTM). It’s very cheap, safe, and easy to buy a ticket with machines in English.
Read my blog post for the Must-Have Apps for KL
Batu Caves
One of the most popular attractions in Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are a series of caves that also serve as a place of religious significance for Hindus. Climb 272 steps up these unique limestone formations to the top of the main cave, Temple Cave.
Temple Cave, is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory. The cave is home to a large statue of Murugan, as well as several other Hindu deities.
The Batu Caves are a popular destination for Hindus during the Thaipusam festival, which is celebrated in January or February each year. Batu Caves is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Thaipusam. Thousands of Hindus from all over the world come to Batu Caves to pay homage to Lord Murugan. I was lucky enough on my second visit to Kuala Lumpur to visit during Thaipusam. It’s absolutely incredible to witness, so if you are visiting during this time I highly encourage you to brave the crowds.
How to Get There: The easiest and most affordable way to get to Batu Caves is by train. The KTM Komuter train departs from KL Sentral every half an hour and the ride takes about 25 minutes. The train fare is 2.60 MYR ($.60 USD) one-way.
What to Wear: It’s a religious site, so it is important to dress respectfully. This means covering your shoulders and knees. Women will need to purchase a saree if wearing shorts or a skirt, it’s a bit more flexible for men.
Eat your way through Little India
Little India is a small neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur. While the main area is just a few blocks, there are shops and restaurants that expand a few blocks around this main area. You’ll know you’re in Little India by the bright color columns, Bollywood music seeping outside of the shops, and strong scents of curry and spices.
Find a colorful saree or jeweled top, shop the extravagant jewelry and headpieces, or have a taste of traditional Indian food. The best places to eat always have a line of locals out the door and are buffet-style. If you’re brave, head in, grab a tray and start dishing up. However, if you’re like me you might want to know what you’re putting on your plate. Find a friendly face in line to help identify or ask one of the staff members. They’ll be more than happy to help you or find someone else that can speak English to assist! Your meal will be spicy, delicious, filling, and best of all…cheap. Don’t expect to pay more than $4 USD for an entire meal and juice here.
Museum of Illusions
Kuala Lumpur’s Museum of Illusions is a unique and interactive museum that is sure to challenge your perception of reality. Once you enter, a staff member will walk you through and offer to take pictures and videos.
Test your balance in the Tilted Room, pose for photos in the Infinity Room, and get lost in the Mirror Maze. The Museum of Illusions Kuala Lumpur is a great place to go for a fun afternoon outside of the heat! It makes for the perfect date night or family-friendly activity!
Cost: Tickets are available online here or at the door for $10 USD
Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm
How to Get There: Take the LRT and get off at Bukit Bintang in the middle of THe Pavilion. Out of the station, you’ll turn left and the Museum of Illusions is between Fahrenheit 88 and Lot 10 Mall on the second level.
Get high in the Merdeka 118
The world’s second or third (depending on who you ask) largest building is right here in Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka 118 is a 118-story, 2,227-foot-tall skyscraper in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It offers stunning views of the city from its observation deck, The View at 118.
Merdeka 118 is a mixed-use development building, with office, residential, retail, and hotel space. The building is home to the headquarters of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), the largest state-owned investment company in Malaysia. The residential component of the development consists of 252 serviced apartments, while the retail component consists of a shopping mall and a food court. The hotel component is operated by Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
Cost: Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter on the ground floor of the building for $35 USD for adults and $27 USD for children
Hours: The observation deck is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm.
How to Get There: Take the LRT to KL Sentral, transfer to the MRT, and get off at the Merdeka MRT station. The Merdeka MRT station is located directly below Merdeka 118.
Chinatown
Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is a vibrant and bustling district that is home to a large Chinese community. Chinatown was first established in the early 19th century by Chinese immigrants who came to Malaysia in search of work. The area quickly became a thriving center of trade and commerce.
Today, Chinatown is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kuala Lumpur. The area is full of traditional Chinese shops, restaurants, and temples. There are also many historical landmarks to see, such as the Kuan Yin Temple and the Yap Ah Loy Heritage Museum. Wander through Petaling Market, Central Market, and take a walk down the alley lanes for unique graffiti artwork.
How to Get There: Take the LRT and get off at Pasar Seni station and you’ll be right in the heart of Chinatown
360° Views from a Helicopter Pad
Heli Lounge Bar KL is an old Helicopter Pad that’s been renovated into a rooftop bar in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The bar is located on the 36th floor of Menara KH, a 40-story office building. Popular for its unique features and panoramic views of the city.
Offering a variety of cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits as well as a small food menu that includes bar snacks, pizzas, and burgers. During peak season, the bar can get crowded, so it’s best to make a reservation for sunset hour!
Cost: The ticket or cover charge is $22 USD per person and includes two drinks.
Hours: The bar is open from 6pm to 2am daily
How to Get There: Take the LRT to Pavilion KL and once you exit the station you’ll walk towards the Pavilion shopping mall. Head left on Jalan Bukit Bintang and walk for about 5 minutes where you’ll find the Menara KH on your right. Enter the building and take the elevator to the 36th floor, Heli Lounge Bar KL will be on your right.
See the City by Hop-on Hop-off Bus
Kuala Lumpur’s double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus gives you a birds-eye view of the city. The ticket lasts 24 hours, takes you to all of the famous attractions mentioned in this post, and gives you the leisure of seeing them at your own pace. Read more about my experience on the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus here!
Petronas Towers
The Petronas Towers are a pair of 88-story twin skyscrapers with 33,000 glass panels. In addition to being a well-known part of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, these buildings offer a variety of awards. They’re the tallest twin towers in the world and held the title of the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. The towers are connected by a double-decker sky bridge, which is the highest two-story bridge in the world. The towers are named after the state-owned oil and gas company Petronas, which is headquartered in them.
There are many ways to experience the Petronas Towers. Visit the Petronas Skybridge or the Petronas Observation Deck. Learn about the history of the Petronas Towers at the Petronas Gallery or shop and dine at the many boutiques and restaurants located in the towers.
Cost: Tickets can be purchased online here or at the ticket counter on the ground floor of the tower. The cost of visiting is $18 USD for adults and $11 USD for children
Hours: The towers are open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday. The last admission is at 4:30 pm. The towers are closed on Mondays and on public holidays.
How to Get There: Take the LRT to the KLCC LRT station. From the station, it is a short walk to the towers.
KL Menara
KL Menara, also known as the KL Tower, is a 1,381-foot tall telecommunication tower that is the tallest free-standing structure in Malaysia and the 7th tallest free-standing structure in the world.
The tower is open to the public and offers stunning panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur. Visitors can take the elevator to the observation deck, which is located 1,099 feet above the ground.
Cost: Tickets can be purchased online here or at the ticket counter on the ground floor of the tower. The cost of visiting is $18 USD for adults and $11 USD for children
Hours: The observation deck is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm
How to Get There: Take the LRT to Bukit Nanas station. From the station, it is a short walk to the tower.
RexKL
REXKL is a creative hub that houses a variety of businesses, including unique restaurants, popups, events, art galleries, co-working spaces, and a bookstore and cafe.
The space is quite interesting to explore as it used to be a cinema that was renovated and reopened in 2018. In addition to having a membership card at the kombucha cafe and trying all of the restaurants in the basement, I love exploring the bookstore maze upstairs. It’s one of the top places in Chinatown to spend a few hours exploring!
Cost: FREE
Hours: Open 10 am to 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturdays
How to Get There: Take the LRT to Pasar Seni station. From the station, turn left onto Jalan Tun Perak and walk for about 5 minutes, REXKL will be on your right
Hike Gunung Datak
Gunung Datuk is a very popular hiking destination located outside out the city. It’s a moderate 5.6-mile round trip hike with 2,900 feet of elevation that is very well marked. The hike is quite steep in a few sections and it takes roughly 2 hours to reach the summit. It’s best to hike it during the dry season (April to October) as it can get quite slippery, muddy, and dangerous on the trail during rainy season.
Don’t be surprised if you see a variety of monkeys, birds, and squirrels along the way (practice Leave No Trace Principles and these tips for hiking etiquette).
There are a number of trails that lead to the summit and when you reach the summit, you’ll still need to climb up a set of ladders and stairs to reach the stunning view from the top. On a clear day, you can see as far as Kuala Lumpur and the Straits of Melaka.
Cost: Register at the park office and pay an entrance fee of $4 USD for foreigners, $1 USD for locals
Hours: Hiking is best from sunrise to sunset, but there are camping options here
How to Get There: Take the KTM Komuter to Rembau. From Rembau, you can take a taxi or a local bus to Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk.
Driving Directions: Take the North-South Expressway (PLUS) and exit at Pedas. Turn left at the T-junction and follow the signs to Rembau. From Rembau, continue on the main road for about 20 kilometers until you reach the town of Kota. Turn left at the junction and follow the signs to Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk. The entrance to the park is about 5 kilometers further on the left.
Bangsar South
Bangsar South is a vibrant and up-and-coming neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur. It’s unlikely you’ll see this on many guides to KL because it’s mostly known as a residential area. However, because of it being a neighborhood with a lot of expats – there are some great shopping and dining areas.
Some of the best boutiques and malls are in Bangsar South, including The Sphere, Bangsar Village, and Mid Valley Megamall. You can find everything from high-end designer brands to affordable local boutiques in Bangsar South. After you shop til you drop, you can nourish yourself with some delicious food. Everything from Malaysian cuisine to international food for every budget.
A few of my favorites are Urban Daybreak, Nando’s, and Breakfast Thieves.
If you fancy a night out on the town, this is the perfect neighborhood. There are bars and clubs lining the streets of Bangsar Village. Check out The Library Speakeasy, they have great cocktails and mocktail options.
Weekend Trips
There are a number of weekend trips that you can take from Kuala Lumpur. With public transportation leaving out of Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) or finding a local friend to drive 😉 it’s quite easy to get around. Places I highly recommend are Melaka, Cameron Highlands, Penang, & Langkawi.
Is Kuala Lumpur on your travel list now? Check out more of my posts below about living in and traveling around Malaysia!
