3 Week Budget Malaysia Guide
We’re always looking for diversity of experiences when we choose our travel destinations and Malaysia has it all- and all at an incredible budget price point. If you are looking to explore a country with culture, historical and modern cities, nature, warm weather and beautiful beaches, then Malaysia is your spot. Follow our 3 week budget Malaysia guide to make the most of your time in this SE Asia gem.
3 weeks in Malaysia Itinerary
One of my favorite parts about traveling Malaysia is the variety of experiences you can have within a relatively short and accessible distance. For our 3 week Malaysia itinerary, we focus on three ” categories”: Cities, Nature, and Beaches. Yes, you can definitely see a lot more spots in Malaysia then what we are suggesting in our 3 week Malaysia itinerary, but we think this pacing is more ideal if you aren’t looking to return home totally exhausted and if you are looking to actually experience what a place is like instead of simply ” checking it off” some arbitrary bucket list. All that to say, for a 3 week budget Malaysia itinerary we suggest:
-5 Nights in Kuala Lumpur
-5 Nights in the Cameron Highlands
-5 Nights in Georgetown
– 5 Nights in Langkawi islands
If you’re looking for more parts of Malaysia to discover, check out the Unforgettable Travel Blogs recommendations for the most beautiful spots in Malaysia to uncover!
We hope your find our 3 week budget Malaysia guide helpful to figure out how to get there, how to travel around Malaysia on a budget, where to go, what to expect, and more.
How to Get to Malaysia
By Air: The most popular way to get to Malaysia is to fly into one of the 3 international airports: Kuala Lumpur International Airport ( KLIA), Langkawi International Airport, or Penang International Airport. For our itinerary, we recommend starting in KL as a great base to get to know Malaysian culture. KL is very accessible from many major airways ranging from budget carriers like AirAsia to long haul international carriers like Singapore or Qatar Airways.
We arrived in KL from a direct flight from Tokyo with AirAsia. The flight is 8 hours and direct and only cost for $180 USD each.
Visa Requirements for Americans to enter Malaysia
American’s currently DON’T need a visa to stay in Malaysia for up to 90 days. As always, just make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from when you enter Malaysia to be safe.
Best Month to Visit Malaysia
” Best” is always a loose term because it really depends on what type of experience you are looking for in Malaysia. We visited in June and the weather was exactly like we anticipated- hot and humid. We visit Vietnam in August a few years back so we knew loosely what to expect for SE Asia in the summer, but I will say that the humidity/heat combination is quite intense in KL.
Overall, the best weather is from March to October. The days are warm to hot, the sun is strong, and there isn’t too much rain.
Monsoon season on the east coast is from November to February. Cities on the west coast (which is where we are suggesting to visit) don’t experience as much rain so it’s still a good time to visit if you are hoping to go to KL, Penang, and Langkawi.
How to Travel Malaysia on a Budget
Malaysia, like many of it’s neighboring countries, are very affordable and your budget can really stretch far. Typically we aim for $30 USD pp/day and we were comfortably under that budget for our entire 3 weeks in Malaysia. Here are a few quick tips to maximize your budget in Malaysia:
1)Maximize public transportation: Malaysia has a cheap and efficient network of buses and trains. We took the train to Batu Caves from KL and saved $40 USD pp by not opting for a tourist bus through an organized your ( the train ticked costs then less $ 1 USD).
If your looking to get somewhere outside of the bus/train network, take advantage of Grab. If you’ve traveled through SE Asia a bit, you’ll be familiar with this lift service ( like Uber) but it is substantially cheaper then both Uber and taxis would be. The app is free to download and, bonus, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the food delivery service that Grab offers too!
2)Malaysia Budget Airline: As mentioned, the main cities in Malaysia are well connected with budget airlines. We personally had several good experiences with Air Asia but there are other Malaysia budget airlines too. As long as you are packing light ( many of these budget flights also tack on big fees for large luggage’s) then you’ll be able to enjoy cheap fares for as low as $10USD if you get lucky!
3) Eat Malaysian food: This really is no chore or sacrifice- the food in Malaysia is delicious and so affordable. Malaysian food mirrors the diverse makeup of it’s culture of traditional Malay, Chinese, and Indian. If you walk up to any food court ( known as hawker stands) most local dishes will cost between 8-15 MYR ( $2-$3 USD). Malaysian stables include nasi lemak, roti canai ( the best bread!), and various satays.
So know you know the gist of how to travel Malaysia on a budget, here’s our thoughts ( and what we actually did) for a 3 week budget Malaysia guide.
Kuala Lumpur ( days 1-5)
Kuala Lumpur is a great way to kick of your budget Malaysia adventure. It’s accessible, full of amenities, affordable, and a foodie city!
How to get to Kuala Lumpur City Center from the Airport
There’s a few budget-friendly ways to get from KLIA ( Kuala Lumpur International Airport) to the city center.
- Train: In under 30 minutes you can take the train directly to KL Sentral. A one-way ticket costs around RM 55 (approximately $12 USD).
- Bus: If you’re looking for the cheapest option, then the bus is almost always your top choice! For about $2 USD and 1 hour of your time, you can take the Aerobus or Skybus to KL Sentral.
- If you’re looking for a solid deal to take the bus back to the airport, then check out this pre-arranged shuttle for only $3.00!
- Lift-service: Grab, Uber, and Lyft are all available in KL so it’s very easy to coordinate a ride from the airport ( there’s even a very clearly marked pick up zone with heavy signage). If you connect to the free airport WIFI to download an ESIM ( we use Airalo) then you’ll not only be set up with your phone data while in Malaysia, but you’ll seamlessly be able to find your ride outside! Lucky for us, an Uber was only $10 USD so this is the option we chose.
How to Get Around Kuala Lumpur
KL is connected with a pretty efficient train system. The rides cost between .25 and $1 USD and it’s very easy to navigate. We actually only ended up using the trains a few times because we like to walk ( a lot), but to be honest, it is INCREDIBLY hot and humid in KL ( with an average temperature of 33C or 91F). So unless you like being very sweaty, then you’ll probably want to use the train to get around more then we did.
Best Budget Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
- The National Museum of Malaysia : For just about $1 USD, you’ll gain entry in this multi-level museum that outlines Malaysia’s history and development of cultural identity.
- Petaling Street Market: Found in the heart of KL’s Chinatown, this market from the 19th century is packed with locals and tourists. You’ll find rows and rows of pretty much everything you might be looking for- from souvenir’s, to socks, to sunglasses. Bargaining for a reasonable price is encouraged.
- Visit Srii Maha Mariamman Temple– Right down the street from Petaling market you’ll find this iconic and ornate Hind temple which is free to explore
- DIY your own budget friendly tour to Batu Caves– yes, you can easily hop on a group tour for $25 bucks, but instead of being shuffled with 30 other tourists, take the train to Batu Caves for $1 and explore on your own. As it’s a religious temple, remember to come dressed with your knees and shoulders covered ( or have a shawl/scarf available to wrap around you). As with most tourist attractions- come early! We arrived by 8:30 and beat all the busses. It’s a much more peaceful experience in the morning and you’re more likely not to be bothered by the monkeys who can become aggressive with the all tourists feeding them.
- Walk the River of Life– This walkway is an attempt to show off the importance of the water source to the city. I wouldn’t have known that without Googling it first, BUT it does provide a nice walkway through some of the central historic sites.
- KLCC Park-Right across from the Petronas Towers, you’ll find a large grassy manicured park filled with interested fauna ( yay, shade coverage!), statues, playgrounds, and bike/running paths. With the sweltering heat it can be hard to enjoy the outdoor spaces, but luckily there are tons of malls to pop in to cool down all around the perimeter of the park.
- Relax around Merdeka Square– Known as Independence Square (Malaysia marked its independence here in 1957), this large grassy area is sandwiched in front of Sultan Abdul Samad’s building.
Budget Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur
It’s very easy to have a meal under $3 USD in KL and as vegetarians, we really found so much delicious food in KL! There’s famous ( and touristy) street food markets like Jalan Alor Food Street, Hawker stalls ( food court style) like Pudu Wai Sek Kai to try local dishes, and many vegetarian buffets like Restoran Sayur which follows a ” pay for what you eat” model. You’ll also find international food, high end restaurants, fast food, and everything else in between.
Budget Accommodations in Kuala Lumpur
There are plenty of budget friendly options for less then $25 USD. Our recommendations are all centrally located and boast proximity to the main tourist area ( and lots of good food!).
Big M Hotel Kuala Lumpur is located near Chinatown and rooms average only $20 USD.
Chill Suites: Located in Bukit Bintang, this hotel is near popular shopping malls and iconic landmarks. On Agoda it ranks at 9.0 with over 1,600 reviews and an average room cost of $21 USD.
The Explorers Guesthouse: This cozy guesthouse in Chinatown offers dormitory and private rooms starting at RM 40 ($4) per night in a 10 person dorm, $6USD for a 4 person dorm room, and only $13 USD for a standard double room!
We spent 5 nights for COMPLETELY FREE ( no taxes or anything!) at the Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur by using IHG points. We used this card with an annual fee of $99 USD to earn 165,000 points ( the current offer is sitting at 140,000). Read more about our free accommodation in KL on our in depth KL budget guide!
From KL, it’s time to take a quick break from the oppressive heat and escape out to nature for a bit. You’ll take a bus from KL and make your way to the iconic tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands for the next 5 nights.
Cameron Highlands ( Days 6-11)
Up in the heart of peninsular Malaysia, you’ll find this nature paradise. With rolling green hills of tea plantations, small tourist towns, high attitude, and lots of kitschy tourist photo opportunities, you’ll definitely want to add Cameron Highlands as part of your budget Malaysia itinerary.
Due to its high altitude ( 5,000 feet above sea level), the Cameron Highlands are sought after as a cool weather escape from the hot Malaysian humidity.
How to Get to the Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur
It’s only 125 miles ( about 200 kilometers) between the Cameron Highlands and Kuala Lumpur. But thanks to mountainous ( very) windy roads, cars and buses are severely limited to how quickly they could travel. Expect the drive to hover between 4-5 hours depending on traffic.
There are many buses that run direct from KL to Tanah Rata ( the main ” hub” of the Cameron Highlands. Expect to pay between $7-10 USD for a one way ticket.
Where should you stay in the Cameron Highlands?
For budget accommodation, the two main choices to stay are Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Both towns offer their own conveniences and vibes so figure out what attractions you want to prioritize and go from there!
Budget Accommodation in Tanah Rata
Tanah Rata is where we decided to stay in the Cameron Highlands as it’s the transportation hub. It is also filled with budget-friendly accommodations and has plenty of amenities ( small shops, banks, lots of restaurant options).
In Tanah Rata for $10USD you can get a room at Bricks Hostel which is centrally located on the main street. At just 1km from the center, you could also stay at Tekoma Resort Cameron Highlands with many budget options that include breakfast. We decided to stay about a 5 minute walk uphill from the main street at Rovers Inn Guest House which we recommend for a quieter, more peaceful alternative with friendly staff for around $25 USD a night.
If you do decide to stay in Brinchang, you’ll be a bit closer to come of the main tourist attractions ( like the Mossy Forrest) and is known for a little more nightlife then Tanah Rata has. It’s not as accessible by public transit so you’ll need to organize a taxi to get there from Tanah Rata.
Best Things to Do in the Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands is definitely full of it’s touristy locations ( looking at you, Strawberry Farm), but there are also a lot of opportunities to explore nature or just enjoy the cooler temperatures! Here’s a few suggestions for budget things to do in the Cameron Highlands:
Visit the Tea Plantations: If you’re making your way to the Cameron Highlands then you probably already know that is known for its iconic rolling green hills of tea leaves. Both Boh Tea Centre and Cameron Valley Tea House don’t charge an entrance fee!
Take a Hike: There are tons of walking trails surrounding Tanah Rata that are accessible and identifiable to varying degrees. If you’re looking for an easier route, follow signs for ” Trail 10″ which leads you up to the top of Brinchang.
Walk around Tanah Rata Town: Tanah Rata features a small town center with a few shops and lots of restaurants and cafes.
How to Get Around the Cameron Highlands
To be honest, it is a bit restrictive to not have a car in the Cameron Highlands. Though it’s easy to get to Tanah Rata from KL by bus, there isn’t a public bus system within Tanah Rata and it’s neighboring towns ( yet). For now, the main choice if you don’t decide to rent a car ( and brace those incredibly narrow, windy roads) is to grab a taxi.
Some taxis have apparently ” fixed rates”, though we were able to negotiate with 2/3 of the drivers we met, so it’s worth a shot to try as the rates can be pretty steep considering the short distances.
If you don’t feel like coordinating taxis, then there are plenty of tour packages that will shuffle you around to the main attractions.
- This full day tour will set you back about $100 USD, BUT you’ll be able to seamlessly move between all the major tourist attractions ( a great option especially if you are short on time).
- Try out this half day tour that takes you to the trickiest spot to navigate to on your own- the Mossy Forrest
Check out our full Cameron Highlands budget guide for more budget friendly activities, budget friendly restaurants, transportation suggestions, and alternative itinerary ideas.
After a few days in the tea hills, it’ll be time to hop back on the bus and head north to the UNESCO preserved city of Georgetown, Penang.
Georgetown Penang ( Days 12-17)
Georgetown Malaysia has a bit of it all- street art, unique architecture, café culture, endless street food, sea line views- and more.
How to Get to Georgetown from the Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands are just about 200 km ( 125 miles) from Georgetown. Though the distance is relatively close, it’ll still take you a good chunk of time to travel there due to the single windy road that compromises the entrance/exit to the Cameron Highlands. To get from the Cameron Highlands to Georgetown, you have two main options:
Option 1: Bus– Taking a bus is the most affordable way to travel to Georgetown Penang. It’ll take around 4-5 hours of your time, but a one-way ticket will set you back around $10USD. If you’re staying in Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands ( the most accessible area by public transportation), then you’ll be able to take a bus directly from Tanah Rata bus terminal to the Sungai Nibong bus terminal in Georgetown. From there, it’s easy to find a taxi or order an Uber to your accommodation.
Option 2: By Taxi– We would only recommend taking a taxi if you are traveling with a larger group. Taxi’s will still take between 3-4 hours and will cost over 10X as much as the bus ( with an average quote around $140 USD). Since it doesn’t save much time, we’d suggest the bus.
There’s a lot of reasons people come to Georgetown, but the food is definitely one of our favorites! We ate so well here and most of our meals we found for under $2USD.
Best Budget Restaurants in Georgetown
Like in KL, there are plenty of Hawker stands like the New Lane Street Foodhall and the more modern New World Park. We also really enjoyed Pinxin Vegan Cuisin which offers Vegan twist on Malaysian classics and the ” pay for what you eat” fully vegetarian buffet at Ee Beng Vegetarian Food.
For cafe and sweet recommendations, in Georgetown, check out our full 5 day Georgetown budget guide.
Best Things to do in Georgetown
Besides food, Georgetown is really known for its street art. There are tons of murals to discover. Walk around and be pleasantly surprised for what you find or scope out some of your researched favorites. A lot of the main attractions are centered around Campbell Street.
If your a fan of Crazy Rich Asians ( or just love beautiful architecture and history), visit Cheong Fatt Tze ( The Blue Mansion) for admission ( $6 USD) with an audio guide (for $6 USD). While the house is beautiful ( and is the home for several pop-culture phenomenon’s) the exhibits are pretty small and you’ll end up listening to several audio-guide ” stops” all from the same spot.
Take a break from the main town center and enjoy the Padan Kota Lama Promenade. After all, Penang is technically an island though it’s connected by a land bridge. The Promenade is a peaceful spot to enjoy local life along the water.
If your ready for a break from the heat, then add a Malaysian Mall experience to your visit. We went to Gurney Paragon Mall which is just a 10-15 minute Uber ride away. Besides shopping and people watching, you’ll get a nice air-conditioned reprieve and have access to some great food courts.
When you’re ready to jump back out in the heat, head to the local jetties: These local, family run jetties offer authentic experiences of the small traditional floating villages that used to sustain primarily on fishing. While some of the jetties are more tourist centered then others, our top three to explore are, Yeoh, Tan and Lee Jetty.
Best Budget Accommodations in Georgetown
For under $30 USD, you’ll have plenty of options to stay in a centrally located place. Check out –The Frame Guesthouse ( double room for $20USD with shared bathroom), Kimberly Hotel ( Queen Bed from $25 USD), or this multi-unit Airbnb ( where we stayed) and would definitely recommend it. It has a shared kitchen and a shared couch area, but everything is very spacious and kept very clean.
Now that you’ve had a bit of city and culture, it’s time to make your way to the beaches of Langkawi island to wrap up your 3 week budget Malaysia trip.
Langkawi Islands ( Days 18-21)
How to get to Langkawi
- By Air: We flew from Penang after spending time in Georgetown and it’s really easy to do the same. We took a quick AirAsia flight for 1 hr from Penang to Langkawi and it’s very affordable and efficient to do the same. From the airport, it’s easy to make your way to town with an Uber for less then $10 USD.
Note, there used to be a ferry service that ran from Penang to Langkawi, but when we went the ferry service isn’t running anymore ( seems like a Covid loss…).
Best Things to Do in Langkawi
Once you’ve made it to town, the closest and most accessible beach to visit is Pantai Cenang. It’s a large stretch of sand that has lot of restaurants and amenities nearby. Even with the attractions, it still won’t feel crowded.
If you continue walking a little further ( another 20 minutes or so), you’ll find Pantai Tengah beach which is a bit quieter and a bit cleaner.
Ready to venture out a little further? Go Malaysian Island Hopping– Okay- we are NOT organized tour people and we really like to find budget alternatives to overpriced tours ( one of my favorite successes being our DIY Winery Tour in Chile), but for NINE USD you can not beat the value for this half day tour.
The tour is about 4 hours, includes transportation from a convenient spot on the main street, and stops at Pulau Dayang Bunting which is home to a beautiful lake ( the only thing to ” see” on the island) where we rented a double kayak for a mere $2USD and and then you’ll stop at Pulau Beras Basah.
If you’re looking from a break from the beaches, you can easily take a hike up to Gunung Raya– the tallest mountain in Langkawi.
We don’t often recommend organized tours because it’s not our travel style and they don’t often fit in our budget BUT we did see some very reasonable tour options that are worthy of a recommendation:
- Tanjung Rhu Mangrove Tour ( $13 USD): Take a small boat up close to the mangrove trees that edge the nearby islands.
- Sunset cruise: Again, the sunsets in Langkawi are beautiful. If you’re going to splurge on a scenic sunset cruise, this would be the spot to do it ( from $25 USD)
Budget Restaurants in Langkawi
It’s easy to find international food ( like every other city in Malaysia) if that is what you are after, BUT we recommend trying some of the more local ( read, cheap and delicious) spots. Some of our favorite cheap eats in Langkawi include RL Chillout Cafe, Tony’s Corner, and Kirthika Kitchen for local Malay dishes under $3 USD.
Budget Accommodation in Langkawi
There are plenty of affordable options to stay n Langkawi whether you are looking to stay in a remote village, the beachfront, or the town center.
We recommend the Sri Embun Resort Langkawi ( $27 USD) which is a centrally located choice with a pool and a small private beach front area. For another beachfront option, check out Best Star Hotel – a popular ( over 11,000 reviews) beachfront property on Cenang Beach with a pool. We decided to stay to Tisha Lounge which we found on Agoda. The best part about this property is that it’s super secluded and private ( away from the main street and surrounded by fields) yet easily walkable to the beach in 15 minutes.
Check out our full 5 day Langkawi budget guide for more budget friendly activities and travel hacks for Langkawi.
From Langkawi, it’s time to end your 3 week budget Malaysian adventure. Keep scrolling for a few more helpful things to know before taking off on your trip.
Helpful Tips for your 3 Week Budget Trip to Malaysia
What to Know about Malaysian Foods:
Nasi Lemak: Coined the national dish of Malaysia, it is made with coconut milk soaked rice, served with sambal ( a spicy chilly paste) and some sort of protein. Typically the dish comes with chicken, anchovies and eggs- but Pat and I found many vegan-friendly versions too!
Laksa– A spicy noodle soup made with a coconut milk base ( if your on the west coast like where we were). Our hotel breakfast served Laksa in the morning as well so good to try!
Roti Canai– An Indian inspired flatbread that is ALWAYS made fresh and served hot. Often it is served with a variety of dhal ( lentil curry) which makes for a fulling big snack/light meal. Easy to find for under $ 2 USD.
What is the currency in Malaysia?
The current currency in Malaysia is called the Malaysian Ringgit ( MYR). As of 2024, 1 MYR is equal to about .22 USD. It’s really easy to get cash everywhere we went in Malaysia and it’s god to have some ringgit on you for food. Most restaurants and hotels will take credit card, but local markets and hawker stands primarily use cash.
What languages are spoken in Malaysia?
The official language of Malaysia is Malay, but English really is very widely spoken. In addition to Malay, you’ll hear many other languages including Chinese, Tamil, and other regional dialects.
Is Malaysia cheap to visit?
We think Malaysia is a very affordable travel destination. You can find a comfortable accommodation for $20 USD across the country and eat out for $2-3 a meal! Longer busses will still be under $10 USD and local transportation is under $1USD. Of course you can splurge on tourist activities, but your basic expenses will be quite reasonable.
Is 3 weeks in Malaysia enough?
We think 3 weeks is the perfect amount of time to explore Malaysia without being too rushed. Malaysia’s transportation system is efficient and budget friendly making it easy to navigate at whatever pace you choose works best for you for your Malaysia budget itinerary.
Final Thoughts on Malaysia
We’re overall really happy with the variety of experiences you can find in Malaysia within a short distance from each other- all for cheap. We hope you find our Malaysia budget trip itinerary helpful for your own planning! Whether you want a city outing in KL exploring the markets and shops ( and skyscrapers) surrounded by old forest, historical and cultural visits in UNESCO Georgetown, Tea ( and colder weather) in the Cameron Highlands or beachside in Langkawi- you’ll be able to get whatever experience you are looking for. PLUS, Malaysians are incredibly friendly, welcoming, hospitable and the food is DELICIOUS- what more could you want?
Check out some of our best budget itineraries here:
- Guatemala
- Bulgaria
- Macedonia
- Belize
- Mexico
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- UK
- Chile
