5 Night Kuala Lumpur Budget Itinerary

To be honest, convincing Pat to return to Kuala Lumpur required a little more effort then normal. To be fair, his only experience with KL was at an emergency hospital when he was there after being electrocuted while he was in the Navy. Beyond the Petronas Towers (which were the tallest building in the world from 1998 to 2004) , I knew Kuala Lumpur has tons of culture, cheap eats, and a dynamic experience of modern skyscrapers and traditional colonial architecture to explore and it would be worth a visit.

Turns out I was right- surprise surprise. Kuala Lumpur is a great mid-size city to explore. So go ahead and test out our 5 night Kuala Lumpur budget itinerary to follow our recommendations on how to maximize your time and minimize your spending in this iconic South East Asia capital city as part of your full Malaysia budget itinerary!

Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips

Which Budget Airline for cheap flights Kuala Lumpur?

We flew AirAsia from Tokyo and think this is one of the most efficient options for a cheap flight to Kuala Lumpur!

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.

  1. 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). This is the fastest option and a mid-range budget choice.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 went with.

Cheap Places to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

There’s no shortage of high-quality, low budget options in Kuala Lumpur making it a great budget city to visit. Here are few suggestions of low cost hotels under $25 USD!

Big M Hotel Kuala Lumpur: Big M Hotel is near Masjid Jamek LRT Station and offers easy access to popular landmarks like Merdeka Square, River of Life, and Chinatown. It’s close to shopping and public transport and with it’s proximity to Chinatown, there will be no shortage of delicious cheap eats. Average room price is only $20 USD AND on Agoda there are over 6,000 reviews with an average rating of 9.3!

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! With friendly staff and a communal atmosphere, it’s perfect for budget travelers.

If you’re willing to up your budget just a smidge ( averaging around $40 USD), you can stay at some quite luxurious properties like the Regalia Upper View Hotel with it’s iconic rooftop pool ( and fitness center) or the Hilton Garden Inn .

How we scored FREE accommodation in Kuala Lumpur

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). The IHG rewards promo has a GREAT deal when booking for longer stay reward nights. You pay for 3 nights with points and then the 4th night is FREE.

That means we stayed for 4 nights for only 27,000 points. That averages to a mere 6,750 points a night for a hotel with a fitness center AND free breakfast. With the free signup bonus of 140,000 points, you could stay at this hotel for 20 nights for FREE! Wild.

And, for anyone who may be skeptical about the ” Holiday Inn” chain if you are familiar with it from travel within the States, the quality and standard of a Holiday Inn abroad is SUBSTANTIALLY higher then any US comparison we’ve experienced. Truly we would return to this hotel again just for the breakfast buffet. The buffet has over 50 food options with everything from traditional Malaysian dishes to eggs, potatoes, pastries and beans. Most days we honestly ate so much ( and so well) that we ended up having a very light lunch.

Because we scored such a great deal for the first 4 nights of accommodation, we decided to splurge ( relatively) for the 5th night. Again, with our stash of over 165,000 IHG points, we cashed in a mere 16,000 of those points for a night at the Crowne Plaza! If we paid for a standard room with cash it would cost us about $150 USD. HOWEVER, we didn’t get a standard room- we got a Junior Suite! Because we have this card, we automatically have Platinum status ( which is one of the lowest tiers for IHG, but still ” status”). This perk qualifies you for a complimentary room upgrade when it’s available.

To be honest, we have only gotten this upgrade one other time ( so far), but we happened to get it at one of the nicest hotels we’ve ever stayed in. So for 16,000 points, we ended up staying in a room worth $250 USD in a hotel with a rooftop pool, high end ( roof top) fitness center, and were gifted complimentary drinks and fruit baskets. If you’re a budget traveler too, then I think you’ll get how extra nice the luxuries are when you have access to them!

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.

Affordable dining in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a foodie-paradise! And as vegetarians, it is incredibly easy and SO affordable to have delicious meals. We ate REALLY well in KL and most meals cost under $3.00 USD.

1)Jalan Alor Food Street: This famous street food market is just a 5 minute walk from where we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur. It’s definitely a tourist spot, but I still recommend it for one visit. While it isn’t vegetarian friendly ( it’s great for satays), we did indulge in a few sweet treats.

2)Hameediyah Restaraunt: Carb lovers- unite! This spot is known for it’s flatbreads and biryani which will set you back about $ 3USD.

3)Pudu Wai Sek Kai: This is a popular hawker center where it’s easy ( and affordable) to bounce from stall to stall to sample local dishes- all for under $2 USD. At this price point, this is a great way to try local favorites like Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk with sides of spicy sambal, eggs, and a protein ( usually friend chicken), Char Kway Teow ( flat noodles with meat), or Nasi Kandar.

4)Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery Food Centre-Okay- this place is a vegetarian’s dream. It’s a little hard to find the cafeteria because you need to walk through and around the monastery that faces the street, but simply ask for ” lunch” and you’ll be pointed in the right direction. You pay for what you take ( which is a popular format for the veggie buffets) and the most we every paid for FULL plates was $3.00.

5)Restoran Sayur: Another great vegetarian buffet option near Kepong Sentral metro station. Cheap food, pay for what you eat, lots of different options every day.

Free & Budget Friendly Attractions in Kuala Lumpur

  • Brickfields-Known as the ” Little India” section of Kuala Lumpur, you’ll be spoiled for choices for cheap eats and Indian inspired architecture. There’s no ” must see” attractions here, but it’s a nice small neighborhood to stroll around for quality Indian food and shopping.
  • The National Museum of Malaysia-For 5 RM ( about $1.10 !), you’ll get entrance to this multi-level museum. There are four main galleries’ including a semi-generic pre-historic galley ( if short on time I would say this section is ” skippable”), and 3 other much more interesting galleries’ that cover Malaysian history in chronological order ending with the modern Malay identity and the many complex cultural roots it encompasses.
The front of the Malaysian National museum which is a free activity suggested on the 5 night kuala lumpur budget itinerary
  • 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.
  • Shop around Central Market: Nearby to Chinatown, this mall is a popular hub for souvenirs and local crafts, but we went twice for the food court selection. On the first floor, you’ll find a more Western ( read that as expensive) food hall with travel luxuries like gelato, but on the second floor, you’ll find a variety of stalls all with local food options and more importantly, local prices.
  • Visit the Srii Maha Mariamman Temple– After scoring some great bargain deals at the Petaling Street Market market down the street in Chinatown, stop by this iconic and incredibly colorful and ornate Hindu temple which is FREE to explore.
  • Take the Train to Batu Caves– If you’re talking to someone who doesn’t know much about Malaysia, they are probably picture one of two iconic sites: the Petronas Towers and Batu Caves ( more colloquially known as the rainbow step temple). There’s no fee to enter the temple. Just remember as it’s a religious site to have your knees and shoulders covered.
    • Fellow blogger Scrapbook of Life offers a comprehensive guide on how to use the train to get there. For just $1 USD you can easily get from KL Sentral to Batu caves directly- no switching needed! As with any touristy site, if you too don’t like the company of fellow tourists, go early and your experience will be much more peaceful! We left KL around 8:00 am and were at the caves 30 minutes later before any tour groups arrived and had a much better experience then some of our friends who’ve visited there.
  • 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.
  • Visit the National Mosque ( Masjid Negara): This beautiful mosque is open to visitors and free to enter. Like Batu caves, it’s expected that you are dressed modestly with shoulders and knees covered to enter. Check out blogger and fellow history buff’s site travelingthruhistory.com for her take on visiting the mosque.
  • Menara Tower ( sort of): Like most iconic city line statues, the prices to enter these architectural marvels are typically far from budget friendly. Stare up at the Menara tower from below. If you wanted to get tickets to the top of the tower it’s about $14 USD
  • Window shopping at the Petronas Twin Towers mall- If you wanted to splurge to go up to the Petronas Towers, prepare to dish out between $25-$35 USD for your entry ( depending on what site you use to purchase your ticket, if you get a ” skip the line” pass, etc). As entrance for the 2 of us was pretty much our budget for the ENTIRE 5 days in KL, it didn’t seem worth it to us. You decide what’s right for you! After taking the obligatory photos underneath the towers, head inside for a luxurious Asian mall experience- high end shops, bright lights, and lots of air conditioning!
  • 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.
  • KL Forest Eco Park– It might have been the excessive heat that day, but this ended up being a bit of a let down for the price. If you have a bit of extra cash stored up in your budget, then I would say go for it, but if you’re looking to be more strategic about your spending, I think there are a lot of better and more interesting ways to spend your money in KL. The idea is that it’s a ” tree top” walk with suspension bridges. It’s only $8USD, so nothing crazy expensive, but considering how far the USD can get you in Malaysia, I think the money is spent better anywhere.
  • 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 Building and exemplifies the remains of the British empire. Merdeka square is also home to one of the world’s tallest flagpoles. When under British rule, the field used to be a cricket field!

Other Things to Consider:

Do US citizens need a Visa for Malaysia?

For U.S. citizens traveling to Malaysia, a visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes. As always, just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your entry date, and you have a return ticket.

How Many Days in Kuala Lumpur?

If you have the time, then there is plenty to explore over 5 nights in KL. If you’re short on time, you can still see many attractions/different parts of the city in 3 days. We have friends who stayed in KL for 3 weeks.

Is Kuala Lumpur expensive to travel?

As the capital city, you’ll spend more here then other parts of Malaysia. Overall, we found it to be budget friendly with comfortable accommodation options for $20 USD ( with lots of options for half that price), transportation for $1 USD and meals for $1.50-$3 USD.

Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur

The best times to visit Kuala Lumpur are often from December to February or between June and August. During these windows, there is less chance of rain. In my opinion, KL is pretty hot year round so it doesn’t seem like there is a bad time to go!

Where to visit after Kuala Lumpur?

Kuala Lumpur was our first stop for our three weeks in Malaysia and it’s a great way to jump into the diversity and energy that country has to offer! KL highlights the international cultures that compose the Malay identify including the influences of the Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous communities that make up modern day Malaysia.

From KL, we made our way to the bus station to catch a 4 hour bus to the Cameron Highlands ( home to MUCH cooler weather and endless tea plantations). From the Cameron Highlands we took another bus to Georgetown, Penang ( a UNESCO World Heritage site) and we ended out trip by flying from Penang to Langkawi for a little off-season beach time!

Final Thoughts

We love KL ( and it’ll hold a special place in my travel hacking heart thanks to the solid hotel credit card mile redemptions for 5 nights for free stays!) and think it has so much to offer. Once you mentally overcome the oppressive heat, this is a really enjoyable, food loving city! We hope you too can take advantage of our Kuala Lumpur 5 days Itinerary to make the most of your time in KL!

Sending you love from our suite in KL!

If your looking for ideas on where to go next in Malaysia, check out:

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Welcome! We're Vic and Pat- 30 somethings that have accumulated 10+ years of international travel experience who finally have the guts to share their experiences. We focus on budget couple travel in unique locations that aren't necessarily on a "bucketlist." We don't believe in taking time for granted and we do believe in living our life on the move. Sometimes we have long weekends, sometimes we have a 2 week holiday, sometimes we travel and work remotely for 2+ months at a time. Regardless of what chapter of life we're in, we want to show you how to stretch your budget, maximize travel hacks, and create memorable experiences.