Tips to save money when travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur may not be the most budget-friendly destination in the country but it’s not impossible to get by on less than $20 a day. Whether you’re a budget-conscious traveller or an experienced backpacker, these ways to save money on your trip to KL can come in handy.

Eat like a local

The key to really making your cash last in this city can lie in finding the right places to eat. Food can present a tricky situation for those who don’t know where to look. The answer to finding cheap grub is simple: do as the locals do.

Make your way to a kopitiam (a Chinese coffee shop that is common in and out of the city). Such hangouts can be found offering menu selections that are both scrumptious and affordable with a number of local favorites to choose from. Similarly, 24-hour mamak stalls are plentiful and provide fresh coffee as well as South Indian delicacies like roti canai to customers who are looking for good, cheap food.

If you’re travelling in big groups, look for food courts in the shopping malls; they can accommodate to different tastes and are incredibly cheap if you pay attention to the bill.

Take the train or the bus

If it’s a tight budget you’re worried about, why not forget about renting a standard vehicle? Kuala Lumpur’s public transportation networks can get the job done just fine. With a series of interconnected systems that lead from one destination to another, you can explore the city without breaking the bank. KL’s numerous trains and buses can get you right where you need to go without the hassles of rush hour road traffic. Prominent landmarks, hotels, shopping districts and malls are often within walking distance of most stations with one-way fares that start at RM1.20 (less than $0.50).

If trains aren’t really your thing, you may want to consider the GO KL City Bus. This option lets you visit popular districts, shopping spots, train stations and notable attractions. The best part? It’s completely free of charge! Look out for a bright lilac-colored bus that makes its way around town, fully equipped with free WiFi and wheelchair ramps for disabled passengers.

Purchase a tourist pass

If affordability and convenience are at the top of your list, the KL Pass helps encourage budget-friendly tourism in the country with special privileges that allow visitors to enter prominent attractions or skip queues with fast-track lanes for free. The pass can be purchased at validities of one (RM165), three (RM395) and six (RM675) days. Apart from getting access to various destinations, the KL Pass also grants you exclusive discounts and offers found in selected retail outlets, shopping plazas or dining spots. A complimentary guidebook with useful information about the many activities and locations in Kuala Lumpur is also available.

Look out for flight deals or choose a flight with a stop

There are plenty of budget airlines connecting Kuala Lumpur to Southeast Asia and beyond. Scoot, Jetstar Asia and AirAsia are just some of them. If their usual fares aren’t appealing enough, follow such airlines on their social media pages to be in the know whenever they have special promotions and limited-time offers.

If you’re travelling from another continent, try hacking the conventional process and stop over at Dubai, Singapore, or even Bangkok on the way to Malaysia. You may just find that it makes the flight a lot cheaper, plus it gives you a chance to stretch your legs and do a little exploring before reaching your final destination.

Save money on early hotel booking

Worried about daunting hotel costs while staying in the city? Why not book your hotel early and cut those rates in half? You could make things easier on yourself if you decide quickly on where you intend to stay in KL, even before you set off. Once you’ve confirmed the area, start looking for the best deals on hotels online, using comparison sites to check on which prices are lower. Waiting until the very last minute to confirm your accommodation can leave you with higher costs on hotels, especially high-quality ones.

See more: The famous landmarks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Get to know what are typical breakfasts in Asia

One of the most exciting experiences to have while traveling around Asia is to taste the local food. If you’re looking for some authenticity in your travel journey, be sure to start the day with a power-packed local breakfast. The breakfast menu for this diverse continent is strikingly different from one country to the next, from pancakes to rice and noodles.

The Philippines

A typical Filipino breakfast can range from pandesal (bread rolls), champorado (chocolate rice porridge), garlic fried rice, and meat—such as tapa (dried or cured beef), longganisa (Spanish sausage), tocino (sweet pork belly), corned beef, or fish such as daing na bangus (salted and dried milkfish), or itlog na pula (salted duck eggs).

Pandesal

Bibingka

Champorado

Japan

Traditional breakfast in Japan

In any traditional Japanese household, you’ll find them serving steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish and various side dishes for their breakfast. Side dishes may include tsukemono (Japanese pickles), nori (dried seasoned seaweed), natto (fermented soy beans), kobachi (small side dishes which usually consist of vegetables), and green salad.

China

The Chinese have a special version of a doughnut, which is called youtiao (long, golden-brown, deep-fried strip of dough). They’re best served dipped or soaked in soy milk.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese have bì for their breakfast. It’s basically shredded pork mixed with pork skin, eaten with “broken rice”: rice made from fractured and broken grains.

Banh mi

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Malaysia

For the Malaysians, they have nasi lemak, which is a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with a bunch of different garnishes.

Korea

Koreans are all about their tofu or cabbage soup, rice, pickled veggies, kimchi (of course), and soy-marinated beef.

Israel

Shashuka

If you’ve ever been to Israel, shakshuka is always on the menu. It’s composed of onions, peppers, tomato paste, and eggs.

Singapore

Congee is the breakfast go-to dish for Singaporeans. They usually flavour it with cuttle fish, pork, or eggs.

Read more: Explore a traditional Japanese breakfast

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Must-visit attractions in Kuching, Malaysia

Sarawak in Malaysia attracts tourists for jungle-related activities, cities with a small-town feel and its rich and diverse ethnic culture and traditions. Kuching, the state capital, is often the first port of call.

Sarawak’s White Rajahs

The clock tower is located inside the complex

The Astana, or ‘Palace’ in English, always features on lists of the must-visit attractions in Kuching. Sitting elegantly on the banks of the River Sarawak, the 1870 colonial palace exudes grandeur. Formerly the residence of Sarawak’s White Rajahs, it’s now the Governor of Sarawak’s seat and isn’t open to the public. Manicured lawns and a fence surround the palace with ‘Astana’ spelled out in giant white letters. Stand on the opposite side of the river for the best photographs. Return after dark when the palace lights up.

Tua Pek Kong Temple

Dating back to 1843, Tua Pek Kong holds the title as Kuching’s oldest Chinese temple. Located in the heart of the city centre near the Waterfront and Chinese Museum, the colourful façade welcomes curious visitors. While the Taoist temple might not be an obvious entry into the list of the must-visit attractions in Kuching, it does provide cultural insights into the city’s past and hosts several annual festivals.

Cat Museum

Cat monument in Kuching city center

Sarawak’s name translates as ‘Cat’ in English, giving the nickname ‘City of Cats’. The world’s first cat museum covers four galleries inside the City Hall buildings. With over 4,000 items covering everything related to felines, this is a must-visit attraction in Kuching for cat lovers. Since opening in 1988, the Cat Museum gets thousands of annual visitors. Expect to find figurines, photographs, posters and a rare Egyptian mummified cat.

Bako National Park

Holding the title as Sarawak’s oldest and one of the state’s smallest, Bako National Park can be reached within an hour to the northeast of Kuching. After taking a boat to the park entrance, visitors can hike along colour-coded trails, visit beaches and go wildlife-spotting in the many habitats. Highlights include its resident population of endemic proboscis monkeys, slow loris and pangolins, as well as 190 species of birds, lizards and other mammals. Bako National Park is an ideal place to go wildlife-spotting and experience Sarawak’s rainforests.

Sarawak State Museum

Borneo’s oldest museum first opened in 1891. The White Rajah at the time, Charles Brookes, had a passion for natural history and commissioned the Sarawak State Museum. Several displays cover all aspects of Sarawak from ethnographic exhibits and traditional longhouses to Neolithic artefacts, natural specimens and both Chinese and Islamic art. The grand three-storied colonial building housing the museum is a masterpiece in itself.

Read more: Experience Malaysian cuisine in a day

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The best shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is bursting with an array of shopping malls, featuring everything from high street fashion, local boutiques, branded retail, and cheap budget finds.

When you stroll into a Kuala Lumpur mall, you will find everything you need under one roof, from bars, restaurants to fashion and onsite attractions, so everyone in the family is satisfied during the day out.

Suria KLCC

Located at the base of the 88-storey, steel-clad Petronas Twin Towers (which rise to 451.9m), the crescent-shaped Suria KLCC is more than just a shopping and dining venture. Opened in 1999, the retail and entertainment complex on the junction of Jalan Ampang and Jalan P. Ramlee houses a plethora of interesting attractions.

Starhill Gallery KL

For a shopping and dining experience, you have Starhill Gallery in Bukit Bintang. Imagine walking around on carpeted floors in ambient lighting while the strains of soft jazz fill your ears.
Opened in 1996, this 250,000 square ft complex has over 100 renowned luxury brands as well as a 50,000 square ft spa and relaxation centre (the Pamper Zone). For foods, you can always visit the food court (Feast Village) on the lower ground area where you can sample food from award-winning restaurants. Otherwise, you can also sit and relax at one of the exclusive cafés surrounding the main concourse.

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Standing loud and proud in the heart of Bukit Bintang, Pavilion is the place to be for luxury shoppers and high-end fashionistas. The mall has dedicated itself as Malaysia’s power fashion hub with some of the world’s most sought-after brands such as Givenchy, Cartier and Saint Laurent on full glittering display. It is also home to the annual Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week which showcases the country’s best local designers.

Sunway Pyramid

Sunway Pyramid is 1.7 million-sq ft Egyptian-themed mall adjacent to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya. A distinctive retail landmark, it is one of the largest shopping centres in the country and the only one with an indoor ice skating rink. Some of the brands represented at this mall include Coach, Ms. Selfridge, Mango and Timberland.

Bangsar Village I & II

Located in the heart of posh Bangsar neighbourhood, Bangsar Village is a one-stop mall popular among both locals and expats. Bangsar Village I (designed to be family-oriented), has a handful of stores catering to the needs of a growing family, from children’s clothing to home appliances. Bangsar Village II, on the other hand, is for those seeking simple elegance with a selection of contemporary restaurants, curated design goods and luxury fashion brands.

Mid Valley Megamall

The best shopping opportunity is not actually within Bangsar itself, but very near it; the Mid Valley Shopping mall is one of the largest in Southeast Asia and is arguably the Klang Valley's most popular shopping attraction. From Bangsar, it is a few minutes away using a large flyover that cuts across the smaller Bangsar roads that lead to other areas.

Plaza Low Yat

Gadget geeks and tech lovers nerd it out at Plaza Low Yat. Serving as Malaysia’s largest IT and lifestyle mall, Plaza Low Yat is a 9-floor complex that offers the world’s latest gadgets, from laptops and computers to smartphones and cameras. If your battery drains after spending hours browsing through the maze of electronics shops, there are plenty of eateries to help you recharge.

Read more: 5 best places to enjoy street foods in Kuala Lumpur

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Get to know fall festivals in Asia

Like other big holidays in Asia, these fall festivals attract tourists who love celebrations as well.

The Mid-Autumn Festival

Also known as the Chinese Moon Festival, or known as the "Mooncake Festival" the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the harvest. The day is celebrated throughout Asia and is a public holiday in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Mid-Autumn Festival is about enjoying a short respite from work to have reunions with family, friends, and relatives. Mooncakes are exchanged beneath the full moon with someone special. It's time to express romances.

Where: Throughout Asia, especially places with large ethnic Chinese populations
When: Dates change, usually in September

Malaysia Day

Not to be confused with Hari Merdeka, Malaysia's celebration of gaining independence from the British Empire, Malaysia Day is a patriotic celebration to commemorate the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

The day is celebrated with patriotic festivities along with a parade and speeches. Malaysia Day is an exciting time to travel in Malaysia.

Where: Throughout Malaysia and Borneo, with the epicenter in Kuala Lumpur
When: Annually on September 16

China's National Day

China’s most patriotic holiday is National Day on October 1. Concerts, pro-government gatherings, and fireworks mark the occasion.

The day also kicks off one of China’s Golden Week holiday periods, meaning that things get even busier and busier in Beijing. Hundreds of thousands of people living in the countryside head into the capital for a rare glimpse of Tienanmen Square. Attractive tourism places such as the Great Wall and the terracotta soldiers in Xi'an become crowded with traveling locals. Hotels and public transportations also fill up. The first week of October is the busiest time to visit China.

Where: In big cities throughout China, with the epicenter in Beijing
When: Annually on October 1, last approximately a week

Read more: Top 5 places to see autumn foliage in Asia

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5 great destinations near Thailand for a quick getaway

If you have a few extra days to spare while you're in Thailand, or are living here and looking for an interesting place to go for 2–3 days, consider one of these great side trips from Thailand. Each of these places is three or fewer hours by plane from Bangkok, and all are wonderful places to visit.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Hands down, this is the most amazing cultural sight in the region, and even if you aren’t interested in archeology or ancient cultures, you’ll probably find it impressive.

The Angkor Wat temple complex is just one of many you’ll get a chance to visit in the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. In fact, there are many must-see temples. You can travel overland (bus from Thailand) or take a short flight from Bangkok.

Siem Reap itself was once a very sleepy town, but in the past decade, has been developing at breakneck speed. The first Starbucks in Siem Reap opened in August 2017. There are scores and scores of guest houses and high-end hotels — and enough restaurants and bars to keep you fed and watered while you visit.

Singapore

If you’re craving a calm, convenient, organized city after the chaos of Bangkok, head to this tiny city-state.

From the moment you land at Singapore’s Changi Airport, you’ll know why many Bangkok residents choose this destination for quick weekend getaways. It’s super clean, for one. And since English is one of the country’s official languages, you won’t have any problems communicating. While taxis are plentiful and safe, you can also use the city’s expansive, efficient public transportation system.

Singapore is a relatively new country; prior to 1819, it had few inhabitants other than the lions that roamed the island. Because of the city's Chinese, Malay, and Indian roots, it’s got a really interesting vibe you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Singapore also has plenty of fun stuff to do, great restaurants — again, thanks to its Chinese, Malay, and Indian roots — lots of big shopping malls, and a decent nightlife scene. The only drawback is that Singapore hotels can be very expensive compared to the rest of the region. In fact, everything in the city is expensive when compared to Bangkok — especially beer.

If the prospect of blowing lots of cash doesn’t scare you, check out one of Singapore’s casinos. Gambling has only been legal there for a relatively short time and is very high end. The Marina Bay Sands, right on the edge of the city’s financial district, is a casino, adult playground, shopping center, and upscale restaurant all rolled into one.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Somewhere between the frenzy of Bangkok and the organization of Singapore lies Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

KL, as it’s known throughout the region, has a good mix of tourist attractions and shopping. Like Singapore, its residents are a mix of ethnic Chinese, Indian, and Malay — along with many other nationalities — so the food is fantastic, as are the many cultural celebrations held almost weekly.

Kuala Lumpur is easy to navigate, with great public transportation.

Penang, Malaysia

This popular island off the northwest coast of Malaysia has a fascinating history, the most visible of which is its past as an English colony.

When you visit Penang, explore the architecture of Georgetown, which earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2008. Make sure to sample some famous Penang street food, too.

And if you’re looking for a place to stay, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, an old Chinese courtyard home that has been transformed into a gorgeous boutique hotel, is the best on the island.

Bali, Indonesia

Although Thai beaches can be spectacular, the island of Bali offers something a little different and is still definitely worth visiting if you’ve already explored Thailand’s coast and islands.

The beaches are beautiful, but one of the things that makes Bali special is that its interior is stunning. Lush, green rice terraces and mountains make the island worth visiting even if you don’t want to go for a swim. And of course, there’s Ubud, an artsy tourist town in central Bali filled with cafes, galleries, pretty villas, and museums. Ubud is about an hour away from Kuta, the island’s most popular beach, so it’s easy to visit for the day if you don’t want to spend a night.

See more: Taste the traditional sweets from Asia

Source: tripzilla

Best secret islands and beaches in Malaysia

Imagine white sand, turquoise waters and empty palm tree-fringed beaches. Malaysia has thousands of these islands, with many relatively unknown and off the tourist trail.

A luxurious beach getaway on Tenggol Island (Terengganu)

Tenggol is the southernmost island in Terengganu State’s archipelago chain, stretching over the South China Sea. Unlike its neighbours the Perhentian Islands, this place hardly gets any visitors apart from a handful of locals. Expect ideal snorkelling conditions, daily whale shark tours and jungle trails. To get here, take a five-hour bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Dungan followed by a 50-minute ferry to Tenggol Island. It’s worth the long trip.

Romantic getaways on Rawa Island (Johor)

Dazzling white-sand beaches, celebrity-favourite resorts and beachfront villas are three ways to describe Rawa Island. This tiny coral island off Johor State has just two resorts, alluring those looking for a very private retreat. Wake up to the sound of lapping waves and open the curtains to the empty white coastline. This piece of paradise comes with a high price tag and limited rooms that often sell out months in advance. Rawa is perfect for honeymooners or more affluent couples on a romantic getaway.

The mesmerising ‘Blue Tears’ on Tusan Beach (Sarawak)

Sarawak’s Tusan Beach near Miri doesn’t get many visitors apart from local families. Not many outsiders get to see the warm orange sand hugging the cliffs or photograph the unusual rock formation (resembling a horse bending down to drink the sea water). The lack of commercialisation plus the strange geological structures aren’t the only things that make this (somewhat) secret beach in Malaysia so special. When conditions are just right, tiny micro-organisms in the sea release a chemical into the water. This bioluminescence transforms the gentle inky waters into a neon blue oasis, creating the spectacular and very rare ‘Blue Tears’ phenomenon.

Disconnect from the world on Kapas (Terengganu)

Terengganu’s Kapas Island is practically uninhabited compared to its neighbours. Only a handful of guesthouses and hostels line the empty coastlines, catering towards budget-conscious crowds. Forget luxury resorts, mass development and WiFi: Kapas is all about reflection and solitude. Expect vast coastlines, colourful coral reefs and crystal-clear waters.

Read more: Top famous tourist attractions in Malaysia

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