Making the most of a low-cost airline sale is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur at the lowest cost. With an almost unbelievable cheap ticket and a total spend under NT$8,000, a self-guided Kuala Lumpur trip really is outstanding value.
This independent trip to Malaysia stays mostly around Kuala Lumpur. Besides famous sights in Kuala Lumpur city, it also includes Melaka’s old town and Putrajaya’s Pink Mosque. It covers flights for a self-guided Kuala Lumpur trip, transport, hotel picks, pre-trip prep, the itinerary, and the sights — and the costs are listed at the end.
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Contents
- What to know before a Kuala Lumpur trip
- Getting around Kuala Lumpur and nearby
- Affordable, high-value hotels in Kuala Lumpur
- A five-day, four-night Kuala Lumpur itinerary
- What to prepare for a self-guided Kuala Lumpur trip
- What this independent Malaysia trip cost
- Miaoba and Miaoma promo links
What to know before a Kuala Lumpur trip
The South China Sea splits Malaysia into East Malaysia and West Malaysia. The country has thirteen states and three federal territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan). It straddles the equator, covers a large area, and is rich in places to visit. The best-known areas are around Penang, around Kuala Lumpur, around Johor, and around Sabah.
Penang: the area with the densest Chinese community, a World Heritage city
Kuala Lumpur: the economic center, Malaysia’s busiest city
Johor: next to Singapore, usually planned together with Singapore
Sabah: home to Southeast Asia’s highest peak, a Malaysian resort destination
Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah all have direct flights. These four places show completely different sides of Malaysia, and each is worth the trip. Prices in Malaysia are not high, so it is well worth exploring. In this piece, Miaoba focuses on the area around Kuala Lumpur.^^
Sights around Kuala Lumpur
To walk through the sights around Kuala Lumpur, Miaoba finds 4–5 days about right. Leave 2–3 days for Kuala Lumpur city, 1–2 days for atmospheric Melaka’s old town, and half a day for Putrajaya’s Pink Mosque. If you want more local food and back-lane finds in Kuala Lumpur, plan to stay longer.
1. Recommended sights in Kuala Lumpur city:
Miaoba lists 10 famous Kuala Lumpur sights. You can reach all of them on Kuala Lumpur public transport, and two days is enough to cover them.
Petronas Twin Towers: the world’s tallest twin towers, and the landmark of Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves: 272 steps, a landmark Hindu sacred site
Masjid Jamek: completed in 1909, a landmark mosque in Kuala Lumpur
Putrajaya: a real-life SimCity, with a pink mosque that has a distinctly cute look
Merdeka Square: the historic landmark where Malaysia declared independence
Central Market: crafts, souvenirs, and a place to shop
Petaling Street: Kuala Lumpur’s largest Chinatown
Bukit Bintang: the commercial center, packed with department stores
Jalan Alor: restaurants everywhere, the kitchen of Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station: a century-old Moorish building
Further reading: 10 top sights in Kuala Lumpur, covered in two days
2. Recommended sights in Melaka’s old town:
South of Kuala Lumpur, Melaka held a very important strategic position because it controls the Strait of Malacca. Layers of culture make Melaka even richer. The drive from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka is about 2 hours, close enough to plan together.
Further reading: World Heritage Melaka old town, a one-day plan
3. Recommended sights in Putrajaya (the former Prince’s City):
Putrajaya used to be called the Prince’s City. It is a carefully planned new town between central Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The planning is so complete that Miaoba thinks it looks like a real-life SimCity.^^
Further reading: Putrajaya Pink Mosque: how to get there and visiting rules
4. A food scene where many cultures meet:
Chinese influence, Portuguese and British colonial history, and Muslim culture mix together, and Malaysia turns that variety into more dishes than you can count.
Further reading: What to eat, buy, and try in Kuala Lumpur
How to choose a flight to Kuala Lumpur
Recommendation: AirAsia’s BIG SALE, held four times a year — buy the ticket while it is cheap.
When to book: AirAsia’s BIG SALE, four times a year, is the best time to buy tickets. BIG SALE usually falls in February, May, August, and November. That is when large numbers of RM0 or low-fare tickets are released (fees and taxes extra).
Booking tip: join the AirAsia (Air Asia) Facebook page and register as a member on the official site in advance, with your details filled in. You will hear about fare sales earlier and get a chance to book first.
Compare fares: Search flights on Skyscanner, Search flights on Trip
Malaysia visa and customs notes
Malaysia is relatively friendly to Taiwan. A Taiwan passport allows a visa-free stay of 30 days (a stay longer than 30 days needs a visa). Remember to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online beforehand. After you submit it, you can use the autogate.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): Fill it in before you arrive
Wine, spirits, or beer: no more than 1 liter
Tobacco: no more than 225 grams (about 200 cigarettes)
Cash: amounts over US$10,000, or the equivalent in other currency, must be declared
Malaysia tax refund: you can claim a refund from RM300, so the threshold is low
Related information: Malaysia customs and timely updates on things to note
Further reading: Malaysia tax refund, done the simple way (article still in progress)
Is changing money and paying by card easy in Kuala Lumpur?
Changing money: it is very easy to change cash in Kuala Lumpur. US dollars get the best rate (New Taiwan dollars are a bit worse). The ringgit is not a widely circulated international currency, so Miaoba suggests you do not change too much. In Miaoba’s experience, RM20–30 a meal is enough for a very full meal.
Cards: supermarkets and malls in Kuala Lumpur take cards. A card with a high overseas cash rebate can beat paying cash once you offset the foreign transaction fee. Bring several cards so you are not stuck with a low limit or a declined charge.
Use Grab PAY: besides cheap, easy rides in Malaysia, Grab is also handy for paying in shops once you link a credit card in the app. Many shops may not take credit cards, but they do take Grab PAY. It is another way to pay by card in Malaysia.
Further reading: 5 ways to exchange foreign currency, and which is the best value
Malaysia voltage, time difference, water, tips, and internet
Malaysia voltage: 220–240V, two-pin round and triangular sockets. Bring a plug adapter (ordinary appliances need a transformer).
Drinking water in Malaysia: cold tap water is not safe to drink. Buying bottled mineral water at a supermarket is the better option.
Tipping in Malaysia: there is no custom that you must tip. Whether you tip is up to you.
Time difference: there is no time difference between Taiwan and Malaysia.
Getting online in Malaysia: internet is common, not expensive, and very convenient
Further reading: Malaysia internet roundup, and SIM card deals
Recommended planning links for a Kuala Lumpur trip
Transport: Airport express/Airport transfer/KL Travel PASS/Touch N Go card/Sightseeing bus
Private car: Half-day or full-day charter, Transfers to nearby cities, Multi-day charter/Find buses and trains
Tickets: Attraction pass/Petronas Twin Towers/KL Tower/Sunway Lagoon/Aquaria KLCC/National Zoo
Day tours: Putrajaya/Melaka/Genting Highlands + Batu Caves/Selangor Sky Mirror/Elephant sanctuary/City tour/City night tour
Experiences: Fireflies/Malaysian massage/Neutra, Mandara Spa
Find data: 40GB data SIM/Delivered to your home/eSIM
Kuala Lumpur hotels: booking/Book on Trip/Book on KLOOK
Latest promo codes: KKday promo code/KLOOK promo code
Getting around Kuala Lumpur and nearby
Transport in Kuala Lumpur city:
Recommendation: 10 routes that reach all over the city, plus cheap and easy rides in the Grab app, are enough to see Kuala Lumpur.
Rail (KTM), light rail (LRT), monorail (Monorail), and the airport line (KLIA) make 10 routes in all, plus 6 very cheap buses (Go KL bus). Public transport can reach every sight in Kuala Lumpur. For tickets, the KL Travel Pass issued for visitors is the one to get.
If you would rather not use public transport, calling a car with the Grab app is very affordable and very convenient.
Further reading: Kuala Lumpur transport guide: MRT and metro, public transport, free buses, and tickets, all in one place
Getting to Melaka’s old town (Melaka):
Melaka’s old town is about 150 km southeast of Kuala Lumpur. The five most common ways are: go straight from Kuala Lumpur airport to Melaka, take a bus from the TBS bus terminal to Melaka, hire a private car to Melaka, join a day tour, or take a bus.
Further reading: 5 ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka
Getting to the Putrajaya Pink Mosque (the former Prince’s City):
KLIA Transit train then a bus, KLIA Transit train then a Grab, a private car, or a local tour — four ways to reach Kuala Lumpur’s new town.
Further reading: Putrajaya Pink Mosque: how to get there and visiting rules
Affordable, high-value hotels in Kuala Lumpur
Sights in central Kuala Lumpur are very concentrated, and transport reaches everywhere, so Miaoba stayed three nights in the city and planned the days radiating out from the hotel. Because the flight was an early one, Miaoba also stayed one night at TUNE HOTEL beside the airport.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur city (three nights)
City hotel pick: Furama Bukit Bintang
Three nights in a row: a deluxe room with breakfast, NT$4,684 in total
Hotels in central Kuala Lumpur are generally very affordable. The hotel Miaoba chose is in the city center, only 2 km from the Petronas Twin Towers, only 1 km from the busiest Pavilion and from Petaling Street, and close to the train station. A deluxe room at about NT$1,600 a night has two large beds and includes breakfast, so the value is excellent.
Check discounted rates: Book on Booking, Book on Trip, KLOOK
Kuala Lumpur airport hotel (one night)
Airport hotel pick: Tune hotel klia2
One night: a double room without breakfast, NT$904 in total
TUNE HOTEL is a transit hotel under AirAsia, sold on a fresh design and a strong location. Cross a skybridge and you are on the shopping street of Terminal 2. Shopping and meals are both very convenient. The hotel focuses on double rooms around NT$1,000. Whether you leave on an early flight or land on a late one, it is an excellent place to rest.
Check discounted rates: Book on Booking, Book on Trip, KLOOK
Further reading: Hotels at Kuala Lumpur airport: easy to browse, easy to shop, and cheap for an overnight stay
A five-day, four-night Kuala Lumpur itinerary
The sights around Kuala Lumpur sit close together, so the plan is easy. Miaoba left two days for Kuala Lumpur city, one day for Melaka, and half a day for Putrajaya. The stay was not long, but it still covered Kuala Lumpur.
DAY1 Taipei–Kuala Lumpur (stay in Kuala Lumpur)
Transport: AirAsia early-bird ticket, Kuala Lumpur airport transfer, Kuala Lumpur rail and metro
Hotel: Furama Bukit Bintang
AirAsia red-eye flight>>Furama Bukit Bintang Hotel (FURAMA HOTEL)
Further reading: Kuala Lumpur transport guide: MRT and metro, public transport, free buses, and tickets, all in one place
DAY2 Kuala Lumpur–Melaka–Kuala Lumpur (stay in Kuala Lumpur)
Transport: TBS terminal to Melaka, long-distance bus
Hotel: Furama Bukit Bintang
Breakfast: hotel buffet
Lunch: 和記 chicken rice on Jonker Street
Dinner: Geographer Cafe on Jonker Street
One day in Melaka’s old town (old town>Dutch Square>Queen Victoria Fountain>Melaka Clock Tower>Christ Church Melaka>Stadthuys>Melaka ruins>Jonker Street)>>Furama Bukit Bintang Hotel (FURAMA HOTEL)
Further reading: 5 ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka
DAY3 Kuala Lumpur city, Day 1 (stay in Kuala Lumpur)
Transport: Kuala Lumpur rail and metro, free bus, Grab
Hotel: Furama Bukit Bintang
Breakfast: hotel buffet
Lunch: Kim Lian Kee on Petaling Street
Dinner: Wong Ah Wah on Jalan Alor
10 top sights in Kuala Lumpur city (Batu Caves>>Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Central Market>>Petronas Twin Towers>>Jalan Alor)>>Furama Bukit Bintang Hotel (FURAMA HOTEL)
Further reading: Kuala Lumpur transport guide: MRT and metro, public transport, free buses, and tickets, all in one place
DAY4 Kuala Lumpur city–Putrajaya–airport (stay at Kuala Lumpur airport)
Transport: Kuala Lumpur rail and metro, private transfer
Hotel: Tune hotel klia2
Breakfast: hotel buffet
Lunch: 新峰 bak kut teh
Dinner: food court at Kuala Lumpur Terminal 2
Shopping in Bukit Bintang>>Putrajaya and the former Prince’s City Pink Mosque>>shopping at Kuala Lumpur Terminal 2>>Tune hotel klia2
Further reading: Hotels at Kuala Lumpur airport: klia2 is easy to browse, full of food, and cheap for an overnight connection
DAY5 Kuala Lumpur–Taipei
Transport: AirAsia early-bird ticket
Breakfast: food court at Kuala Lumpur Terminal 2
What to prepare for a self-guided Kuala Lumpur trip
1. Apps you should have on your phone
Besides Miaoba’s Kuala Lumpur travel notes, travel apps that update in real time are useful tools for current information on a Kuala Lumpur trip.
Further reading: 12 travel apps to have before you go to Kuala Lumpur
A. Planning public transport:
Kuala Lumpur public transport has 10 routes. It sounds like a lot, but transfers are simple. Miaoba suggests downloading these apps and keeping them on your phone so you can look up every way of getting around Kuala Lumpur.
The leading ride-hailing app: Grab
Kuala Lumpur metro and subway transfers: Rail Map-Kuala Lumpur, transit route maps
Trip-planning platform: Moovit
B. Finding restaurants:
Swipe through reviews before you walk in. It greatly cuts the chance of a bad meal.^^
Find restaurants: Zomato, Foursquare, TripAdvisor, Yelp!, Eatigo
C. Other useful tools:
Weather: Malaysian Meteorological Department website, weathercity
Best place to change money: Currency seek
Live exchange rates: XE Currency, 極簡匯率, ELK
2. Getting online in Malaysia
Malaysia does have free Wi-Fi hotspots, but they are genuinely inconvenient. Miaoba recommends arranging your own connection. Mobile data in Malaysia comes in three choices: rent a Wi-Fi hotspot device in Taiwan, buy a SIM card, or roam on your original phone and number. Each has pros and cons.
Further reading: Malaysia internet roundup, and SIM card deals
3. Travel insurance
Travel inconvenience cover: buying the ticket with a credit card often includes trip-delay insurance. It is there if you need it~~ and it really helps when luggage is delayed.
Travel accident insurance: remember to add a policy that covers emergency medical care overseas. Online policies from Fubon, Cathay, Shin Kong, and Nan Shan are not expensive. If something urgent happens abroad, you have real backup. Leave happy, come home safe.
What this independent Malaysia trip cost
Flights + hotel + food + transport were kept well under control. For two people traveling together, each person came to about NT$7,300 (exchange rate 1:7.6). Souvenirs and Miaoma’s shopping are not included.
| Category | Name | Cost | Notes | How it was booked |
|---|
| Transport | AirAsia Taipei–Kuala Lumpur round trip | NT$3,200 | Tax included (per person) | Search on Skyscanner |
| Transport | Airport to hotel Private transfer | NT$1,078 | Split among 7 people | Book on KLOOK |
| Transport | City transport | RM35 | Three days of city fares | Tickets bought with cash |
| Transport | Melaka round trip | RM55 | Bus + transfer | Tickets bought with cash |
| Transport | Putrajaya half-day private car | NT$1,884 | Split among 7 people | Book on KLOOK |
| Hotel | Furama International Hotel | NT$4,684 | Deluxe room, three nights Breakfast included | Book on Trip |
| Hotel | Tune hotel klia2 | NT$904 | Double room, one night | Book on Trip |
| Data SIM | Tune Talk SIM card | NT$178 | 15 days / 40GB | Buy on KLOOK |
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