Travel to Malaysia

Malaysia in numbers

Why visit Malaysia

Skyscrapers, colonial towns, tea, islands and Borneo's jungle

Landmarks

Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang, Langkawi and Borneo

Malaysia is best seen by combining a city (Kuala Lumpur), colonial heritage (Melaka, George Town), a patch of nature or beach (Cameron Highlands, Langkawi, east-coast islands) and, if you can, Borneo.

Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves and the Cameron Highlands

Kuala Lumpur is explored from the Petronas Towers to its markets, from Chinatown to Little India, and its street food is worth the trip alone. On the outskirts, Batu Caves are reached by a colourful stairway guarded by a golden Murugan statue more than 40 metres tall. A few hours by road, the Cameron Highlands unroll tea plantations and mossy forests in welcome cool air.

Melaka and George Town: two heritage cities

Melaka, a former Portuguese, Dutch then British trading post, gathers Christ Church around its red square, along with canals, museums and, on the waterfront, the Straits Mosque built on stilts. George Town, on Penang island, charms with an old town of shophouses, temples, street murals and food stalls among the most famous in Asia.

Langkawi and the east-coast islands

Langkawi, an archipelago of more than 90 islands in the north-west, mixes beaches, mangroves, waterfalls and a suspension bridge hung from a summit and reached by cable car. On the east coast, islands such as Tioman, Perhentian or Redang offer snorkelling, diving and white-sand beaches, but they go quiet during the winter monsoon.

Sabah and Borneo: Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah, is a seaside city famous for its sunsets and a base for trips to nearby islands. Further inland Mount Kinabalu, the region's highest peak and UNESCO-listed with its park, draws trekkers. Borneo's forest shelters orangutans, proboscis monkeys and world-class diving.

Before you go

Hot all year: choose your coast by the monsoon

Area	Climate	Best time to visit
Kuala Lumpur and west coast (Penang, Langkawi)	Hot and humid all year; the south-west monsoon brings more rain between April and October.	December to March
East coast and islands (Tioman, Perhentian)	North-east monsoon from November to February: rough seas and islands almost closed to tourism.	March to October
Cameron Highlands	Cool at altitude, with frequent mist and afternoon showers.	Spring and early summer, which are drier
Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo)	Equatorial, with showers all year; the winter monsoon is wetter.	March to September

Temperatures barely change from one season to the next and humidity stays high. Pack light clothes, a rain jacket, repellent and sun protection, and keep an eye on flight prices before fixing your dates.

Getting around

Trains, domestic flights, ride-hailing apps and ferries

From Kuala Lumpur airport an express train reaches the centre in half an hour. In the capital, the metro, city trains and app-booked cars save you driving. On the west coast, intercity trains and buses link Kuala Lumpur with Melaka, Ipoh or Penang.

For Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu or Kuching, domestic flights are quick and practical. Islands are reached by ferry or speedboat from the coast. Check timetables, because boats on the east coast do not run all year.

Food and culture

Nasi lemak, laksa, char kway teow and teh tarik

Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country where Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous peoples live side by side, so mosques, Chinese and Hindu temples stand together. Modest dress is expected at places of worship, and festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali set the calendar.

The food sums up the mix: nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk), satay, laksa, roti canai and wok-fried char kway teow in Penang. People eat at hawker centres for little money, with pulled tea, teh tarik, or a tropical fruit juice.

Flying to Malaysia

The Malaysian airports covered by SniperAir

SniperAir destinations

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Malaysia