Kuala Lumpur
Currency
Malaysia has the Malaysian Ringgit (RM or MYR), which can be picked up from local ATMs. 1 Euro equals 4.70 RM, and 1 US Dollar equals 4.30 RM
Weather
Kuala Lumpur is hot and humid year-round with frequent tropical rains. Try to visit between May and July for the best weather.
Language
The official language of Malaysia is Malay or Bahasa Malaysia which is very similar to Bahasa Indonesia.
Quick Facts
Kuala Lumpur is one of the most underrated cities in South East Asia. The capital of Malaysia actually has a lot to offer and perfectly combines culture with nightlife and nature. The Batu Caves are definitely the star of the show and an absolute must-see. They’re free to visit and absolutely worth it. Thean Hou Temple is another great place to see if you enjoy cultural experiences. The views over the city are absolutely amazing and fantastic for taking photos.
Things To Do
When To Go
Kuala Lumpur has very similar weather year-round. It’s always extremely hot and humid and doesn’t cool down much, even at night. You’re likely to encounter tropical rain throughout the year, so it’s not as important when you go. In general, you’ll have the best chances at good weather between May and July. The city encounters haze during September and October sometimes, so this is not the best time if you would like to enjoy views of the skyline. However, you’ll probably find far fewer tourists around during this time, which means lower prices.
Where to stay
Kuala Lumpur is a large city with a great selection of neighbourhoods. A lot of budget travellers and backpackers like to stay in China Town around Petaling Street. This is where you’ll find a good selection of hostels and affordable hotels. For a more luxurious experience, head to KLCC or Bukit Bintang, These neighbourhoods are more upscale and right at the heart of the action. You can easily get from one place to the other from here and will be close to the best public transport.
Bukit Bintang is especially good for nightlife, and you’ll find most of the city’s bars and clubs in this area. Changkat is a great area if you’re looking to go out and enjoy the nightlife of Kuala Lumpur. This is where Jalan Alor, a popular night market food street, is located, so make sure to stay close by if you’re looking for the best seafood.
The area around the KL Tower and Bukit Nanas is also a good choice, especially for reasonably priced Airbnb apartments. You’ll find a lot of high-rise buildings here, so there are plenty of options to choose from. You’ll be close to the city but in a slightly more quiet area than KLCC and Bukit Bintang.
How to get around
Kuala Lumpur has a fantastic public transport system with lots of different options to choose from. The LRT and MRT are trains that go throughout the city and will get you from place to place quickly and conveniently. Tickets are affordable and trains run very frequently so you’ll never have to wait for long.
They can get quite crowded during rush hour, but the network is extensive, so you can reach most places in the city. The Monorail is another great option, although there are fewer train stops. Kuala Lumpur’s buses are a little less popular among tourists, but they’re incredibly affordable, and once you’ve figured out how to use them they’ll be a fantastic choice. KL also has free buses which take you to the most important tourist hotspots.
How to get to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur actually has two airports. The larger one is the KLIA airport which acts as an international hub and one of the most important airports in South East Asia. Be careful not to mix up the two terminals, KLIA and KLIA2, which are located a short train ride from each other. There is also Subang Airport, which is much smaller and located closer to the city.
Another great option is to take the train or long-distance buses to get to Kuala Lumpur. They’re affordable and reliable and connect the city to Singapore and a wide variety of destinations in Malaysia.
Top 10 Places
Batu Caves
Thean Hou Temple
Petaling Street
Bukit Bintang
Helipad Lounge
Suzie Wong
KL Tower
KLCC Park
Petronas Towers
Taman Connaught Night Market
Hi, I'm Victoria
Welcome to Guide your Travel – a blog about South East Asia and how to travel on a budget.
I’m a blogger, writer and photographer and love to introduce my favourite destinations to others and encourage them to see the world.
I’m originally from Germany but spent four years living in the UK, quite a bit of time in Spain and Malaysia, and am now travelling full time with a home base in Bali, Indonesia.
