If you’re planning on visiting the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, you need this complete guide which includes everything you need to know, like opening hours, dress code, tips for bad weather and how to avoid the monkeys.
The Batu Caves are one of the most famous and striking attractions you can see when visiting Kuala Lumpur. They are, in my opinion, one of the best sightseeing spots I’ve ever visited. Sure they’re a unique sight; the world’s tallest statue of the Hindu God Lord Murugan positioned prominently in front of a set of rainbow stairs that appear to be disappearing into a large limestone mountain. But why are they special?
South-East Asia boasts a myriad of spectacular sights, why is this one different?
Well, they’re easy to reach, cheap and for the amount of effort you have to put in to see them, you get a lot of value back in return. Most attractions like this require you to hire a driver, book a tour, plan an entire day and, most importantly, spend a significant amount of money. All this will raise your expectations and leave you disappointed if the attraction is less than you hoped it would be.
So how do you visit these caves? And how can you make your visit to such a tourist hotspot unique and different from everyone else’s experience? How do you take the pressure off?
Keep reading this ultimate Batu Caves travel blog guide to find out the best tips for your visit.
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Planning your itinerary for KL and the Batu Caves? Check out these 19 things to do in Kuala Lumpur. You’ll also love these secret bars and our where to stay in KL guide.
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Batu Caves history and facts about the temples
You’ll find the caves about 15km outside of Kuala Lumpur city centre in a densely populated outskirt. They consist of multiple natural caverns in a large limestone mountain that is overgrown by jungle.
There are actually five different caves within the complex. There is Ramayana Cave, Cathedral Cave, Dark Cave and the two caves in the Cave Villa, which are separate.
This post gives you a complete guide on how to visit Ramayana Cave as well as Cathedral Cave (the main chamber of the Batu Caves). If you want to read about the Cave Villa and why you should not visit it, then click here. Dark Cave is unfortunately closed indefinitely as of early 2019 (updated May 2020).
272 steps lead up to the entrance of Cathedral Cave which is the largest and most famous of the five. The steps were first built out of wood in 1920 but have been replaced by concrete since then. The caves are estimated to be around 400 million years old. The first records of them by colonialists date back to 1878.
The steps were painted in rainbow colours in August 2018, which made the site look even more spectacular and increased its fame. The 42 m tall statue of the Hindu God Lord Murugan is the third tallest of a Hindu deity in the world. It is the largest statue in Malaysia and was unveiled in 2016.
Although the caves have always been a popular attraction, their two most visually enticing factors, the statue, and the rainbow steps have not existed for very long. This makes them a unique place to visit despite their popularity with tourists.
Batu Caves price and entrance fees
The Batu Caves are free.
There are no entrance fees for visiting the Batu Caves, which makes them one of the best free attractions in Kuala Lumpur by far. Keep in mind that although the main cave of the Batu Caves is free of charge, the Cave Villa and Ramayana Caves both have their own price to enter.
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Thaipusam Festival at the Batu Caves
The caves and its temples have considerable significance for the Hindu faith. They are a pilgrimage destination for Hindus all over the world for the annual Thaipusam festival held in January or February.
Visiting the caves during this time will certainly be an experience, although you have to know what to expect. More than one million people will visit the caves during this time. Transportation, as well as accommodation, will be hard to get by. Be aware that the crowds can get pushy and unpleasant. However, the festival itself is supposed to be a fascinating event you’ll remember forever. People in trance will have their bodies pierced by long metal skewers and hooks. Objects, mostly different types of fruits, hang from these hooks. It is a fascinating insight into the Hindu religion and its traditions.
The celebration at the Batu Caves is the largest Thaipusam festival in the world. It isn’t celebrated in this way anywhere else. If you do visit the caves during this time, make sure to be respectful of the religious ceremonies. I would not recommend visiting the caves during Thaipusam if you are planning to have a quiet experience.
Thaipusam Meaning
The word Thaipusam is a combination of thai, which means 10th and pusam, which means the point in time when the moon is brightest. Therefore, the meaning of Thaipusam is the 10th month of the year (referring to the Tamil calendar) when the moon is full. This is when the Thaipusam festival takes place, and it’s considered a time of praying and celebration.
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How to get to the Batu Caves?
The best way to get to the caves from Kuala Lumpur is by train. Take the KTM Komuter train, which runs from the city directly to the Caves. The train station is literally right next to the cave complex, so there is no need to walk long distances. It’s straightforward and easy to find. The train journey takes around 35 minutes and costs only RM 2,60 (≈ 0,60€). You can get on the KTM Komuter train at many places throughout the city, but the most popular ones are China Town (Pasar Seni) and KL Sentral. Read our complete guide on how to get to the Batu Caves here for more information and ways to reach the caves.
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Best Batu Caves tour
Alternatively, you can join a guided tour that brings tourists to the Batu Caves. These tourists, however, usually come from further away and aren’t staying in Kuala Lumpur or have booked tours that bring them to multiple attractions in one day. It is up to you if you prefer to see the caves as part of a larger tour group, but in my opinion, you will have a better experience if you go by yourself.
A tour is, however, a great option if you’re looking to have a guide with you to give you more information about the Batu Caves. You can also find guides on arrival, but you’ll have to negotiate the price and make sure you don’t get ripped off. If you’re visiting the Batu Caves with a group of people and know you’ll want to tour, definitely book ahead just to make sure you get the best guide possible.
Batu Caves dress code
Although it is easy to forget at the Batu Caves, remember that you are visiting a religious site and should be respectful of the dress code at all times. You will see that a large number of the people visiting the caves will not be tourists at all but people coming to the temples for religious reasons.
Make sure to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees (for women) and do not show too much skin. Avoid lowcut tops, crop tops or clothing that is very tight fitting.
Men get away with shorts usually if they reach the knees and aren’t too short. You can rent sarongs at the bottom of the steps to cover up for about RM 5 (≈ 1€). However, this service is not always available, especially in the early mornings. It’s better to come prepared and dress appropriately. You may be hot and sweating, but this is a small way to pay respect to the location you are visiting and the people who are there to pray.
The dress code at the Batu Caves applies to the caves themselves, and you are free to wear what you like in the surrounding complex which as restaurants and gift shops. However, make sure to dress reasonably there as well and respect those visiting the temples to pray.
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Footwear
Footwear isn’t part of the dress code at the Batu Caves, but wearing sturdy shoes is highly recommended. The stairs are fairly easy to climb, not very steep compared to other temples I’ve visited. They’re easily manageable in 15-20 minutes, depending on how many photos you take along the way.
Still, wearing flip-flops, strappy sandals or, worst of all, heels poses an unnecessary risk and will make your way down considerably harder. The floor inside the cave is uneven and often wet, depending on when it last rained.
Since there are multiple natural holes in the ceiling, there is water dripping down everywhere, creating a sort of perpetual rain even when it’s not raining outside. This means the floor is flooded in some places, and your shoes will get wet if you’re not careful.
Not a big problem, but be aware of this, and maybe don’t wear your best white sneakers. If you’re lucky and it hasn’t rained in a while, you might not have this issue but keep this part of the unofficial dress code in mind when visiting the Batu Caves.
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Should you still be visiting the Batu Caves when the weather is bad?
If it is raining when you arrive at the caves, it’s still worth going up. Depending on how heavy the rain is, they might close the caves temporarily in which case you should wait it out at one of the small restaurants/stores or maybe come back another time if you can. The Batu caves rarely close, unless the weather is very bad.
The stairs can be slippery in rain, so be careful. The sight will be spectacular, though, so make the most of it. Bad weather does not have to ruin your trip to the Batu Caves.
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Beware of the train air-con
It may be worth mentioning that the Komuter train which takes you to the caves can get quite cold, especially if it’s early in the morning and there aren’t a lot of people travelling yet. So maybe bring a light jacket if you’re prone to being cold.
It’s not a very long train ride, though, so you should be fine.
Tips on what to bring if you’re visiting the Batu Caves
There isn’t anything specific you need to bring on your trip to the caves, at least not anything other than what you should bring on any sightseeing excursion.
Here are some things you should have with you.
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Cameras
The caves are an insanely beautiful spot giving you photo opportunities that you don’t want to miss. Definitely bring enough SD cards and extra batteries for your camera, so you don’t run out of memory or power. It’s also a great spot to get GoPro shots, so grab your tripods and mounts to get amazing time-lapses.
Be aware that although they’re not completely dark, the lighting in the caves is not the best, and it is difficult to get the shots you want if you do not know how to shoot in low-light situations. If taking photos is very important to you, make sure you read up on how to shoot pictures in the dark, so you aren’t disappointed by the outcome.
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Flying your drone at the Batu Caves
Although I have seen people fly their drone at the Batu Caves, I would say it’s only advisable very early in the morning or possibly late in the evening if there aren’t many people. You are not allowed to fly drones in Malaysia above crowds of more than 1,000 people which makes it a questionable situation.
There are good opportunities for take-off and landing the drone in the car park. Don’t be too obvious, though, as the parking attendants and guards at the Batu Caves are not big fans of drones.
Also, be aware of the thousands of pigeons that populate the square in front of the caves. People feed them, and they tend to take off in large flocks. I can’t decide who would be worse off in a drone vs pigeon collision, but I don’t think it would be beneficial to either party. In addition to a possible pigeon fatality, a crashing drone could also cause severe injury to the people standing below, so be careful if you do choose to fly your drone at the Batu Caves. Don’t fly inside the caves, and make sure to stay away from the temples.
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Should you bring water?
I always bring a small water bottle with me everywhere I go. Especially on hot days, it’s a lifesaver. However, there are plenty of options to buy one for around 1 or 2 Ringgit once you step off the train at the Batu Caves.
There’s even a small shop inside the cave itself. So no need to bring a large bottle or bring one at all if you don’t feel like carrying it.
Monkeys at the Batu Caves (don’t bring food)
Snacks are always a good thing to have in your bag in case you cannot find anything to eat. In this case, however, I strongly advise you not to bring any food with you.
Hundreds of monkeys live at the Batu Caves. They can spot anything edible, even if it’s hidden away at the bottom of your bag. They know it’s there and have no fear of attacking you and stealing it from you as well as your sunglasses, hats and really anything else they can get their hands on.
The only way the monkeys will leave you alone is if you don’t take anything edible to the Batu Caves. Definitely, don’t provoke them and don’t make direct eye contact. Never feed them, it only fuels their aggression towards tourists.
Monkeys can, however, be very entertaining to watch from afar and great subjects for photos. They tend to steal coconuts and bananas from the temples inside the caves, which will give you enough picture material without having to feed them yourself.
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How much cash do you need (including the entrance fees at the Batu Caves)?
Entrance to Cathedral Cave is free, and Ramayana Cave will only cost you a RM 5 (≈1€) entry fee so there’s no need to bring a lot of money with you. Only bring what you plan to spend on your train ticket, food and any souvenirs.
RM 100 (≈ 21€) should be more than enough for the trip if you plan to eat cheap. Make sure to bring cash, as shops and restaurants rarely accept card payments. Consider donating something to the temples if you can spare it. The Batu Caves remain one of the few free major attractions in Kuala Lumpur and all of Malaysia, and it would be great if it stayed like that.
There are large metal donation boxes in front of the temples where you can give a small sum as a way of saying thank you and supporting the site.
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Sample expenses for a day trip to the Batu Caves
Here is what you’ll spend on a day at the Batu Caves, including transport, and entrance fees for the Ramayana Cave ticket but excluding a tour with a guide.
- Ticket from KL Sentral to the Batu Caves RM 2.60 (≈ 0.60€)
- Entrance fee for Ramayana Cave RM 5 (≈ 1€)
- Large water bottle RM 2 (≈ 0.40€)
- Fresh coconut RM 6 (≈ 1.30€)
- Lunch RM 20 (≈ 4.30€)
- Train ticket back to Kl Sentral RM 2,60 (≈ 0.60€)
- Total: RM 38,20 (≈ 8.20€)
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Insect repellant
You’ll be surrounded by jungle when you climb the stairs up to the caves. Definitely spray yourself with insect repellant before you go up to avoid being bitten.
Umbrella or raincoat
Depending on which season it is, it can rain at any time in Kuala Lumpur and last for minutes or hours. Better be prepared for unpredictable weather by carrying either one of those foldable raincoats or a small umbrella with you when visiting the Batu Caves
The walk from the caves to the station is very short, so you can make it back any time to avoid getting wet should it start to rain.
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Bathrooms at the caves
Knowing where the nearest bathroom is is always important.
When you get off the train at the station, you walk up some stairs, and to your left, you will find a fairly nice and clean bathroom (both squat and western toilets available). It is operated by a lady who also sells water and snacks. She charges RM 0,30 (≈ 0,06 €) to use it, and I advise you to go to the bathroom here before you make your way to the caves. There is no toilet paper so bring your own if you need it.
At the bottom of the caves, you can also find bathrooms, although they are attached to small shops or restaurants and less nice. Definitely use them if you feel like you need to go, though, because once you’ve gone up all 272 stairs, the toilet selection is limited.
Behind the temples inside the caves, there is a port-a-potty, but it is locked. If you are very desperate, I can imagine you can ask the priests in the temples if you can use it, but there is no guarantee that you will find someone with the key.
Just go at the bottom and avoid this awkward situation. Otherwise, you will find a bathroom inside the Cave Villa complex, but you will have to pay the RM15 (≈ 3,20€) entrance fee to get access.
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Restaurants at the caves
So you followed my advice of not bringing any food with you to the caves, but what are you going to eat now?
There is a multitude of different shops and restaurants to choose from at the bottom of the caves. Many are vegetarian. They offer basic seating and often no air-conditioning, but the food is decent, although not cheap.
Meals will cost you around RM20 (≈ 4.30€), which is comparatively expensive. Most of the food is Indian unless you venture away from the caves into the smaller side streets.
If you can’t find anything you like, you can also take the train back to Sentral Station, which is located in Brickfields. Here you will find a large selection of food options by either just walking around the area or going to Nu Sentral, the giant shopping mall that is connected to the station.
If you aren’t very hungry, you can just get something small at the caves before heading back. Vendors sell durian, and other fruits, which are a great option, or there are little convenience-type stores to sell chips, ice cream, and other snacks.
My favourites are the fresh coconuts you can buy for RM6 (≈ 1.30€). They are opened right in front of you, and drinking the cold coconut water is probably the most refreshing thing you can have after climbing up and down the stairs.
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Where to go first when you arrive
Once you step out of Batu Caves station, it is hard to miss the entrance to the site. Depending on what time you arrive, there will be a row of street vendors trying to sell you souvenirs, drinks, and clothing. They are usually very vocal and will try to get your attention. Ignore them if you are not interested in buying anything, and don’t forget to haggle if you do. Prices will be far too high, so you’re almost certain to spend more money than you should on a souvenir.
Right after the vendors, there is a gate with security guards that will briefly check your bag if you have one. Once you pass the gate to the Batu Caves complex, there is a large statue to your right of the monkey God Hanuman which marks the entrance of Ramayana Cave.
There are often women in traditional clothing sitting on the ground here, selling small items. Sometimes you can find an old lady offering fortune telling and palm reading here.
There are monkeys everywhere around the Batu Caves, so be careful with any food you have with you.
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Ramayana Cave (Monkey Cave)
Although Cathedral Cave is by far the most famous, there are smaller side caves in the complex that you can also visit. You can find Ramayana Cave directly to your left when you come through the entrance gates. The large green Hanuman statue will give you an idea of where you need to go.
As you pass the prayer hall to the left, there is a gate where you pay RM5 (≈ 1€) to enter the cave. In my opinion, this is a fair price and worth paying if you’re already at the Batu Caves. Once past the gates, there is a walkway leading into the cave over a small pond with a large brass statue of rearing horses to your left. In front of the mouth of the cave and underneath a near-vertical wall of limestone is a large statue of the Hindu God Krishna.
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What is Ramayana Cave like?
Inside the cave, you find yourself in a dimly lit room with statues of Hindu deities lining the sides. They are painted beautifully and lit by individual lights. Small placards explain the scenes depicted. The most prominent statue is probably the large reclining Kumbhakarna, ‘the deep sleeper’.
The second chamber of the cave is impressively large, with incredibly high ceilings and even more statues. A manmade winding staircase leads up to the top of the cave. Unlike the rainbow stairs leading up to Cathedral Cave, these steps are steep and more difficult to climb, although far shorter. At the top of the climb is a small landing where devotees often sit and pray to two large stalactites with considerable significance in the Hindu faith.
You have a great view of the entire cave from up here. Unlike Cathedral Cave, there is no natural light, which gives it a different and more cave-like feeling. The space is quite impressive when you first step into the room, and it’s worth the RM5 you pay to enter, I think.
Since you have to pay to enter this cave, it’s also less busy, even during peak hours which gives you a welcome break from the crowds and a nice escape from the heat. Once you are ready to go, retrace your steps back to the main entrance of the cave complex and make your way straight ahead towards the main caves. To the left, you will see the first of many temples. Many people come to Batu Caves just to pray and visit these holy sites.
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Can you go inside the temples at the Batu Caves?
The short answer is: Yes, you can, but you shouldn’t unless you’re a practising Hindu. Tourists are asked to stay outside in respect for those coming to pray. If you are a tourist and just want to take photos or look around, then I don’t think a religious temple is the place for that.
The temples, both outside and inside the caves, are quite small and are not closed off, which means you can see parts of the inside when you look in. So if you are desperately curious, you can have a look from the outside and then move along respectfully. Do not stand and stare at people who are practising religious rituals or praying.
If you decide not to follow this advice and go inside the temple anyway, take your shoes off like everyone else and do not take pictures. Again there are plenty of ways to enjoy the caves and their beautiful temples without actually going inside of one.
Prayers are held at 8:30 AM and 16:30 PM every day if you plan to take part in one. You can still visit the caves during these times, and the opening hours of the temple are the same as for the Batu Caves.
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Cave Villa
Next, you will pass the first of two entrances to the Cave Villa. This is a separate area with a RM 15 (≈ 3.20€) entrance fee where you can see a variety of caged animals and visit two other smaller caves similar to Ramayana Cave.
I don’t recommend visiting these caves. Read my full article on the Cave Villa here to find out why.
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How many stairs lead up to the Batu Caves?
You need to climb 272 stairs to get to the Batu Caves.
There are more vendors on either side of you as you reach the big square in front of the stairs leading up to the caves. This is where you can get the best pictures of the golden statue and the rainbow steps in the background.
Definitely stop here and get the obligatory photos. If you go early in the morning, you should have a quieter experience without having so many people in the way of the great view. To your left is the large prayer hall. It is beautifully decorated with intricate carvings in vibrant colours.
Once you’re ready, you can head up the rainbow stairs to enter the cave. Beware of pickpockets while you are distracted by the scenery, and always keep your bag close, preferably in front of you.
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How difficult is it to climb the stairs?
There is yet another bag check, after which you can begin your climb. As mentioned before, the stairs are not difficult to climb, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the top, depending on your level of fitness. There are little landings in between flights of stairs which let you have a nice little break to take photos. Just make sure to keep an eye out for the monkeys that love to wait for unsuspecting tourists close to the stairs of the Batu Caves to steal their sunglasses.
The stairs are separated into four sections which have low stone railings between them. Make sure to choose your section carefully. There are no specific rules, but people tend to climb on the left and go down on the right. The middle sections are usually more densely populated than the outer ones. It’s not easy to change sections once you start climbing. There are very few breaks in the railing where you could move to another one unless you climb over, which is also possible but difficult if there are many people.
You can only really get a good shot of the rainbow stairs from this angle if there are no other people above you. That is why the early morning is an ideal time to visit. Otherwise, your photos will be full of other tourists, which greatly diminishes the quality of your pictures.
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Best time of day to visit the Batu Caves
The Batu Caves opening hours begin at 6:00 AM every day, which is the best time to visit. My advice would be to be there as early as possible.
As soon as it’s 10:00 AM, there will be considerably more people, which makes the experience less magical and more stressful. In addition to that, the midday heat will make it considerably harder to climb the steps and spend time taking pictures in front of the caves, as there is next to no shade. Definitely bring sunscreen if you plan to go around noon.
Since the sun rises towards the side of the mountain, sunrise at the caves is not the most spectacular sight. I’d recommend being there by 7:00 am to really get the best experience.
Another option would be to go in the early evening and maybe catch the sunset if you’re lucky. But be aware that the Batu Caves opening hours are only until 9:00 PM, and you’ll have time pressure to not miss the last train or suddenly be surprised by the dark. The morning is definitely your best bet. If you cannot be convinced to get up so early, you can, of course, go whenever suits you during the day. The caves will still be great, but you’ll be exposed to the midday heat and large crowds.
The Batu Caves are open every day and have the same opening hours but pay attention to Hindu holidays and celebrations. It is best to avoid the site during these days as they will be extra crowded, and people leave a lot of trash behind. If you have no other option, you can still go during a celebration but try to reschedule for another day if you can.
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The Dark Cave at the Batu Caves
About halfway up the stairs, there is another cave to the left. It’s called Dark Cave and used to be open to the public but only with a guide who would show you around the Batu Caves complex.
Unfortunately, it has been closed indefinitely since early 2019 and is not expected to reopen in the near future. The Dark Cave at the Batu Caves is said to have been closed due to conservation efforts and to avoid tourists from further damaging the cave. Since the interior is largely unchanged from its natural form, it was deemed unsafe to access at some point and would have to undergo renovations to make it accessible again.
The Dark Cave at the Batu Caves is actually home to a species of spider that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. This type of trapdoor spider was first discovered in 1923 and is considered a living fossil. Due to this delicate species calling the Dark Cave its home, it may be for the better that tourists are no longer allowed to visit.
Cathedral Cave (the main cave)
At the very top of the stairs is the entrance to the main hall of the Batu Caves. There are some smaller altars at the sides and a large statue. Then there is a tourist shop selling souvenirs, drinks, and snacks.
If you move further into the caves, you will find another temple to your left, again a great photo opportunity. Have a lookout for the occasional chickens and dogs running around the caves, as well as the many bats that swoop down from the ceiling. It’s an amazing atmosphere.
As you reach the back of the cave, you will find another set of steps leading to the second temple. Here the monkeys are ready to snatch away the snacks you just bought at the Batu Caves souvenir shop. Once you climb up this last flight of stairs, you enter into the last cave with the last temple. There is a giant hole in the ceiling of this cave that lets in plenty of natural light. The jungle hangs over rocks, just balancing on the edge of the hole, seemingly about to fall down at any second.
It’s breathtaking.
To the right is the monkey wall, a near-vertical wall of jungle occupied by monkeys of all sizes. They fight over stolen food from the temple and run around the feet of unsuspecting tourists, hopping up and down the cave walls.
Behind the temple, there are two other, smaller shrines and not much else. Once you’ve had enough of monkey-watching, you can retrace your steps and head back to the entrance.
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How long do you need to visit the Batu Caves – Itinerary
This all depends on how thorough you want to be with your sightseeing and what type of tourist you are. Are you coming to take a lot of photos and capture video footage? Plan at least 4 to 5 hours for your stay.
Are you the type of person that walks into a place, takes three pictures and looks around and is satisfied? 1.5 hours should be fine.
If you really want to walk around and explore everything and maybe relax with some rewarding ice cream when you’re back down, I would say 3 hours is a good place to start.
This would be my sample itinerary for a day at the Batu Caves:
6:00 AM – Get up and have breakfast
7:00 AM – Leave your hotel and make your way to KL Sentral Station (differs depending on where you are staying)
7:30 AM – Take the Komuter train to the Batu Caves
8:00 AM – Arrive at the caves and walk to the main square
8:00 – 11:00 AM – Explore the caves and surrounding area
11:00 – 12:00 PM – Rest and reward yourself with a coconut
12:00 PM – Take the train back to KL Sentral
As you can see from my sample itinerary for the Batu Caves, you can be back at your hotel at roughly 12:30 pm and still have the entire day to do whatever you want. The early morning is definitely the best time of day to visit the Batu Caves, so the earlier you head there, the better.
How to get back to Kuala Lumpur from the Batu Caves
The way back from the Batu Caves to Kuala Lumpur can be slightly tricky as the trains sometimes run infrequently. Read more about the free shuttle buses that are sometimes offered here.
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Visiting the Batu Caves Conclusion
A free attraction reachable within 30 minutes of KLCC with public transport with stunning scenery; what more is there to want?
Someone not familiar with KL will never believe you that this cave is literally right in the city and not in a remote jungle in South India. Definitely worth a visit and my favourite attraction in KL by far, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
Travelling on a budget? Here are 24 cheap things to do in KL and 12 really cheap places to eat in and around KLCC.
Batu Caves Guide and Tips FAQ
You don’t necessarily need a guide to visit the Batu Caves, but it can be interesting to have one, especially if you’re doing a guided tour.
Factor in at least 2 hours if you’re visiting the Batu Caves, ideally 3.
The early morning is the best time of day to visit if you’re planning a day tour of the Batu Caves. There won’t be too many people around, and it’s not too hot yet.
The Dark Cave is unfortunately closed indefinitely, but you can still visit the Batu Caves without an entrance fee – it’s free.
The Batu Caves are located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
272 stairs lead up to the Batu Caves.
Top tips for planning your Batu Caves itinerary include not bringing food because of the monkeys, following the dress code, keeping an eye out for rainy weather, making sure to arrive early, planning at least 3 hours and not paying the entrance fees for the Cave Villa.
The entrance is located right by the Batu Caves KTM train station. It’s hard to miss.
The Batu Caves complex has five caves in total, including the Dark Cave (permanently closed), Cathedral Cave, Ramayana Cave and two inside Cave Villa, which has an entrance fee.
Arrive at 7 to 8 AM, visit the cave, have a coconut and a snack and return to the city by around 12:00 pm.
The dress code for the Batu Caves includes long pants, covering your shoulders and dressing modestly.
Make sure to visit Ramayana Cave while you are in the area.
The opening times of the Subramanya Temple are the same as those of the Batu Caves.
Subramanya Temple is located at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The opening hours of the Batu Caves are from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day.
No, but you can go on a tour to the Sungai Tua Waterfall, which is located 25 minutes by car from the Batu Caves.
No, the Dark Cave is permanently closed, but the Cathedral Cave at the Batu Caves remains open.
The Dark Cave at the Btu Caves is permanently closed.
You can go rock climbing (either privately or with a group) at several locations close to the Batu Caves, including the Nyamuk Wall.
Join a day tour which will take you to the Batu Caves with an itinerary planned by a professional guide. Viator is the best place to book or ask at your accommodation in KL.
Visiting the main Batu Caves is free, and you don’t have to worry about entrance fees. Only the Cave Villa and Ramayana Cave charge entry.
The opening hours of the Batu Caves are from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.
Yes, make sure to follow the dress code by covering your knees and shoulder when visiting the Batu Caves.
The monkeys at the Batu Caves can bite, and steal items, so make sure to keep your belongings close to you and don’t bring any food.
It’s best to visit the Batu Caves on a sunny day, but if the weather is bad, you can still have a good experience. Just bring a raincoat and keep an eye out for severe weather warnings, in which case the Batu Caves will be closed.
Yes, you can fly your drone at the Batu Caves but be careful and make sure to avoid colliding with the flocks of pigeons.
The word consists of thai which means 10th, and pusam which is the brightest moon, meaning the 10th month with a full moon which is when the Thaipusam festival takes place.
My Most Important Travel Resources
- Insurance – Safetywing
- Hotels – Agoda or Booking
- Hostels – Hostelworld
- eSIM – Jetpac
- Flights – Skyscanner
- Tours & Experiences – Viator & Get Your Guide
- Transport in Asia – 12Go Asia
- Rental Cars – Discover Cars
Did I miss anything?
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