We will introduce the necessary costs for a trip to Malaysia, using sample itineraries of 4 days 3 nights and 5 days 4 nights!
Malaysia is a country located in Southeast Asia, with its capital in Kuala Lumpur. It lies near the equator and is rich in nature. Although it's known for its image of diverse flora and fauna and tropical rainforests, it's also famous as a country where various cultures intermingle.
In this article, we will thoroughly explain the costs of sightseeing in Malaysia. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check it out!
1. How much does a trip to Malaysia cost?
The cost of a trip to Malaysia is approximately 150,000 yen for 4 days and 3 nights (5 days including travel time). For 5 days and 4 nights (6 days including travel), it's about 170,000 yen.
The largest expense is the travel cost (airfare), followed by accommodation costs (hotel fees).
Higher expenses in resort areas
Malaysia has many resort areas such as Penang, Malacca, and Kota Kinabalu.
Compared to the capital city Kuala Lumpur, resort areas offer a wider variety of activities. Preparing a slightly larger sightseeing budget will allow you to enjoy your trip to Malaysia even more.
Prices are slightly cheaper than in Japan, but…
The cost of living in Malaysia is somewhat lower than in Japan. This means you can enjoy a bit more luxury for the same budget, especially when it comes to accommodation and food.
That said, even with lower overall prices, luxury hotels can still be quite expensive. If you plan to stay for many nights, costs can add up significantly—so keep that in mind.
Below is a breakdown of travel costs in Malaysia. Take a look to get a better idea of actual prices.
・Travel expenses to Malaysia (airfare)
The airfare to Malaysia can vary significantly depending on the destination, day of the week, and season. A round-trip to the capital Kuala Lumpur typically costs between 50,000 to 60,000 yen. Flights to resort areas such as Penang Island are similarly priced, around 50,000 to 60,000 yen.
When flying to Kuala Lumpur using an LCC (low-cost carrier), there are both connecting and direct flights, but the price difference is minimal. For a shorter travel time, direct flights are preferable.
Direct flights operate daily from Narita and Kansai
From Japan, there are direct flights from Narita and Kansai airports to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. These flights are available almost every day, allowing flexible departure date choices.
In addition to Narita and Kansai, Kuala Lumpur is also connected to Haneda, New Chitose, Fukuoka, and Naha via flights. This makes it easier to plan your trip even from regional airports.
・Accommodation expenses for a trip to Malaysia
Hotel costs in Malaysia are significantly cheaper compared to Japan, with a general rate of around 5,000 yen per night per person. If your budget exceeds 10,000 yen, you may be able to stay in a high-grade hotel with excellent service.
Some hotels offer rates as low as 5,000 yen per night for two people, while staying in a suite room for 10,000 yen per night per person is also recommended. Choose the best room based on your budget and length of stay.
Accommodation costs in resort areas
In resort areas like Penang Island, many luxury hotels raise the average accommodation costs slightly.
Some high-end hotels may exceed 20,000 yen per night, but you can also find hotels priced at 5,000 yen per person, similar to those in Kuala Lumpur—so the cost doesn’t necessarily double.
Still, luxury hotels in resort areas offer excellent facilities and services, so consider listing them as candidates for your stay.
Lower prices with guesthouses
Not ideal for family trips, but if you're traveling solo in Malaysia, staying at a guesthouse is another way to reduce accommodation expenses.
Guesthouses often evoke images of shared rooms and security concerns, but some do offer private rooms.
・Food expenses in Malaysia
Food expenses in Malaysia are also relatively low compared to Japan due to the lower cost of living. The average daily food budget is around 3,000 to 5,000 yen.
Malaysia is a country where a diverse food culture has developed. Influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and neighboring countries' cuisines, it has evolved uniquely. An interesting aspect is that even with the same ingredients, different ethnic groups have different cooking methods.
Since each meal is reasonably priced, you’ll likely be able to enjoy a wide variety of Malaysian dishes during your stay.
・Sightseeing and transportation costs in Malaysia
The cost of activities in Malaysia is approximately 2,000 to 3,000 yen per day.
There are many sightseeing spots across the country that require entrance fees, such as the Historic City of Melaka and Taman Negara National Park. However, most can be entered for around 700 yen. Some places, like the Petronas Twin Towers, may cost close to 3,000 yen, but in general, many attractions can be enjoyed for under 1,000 yen.
Buses are recommended for travel from the airport to the city!
There are several transportation options from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the city center, which may leave you wondering which to choose.
If you're trying to save money, taking a bus is recommended. It costs around 500 yen and runs at night as well. While travel times can be affected by traffic during busy hours, the journey usually takes about an hour.
If you want to travel even faster, the "KLIA Express" train is a great option. Although it costs nearly 3,500 yen—more expensive than the bus—it only takes about 30 minutes.
About the Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck
The Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck is part of Malaysia's iconic skyscraper, which stands 452 meters tall. Due to its height, it's considered a landmark of Kuala Lumpur.
Tower 1 of the two towers is known for being built by a Japanese company.
The bridge connecting the two towers is located on the 41st floor above ground, while the observation deck is much higher on the 88th floor. The entrance fee is about 3,000 yen, offering a panoramic view over Malaysia's urban area.
About Batu Caves
Batu Caves is a massive cave located within a 30-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur and is one of Malaysia’s most famous attractions.
It features murals based on Hindu mythology and limestone caves believed to be 400 million years old, making it a spiritually significant site. It is also known as the venue for Thaipusam, the largest Hindu festival.
Although slightly outside of Kuala Lumpur, admission is free. It’s a highly recommended tourist spot in Malaysia.
2. How to reduce travel costs in Malaysia
Below, we introduce ways to reduce your travel expenses in Malaysia.
Compared to domestic travel in Japan, Malaysia tends to have lower costs aside from airfare—but it’s still possible to save even more.
When planning your trip, you could use the saved budget for a little luxury or visit additional sightseeing spots.
★ Breakdown of Malaysia travel expenses ★
Travel cost: 50,000–60,000 yen
Accommodation cost: from around 5,000 yen (per night)
Food expenses: from around 3,000 yen (per day)
Sightseeing expenses: from around 3,000 yen (per day)
Other expenses: from around 4,000 yen (insurance, rental Wi-Fi, etc.)
・Use hotel + flight package bookings
By using services that offer hotel and airfare bundled together, it may be possible to save more compared to booking them separately.
It’s also convenient to be able to search and book both at once without needing to do it separately.
Since airfare is often the biggest expense in a trip to Malaysia, this could help bring the cost down. Be sure to search and compare.
・The cheapest seasons for traveling to Malaysia
If you want to lower your travel expenses, it’s also recommended to aim for periods when airfare to Malaysia is cheaper.
Airfare can increase significantly during peak tourist seasons, creating a big gap compared to the off-season.
Traveling during the rainy season is a good option. However, since this season isn’t ideal for sightseeing, be sure to plan ahead in case of rain at your destination.
3. Tips for traveling in Malaysia
Below are important things to keep in mind when sightseeing in Malaysia.
Although both Japan and Malaysia are in Asia, they differ greatly in terms of religion, taboos, and values.
You might experience cultural gaps, but being informed in advance can help prevent trouble.
Here are a few key points you should definitely be aware of when visiting Malaysia:
Tipping culture
Malaysia has a tipping culture. It is considered polite to tip when paying at restaurants or receiving service at hotels.
The standard tipping rate at restaurants is around 10% of the total bill. However, if the tip is already included as a service charge, there’s no need to pay it separately.
A country of many cultures
from person to person.
For example, Muslims do not eat pork, and even the utensils used to prepare pork are forbidden. On the other hand, Hindus consider beef taboo.
Because taboos differ based on religion, take extra care when sharing meals with locals.
Be mindful of clothing
Malaysia is home to many religious sites, some of which are popular tourist destinations.
You might be tempted to wear casual outfits like shorts while sightseeing, but clothing that reveals too much skin can lead to issues. It’s best to avoid excessive exposure even in urban areas.
However, in resort areas like Penang, casual wear is acceptable and allows for a more relaxed and comfortable experience.