The Only Guide You Will Ever Need Before Visiting Malaysia In 2026
- Ninja Whale
- Dec 26, 2025
- 13 min read
Updated: Jan 7
15 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Malaysia By A Fellow Malaysian
Welcome to the only guide you will ever need for all the big and the little things that you need to know before embarking on an adventure to Malaysia - from the basics of how to get around, to what to wear, emergency numbers, the cultural do’s and don’ts, social norms and a few tricks to navigate through Malaysia like you’ve lived here your whole life.
1. What To Expect When Traveling To Malaysia?
Born and raised in Malaysia, I’ve always considered Malaysia paradise - a food paradise, to be specific. If there is ONE irrefutable fact, we Malaysians LOVE our food!
We love our Satay, Ramli Burgers, Nasi Lemak, Beef Rendang, Nasi Kandar, the list goes on, and on. Trust me, you will too, once you’ve had a taste of the local cuisine.
Malaysia offers a myriad of activities and attractions suitable for all.
This beautiful underrated Southeast Asian destination (usually a traveler’s second or third option) has much to offer for every type of traveler; solo travelers, traveling with friends or family, or planning the perfect tropical romantic getaway with your bae.
Malaysia is a country with many facets and like a chameleon, it can be whatever you need it to be.
It is the perfect destination if you’re a beach junkie who wants to spend a whole month soaking up the sun on white-sand beaches, snorkeling 5 hours a day in crystal clear waters, sipping on coconut water straight out of a freshly plucked coconut - just living the best island life.
If it is solace and rejuvenation that your soul seeks, join at a silent retreat and live unconnected and unplugged, situated amongst the lush and wild, tropical jungles of Pahang.
Or perhaps you love exploring cities; taking in the rich, culturally influenced architecture or spending hours on shopping sprees in the many mega shopping centers scattered around town,
The big question is, are you ready to fall in love with Malaysia? A country so culturally diverse that it will have you feeling like you’ve visited China, Indonesia and India at once.
2. When Is The Best Time To Visit Malaysia?
Malaysia is a tropical country; broadly meaning it has two seasons, dry and rainy season.
However, it is always humid in Malaysia - steamy temperatures of 30-34°C all year round
with a chance of rainfall at any given time.
The only exception to this climate would be if you visit Cameron Highlands or
Genting Highlands - average temperatures of 18-24°C and where it drizzles for at least an hour everyday.
The climate may vary depending on the coast you’re planning to visit:
Best time to visit Kuala Lumpur (Peninsular Malaysia): May to mid-August, with the least chances of rain and humidity at bay.
Best time to visit islands on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Tioman Island, Perhentian Island & Redang Island): March to Early October. Monsoon season on the East Coast usually starts mid-October and persists till February.
Monsoon season can be unpredictable and unsafe if you’re planning to stay on the
Island, and is the reason most hotels are forced to shut down for the season.
The best time to visit islands on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Pangkor Island, Pangkor Laut Island, Langkawi & Penang): Mid-November to early March. Where the weather is favourable for a beautiful vacation, however, it is also peak tourist season. Alternatively, it would be best if you considered visiting in April to June.
The best time to visit Sabah (East Malaysia): March to September, however, any other month is just wetter in comparison. Sabah’s geographical location spares it from most extreme weather conditions.
The best time to visit Sarawak (East Malaysia): April to September, offering sunny weather and rainforest festivals.
It is important to bear in mind that, as the rest of the World, Malaysia is affected by changeable weather patterns.
Based on personal experience, traveling around Malaysia during peak tourist season doesn’t disrupt your travel plans like you would imagine. You can book your accommodation an hour before check-in (because you have a ton of options) or book a tour of Malaysia's finest attractions over delicious Malaysian breakfast and not months in advance.
3. What To Wear In Malaysia?
When packing your bags for your trip to Malaysia, think of the hottest summer’s day you’ve experienced, because that is what it’ll feel like throughout your stay in Malaysia.
Remember that Malaysia is mostly hot and humid and you’ll want to dress accordingly.
You will inevitably sweat buckets from all your pores. So, it's best to wear loose, well-ventilated cotton or breezy linen outfits.
Here's a list of suitable wears:
Swimsuits and your best bikinis
Flowy, summer dresses
Comfortable walking shoes
Cotton or linen outfits
Short pants
A ton of sleeveless tops
Sunglasses
Flip-flops (sandals)
A couple of conservative outfits for religious sites
When visiting religious sites such as Hindu or Buddhist temples on your trip, the dress code requires you to cover your knees, chest and shoulders, this applies to men and women.
Avoid wearing short pants or skirts, tank tops or sleeveless tops and for women, if you’re wearing a top with a low-cut or V-cut neck, throw a shawl on to cover your chest.
You must adhere to the strict dress code when visiting Mosques in Malaysia.
Respecting Islamic beliefs and laws, all non-Muslim female visitors may ask for a robe and scarf to be worn on top of their attire within the mosque. Male visitors wearing anything other than long trousers may ask for a robe as well. Shoes are not allowed to be worn inside; remember to take off your shoes outside or place them on the racks provided.
Travel Tip: For obvious reasons, it will be absolute lunacy to walk around in long pants in Malaysia's humid weather. Alternatively, you could carry along a 'Sarong' with you and tie it around your waist whenever you need to cover up your legs
4. What To Pack For Your Trip To Malaysia?
5. What Is The Best Way To Get Around In Malaysia?
Getting Around In Kuala Lumpur
Public transportation is your best option to get from one place to another in Urban areas.
Malaysia's public transportation is easily accessible and inexpensive. I wouldn't say it's extremely reliable in terms of punctuality, but it gets you from point A to B safely.
You can either choose to travel by taxi (Grab), train or bus.
Before arriving in Malaysia, you should download the 'Grab app' - a reliable taxi service. Malaysia does not have Uber, this being the next best choice.
Similarly, you pinpoint your location and where you would like to go. It then shows how much the ride will cost, choosing the type of ride you want, and Grab will assign the nearest driver.
If you'd prefer to explore Kuala Lumpur by train, install an app called 'Kuala Lumpur Metro Guide' - for MRT inter-city train route and travel costs.
Personally, I prefer taking MRT over buses and the KTM train any day. It is punctual, reliable and stops at many tourist attraction spots in the city centre, but costs slightly more.
Nationwide Public Holidays
If you plan on visiting Malaysia during nationwide Public Holidays - such as New Years, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Muslim festivals and Christmas. Remember to book your flight, bus and train tickets one week in advance.
A day or two before each public holiday, fellow Malaysians from all over Malaysia tend to make a trip back to their hometown to spend time with family. This somewhat causes chaos on the highways - imagine 2 million cars traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang in the span of two days.
For those who are planning on getting around by car or bus, bear in mind that you're probably going to spend at least 9-12 hours on the road due to heavy traffic (by heavy traffic, most times means standstill traffic)
6. Call 999 / 112 For All Emergencies in Malaysia
Dial 999 from any landline or 112 from any mobile (if you’re using a local SIM card) to connect to the Police Department, Ambulance and Fire Department.
If you require immediate Police action, typically if you’re in immediate risk of danger or if you’re hurt, contact The Royal Malaysia Police Control Centre directly at +60 (3) 22663333 or +60 (3) 20319999 and be ready to give them a landmark or directions to where you are.
7. Phone And Internet Access In Malaysia
Cellphone signals are pretty strong throughout the urban areas of Malaysia.
You can buy a SIM card pack at any convenience store if you haven't already gotten one at the airport. You can buy it from any 7-Eleven, 99 Speedmart, or even KK Mart. In the city, throw a stone and you'll see either one
If you're mainly traveling around Kuala Lumpur, feel free to choose whichever SIM card provider that catches your eye.
However, if you're planning to travel out to rural areas of Malaysia, such as Pahang and Kelantan, or visit the islands, it will be best to choose a Celcom prepaid SIM card for best coverage throughout Malaysia
As for internet access, fret not, free Wi-Fi is available at all restaurants and hotels!
8. Is Malaysia A Safe Country?
In my opinion, Malaysia is relatively safe for tourists. Although violent crimes against foreigners are relatively low. As a tourist, you have to be extra vigilant for pickpockets, armed muggers, and snatch theft.
Pickpocketing is the most common crime.
Here are a few tips to keep you safer:
Avoid walking down quiet streets at night
Always keep your phone and wallet in your pockets
Keep an eye out for suspicious motorcycles (passing you a few times)
If you're carrying a bag/ handbag, be sure to hold it on your inner side, away from the road
Be extra cautious for petty crime when you're in crowded areas; such as, night markets (Petaling Street & Bukit Bintang), jam-packed trains and buses, and sometimes even shopping mall lifts
Do not take rides from strangers, no matter how "helpful" they may seem
Under no circumstances should you donate money to children begging on the streets
If you have rented a car, be sure not to keep any valuables or anything that looks intriguing in the car (eg. a luggage, pouch or backpack)
In general, you don't want to carry too much money and valuables. More importantly, you don't want to be spotted taking out a bulky stash of cash.
Places to generally avoid in Malaysia for safety reasons, especially at night;-
West Malaysia
Klang (not to be mistaken for Klang Valley)
Chow Kit (an area in Kuala Lumpur filled with drug addicts)
Brickfields (it is a red light district at night)
Petaling Street is very well known for their night market and is a shopper's paradise, especially if you like haggling.
However, over the past few years, the stalls and business is taken over by foreigners, and it's not what I remember it to be as a kid.
Personally, I don't find the shopping experience too pleasant. Most of them are pretty rude and show signs of aggressive behaviour when asked about the price.
East Malaysia
Coastal areas of eastern Sabah (Due to the risk of kidnapping for ransom)
Kudat
Sandakan
Tawau
Lahad Datu
Kunak
Semporna
That being said, these are precautionary advice based on past incidents and honestly, if you're being cautious, aware of your surroundings or doing most of your traveling and exploring during the day, in whichever area, it is quite safe.
9. Is Malaysia Safe For Solo Female Travelers?
This is where I feel rather conflicted; is Malaysia safe for women?
I've come to realise that "safe" to Asians is quite different from what Westerners would deem "safe".
In New Zealand, it is safe to walk the streets alone at night without having to look over your shoulders and without paying attention to your surroundings. There has never been a time that one would worry about getting mugged or jumped.
Malaysia is safe for solo female travelers in the sense that you can explore and move around as you please, however, there are guidelines to be followed.
A big red NO NO, to hitch a ride in Malaysia - opt for taxi services or public transportation
Nightlife in Malaysia for women can be quite dodgy. Don't EVER leave your drinks unattended or 'with a friend whom you just met' at the risk of being drugged and raped
Bartenders at certain bars may spike your drinks - this happens very often in Langkawi (especially a place called Sun Bar)
Do not wear "revealing outfits" if you do not want to feel uncomfortable. Malaysians have a bad habit of staring at you.
Be wary of random fights breaking out in bars and clubs - you might get hurt if you're in the fight space
Don't be so quick to "go back" with a Tinder date - although you may meet your date in a cafe or bar in Kuala Lumpur, he/she would likely live somewhere out of the city. Following them back to their place would be quite risky, if at all the need to get away arises.
*If you have specific questions about solo female travels around Malaysia, reach out on Instagram and I'll be more than happy to share!
10. Public Display Of Affection - A Big NO! NO!
Bear in mind that Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country and public display of affection is frowned upon. Holding hands and leaning on each other is as far as one should go in public.
There is a literal sign that says "NO KISSING" on trains and buses.
In cases where locals or tourists continue to show PDA, Police get involved.
11. How Much Money Do I Need Per Day In Malaysia?
The official currency used in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and the currency symbol is RM. Cash is widely used in Malaysia, especially at night markets, street stalls and in smaller towns.
How much money you will need depends on your traveling style and plans. Here's an overview to help you do the math on how much money you'll need per day in Malaysia based on your travel expectations
Travel Style | Average Daily Cost | |
Budget | NZD $55 MYR 143 | + Budget accommodation + Public Transportation + Souvenir Shopping at Stalls + Inexpensive eateries; mostly food stalls + Free or cheap sightseeing and leisure activities |
Mid-Range | NZD $150 MYR 390 | +3-star hotel accommodation +2 meals at cafes and restaurants +Visit Petronas Twin Towers / KL Tower |
Luxury | NZD $500 MYR 1,300 | +4-star hotel accommodation +2 meals at a fine-dining restaurant and cafe +Shopping spree in Pavillion or Genting Premium Outlet |
Is It Expensive To Party In Malaysia?
The nightlife scene in Malaysia is quite different from that in Queenstown and Phuket.
For one, there is a cover charge to be paid as an entrance fee for clubs in KL. Bars, you are able to get in for free.
Drinks are expensive if compared to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia - one cocktail will cost you around RM35 (NZ $13.5). Beer drinkers will love that you'd be able to get a tower of beer for around RM120 (NZ $46)
Popular nightlife areas that are safe is Changkat (said as Chung-Cut), Bukit Damansara and certain parts of Bangsar (avoid Indian clubs as there tend to be fights).
Is It Better To Use Cash or Card In Malaysia?
As long as you're in urban areas of Malaysia, you're able to use your card. However, some places would still require you to pay with cash - such as night markets and roadside stalls.
So even though most times you can choose to use both, it is best to make sure you have at least RM200 with you at all times.
Most ATM's are accessible 24 hours a day and there are what feels like unlimited ATM's in urban areas. Unfortunately, that is not the case if you're out on the islands or near the jungles of Borneo - you are going to need to have cash on you.
Should I Change Money Before I Travel To Malaysia?
You should change some cash before leaving the country in case you need it at KLIA, but change the lot of it in Malaysia as the exchange rate is one hundred percent better in Malaysia, especially if you know where to change currency.
12. Accommodation In Malaysia
If you have to choose between Airbnb or Booking.com, I'd say go with Booking.com.
Unless you're traveling in a big group and fancy a beautiful, luxurious villa - then Airbnb is your choice!
Booking.com is way more reliable and cheaper compared to any other booking platform in Malaysia. Unlike New Zealand, where locals get a cheaper rate if you call the property. In Malaysia, the price you get on Booking.com is the cheaper bargain.
There are other booking sites, but personally I've had several bad experiences with those. It would seem that they don't vet the properties thoroughly.
13. Do I Need A Visa For Malaysia?
As of 1st January 2024, all foreign visitors are required by Malaysian Immigration to complete and submit a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), three days before arriving in Malaysia.
Depending on your nationality, tourists are granted a visa-free stay usually up to 30 days. All visitors are required to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months
However, some foreign citizens may have to apply for an e-Visa (which can be done online) before entering the country (Check if you need to apply for a visa)
14. Do I Need Travel Insurance?
I cannot emphasize how important it is to get travel insurance for all your trips! Travel insurance covers your financial risks of traveling; such as, lost luggage, flight cancellation or delay, medical expense coverage and much more (depending on the travel plan you choose).
Another tip I need to highlight is to buy your travel insurance as soon as you purchase your flight tickets. Remember, travel insurance does not only cover you when your trip starts, it covers you from the time of purchase.
This means, if there has been a cancellation or change of plan, you are still covered.
For Malaysians
For all the times I've traveled from Malaysia to either Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, or even New Zealand. I chose to take my travel insurance from AIG Travel Guard; they have a superior travel insurance policy that pretty much covers everything. In 2024, AIG Travel Guard ranks second best for International Travel Insurance.
For New Zealanders
You would need to consider if this is the only trip you plan on having for the next 12 months, if yes, it would be cheaper to get the Single Trip Policy.
However, if you have a few trips planned - maybe you're backpacking through Southeast Asia for 2 months - then you should opt for the multi-trip policy.
The two reputable travel insurance companies I would recommend based on popular demand with similar pricing are 1cover Travel Insurance and Southern Cross Travel Insurance.
Choosing a travel insurance is rather easy, find an insurance provider that suits your budget. Although this means, the coverage might not be as extensive - be sure to at least cover your flight, lost baggage and medical costs overseas.
Ensure the company you choose has an easy claim process should you need a payout if anything were to go wrong.
I was warned against AA Travel Insurance (Allianz insurance) for not having an easy and smooth claim process.
Disclaimer: I am not associated with any of these companies nor am I an expert on travel insurance. My recommendation is purely my opinion based on my personal experience.
15. Don't Drink Tap Water Without Boiling It First
Malaysians are advised by The Consumers Association of Malaysia to avoid drinking contaminated water by boiling tap water before consumption.
If you are a restaurant or 'mamak' shop, it would be best to drink bottled water.
All restaurants are either supposed to have water filters or at least boil the water, but some still don't. To be safe, bottled water is the way to go!
Ask for 'mineral water' and you will be given a bottle of water
Comments