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Travel advisory · MalaysiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Malaysia.The warnings cover only these areas: Eastern Sabah islands and dive sites, Malaysia–Thailand land border.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
Areas with warnings
  • Eastern Sabah islands and dive sites · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand, UK
  • Malaysia–Thailand land border · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand

Also named by one government: Northern and eastern Sabah islands and surrounding waters (France), Sandakan (France), Semporna (France), Sulu Archipelago and intervening sea (Germany), Tawau (France), East coast of Sabah (Germany), North and east coasts of Sabah (France)

GovernmentAdviceUpdatedRead the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)–Read the advice
United States (State Dept)Level 1: Exercise Normal PrecautionsFeb 22, 2026Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)Take normal security precautions–Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)Oct 16, 2026Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)Exercise normal safety and security precautions overall (regional advisories)–Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)–Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

a body of water that has some houses on it
Asia

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur for the capital, Borneo for rainforest and caves, and the monsoon month for choosing which coast to visit.

Start with the essentialsPlan a trip to Malaysia

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia, split by the South China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Kuala Lumpur, the national capital and largest city, is on the peninsula, which borders Thailand by land. Singapore is reached by a causeway and a bridge across the Straits of Johor. East Malaysia shares land borders with Brunei and Indonesia, and Sabah and Sarawak have their own immigration policies, so check the rules for each part of your trip.

Mount Kinabalu, about 4,095 m high, is the country's tallest mountain and lies in Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sarawak's Mulu Caves in Gunung Mulu National Park form the world's largest cave system. The climate is equatorial and hot, with high humidity and average annual rainfall of about 250 cm. The southwest monsoon runs from April to October and the northeast monsoon from October to February. Peninsular weather is shaped by mainland winds, while East Malaysia's is more maritime, so the month you travel should guide which coast you choose.

Five things to know before Malaysia

  1. Fill in the MDAC within 3 days before arrival

    Foreign visitors submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival. UK citizens are normally allowed 90 days visa-free on arrival; check the rule for your own passport. MDAC

  2. Pick the coast by the monsoon

    The east coast islands, such as the Perhentians, largely close from about November to February. That is when Penang and Langkawi on the west side are at their driest. Langkawi

  3. Book Mount Kinabalu permits and huts early

    Climbers in Sabah need a permit, a licensed guide and a bed at Laban Rata, and daily numbers are capped. Book months ahead for school holidays. Sabah

  4. Expect a separate immigration check in Sabah and Sarawak

    The two Borneo states control their own immigration, so flights from the peninsula go through passport control again on arrival. Keep your passport in your hand luggage.

  5. Use a ride-hailing app in the cities

    Grab is the easy way around Kuala Lumpur and Penang, with the fare fixed before you ride. In KL the LRT, MRT and monorail cover most sights. Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Kuala Lumpur

Where to stay, the trains from the airport and the food streets.

Read the guidePenang

George Town's heritage streets and hawker food.

Read the guideLangkawi

Beaches, the cable car and the mangroves.

Read the guideSabah

Mount Kinabalu, orangutans and the reefs off Semporna.

Read the guideVisas and entry

Visa-free stays, the MDAC and entry to Sabah and Sarawak.

Read the guideGetting around

Trains on the peninsula, buses and flights to Borneo.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Malaysia

See all attractions in Malaysia
Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass TempleTemple · Johor BahruArulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass TempleAquaria KLCCAquarium · Kuala LumpurAquaria KLCCChoose a weekday or an evening visit to avoid some of the busiest periods.World Trade Centre Kuala LumpurTheater · Kuala LumpurWorld Trade Centre Kuala LumpurCheck the event schedule before going; the halls are most active during exhibitions and other major events.KLCC ParkPark · Kuala LumpurKLCC ParkThe light-and-sound fountain displays are listed at 8 and 9 p.m.; a light-only display is listed at 7:30 p.m.

Destinations in Malaysia

What a day costs in Malaysia

Per person, in MYR

Work out your trip
BudgetMYR 98a day≈ $24 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night
MYR 60
Food
MYR 30
Transport
MYR 8
Sights
Free
Mid-rangeMYR 330a day≈ $81 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night
MYR 180
Food
MYR 75
Transport
MYR 25
Sights
MYR 50
ComfortMYR 760a day≈ $187 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night
MYR 350
Food
MYR 180
Transport
MYR 80
Sights
MYR 150
Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Aisha RahmanA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

  • Rainy days
  • Best
  1. JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°West coast dry
  2. FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Driest
  3. MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Showers
  4. AprilRain29 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Wet
  5. MayRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Showers
  6. JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Drier
  7. JulyRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Drier
  8. AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Showers
  9. SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Showers
  10. OctoberRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Wet
  11. NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Wettest
  12. DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°East coast shut

Average daily high and low in Kuala Lumpur, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MalaysiaPut the places you like in Malaysia on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Malaysia

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Fog

23

Feels like
28°
Humidity
98%
Wind
4 km/h
Chance of rain
89%

Malaysia

05:13 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

  1. Today32°24°89%Tuesday: Rain. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
  2. Wed32°23°84%Wednesday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 84%.
  3. Thu32°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
  4. Fri32°23°96%Friday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
  5. Sat31°24°91%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 91%.
  6. Sun31°23°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
  7. Mon31°23°96%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.

Updated 04:47 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR

MYR · Malaysian Ringgit

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Malaysia

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar
statue near mountainJanuaryThaipusam at Batu CavesJan 22, 2027

Festivals by month

  • JanThaipusam at Batu CavesKuala Lumpur
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • JunRainforest World Music FestivalKuching
  • Jul
  • AugGeorge Town FestivalGeorge Town
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

On tour in Malaysia: BABYMONSTER World Tour [CHOOM] Kuala Lumpur, Nov 14, 2026 · BTS World Tour 'Arirang' Kuala Lumpur, Dec 12 – 13, 2026 · Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour Kuala Lumpur, Jan 13 – 14, 2027

Before you go to Malaysia

eSIM for MalaysiaData for the peninsula and BorneoRead the guideTravel insuranceCover for diving and trekkingRead the guideMDACFree, within 3 days of arrivalRead the guideCards and cashCash for hawker stallsRead the guide
Rules for Malaysia, checked
Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card online within 3 days before you arriveChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more

Malaysia FAQ

Do I need a visa for Malaysia?

UK citizens are normally allowed 90 days visa-free on arrival; check the rule for other passports with Malaysian immigration. Most foreign visitors must submit the MDAC online within 3 days before arriving.

When is the best time to visit Malaysia?

It depends on the coast. Penang and Langkawi are driest from about December to February, while the east coast islands are best from about March to October and largely close in the northeast monsoon.

Do I need my passport to fly to Sabah or Sarawak?

Yes. Both states run their own immigration checks, even on domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur, so foreign visitors show their passport again on arrival.

How do I get from KLIA to central Kuala Lumpur?

The KLIA Ekspres train runs nonstop to KL Sentral in about 30 minutes. Buses are cheaper and slower, and Grab works from both terminals.

Is tap water safe to drink in Malaysia?

Most people drink filtered or bottled water. Many hotels provide it, and refill stations are common in cities.

DestinationsWhere to go, when to go and how to get around in 221 countries. Every practical fact shows the date we checked it and who checked it.Where to stayNeighborhoods walked end to end: who each area suits, how far it is from the airport train, and the hotels we would book ourselves.PlanVisas and entry rules, travel insurance, eSIMs and rail passes, explained in plain words and rechecked when the rules change.EventsFestivals, concerts and tours with confirmed dates, rooms near the venue and the fastest way on to the next city.StoriesField reports and data stories from the road. We time the queues, count the costs and say what changed since last year.

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