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
- 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)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions | Feb 22, 2026 | Read 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, 2026 | Read 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.
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu is the capital of Kelantan on Malaysia's east coast, known for batik, songket, silverwork and Malay food.
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Kota Bharu is the capital of Kelantan, a state in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia near the Thai border and the South China Sea. The city sits on the Kelantan River. Visitors come for traditional crafts such as batik, songket weaving, silverwork and wau kites, and for the local food, including nasi kerabu.
Kota Bharu suits travelers who want a quiet base for culture and food, with beaches and villages within a short drive. Expect a conservative Muslim setting, so dress modestly in public and check local customs before visiting village areas. The drier months, roughly March to September, are the best time to visit. The northeast monsoon from November to February brings heavy rain and flooding. Plan two to three days in town, and add more if you want to spend time on the coast or in nearby villages.
Kota Bharu in five
- Set up an eSIM on arrivalBuy a Malaysian data SIM or eSIM at the airport or in town, then download offline maps. Grab rides and map searches both need data.Phones and eSIM
- Dress modestly outside the hotelKelantan is a conservative state. Cover shoulders and knees in town and at mosques, and expect some small shops to close during Friday midday prayers.
- Fly or take the train to Kota BharuSultan Ismail Petra Airport is a taxi ride from the center. The rail line ends at Wakaf Bharu, across the Kelantan River from town, so plan a taxi or bus for the last leg.Getting around
- Carry ringgit for stalls and craftsFood stalls, village craft shops and some taxis prefer cash, so keep small notes. Cards work in larger hotels and malls.Money and costs
- Eat at the night market after darkFood stalls fill the evening market with local snacks and cooked dishes. Go after dusk, when the heat of the day has eased.
Things to do in Kota Bharu
See all attractions in Kota Bharu
Need to know
- Currency
- Ringgit (MYR)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; file the MDAC digital arrival card before flying Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; many restaurants add a service charge
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Monsoon rainJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 279 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon rain
- FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Monsoon rainFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon rain
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Drier, calmerMarchRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, calmer
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, humidAprilRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, humidMayRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 272 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Dry, sunnyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, sunnyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 241 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, sunnyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 293 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, warmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 304 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rains returnOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 364 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains return
- NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Monsoon rainNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 578 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon rain
- DecemberRain25 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Monsoon rainDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 541 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon rain
Average daily high and low in Kota Bharu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Kota Bharu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Kota Bharu
04:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°23°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed30°24°94%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Thu31°23°94%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri30°23°98%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat29°23°95%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sun29°23°98%Sunday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Mon29°23°100%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 01:28 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Pasir Putehabout 30 min by carA fishing-village beach for a slow afternoon.
- Tumpatabout 30 min by carA border town near the Rantau Panjang crossing into Thailand, so check the crossing rules before you go.
- Perhentian Islandsabout 2 hours by road, then boatBeaches and snorkeling, reached by boat from Kuala Besut in Terengganu.
Before you go to Kota Bharu
Rules for Kota Bharu, checked
- Visa-free entry applies to many nationalities, but check the current rules with Immigration before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival. Check the current limit with Royal Malaysian Customs before you travel.Source
- Malaysia enforces strict drug laws, and trafficking carries the death penalty. Do not carry any drugs, even for a friend.
- Dial 999 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Malaysia.
- Cover shoulders and knees and remove your shoes before entering a mosque. Women may need a headscarf.
Plan around Kota Bharu
Entry, transport and money for a Malaysia trip
Read the guideGetting around MalaysiaFlights, trains and buses to the east coast
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to file before arrival
Read the guideWhere to stayGuesthouses and hotels in and around the center
Read the guideMoney and costsRinggit, cards and typical prices for a day in town
Read the guideTours and ticketsDay trips to the coast and the islands
Read the guideKota Bharu FAQ
Is Kota Bharu worth visiting?
Yes for a slow trip on Malaysia's east coast, with a riverside town, a busy food market and batik and songket shops. It is quieter than Kuala Lumpur and suits travelers who want to see daily local life.
How do you get to Kota Bharu?
Fly to Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, or take the train to Wakaf Bharu across the river. A taxi is the simplest way from the airport or the station to the center.
Is Kota Bharu a day trip from Kuala Lumpur?
No. A flight is the quickest way, and the overland trip takes most of a day, so plan at least two nights.
How many days do you need in Kota Bharu?
Two nights cover the market, the riverside and a beach day. Add a third if you want Pasir Puteh or the Thai border crossing at Rantau Panjang.
When is the best time to visit Kota Bharu?
March to September has drier weather on the east coast. The monsoon brings heavy rain from about November to February, so avoid those months if rain would spoil your plans.