Travel Information

Getting to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is well known as a melting pot of Southeast Asia where many different races and cultures make the city of Kuala Lumpur a vibrant place to visit. Once a British colony, you see art deco buildings mixed with modern structures making this an interesting city to explore on foot. Due to a multiracial society, choices of food are incredible while different places of worship leave you in awe as they are generally littered throughout the city. Wandering the streets of Kuala Lumpur can mean dipping in and out of an urban present into an ancient past. The city is visually defined by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, which, at 88 stories high, are the tallest twin buildings in the world and a vision of modern architecture. On the flip side, the Sri Mahamariamman is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, its facade a colorful totem pole of iconography. Shopping also switches from gleaming mega-malls to local markets where haggling and handicrafts go hand-in-hand.

Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a massive metropolitan city and the capital of Malaysia. Here you’ll find amazing food, tons of shopping opportunities, epic attractions, lovely parks, towering skyscrapers with city views, and so much more!

It’s a popular place for a layover as the international airport is a hub for flights around Asia and the world, but we would argue that it’s worth spending at least four days in this city that has so much to offer. So if you’re wondering what to do in Kuala Lumpur, then read on to learn all about the top 12 things to do in the bustling capital city of Malaysia!

Visit the Batu Caves
Eat in Little India
Eat Some More on Jalan Alor Food Street
Walk Across the Petronas Towers Sky Bridge
See the Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Marvel at the Jamek Mosque
Visit the National Mosque
Shop at the Central Market
Stroll Along the KL Forest Eco Park Hanging Bridges
Check out the Skyview Deck at the Kuala Lumpur Tower
Stroll Through the Perdana Botanical Gardens
Check out the Marine Life at the Aquaria KLCC

KUALA LUMPUR TRAVEL BASICS
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
1) The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and at the time of writing, the conversion rate was RM 4.08 to $1 USD. So when we say that something costs RM 80, that’s just about $20 USD.
2) The official language of Malaysia is Malay although you’ll find that most people also speak English.
3) You do not need to tip in Malaysia; however, if you choose to do so it will likely not be refused.
4) The outlets in Malaysia are Type G. If you’re coming from the US, you’ll want to invest in an international adapter.
5) The official religion of Malaysia is Muslim which means that alcohol is expensive (due to high taxes) and women might feel a bit more comfortable in less revealing clothing.
6) While Malaysia is not as well known for its shopping as neighboring countries like Vietnam and Thailand, you can find some cool Malaysian souvenirs in KL. There are plenty of boutique shops around the city selling great textiles and handicrafts as well as several antique shops in the central market.

KUALA LUMPUR TRAFFIC
The most convenient method of transportation in Kuala Lumpur is Grab. It’s the SE Asian version of Uber. It’s similar in that you use the app to select your pick-up point and your destination. Plus, it’s ideal to use Grab over taxis so you don’t have to worry about negotiating the fare or figuring out how to communicate your intended destination.However, traffic in Kuala Lumpur can be a nightmare around rush hour. The city has an extensive network of commuter trains and buses so you can buy a few prepaid cards to make your public transportation seamless. Pre-load money on a Touch ‘n Go (TnG) card for cashless bus and train rides. Or pick up a KL TravelPass card which includes an airport transfer and 2-day unlimited rides on Rapid KL rail services. KL Sentral is the main connection point for almost all train lines.
And if you happen to see a light purple bus headed your way, that’s the Go KL City Bus. It stops at many popular tourist destinations in the Central Business District and is currently free to ride!