Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - A Travel Guide
Last Updated: August 24, 2025
QUICKLINKS TO BACKPACKING KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
HOW TO GET HERE | WHERE TO STAY | THINGS TO DO | WHERE TO EAT | WHERE TO PARTY | STAYING SAFE
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Rooftop Views All-Round
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city of Malaysia, and is known as a stopover location for those travelling between the east and west.
Generally, people visit for forty-eight to seventy-two hours, and you'll see them scurrying around the city trying to pack everything in.
Hence, in this guide to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we'll uncover everything you need to fill your seventy-two hours here. We will cover how to find the best views of the impressive Petronas Towers, discover the best places to stay, where to find the best food and what the Batu Caves are really like.
Between us, we've visited the city several times, and loved everything on offer, especially the food. Nevertheless, we both had a sense that something was missing, but couldn't put our finger on what it was.
Although we have similar thoughts on other stopover cities, such as Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
With that in mind, kick back and enjoy this honest backpacker's guide to Kuala Lumpur.
What's Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Like?
Kuala Lumpur is a frantic, high-rise, modern-looking city with a combination of Western vibes and Asian excitement.
It is a perfect location for new travellers to Asia to acclimatise to another culture yet feel safe and oddly familiar.
As with other large cities, Kuala Lumpur is a vast, noisy and vibrant city with a mass of skyscrapers that tower over the streets.
During the day, people go about their daily lives, scampering in suits from home to job and vice versa. Coffee houses fill with people using caffeine to get them through the day, while others chow down on lunch in the park. It's a lot like London or New York, but at the same time, you know you're not in either of them.
Kuala Lumpur's skyline is the unique and special thing about the city. However, it is at its best at night, when the city is illuminated and beams of light stream into the sky from every angle. Likewise, it is also when the sound of happiness, a buzz of excitement and the sounds and smells of typically Malaysian food fill the air.
Night markets cover the streets with tables and chairs and street vendors, and you'll almost choke on the smell of smoke and sizzling dishes. It's fantastic.
Virbrancy, noise and randomness are three words I'd use to describe Kuala Lumpur, but let us know what you think in the comments at the bottom of this blog.
How to get to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
There are several ways to get to Kuala Lumpur, including via the international airport, train stations, bus or coach stations.
The city has a busy International Airport, which, to many, is the gateway to Asia. Likewise, there are numerous train stations which link to each other and the airport via both over and underground lines.
Finally, local and long-distance bus and coach stations dot the city, which, again, link with the main train stations, including KL Sentral.
As most of us arrive in KL at the International Airport, I'll start there.
How to get from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kuala Lumpur City
Arriving in KL from the airport means a plethora of options. However, there is only one real choice.
By far the easiest way of getting from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kuala Lumpur is by using the KLIA Ekspres.
The KLIA Ekspress is a train that departs every 20 minutes between 5am and midnight from Terminal 1, and between 4:55am and midnight from Terminal 2.
Journeys take twenty-eight minutes to KL Sentral, which is much quicker than the aforementioned, Kuala Lumpur's shocking traffic.
From there, you can get almost anywhere in the city. For example, to get to the Petronas Twin Towers or KLCC Park, you'd need to take line 5 (to Gombak) or, if you preferred Bukit Bintang, take line 9 to Kajang.
Both stations can be found outside the terminal on ground level. Tickets can be purchased online for 49.50MYR (£8.63) one way or a return for 90MYR (£15.69).
Other viable options include the airport coach, which takes (time of day and traffic dependent) anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour and fifteen minutes. The fare is less, but, in truth, it's not worth the hassle and delays.
As mentioned, it is cheaper at 15MYR (£2.61) one way and runs from the airport every thirty minutes from 5am to 11pm.
The airport coach departs Terminal Bas KLIA2 and drops you at the bus station within KL Sentral. Once there, you can get a train across the city as mentioned above.
How to get from KL Sentral to Kuala Lumpur
IF you arrive in Kuala Lumpur from other cities and have opted to use the train, the chances are you will arrive at KL Sentral. As mentioned above, from here you can access anywhere in the city via more than six train routes that criss-cross the city, using both over and underground trains.
Three popular areas to get to are
- Petronas Twin Towers or KLCC Park - In which case, you'll need to take line 5 (to Gombak)
- Bukit Bintang, which means jumping aboard line 9 to Kajang.
- Batu Caves is nice and easy too. You'll need line 1 to, you've guessed it, Batu Caves.
Timing Your Trip
How Long Should You Spend Visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia?
As previously mentioned, Kuala Lumpur is, for many, a stopover location and somewhere to acclimatise. Yet, others fall in love and stay for a week or more, using the city as a base for day trips to either Empangan Sungai Selangor Viewpoint or one of the many lighthouses on the coast.
Here at Far Out Travel, we like to be honest. So, despite enjoying the food and drink, we don't think the city warrants much more than a few days. Hence, we recommend that three days in the city is enough to get a feel for the place and cover the main attractions.
There are better locations to explore in Malaysia.
The Best Time Of The Year To Discover The Best Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For most of the year, Kuala Lumpur has a fairly hot, sticky and humid feel.
Similarly, rain falls throughout the year, often daily and usually aggressively. However, to increase your chances of dry weather, visit Kuala Lumpur between December and February. Likewise, this is when KL's humidity and temperatures drop to acceptable levels, allowing you to enjoy the city.
Although June to September are considered the high season, when more tourists visit the city, and queues for major tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur are at their largest. Yet, this is when the humidity climbs and the heat rises.
Where to Stay whilst Backpacking Kuala Lumpur
Being a massive stopover location, Kuala Lumpur receives millions of visitors every year.
Therefore, no matter your budget, style or preferences, you will find accommodation in Kuala Lumpur to suit you.
Honestly, we've always found accommodation in Kuala Lumpur to be well priced for what you get, especially when it comes to rooftop pools with a view.
Ultimately, wherever you stay in KL, you will find clean, tidy, and often better-than-expected standards for the price. All that you can mess up is the location.
Our advice is to stay within a seven or eight-minute drive of Menara Kuala Lumpur. That way, you'll be close enough to the Petronas Towers, KLCC Park, Bukit Bintang, and the Perdana Botanical Garden.
Whilst I cannot pretend to know about all of the accommodation within this area, I can give an excellent suggestion.
Regalia Suites
- What: A large apartment block with numerous styles and standards of accommodation and the king of pools.
- Where: Just south of the Trade Centre and next to Putra Train Station. (map)
- Why: It has one of the best pools you can imagine with views over the twin towers and the city's skyline.
- Why Not: You want to be somewhere more central or near Bukit Bintang.
Regalia Suites is a large complex comprising private apartments, rooms, and even an epic hostel.
The ground floor has a concierge, shops, restaurants, baggage and waiting areas. Not to mention a wonderful courtyard with a shallow pond and colourful trees and plants.
As always, thanks to travelling on a budget, I opted for the cheaper 'dorm-style' room. As part of the dorms, you also get access to the shared balcony, kitchen, living room and bathroom. All of which impressed me.
Still, the most exciting part of the complex is the incredible rooftop infinity pool.
As mentioned, there are stunning panoramic views across the city, including every major landmark. Night-time and early mornings provide the most spectacular view across Kuala Lumpur.
There are also fantastic restaurants which share these unreal views. I can't praise the complex enough.
Regalia's only downfall is its success. Nowadays, you have to book a time to visit the pool, which, for me, takes away some of the magic, especially with other buildings recreating the same experiences.
Furthermore, numerous companies and websites have accommodation within the complex, so shop around. You'll discover independent apartments and dorm rooms for sale privately, and not on the main websites.
Further Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur
As discussed, there is a wealth of accommodation across the city, ranging from the elite to the insane. I do not doubt that all will be special and memorable. It's just about choosing the perfect location.
I know not everyone shares my love of hostels and cheap accommodation. Besides, picking a time slot to enter the pool isn't ideal.
Therefore, below are three other options to find your perfect place to stay in KL.
Things to do when Backpacking Kuala Lumpur
Despite not having loads to do, there are still enough attractions in Kuala Lumpur to keep you going for that forty-eight to seventy-two hour layover.
That said, within that period, a lot of time will be spent at food markets.
Likewise, you can explore further afield using KL as a base for day trips from the city. Nevertheless, I am writing about our experiences in the city. Other Malaysian blogs will follow shortly.
Before we get to the list of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur, I should mention that Kuala Lumpur's public transport is affordable and easily accessible via numerous modes of transport, including buses, monorail and train services.
Between them, you should be able to get anywhere in the city. However, if it's not a main attraction you're aiming for, one of the most cost-effective ways to travel around Kuala Lumpur is to use Grab, an Asia version of Uber. Just remember that the traffic is often a nightmare, meaning underground trains are much quicker.
Now that's out of the way, let's look at the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Relax in the KLCC Park
- Why: It's a peaceful and relaxing park underneath the looming Petronas Towers.
- Where: At the foot of Kuala Lumpur's most recognisable twin towers. (map)
- How long: In truth, it's not the biggest, but give yourself an hour to properly chill.
- How much: A stop in KLCC Park, whether walking or sitting, is free.
The beautiful, well-maintained park lies at the foot of the impressive Petronas Towers. Firstly, KLCC Park is a wonderful place to just sit and watch the world flow past. With the peace and serenity of the park, it's easy to forget that the metropolis awaits in the shadows.
Furthermore, the greenery, the palms, the flowers and the grasslands weave around the lakes and pools. The area is an oasis in the middle of the hustle of bustle of city life. The lakes are all linked by waterfalls cascading through the park, bringing the sounds of the countryside to the city
In addition, there are numerous seating areas across the park. Which makes for lovely areas to tuck into a bit of food, and take some time out of city life. Nonetheless, the city's grand skyscrapers are never far from view. At the same time, should you need reminding where you are all you have to do is look up. There, the Petronas Towers once again dominate the skyline.
As a bonus, if the city heat is too much, there's a little pool to relax in. Whilst I hadn't dressed for a swim, I did see a few swimmers cooling off.
Climb the KL Tower
- Why: You'll discover fantastic views across one of Asia's most recognisable skylines.
- Where: High over the Kuala Luper Eco Park. (map)
- How long: Around an hour to take in the views, walk the glass sky deck and enjoy the sky box is about perfect.
- How much: Tickets for non-Malaysians, for both the Observation deck and Sky Terrace, are 180 MYR (£31.64). (KL Tower tickets)
Staying in the heart of the city, and a short walk from the Petronas Twin Towers, is the KL Tower. The tower comes with several attractions, all of which seem to revolve around the view. They talk a lot about the sky deck and the observational deck; essentially, both provide views of the city.
The crowds tend to head to the Petronas Twin Towers, climb 86th floor and check out the views. However, you miss the views of the main event, as you're in it. Therefore, the KL Tower with views of the Petronas has to be better, right? Wrong.
The experience was okay, but it summed up my whole experience in the city. It's what you expected, and nothing more.
Once I had got to the observational deck, I found a few stalls selling souvenirs. Not to mention, the reason I was there, the views. For the most part, there were beautiful 360-degree views of the city, yet there are better in Kuala Lumpur. However, as you would imagine, everyone crowds to the views of the towers. Thus, meaning you do have to wait for that photo. I walked the circumference in under a minute, as it isn't that big at all.
Overall, it's something interesting to do in the city, but not essential should time not be on your side.
Take in the views from the viewing platform of the Petronas Towers
- Why: The Petronas Towers are iconic, and the views from the observation deck and sky bridge are insane.
- Where: Overlooking the green and leafy KLCC Park. (map)
- How long: In truth, it's not the biggest, but give yourself an hour to properly chill.
- How much: Visits to both the observation deck and the sky bridge, for 'non-Malaysians', will cost 98 MYR (£17.22). (Tickets)
The Petronas Towers are the defining feature of the KL skyline, thus making them a tourist's favourite. These marvels of engineering are a delight from all angles, especially from within. The Petronas stood as the tallest building in the world until 2004. However, they are still the tallest twin towers in the world (2020).
As alluded to within the KL Tower write-up, I have one issue with climbing the Petronas towers for the view. I'd rather see the towers in the view than see the view from within. In the words of Karl Pilkington, "I'd rather live in a cave with a view of a palace than live in a palace with a view of a cave".
For that reason, I think the best city views are from the stunning infinity pool at the Regalia Suites. Although I'm sure climbing the towers is still something the majority of us will do, and so you should.
Once inside, you take a lift to the 86th floor, where the iconic walkway spans between the two towers. Whilst more pricey than the KL Tower, this felt like a much better experience. Again provides panoramic views across the city.
Lastly, for around 105 MYR (£20) you can book tickets online to skip the queues, which is a good idea. However, during my time there weren't too many people, so I just bought a ticket at the door.
Unveil the Hindu shrines and temples hidden in the Batu Caves
- Why: Truthfully, I don't know - other than to say you've done it. After all, every blogger seems to love it.
- Where: Under the hilly outcrop on the northern fringes of Kuala Lumpur. (map)
- How long: Once there, give yourself a couple of hours in the area. Paid tours from the city will be longer.
- How much: Access to Batu Caves is free, even for non-Malaysians. Yet, guided tours start from 50 MYR (£8.82). (Tickets)
As I discovered, Batu Caves are not a reasonable walking distance from the city. Therefore, I suggest a tour or using some form of public transport. There's a train station less than five minutes' walk from the caves, costing only a few Ringgits.
If, like me, you decide to walk, either the humidity or boredom will get you. There is nothing to see along the route; the area is very rundown.
Batu Cave was something I was looking forward to seeing during my trip to Kuala Lumpur. Every blogger made them seem colourful, fun and exciting. Every photo looked incredible, and I was excited to get the chance to see the caves for myself.
Upon arrival, the entrance to the limestone caves wasn't any more inspiring than the walk. It felt very tacky and commercial, with gazebos everywhere selling touristy souvenirs. The steps to the caves were surprisingly difficult; numerous people stopped to catch their breath along the way.
In my opinion, it's just as well the cave is free, as it's not worth paying for. The disappointment continued within. The cave was no different from any other, maybe a bit larger than most, but that's it. There were moments of 'wow', but honestly, I wish I hadn't bothered. There were renovations ongoing, and the crowds were out in numbers, both of which didn't help.
It wasn't colourful, exciting or entertaining. I couldn't help but think it was one big scam. How had people made Batu Caves look so appealing? It was, by far, one of the most disappointing things I experienced during my travels.
Discover the wildlife under the city within the Dark Caves
- Why: You'll discover some of the craziest wildlife in Kuala Lumpur and experience an authentic underground tour.
- Where: On the left of that massive staircase up to Batu Caves. (map)
- How long: Tours generally take an hour, but can run longer.
- How much: Tours around the Dark Caves cost 35 RYM (£6.17) - Tickets can be bought at the cave.
The aptly named Dark Caves are adjacent to Batu Caves, on the same grand stairway. There is a little turn off left near the top in which you access the Dark Caves.
The Dark Caves have a small entrance fee of 35MYR (£7), and rightly so. There are fantastic tours where a guide will take you deep into the caves. You can learn about all the species of animals and plants that live within the caves.
Overall, for 35MYR, this is a much better option than the main Batu Caves. You've got as far as the entrance. I suggest you take the next step and don the helmets. Make your way into the cold, damp and wet darkness, meet the wildlife and explore deep into the limestone caves.
Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur
There is only one topic I'm going to discuss in this section. That's the night food markets and street food. In my opinion, there is nothing better in Kuala Lumpur than these fresh authentic Malaysian flavours.
Bukit Bintang
The night markets are in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur. Bukit Bintang is the place to be as darkness falls. The area is a hype of activity and a buzz of excitement in the air. There are blasts of colour and noise in all directions. Furthermore, numerous bars and restaurants help add to already raging ball of enthusiasm. Bukit Bintang is what the city needed. It is the only area that provides the culture you expect and crave in Asia.
Alor Street Food Night Market & Jalan Alor Night Food Court
I'm going, to be honest, I don't know the difference between the two, or which my food came from. They appear to be the same place. All I can tell you is that I ate here on two separate evenings. The food is that good. With this in mind, if I had had longer, I would have eaten here again.
As mentioned, the two merge into one huge food market on Jalan Alor road in Bukit Bintang. The beautiful smells, sounds and noise reverberate from the street, I love it. Even the saddest of souls would crack a smile here.
A lot of the stalls are extensions of restaurants, but there is a lot of amazing independent traders. The majority of which sell anything on skewers. All you have to decide is which stall, and that's not an easy decision, there are hundreds. Check them all out before making that choice.
There's a simple method of how you chose your dishes. Simply, you pick several skewers that you like the look of. Each skewer has a dash of colour on the bottom, this indicates the cost of that particular skewer.
The salesman then cooks your selected skewers, as you grab a seat/table. I have to admit, whilst this is an exciting and cheap to eat, it can soon add up. Especially if you're a greedy bastard like me. The end price didn't matter, the tastes, the smells, the flavours were fantastic. They didn't just live up to expectation, they surpassed them, even the deep-fried broccoli.
Food Trucks
Lunchtimes across the city lead to copious amounts of people all smartly suited leaving their office in search of food. A large percentage tended to congregate around the food trucks that take up residency around the city during lunchtime.
I thought if that many people are queuing it must be worth it. So I found one such truck on the corner of Jalan Law Yew Swee and the main Jalan P Ramlee. It's just off the main road down from the Petronas Twin Towers. The queues moved quickly, and the service was great, both of which was a good thing.
I hurriedly took my takeaway box into the KLCC Park, set up camp and enjoyed a spicy, delicious, flavoursome meal. The surroundings were perfect, equally, so was the food. It appeared that KL was changing me, I was starting to take my advice. Eat where the locals eat, do what the locals do, and it had paid off here. I'm urging you to give these vans a try they're delicious.
Fantastic food, I loved it.
Where to Drink and Party when Backpacking Kuala Lumpur
As mentioned, Bukit Bintang is Kuala Lumpur's booze capital, and where the majority of its bars can be found. If you want a great night out in Kuala Lumpur on a reasonable budget, this is the only choice for me.
Heli Lounge Bar (Helipad) Kuala Lumpur
- What: Helicopter landing pad/ cocktail rooftop bar overlooking Kuala Lumpur.
- Where: Next to the MR7 stop - Raja Chulan, and a ten-minute walk north from Jalan Alor Food Street. (map)
My first choice of bars is the Heli Lounge Bar on the outskirts of Bukit Bintang. Whilst this is a slightly more expensive bar in comparisons to those around it. It is one worth visiting. It has everything, a great selection of beers, fantastic cocktails, a great atmosphere and the best views of any bar.
A short lift ride will take you to a delightful, yet funky bar. The decor is like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it, but I'm sure you won't forget it. Here you can grab a drink and head up to the rooftop. That is unless you wish to relax within the bar itself.
The rooftop is exactly what the name suggests, a helipad open to the elements with skyline views of Kuala Lumpur. The 360-degree views include the impressive Petronas Towers which are spectacular as night falls. In any event, enjoying a tasty cocktail with friends, with the addition of those views make for a special occasion.
As mentioned, you will pay a premium for the location and its brilliance. But if you've saved cash eating at the night markets, then why not? In my opinion, it's worth splashing the cash, even if it's a one-off.
This sophisticated and classy bar is fantastic, and somewhere I love. On the negative side, there isn't anywhere undercover upon the helipad. For the most part, that's not a problem, the weather is great. However, if the rains descend, a mass exodus to the crazy bar below will ensue.
Pisco Bar
- What: Helicopter landing pad/ cocktail rooftop bar overlooking Kuala Lumpur.
- Where: Between the Helipad Bar/lounge and the night food markets. (map)
Even though it may be small in stature, it's massive in spirit and entertainment.
The fantastic design is modern and slick. The brick, wood and metal pipe lighting make for a suave bar, and I couldn't help but love it. The little courtyard out the front is full of atmosphere and delightful design.
Pisco Bar is always pumping out live music and is full of good vibes. You can find good cocktails, nice beers and a relaxing atmosphere. It can get a little expensive, but most places in Kuala Lumpur seem to when it comes to alcohol.
I cannot recommend the bar enough, its fantastic, another must-visit.
The Main Strip
The main drag linking Pisco Bar, the Heli Lounge and the night markets are always bustling. Jalan Nagasari seemed to be the place to drink and party. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to check out all the bars. But I have it on good authority from other travellers that it's a great night out.
In light of alcohol prices in Kuala Lumpur, the best way to obtain cheap alcohol is at the supermarkets. Then sneak the drink back to your hostel.
Is Kuala Lumpur Safe?
Overall, yes, Kuala Lumpur is safe to visit.
While Kuala Lumpur is a busy city with a lot going on, I didn't witness anything remotely worrying.
In truth, the nearest thing to concerning I witnessed was a very, very old, slightly peculiar character on a bus wanting to take me back to his house for a massage evening. His chat was a bit much at times and very persistent, but anyone who has travelled before or is of sound mind could obviously see there were other factors at play, and he was no threat.
That said, there are a couple of things to discuss regarding the question 'Is Kuala Lumpur safe'.
Crime
Crime across Malaysia is on the rise, and you will find reports of drugs, theft and robbery. Some of which occur in Kuala Lumpur. Being the capital and largest city in Malaysia, this comes as no surprise.
Nevertheless, violent and sexual crimes involving tourists are still extremely rare. The chances are that if you fall victim to any crime, it is likely to be petty theft in busy areas such as Buket Bintang.
Remember, on average, poverty in Malaysia is greater than that of a 'Western' country, and it is this poverty that drives crimes, especially petty crime.
Ways to prevent being a victim are, as always, be aware of your surroundings, keep your money and property in a safe location and be conscientious. Don't wear thousands of pounds of jewellery or show off wads of cash. That's one way the world over to get robbed.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are prevalent in Malaysia. However, Kuala Lumpur, being inland, tends to avoid most.
The most common natural disaster in Kuala Lumpur is flooding. Kuala Lumpur's location within Malaysia means it sidesteps tsunamis, but due to the tropical climate, flash flooding and landslides are more common than you might think.
Again, nowadays, due to their predictability, these are much easier to avoid than, say, earthquakes and other more shocking natural disasters neighbouring countries suffer.
Road Safety
On the whole, the roads in the centre of Kuala Lumpur are in fairly good condition, unlike other 'non-touristy' parts of Malaysia. However, due to the city's size and its importance within the country and Southeast Asia, the roads are extremely congested. Traffic is a big problem, especially at rush hour.
That said, due to slow-moving traffic, the roads are fairly safe for all road users. Yet, there are still numerous accidents. I wouldn't bother driving; most things are walkable, and you can get a Grab taxi for next to nothing.
If you plan to cover more of the country, that's when you need to be more wary, as Malaysia has a high death toll on its roads.
Leave a Comment
Thanks for reading our guide to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
We hope you've found our thoughts and musings on the city entertaining and helpful.
As you can tell, we both loved the food throughout the city and certainly ate our fair share. Likewise, we enjoyed numerous beverages and immersed ourselves in local life.
In truth, backpacking Kuala Lumpur is a bit of a tourist trap, and in our opinion, there are better stopover locations. However, if you are stopping here, you'll discover plenty to keep you going for forty-eight to seventy-two hours.
Would I recommend visiting Kuala Lumpur? Yes, if you're changing flights, I think it's a no-brainer. After all, you're here, so why not? Would I suggest booking a trip solely to explore the city? Probably not.
Again, thank you for checking out this Kuala Lumpur travel guide. Don't forget to leave us a comment below, good or bad, on both our blog and the city.
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Helpful insights. Thank you🫡
You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy your travels