Malaysia
Between street food paradise, tea plantations, and stunning modern architecture: your guide to Malaysia.
Our Guide to Malaysia
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Flair
Multicultural, modern, and a serious food destination.
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Travel Season
Year-round — though the rainy season shifts depending on which coast you're on.
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Travel Duration
Two to three weeks if you want to cover West Malaysia and Borneo.
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Currency
Malaysian Ringgit. Card payments work fine in cities — carry cash elsewhere.
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Tipping
A 10% service charge is often already included. If not, just round up.
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Getting Around
Domestic flights or long-distance buses between regions; Grab for getting around cities.
Where is Malaysia located?
Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and consists of two separate landmasses. To the south, it borders Singapore and Indonesia; to the north, it borders Thailand.
The capital is Kuala Lumpur — and honestly, stepping into the city for the first time is a bit of a surprise. It has a really modern, cosmopolitan feel, with gleaming skyscrapers and a Western-style urban buzz.
Head out into the countryside, though, and the mood shifts completely. Out there, villages are small and deeply traditional — a total contrast to the cities.
5 Facts About Malaysia
Malaysia has a king — but a new king is chosen every five years, rotating among the country’s nine royal families.
Until 2004, the Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world. That title now belongs to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is nearly twice as tall.
The largest flower in the world grows here in Malaysia — the Rafflesia, which can reach up to one meter in diameter.
The Malaysian flag was designed through a public competition. An architect took first place.
Malaysia is also home to the largest roundabout in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to travel to Malaysia?
Malaysia is warm year-round, so you can visit pretty much any time — but rain is always part of the picture.
For western Malaysia, aim for December through February or June through August. It can still rain during those windows, but noticeably less than the rest of the year. December in particular is a great time to go — check out our guide to December travel destinations.
In East Malaysia, the dry season runs from March through September — and humidity levels are a lot more manageable then too.
How long should I plan for a trip to Malaysia?
We recommend at least two weeks. That gives you enough time to hit all the major highlights without feeling like you’re constantly racing to the next destination.
Of course, if you can swing longer, Malaysia absolutely rewards it.
What currency is used in Malaysia?
Malaysia uses the Ringgit (MYR). One US dollar gets you roughly 4.7 MYR, so your money goes pretty far here.
What languages are spoken in Malaysia?
Malaysia is seriously linguistically diverse — over 140 languages and dialects are spoken across the country.
The official language is Malay, but thanks to a long period of British colonial rule, English is widely spoken — especially in cities and tourist areas.
Because of Malaysia’s large Chinese and Indian communities, you’ll also hear Cantonese, Mandarin, Tamil, and Telugu regularly.
Bottom line: English will get you everywhere you need to go.
What's the time difference in Malaysia?
Malaysia runs on Malaysia Time (MYT), which is UTC+8 — and there’s no daylight saving time to worry about.
For US travelers: Malaysia is typically 12–16 hours ahead depending on your time zone and the time of year.
