Anjna Global Destination Management Company for Dubai Singapore and Malaysia
Is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia costly to visit? We have come across this question by many holiday-planners a lot over the web, and the answer to this question varies.
If you belong to Western countries and haven’t been to Southeast Asia ever, the capital city of Malaysia might be affordable to you. But for those who belong to this region, Kuala Lumpur may be one of the most expensive cities to visit.
Don’t lose your heart if you are getting into Kuala Lumpur on a shoestring budget. You will be surprised in many ways that how the city caters to every budget. There are different ways to save your Malaysian ringgit (MYR) in the long run.
1. Setting Budget for Daily Expenses
On average, you need at least US$13 to US$30 (53 to 122 MYR) to spend every day in Kuala Lumpur if you are a budget traveler, for food, accommodation, souvenirs, getting around, alcohol and entertainment.
But, if you are going to dine at high-end restaurants, drink a lot, and doing a lot of sightseeing, expect to extend your budget to over 204 MYR (US$50) every day.
2. Finding Cheap Hotels in KL, Malaysia
You can find budget hotels and inns all around Kuala Lumpur and a lot of cheaper options are available in Bukit Bintang and Chinatown. A lot of budget hotels offer complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast. A quality budget hotel cost up to 100 MYR ($25) per night.
Choose a budget hotel as per your budget and the one which has positive reviews and ratings on hotel booking sites by real travelers and is licensed well. Hostels are rated from terrible to great but you can easily find the best hostel at affordable price. Book Malaysia holiday package from the best DMC of Malaysia for added convenience.
3. How to Save on Transportation Costs?
Kuala Lumpur enjoys very affordable and efficient public transport. You can save on transport cost by traveling like locals do. It costs just 2 to 35 MYR (~$0.49 to $9) if you take the monorails to get around. The bus rides start at just 1 MYR ($0.25).
You can also explore some destinations on foot like Chinatown and Little India, especially if your hotel is located in the proximity to such areas. Avoid taxi as much as possible because they are very notorious to be a part of scams in several Southeast Asian cities. Use taxi only if you have no other option. Even better, you can book Singapore Malaysia tour with cruise from the best Singapore DMC in India to avoid haggling around.
4. Tips to Save Money while Drinking and Dining in KL
- Eat Local Dishes
As much as possible, be sure to eat local dishes to satiate your hunger the cheapest and best way as Western dishes may cost you a dime. Visit the hawker centers and street stalls for affordable and tasty Indian and Chinese dishes. You can get a filling, hearty meal within just 10 MYR ($2.5) and a great local experience.
- Drink filtered water; avoid buying mineral water every now and then
A lot of hotels offer filtered drinking water to the guests in Kuala Lumpur. You can also carry your portable water filter bottle and refill it at the hotel. There are also lowest-priced water bottles available at the supermarkets, if you want one.
- Don’t booze too much
Not just for your health, controlling your alcohol intake is also good for your budget, especially if you are into nightlife scene. Alcohol always comes with a heavy price tag as they are highly taxed in the country. So, it is better to keep your drinking spree reserved for somewhere else. If you can’t control your urge for liquor, there are cheaper drink options available in bars offering Happy Hours or you can buy beer from a coffee shop or a Chinese convenience store.
- Bargain while Shopping
Kuala Lumpur is a paradise of several year-end sales and shopping areas to lure in bargain shoppers. You can head to Little India and Chinatown for cheap clothes, souvenirs, gadgets and food.
5. Best Experiences in Kuala Lumpur for Free
The local city government also offers free walking tours for 2.5 hours which are led by English-speaking guides.
- Kampung Bharu
The guided tour is held at 4:30pm on every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. You may visit a lot of rustic wooden houses in the oldest residential district of Kuala Lumpur. You can also taste some local dishes like the national dish of Malaysia, nasi lemak (coconut flavored rice), tapai (sweet fermented rice in banana leaves) and satay (grilled meat in skewers).
If you love photography, you can visit three vantage points to capture scenic views of KL Tower, Petronas Twin Tower and the skyline of the city. You can shoot great cityscapes with your DSLR camera that has focal length from 21mm to 35mm on wide angle lens.
- KL Forest Eco Park
It is the oldest conserved forest in the country due to which Kuala Lumpur is the only city in the world having natural rainforest.
- KLCC Park
It is a very appealing and unique park offering the elevated bridge where you can get the serene views of musical fountain and the Petronas Twin Towers.
- Brickfields
This commercial and residential district is popularly known as “Little India” which houses landmarks dating back to around 1920s. You can also visit pre-war shops, art galleries, and temples with a guided tour. The tour is available every first and third Saturday at 9:30 am.
- Merdeka Square
In this tour, you may visit 11 historical attractions in Merdeka Square, including the 19th century old British colonial architecture. The tour is scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9 AM.
Conclusion
Kuala Lumpur may seem to be an expensive city to visit. But you can save a lot and travel with fun if you play smartly. We hope you have got some inspiration and idea to plan your next trip to KL. So, Happy Journey in Advance!
