Malaysia holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Malaysia holiday in Asia
Malaysia combines the best of Southeast Asia in a compact space: skyscrapers next to colonial buildings, tropical rainforest next to dream beaches, Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine side by side. Additionally, Borneo with orangutans, the oldest rainforest in the world, and paradise islands – all at moderate prices.
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Language
Malay, English
Currency
Ringgit (MYR)
Time zone
UTC+8
Flight time from DE
approx. 11–12 hours
Entry requirements
Passport, 90 days visa-free
Deals for Malaysia:
Which hotels in Malaysia are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Malaysia — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Hotel Pullman Kuching
Kuching, Malaysia
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Batu Ferringghi, Malaysia
Hotel Casa del Rio Melaka
Malakka, Malaysia
Hotel Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Hotel The Westin Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Riverside Majestic Hotel
Kuching, Malaysia
Tanjong Jara Resort
Kuala Dungun, Malaysia
Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
George Town, Malaysia
What are the highlights of Malaysia?
The best-known highlights of Malaysia include Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak), George Town, Penang, Perhentian Islands.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Kuala Lumpur
Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, Chinatown, and one of the best street food scenes in Asia.
Langkawi
Tropical island with duty-free status, Sky Bridge, mangroves, and stunning beaches.
Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak)
Orangutans in Sepilok, climbing Mount Kinabalu, and ancient rainforest.
George Town, Penang
UNESCO heritage town with street art, Indian temples, and the best food in Malaysia.
Perhentian Islands
Crystal clear water, turtles, colorful reefs, and a relaxed backpacker atmosphere.
Hotels in Malaysia
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
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Reise-SIM für Malaysia
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Malaysia. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
The best time to visit Malaysia is West Coast: Dec–Apr, East Coast: Apr–Sep. In summer: 29–34°C. In winter: 27–32°C.
Recommended travel time
West Coast: Dec–Apr, East Coast: Apr–Sep
Summer
29–34°C
Winter
27–32°C
How much does a holiday in Malaysia cost?
A holiday in Malaysia costs roughly 20–35€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 35–70€ mid-range and 70–180€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
20–35€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
35–70€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
70–180€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to Malaysia?
From Germany you reach Malaysia in approx. 11–12 hours.
What travel tips are there for Malaysia?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Street food at hawker stalls is cheaper and better than in restaurants
Grab app works throughout Malaysia for taxis and food
The Cameron Highlands offer cool temperatures and tea plantations
In mosques, cover shoulders and knees – robes are available for rent
Domestic flights with AirAsia are extremely cheap (from 15€)
What do people eat in Malaysia?
Typical dishes in Malaysia are Nasi Lemak, Char Kway Teow, Roti Canai, Laksa, Satay, Teh Tarik.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in Malaysia are worth visiting?
13 regions, cities and highlights in Malaysia
Islands
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and one of the last great wilderness areas on our planet. The Malaysian part (Sabah and Sarawak) offers a unique mix of ancient …
Langkawi
Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands on the northwest coast of Malaysia and a UNESCO Geopark of exceptional geological significance. The main island, Pulau Langkawi, combines …
Penang
Penang, the Pearl of the Orient, is a Malaysian island known for its unique cultural heritage, world-famous street art scene, and arguably the best street food in Asia. George …
Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are Malaysia's answer to the Maldives – but at a fraction of the price. The two main islands, Perhentian Besar (the big one) and Perhentian Kecil (the small …
Tioman
Tioman (Pulau Tioman) is a volcanic island off the east coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, once chosen by Time Magazine as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The …
Cities
Georgetown (Penang)
Georgetown on the island of Penang is the culinary heart of Southeast Asia — a UNESCO World Heritage city that combines Chinese, Malay, Indian, and colonial influences into a …
Ipoh
Ipoh is Malaysia's emerging food capital and a charming colonial town amidst dramatic limestone cliffs. The capital of the state of Perak — once rich from tin mines — is …
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru — known locally as JB — is Malaysia's southernmost major city and the gateway to Singapore, separated only by the narrow Johor Strait and the 1,056-kilometer-long …
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu — short KK — is the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo and the gateway to one of Southeast Asia's most exciting natural experiences. The city by the …
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a fascinating blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures, crowned by a futuristic skyline featuring the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. …
Malacca
Malacca (Melaka) is the most historic city in Malaysia and a UNESCO World Heritage site — a fascinating mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial architecture with Chinese …
Complete guide for Malaysia
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guideReady for Malaysia?
Plan your Malaysia holiday now with our free tools.
How do I plan a holiday in Malaysia?
Malaysia is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, offering Food, Beach, Nature and much more. The best time to visit Malaysia is West Coast: Dec–Apr, East Coast: Apr–Sep, when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 20–35€ (Budget) to 70–180€ (Luxury), Malaysia is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia can be excellently explored. The official language is Malay, English, and the currency is Ringgit (MYR). From Germany, you can reach Malaysia in approx. 11–12 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Nasi Lemak, Char Kway Teow, Roti Canai, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Malaysia has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Malaysia holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Malaysia is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
Suitable holiday types for Malaysia:
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