driving trip to malaysia

The 8 best road trips in Malaysia for beaches, wildlife and more

Jul 25, 2024 • 10 min read

Tour beyond the cities to lush countryside, historic townships and unique national parks in Malaysia

With a wide-reaching bus system and fast trains whizzing across the country from the capital, Kuala Lumpur, it's easy to explore Malaysia without ever stepping inside a car. But exploring with your own wheels opens up a whole world of unexplored small towns, former colonial hamlets, misty mountains, forgotten lakes and viridian rainforests.

Most Malaysian roads are well maintained and perfectly paved – even in more remote corners of the country – so exploring with a hire car is a no-brainer. The majority of travelers can fly in, rent a car with a home license for 90 days, making Malaysia easy for a road trip holiday.

To get you on the road, here are the eight best road trips in Malaysia.

1. The great West Coast crawl

Best scenic drive

Kuala Lumpur–Penang; 249 miles (400km); allow 6 days

Skip the busy E1 highway north of Kuala Lumpur and trace the less-traveled west coast on Route 5 via a string of often missed towns such as riverside Kuala Selangor (home to the historic Bukit Malawati fort) and rural Sekinchan. Pass through endless paddy fields and veer inland to Teluk Intan via Sabak to marvel at the Menara Condong, Asia’s own version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Route 5 snakes back to the coast via Sitiawan and Lumut, where frequent ferries leave to Pulau Pangkor, home to flocks of hornbills; boat-making workshops; and peaceful jungle-backed coves.

Continuing north, Route 60 stays glued to the sea, skirting Segari’s turtle conservation center and the beaches of Pantai Remis, a hub for Sino-Malay food. Up next is the unmissable lake town of Taiping , voted the third most sustainable city in the world in 2019, from where it’s a 15-minute detour to mangrove boat rides and fresh seafood in Kuala Sepetang.

Take a left turn along the A190 at the Simpang Empat Semanggol turnoff and time travel back to colonial Malaya in the fishing town of Kuala Kurau. Branch off to nearby Kuala Gula, home to Malaysia’s biggest bird sanctuary and the Hua Seng Keng temple, a life-sized depiction of the ghoulish layers of Buddhist Hell.

Make one last stop in Parit Buntar to buy a bag of much-loved Guan Hiang biscuits (and take an evening firefly cruise in nearby Nibong Tebal, if time allows). To finish up, cross to Penang island by whizzing over the 15 mile (24km) Second Bridge to the southern beaches of Permatang Damar Laut, facing the island’s most scenic bay. Traipse up to historic George Town to finish off with a spectacular street food dinner.

2. East Coast road trip 

Best for beaches and islands

Kota Bahru–Kuantan or Pekan; 230 miles (370km); allow 4 days

This classic coastal ride packs a punch, with splendid turquoise-ringed islands, minaret-studded river estuaries and cultural surprises along the fringes of Peninsular Malaysia’s most devoutly Islamic states. Before you leave Kota Bharu , Kelantan’s conservative capital, cruise 12.5 miles (20km) north to check out the group of curious Sino-Thai temples dotting the countryside around Tumpat, gateway to Thailand ’s troubled southern province of Narathiwat. Wat Mai Suwan Kiri (Dragon Boat Temple) is particularly striking. 

Start the journey south by following the coast. A string of wide, empty beaches rolls all the way to Kuala Terengganu and Marang, and some of Malaysia’s most gorgeous islands – Pulau Perhentian , Pulau Redang and Pulau Kapas – are just a short boat ride away. The easiest island for a day trip is Pulau Perhentian, served by regular fast boats from Kuala Besut.

Route 3 hugs the shoreline as it plunges south past forgotten coves (stop to admire the imposing twin boulders at the mouth of Kemasik Beach) to reach the surf playground of Cherating. As you roll into Kuantan , the pace of life gets a tad faster; a sunset stroll at lively Pantai Teluk Cempedak and dinner at its busy food court are must-dos. To extend the trip, head 25 miles (40km) south to Pekan, with its unique collection of aristocratic Malay architecture.

3. The jungle drive

Best for nature-lovers and families

Penang–Kuala Lumpur; 434 miles (700km); allow 10 days

Start in Penang and see how quickly Malaysia’s urban surge gives way to the drowsy rhythms of the remote settlements dotted around the country’s mountainous and jungly interior. Beginning in George Town ’s incensed-wafted colonial center, drive across Kedah state to Lenggong, perhaps Malaysia’s least-known UNESCO World Heritage site. Hollowed out by a meteorite impact, this little-explored valley boasts a cluster of prehistoric sites and caves dating back 1.83 million years.

Continue to Tasik Temenggor, a man-made lake offering charming houseboat stays and easy access to Royal Belum State Park , one of the last remaining habitats for the critically endangered Malayan tiger. Route 4 keeps climbing across the 6890ft (2100m) Titiwangsa Range before plunging via Jeli to Dabong, where Gunung Stong State Forest Park and the deep limestone cave complex of Gua Ikan make for perfect pit-stops.

Swing by Gua Musang to reach blissful Pulai, a remote Chinese Hakka community that was first connected by a tarmac road in 1978. Its sloshing river is backed by rows of limestone karst pinnacles reminiscent of China’s Guilin .

Before you reach sleepy Jerantut, the main gateway to the jungle wonders of Taman Negara, there’s more caving and hiking at Merapoh and a chance to encounter the leftovers of British colonial rule in Kuala Lipis, once an important stop for Malaysia’s discontinued Jungle Railway. Spend at least a day hiking in Taman Negara (or exploring by boat), and then drive towards the capital, stopping for a taste of spiky durian at Temerloh or jumbo-sized encounters at Kuala Gandah’s elephant sanctuary.

The final ascent over cloud-enshrouded peaks on the Karak Highway is best broken either at the casinos and theme parks of the Genting Highlands, or with a glamping stay in the quaint riverside village of Janda Baik. Wrap up with a well-deserved dose of shopping and modernity at Kuala Lumpur’s Suria KLCC mall, and pay your respects to the 140ft (43m) golden statue of Lord Murugan fronting the 272 rainbow-colored steps that lead to the Hindu shrines of the Batu Caves .

4. Southern Malaysian crawl

Best for food and culture

Kuala Lumpur–Johor Bahru; 318 miles (512km); allow 5 days

Leave the bustle of the capital behind to experience sand, culture and nature on both sides of the peninsula. Start by driving down the southwestern coast, taking in the beach resort of Port Dickson and the former Dutch colonial outpost (and fusion food hub) of Melaka , now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Before cutting across the peninsula to Mersing – the main ferry port for wild and lovely Pulau Tioman – try a smorgasbord of Chinese and Malay food in Muar, the diminutive royal city of Johor state, and take a pit stop in offbeat Kluang to hike to the scenic summit of Gunung Lambak.

With a couple of extra days, consider the short detour north to Bekok and the waterfalls and villages of Endau-Rompin National Park, home to many communities of Orang Asli – literally, "first peoples." Driving south from Mersing, the southeastern coast curves to reach the swanky beach resorts of Desaru, famed for a sandbar that becomes a 'sky mirror' at low tide. It’s just a short drive to sprawling Johor Bahru , Malaysia’s southernmost city, which rises just across the strait from futuristic Singapore .

5. Sarawak explorer

Best for wildlife and indigenous culture

Kuching–Miri; 466 miles (750km); allow 6 days

Experience amazing wildlife, indigenous Dayak culture and lush coastal scenery by driving a considerable section of the Pan Borneo Highway. Before you leave Kuching , pay a visit to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre for encounters with rescued orangutans (come for feeding time at 9am and 3pm daily), then drive inland past low, forested hills and ramshackle roadside settlements to Salcra junction. A short detour to Lubuk Hantu leads to Batang Ai National Park, an artificial lake teeming with wildlife and ringed by Iban longhouses.

Grab some juicy pineapples as you pass through quaint Sarikei before reaching the riverport of Sibu, where delicious Teochew cuisine pairs well with trips to 18th-century longhouses in nearby Bawang Assan. Join the coast at Mukah, the main settlement of the seafaring Melanau people, and consider an overnight stop at the superb Lamin Dana, a boutique cultural lodge preserving local heritage in Kampung Tellian.

The quiet glare of the South China Sea will shimmer on your windshield until you reach oil-rich Bintulu, where Pantai Tanjung Batu is a good spot to tuck your toes into the sand. Head northeast of the city to Similajau National Park for jungle hikes before hitting the road again towards Miri .

The staggering limestone caves of Niah National Park are a must-stop along the way; inhabited for nearly 40 millennia, they contain some of Southeast Asia’s oldest human bones. After a day trip to Lambir Hills National Park south of Miri, end this epic drive at sunset on Canada Hill – the site of the city’s first oil well – and enjoy views over the city’s sprawling coastline.

6. Kelabit Highland’s Logging Track

Best extreme road trip

Miri–Bario; 155 miles (250km); 10–14 hours

Almost everyone takes the thrilling Twin Otter flight from Miri to reach Bario, principal township of the fascinating Kelabit Highlands, an indigenous heartland straddling the border between Sarawak and Indonesian Kalimantan . However, a few hardy adventurers access the highlands by driving 4x4 vehicles along the rough and muddy logging track that winds from Miri into upper Sarawak’s wild interior.

Snaking through endless palm oil plantations – a sad reminder of Malaysia’s problematic logging issues –  this drive will rattle your bones at every turn for 12 long hours before you finally rumble into the very Catholic village of Bario, where lingering longhouses are a reminder of waning tribal lifestyles.

7. Classic Sabah crossing

Best coast-to-coast road trip

Kota Kinabalu–Sandakan; 200 miles (325km); allow 5 days

Take your leave of Kota Kinabalu ’s night markets and outlying islands and head west towards 13,435ft (4095m) Mt Kinabalu , Malaysia’s highest peak. Almost everyone makes the two-day, one-night trek to the summit, but you can also check the pulse of Sabah’s indigenous art scene in the charming riverside Tamparuli, and meet the woodcut artists of the Pangrok Sulap collective in Ranau before bunking down in alpine-like Kundasang.

Leaving the mountains behind, cut through the heart of Sabah, skirting small towns and ever-present palm oil plantations to the Sukau junction, where a worthy detour on the Kinabatangan River promises thrilling wildlife spotting by boat and atmospheric riverside accommodation. Roll on to Sepilok, with its world-renowned orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries. A few more miles will take you to slow-paced, multicultural Sandakan and its bay filled with WWII history and fresh seafood.

8. Sabah by the backdoor 

Best offbeat road trip

Lahad Datu–Kota Kinabalu; 350 miles (564km); allow 7 days

To encounter some of Borneo’s most impressive rainforests, marine life and indigenous culture, take off from the coastal town Lahad Datu, beginning in either the Danum Valley Conservation Area or the Tabin Wildlife Reserve . Drive across the palm-strewn coast to the ugly duckling town of Semporna , the jump-off point for paradise islands such as Mabul, Kapalai and protected Sipadan, one of the world’s best dive sites.

Back on land, try Tawau’s deserted beaches and follow nature trails at Tawau Hills Park before setting out for a lonesome drive across Sabah’s hilly interior to Orou Sapulot, an important hub for the Murut people, and the town of Keningau at the bottom of the flower-studded Crocker Range. End at Kota Kinabalu’s busy seafront and glitzy shopping malls, after one more stop in Tambunan, access point for 8668ft (2642m) Mount Trusmadi, Sabah’s second-highest peak. 

Tips for driving in Malaysia

• In Malaysia, cars drive on the left, like the UK. 
• Citizens of the countries in the Commonwealth can rent a car using their home driving licenses for up to 90 days (other nationals will also need to carry an International Driving Permit).
• To access any toll road in Malaysia, including the bridges leading to Penang island, you'll need to pay with a rechargeable Touch’n’Go card that is only issued to residents. Ask your rental company for one if you plan on driving any stretch of the North-South Expressway (Route E1) or the Karak Highway connecting Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan. Most other roads are well paved and toll-free.
• When driving in cities, be prepared for drivers flouting traffic rules, especially in Penang where the erratic traffic is hard for even Malaysians coming from other states to cope with. Kuala Lumpur's traffic system is also bewildering for first-timers.
• On weekdays, traffic jams are the norm in most Malaysian cities; Saturdays are usually quieter than Sundays.

This article was first published Feb 21, 2022 and updated Jul 25, 2024.

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Malaysia , Itineraries

The ultimate 7 day malaysia itinerary – 5 different ideas.

Table of Contents

Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia’s true gems. It’s an epic destination for anyone who wants to experience the true diversity of Asia. With pristine beaches, ancient rainforests, world-class street food and traditional temples, Malaysia really has it all. In this post, I’ve shared five different ideas for the perfect 7 day Malaysia itinerary. This includes an itinerary for foodies, beach lovers, culture enthusiasts, nature fans and those who want to experience a bit of everything Malaysia has to offer.

Malaysia is without a doubt one of my favourite countries in Asia. It was the first destination I visited in Asia I’ve now been there three times. This country is such an underrated spot and is a must visit country.

Realistically, 7 days in Malaysia isn’t enough time to see everything, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see some highlights. I hope the below suggestions for a 7 day Malaysia itinerary will help you to create the perfect trip.

To find out the best time of year to visit Malaysia and other tips, check out my backpacking guide for Malaysia .

How to get around Malaysia

The good news is it’s incredibly easy to get around Malaysia. There is a good public transportation system and affordable buses, trains and flights.

Whether you’re a budget backpacker or travelling in style, getting around Malaysia is relatively straightforward. The best website to use for booking transport in Malaysia is 12Go . You can book busses and boats through this easy-to-use website.

It’s not normally necessary to hire a car in Malaysia. In fact, you’ll likely find this will limit where you can visit.

I’ve spoken more about how to get around Malaysia in my Malaysia backpacking guide.

Is one week in Malaysia enough?

No, one week in Malaysia isn’t enough time to see everything. Malaysia is a large and diverse country with many highlights. It would be impossible to see everything in seven days.

Having said that, one week is a common amount of time people have to explore this country. While you can’t see everything, you’ll be able to visit several of the popular destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands and Georgetown.

It would be easy to adapt each of the below itineraries to 10 days. You could also consider adding in another destination if you have some extra days in Malaysia.

Best places to visit in Malaysia

Before I share five different ideas for how to spend a week in Malaysia, here are the best destinations to consider on your trip to Malaysia. It would be impossible to see all of the below in just seven days, but you can look to combine two or three places.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia. Home to the famous Petronas Twin Towers, the city combines old with new and is a testament to the diversity of Malaysia. With modern and traditional architecture, historic temples, vibrant street markets and delicious street food, Kuala Lumpur is a must-visit while in Malaysia.

Some of Kuala Lumpur’s highlights include the famous Batu Caves, the Petronas Twin Towers, Little India and Chinatown.

If you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur, discover how to spend the perfect 3-days in Malaysia’s capital .

Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands is one of my favourite places in Malaysia. Arriving in the Cameron Highlands is like being transported to the traditional British countryside. With its rolling hills, mossy forest and strawberry farms, the Cameron Highlands is one of the most beautiful places in Malaysia .

The Cameron Highlands is also home to several tea plantations, including the famous Boh Tea Plantation. It’s a haven for nature and hiking enthusiasts. Due to its elevation, the Cameron Highlands tends to have a cooler climate. If you plan to visit here, make sure you have something that’s long-sleeved.

Taman Negara

Taman Negara is one of Malaysia’s ancient rainforests. If you want to go off-grid and immerse yourself in nature, Taman Negara is the answer. From canopy tours to jungle hikes, Taman Negara is a haven for those who love nature.

This can be done as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur , but I’d suggest staying at least one night to make the most of the area.

Perhentian Islands

These tropical islands are a gem off Malaysia’s east coast. The Perhentian Islands boast pristine beaches, vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters. If you want to experience Southeast Asia’s famous beaches while in Malaysia, this is the place to visit.

The Perhentian Islands are often inaccessible during the monsoon soon (October to March). If you want to visit them, be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

Langkawi is an archipelago on Malaysia’s west coast. It’s a tropical paradise full of beautiful beaches, epic snorkelling and diving opportunities and beautiful scenery. The main beach of Pantai Cenang is lined with authentic restaurants and bars to grab a drink as the sun goes down.

Langkawi is on the Thai border and it’s even possible to visit the Thai island paradise of Koh Lipe from Langkawi.

The charming city of Ipoh is renowned for its famous and mouth-watering street food. With a diverse range of quality local dishes to try, a visit to Ipoh is a must for food enthusiasts. Nestled amongst the limestone mountains, Ipoh is incredibly picturesque and offers an authentic Malaysian experience.

The beautiful historic city of Melaka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Southwest Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Melaka is a haven for culture lovers. The city showcases its colonial past through incredible architecture, blending Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. While in Melaka, be sure to visit the Jonker Street Night Market which is lined with vibrant eateries and hawkers selling delicious street food.

Melaka is well worth visiting if you’re interested in the history and culture of Malaysia.

Georgetown, Penang Island

Georgetown is the vibrant capital of Penang and is one of Malaysia’s must-visit destinations. This lively spot is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area showcases a range of colonial-era architecture, stunning street art, and is known for its incredible culinary scene. The food on offer is a fusion of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavours. It was genuinely some of the best street food I’ve ever eaten in my life.

One of the main attractions in the area is Penang National Park. This area is full of lush rainforest and beautiful white beaches .

Malaysian Borneo

Also known as East Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo is renowned for its stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife. Home to endless lush forests and pristine beaches, the region is a haven for Malaysian wildlife including the magnificent Orangutan and pygmy elephant.

The area is also home to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site captivates with its breathtaking landscapes and is a haven for hikers and nature lovers.

I recommend using Booking to find your accommodation throughout Malaysia.

Is Kuala Lumpur worth visiting?

If you only have one week in Malaysia, it’s fair to question how much time you should spend in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur is one of my favourite cities so I’m certainly biased when it comes to this question, but I think it’s worth spending at least a day in the city.

If you enjoy culture, street food or even shopping, I’d suggest spending a day or two longer there.

I’ve suggested a different amount of time to spend in Kuala Lumpur in each of the itineraries below.

7 day Malaysia Itinerary for nature lovers

First up is a 7 day Malaysia itinerary for nature lovers. Despite the modern amenities of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is home to some incredible wildlife and scenery. In this itinerary, I’ve suggested how you can make the most of this.

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur

Spend the first day of your trip getting acquainted with Malaysia in its capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur is a busy and urban city, but there’s actually a rainforest right in the city centre. The KL Forest Eco Park is a small area of lush forest which is open to be explored. Before Kuala Lumpur was built, the entire area was one giant rainforest. The KL Forest Eco Park is home to some of this native vegetation. It costs 40 MYR ($9 USD) to enter.

Another beautiful spot in Kuala Lumpur is the Perdana Botanical Garden. There are several walking paths around the park with superb views of the city. It’s free to enter.

Days 2 & 3: Taman Negara

The second day of your trip to Malaysia starts nice and early as you head to Taman Negara, one of the world’s oldest rainforest. Even with just 7 days in Malaysia, a visit to Taman Negara is an absolute must for nature lovers.

Adventure awaits as you have the chance to explore the dense jungle, search for wildlife, cross canopy walkways and embark on river cruises.

I would suggest booking a package which includes transport from Kuala Lumpur, accommodation, activities and even food.

Alternatively, you can arrange your trip to Taman Negara independently. There are shuttles available and several accommodation options. One of the best places to stay in Taman Negara is the Balai Serama Guesthouse . This affordable hotel offers a tranquil escape in the heart of the jungle.

Days 4 & 5: Cameron Highlands

Wave goodbye to the ancient rainforest of Taman Negara and head to the rolling hills of the Cameron Highlands. Spend two nights here to make the most of all the area has to offer. Base yourself in the town of Tanah Rata which is close to the area’s main attractions.

To make the most of the beautiful surroundings, join a day tour to visit the Mossy Forest and Boh Tea Plantation. After this, hit one of the many hiking trails in the area.

Note : many of the hiking trails are inaccessible during the rainy season (May & June and September to January). I visited in January and most of the hiking trails were closed.

To get to the Cameron Highlands from Taman Negara, speak to your accommodation about booking an onward transfer. You can also get a coach to Tanah Rata.  

Days 6 & 7: Penang OR Langkawi

There are two options to complete your 7 day Malaysia itinerary: either Georgetown (Penang) or the tropical island of Langkawi.

The Island of Penang is a cultural hot spot in Malaysia. Home to Georgetown and its vibrant streets, there are ample things to do in Georgetown to keep you busy for a couple of days. For nature lovers, be sure to visit Penang National Park. This incredible spot is Malaysia’s smallest National Park . Despite its size, it’s a stunning area with a few hiking trails to explore. While in Penang National Park, keep an eye out for monkeys.

Back in the town, enjoy the hustle and bustle of Georgetown. Search for the beautiful street art and enjoy the famous street food. Other nearby spots which nature lovers might enjoy include the tropical spice garden and taking a trip up Penang Hill.

To get to Penang from the Cameron Highlands, catch the bus to Butterwork (Penang Sentral) and jump on the ferry across to Georgetown.

The other option to round off your 7 day Malaysia itinerary is the island of Langkawi, one of Malaysia’s tropical paradises. If you want to relax on a beach and go diving or snorkelling, a trip to Langkawi is the answer.

Find out how to get to Langkawi .

Other idea: Malaysian Borneo

If you really want to experience the best of Malaysia’s nature, then a visit to Malaysian Borneo and Kota Kinabalu is a must. Home to endless rainforests, rare wildlife and sacred mountains, Borneo really is an absolutely magnificent place.

With only a week in Malaysia, you won’t have the time to visit Borneo and other destinations on this suggested itinerary. If you do end up visiting Borneo, consider hiking Mount Kinabalu and visiting Sabah for the chance to see orangutans.

7 day Malaysia Itinerary for beach lovers

Despite being home to some pristine beaches, Malaysia is often overlooked as a beach destination. In the following itinerary. I’ve shared two different ideas for how to spend 7 days making the most of Malaysia’s beaches.

There are two popular options when it comes to relaxing on a beach: Langkawi and the Perhentian Islands. If you only have one week in Malaysia, I’d suggest choosing one or the other. Moving between the two won’t be easy and will eat up valuable time.

Option 1: Perhentian Islands  

The Perhentian Islands are the definition of paradise. Think palm trees, white beaches and crystal clear waters. The islands are also home to some unique marine life and it’s a fantastic destination for snorkelling and diving.

There are two main islands people opt to stay on: Perhentian Cecil and Perhentian Besar. Perhentian Besar is the larger island of the two and tends to attract families and the more resort-style travellers. It’s easy to get between the two islands and you could split your time between the two.

To get to the Perhentian Islands, you first need to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut. There are busses and flights available . From there, there is a boat you can catch to the Perhentian Islands.

Note : the monsoon season hits the Perhentian Islands from October to March. It’s not advised to travel there during this period.

Option 2: Langkawi Island

Langkawi is an island paradise. It’s right on the border of Thailand and is surrounded by tropical scenery and beautiful coastlines. I’d suggest staying in the town of Patai Cenang. It’s home to an incredible beach with several bars and restaurants.

While in Langkawi, consider a snorkelling or diving trip to experience some of the local marine life. The Langkawi Sky Bridge is another popular attraction on the island, offering panoramic views above the tree line.

With a whole week in Langkawi, you could also consider spending a night or two in the nearby Koh Lipe. This requires you to do a border crossing into Thailand, but it’s very straightforward. The boat only takes 2-hours and it’s well worth it.

7 day Malaysia itinerary for culture lovers

It’s no secret that Malaysia is one of the world’s most multicultural destinations. With a rich and diverse history combining several religions, an adventure around Malaysia is a must for those who love culture and history.

Days 1-3: Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s capital city is a haven for culture lovers. Around every street corner there is another temple, historic building or mosque waiting to be explored. The city is full of history and there is so much to see and do here.

I’ve spoken more about how to spend 3 days in Kuala Lumpur , but some unmissable spots for culture lovers include:

• The Batu Caves : Kuala Lumpur’s famous Hindu temple and one of the top things to see in the city. The colourful steps lead you up to caves full of shrines.
• Little India : see another side to Kuala Lumpur’s history by visiting Little India. Wander the vibrant streets, admire the temples and try some of the delicious street food.
• Merdeka Square : home to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, this area of Kuala Lumpur is the symbol of the country’s independence.
• Chinatown : a walk through the vibrant streets of KL’s Chinatown, including the famous Petaling Street, will be sure to get the senses tingling. While in Chinatown, pay a visit to the Central Market.
• The National Museum of Malaysia : to learn more about the interesting history of this diverse country, pay a visit to its national museum.

On the third day in Kuala Lumpur, consider a day trip (or overnight trip) to the city of Melaka (Malacca). You can do this independently or as an organised tour .

Officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Melaka is full of colonial architecture, ancient temples, and vibrant street art, offering a unique insight into the country’s history.

Day 4: Ipoh

Next up, head to the city of Ipoh . This city is a little less visited than other areas in Malaysia, but it’s an absolute must for both foodies and culture lovers. With only one week in Malaysia, you won’t have time to see everything, but consider visiting Concubine Lane, Koh Lok Tong Cave Temple and following the famous Ipoh Heritage Trail.

Ipoh is also surrounded by beautiful scenery. Use your time in Ipoh to discover Malaysia’s incredible nature.

To get to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur, book your bus through 12Go Asia .

Days 5-7: Georgetown, Penang

End your 7-day Malaysia itinerary in Georgetown, Penang. With street art, incredible food, national parks and endless temples, Georgetown really has something for everything.

One of the best places to visit in the Penang area is the Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Once the sun sets, explore the vibrant night market full of hawkers selling some of the best street food in the world. Don’t miss visiting the Clan Jetties, historic Chinese villages built over water.

Georgetown is on the Island of Penang. From Ipoh, get the bus to Butterworth then change to the ferry for Georgetown.

After finishing your week in Malaysia, return to Kuala Lumpur or continue your overland journey into Thailand.

7 day Malaysia itinerary for foodies

Malaysia has some of the best street food in the entire world. I knew little about Malaysian food before visiting, but it’s quickly become one of my favourite cuisines. In this itinerary, I’ve shared a 7 day Malaysia itinerary for those who want to experience the best food this country has to offer.

Days 1 & 2: Kuala Lumpur

Begin your 7 days in Malaysia in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. To experience the best food, be sure to visit the Jalan Alor Street Food market. Once the sun starts to go down, this street comes to life with hawkers and restaurants selling authentic Malaysian street food.

Petaling Street is another famous street food market. Located in the bustling Chinatown, the street has endless food stalls offering an array of traditional Malay and Chinese food. Don’t miss out on visiting Little India in Kuala Lumpur to try some authentic Indian food.

If you want to learn more about the food, consider joining a street food tour. I did this while in Kuala Lumpur and it was very worthwhile.  

Days 3 & 4: Ipoh

Next up is Ipoh, an absolute MUST for those who want to experience some of the world’s best street food. Wander through the lively streets to discover an array of spices and flavours. From the iconic Ipoh Hor Fun (flat rice noodles in a savoury broth) to the fragrant Char Kway Teow (stir-fried flat noodles), the city is an adventure on the tastebuds.

There are daily busses between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.

Days 5 – 7: Georgetown, Penang

Finish your week in Malaysia with a trip to Georgetown, Penang. Georgetown is another destination popular for food enthusiasts and for good reason.

Georgetown is renowned for having some of the best street food not only in Malaysia, but in the entire world. Come night time, the streets come to life with hawkers selling an assortment of foods full of aromatic flavours. Consider a trip to the Tropical Spice Garden, join a cooking class or partner with a local to experience some of the best street food on a tour .

You can reach Georgetown from Ipoh by taking the bus to Butterworth. From here, take the ferry to Georgetown.

7 day Malaysia itinerary for a bit of everything

Want to see a bit of everything Malaysia has to offer? Consider this 7 day itinerary.

Start your week in Malaysia with a day in the capital city. There is so much to see and do here that it’s going to be tough to squeeze it all into one day.

I’d recommend starting your day early at the Batu Caves, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous attractions. From here, head to the famous Bukit Bintang area, which is home to luxury shopping centres and traditional markets. From here, wander to the Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC Park for *that* iconic view. Consider visiting the tower’s Observation Deck for panoramic views of the city.

End your day in the famous Chinatown and try some delicious street food before heading to one of the iconic rooftop bars.

Day 2: day trip to Taman Negara or Melaka

Use the second day to do a day trip to a nearby destination. I’d suggest either Melaka or Taman Negara. Melaka offers an incredible insight into Malaysia’s history. Taman Negara on the other hand boasts one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Both can be done as organised day trips from Kuala Lumpur . It’s also possible to visit Melaka independently.

Another day trip from Kuala Lumpur is to the Cameron Highlands. It’s quite a lot of driving for one day, but it’s a fun day out. The Cameron Highlands is home to incredible countryside and offers insight into a completely different side of Malaysia. Home to the famous Mossy Forest, strawberry fields and tea plantations, the Cameron Highlands is a fantastic place to explore.

If you don’t fancy a day trip, spend the second day exploring more of Kuala Lumpur. Consider areas such as the Perdana Botanical Garden or go shopping mall hopping.

Days 3 & 4: Georgetown, Penang

Say goodbye to Kuala Lumpur and head to Georgetown in Penang for the next two days. Here, you’ll find a stunning national park , impressive temples and some of the world’s best street food.

To get from Kuala Lumpur to Georgetown, you’ll need to get the bus to Butterworth. From there, you can get a ferry across to Georgetown. Alternatively, it’s possible to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Georgetown.

Days 5-7: Langkawi

The final stop on your 7 day Malaysia itinerary is the beautiful island of Langkawi. End your trip on a relaxing note by lying on the beach, snorkelling in the beautiful waters and exploring the hidden waterfalls of Langkawi.

Tips for your 7 day Malaysia Itinerary

• Pack light: With just one week in Malaysia, you’ll be on the move a lot. Be sure to pack light so you don’t have to carry too much. Malaysia is a hot and humid country, so you need light clothes to keep you cool.
• Carry cash: Many of Malaysia’s hawkers and smaller shops still only accept cash. The official currency is the Malaysian Ringgit. ATMs are available around the country.
• Book in advance : Make sure to plan ahead for your seven days in Malaysia. You don’t want to risk activities or transport being sold out because you only have a week. Book everything ahead of time so you can do everything you want to do.
• Dress conservatively : When visiting the temples and mosques, women are required to have their shoulders and knees covered. If you don’t have anything, you’ll be asked to rent something suitable or will be refused entry.
• Tap water: You can’t drink the tap water in Malaysia. Either buy a water filter such as Lifestraw or take a reusable bottle you can fill. I found most accommodations in Malaysia offer places where you can safely refill your water.

Continue planning your trip to Malaysia with my other guides.

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The Perfect 10-Day Malaysia Itinerary

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Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a beautiful country full of friendly locals, diverse landscapes, and delicious food. 

Since it’s such a big country, you need at least ten days to explore the best of what Malaysia has to offer. 

This itinerary is designed for those visiting Malaysia for the first time. This route will give you the best feel for the country’s most popular attractions. This 10-day itinerary will take you from Kuala Lumpur along the west coast. However, since Malaysia is such a big country, you’ll have to go back to experience the east coast! 

From island hopping to tasting tea in the highlands, getting around Malaysia is easy with its fantastic public transport. Here is the ultimate 10-day Malaysia itinerary where you’ll get around via bus, train, and plane. 

Table of Contents

What to see and do in kuala lumpur , where to eat in kuala lumpur , where to stay in kuala lumpur , what to see and do in malacca , where to eat in malacca , where to stay in malacca, what to see and do in the cameron highlands, where to eat in the cameron highlands , where to stay in the cameron highlands , what to see and do in penang , where to eat in penang, where to stay in penang , where to eat in penang , what to see and do in langkawi , where to eat in langkawi , where to stay in langkawi , what to see and do in langkawi, the best time to visit malaysia, what is the currency of malaysia , can you drink tap water in malaysia, the language of malaysia , is malaysia safe , final thoughts , day 1: kuala lumpur .

Start your 10-day journey in Malaysia in the capital of Kuala Lumpur. 

Although the city may be modern, it has beautifully retained a sense of mixed colonial and Asian heritage. 

Since Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, you can expect there to be plenty of things to see and do.

Start your day in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), where you can see the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Buy a ticket to the top of the viewing platform for spectacular views over the city’s skyline.

Next, make your way to one of the many modern malls scattered around the city.

At night time, visit Jalan Alor, the city’s most popular night market. No trip to Kuala Lumpur would be complete without visiting this place and tasting some delicious Malaysian food.

• Thirty8 Restaurant & Lounge: Located on the 38th floor of Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, this restaurant serves Chinese, Japanese and western fusions to enjoy spectacular views of the city’s skyline. 
• Cedar on 15: Located on the 15th floor of the Impiana KLCC Hotel, Cedar on 15 boasts excellent views of the city and dishes up creative food. 
• Atmosphere 360: This revolving restaurant serves delicious, affordable food and offers spectacular views of the city, including close-up views of the Petronas Twin Towers. 

There is a range of accommodation types to suit all budgets in Kuala Lumpur, including 

• EQ Kuala Lumpur (high-end accommodation) 
• MoMo’s Kuala Lumpur (mid-range accommodation) 
• Paper Plane Hostel (low-end accommodation) 

Day 2: Kuala Lumpur 

Your second day in Kuala Lumpur will consist of exploring the city’s heritage rather than its modern attractions. 

Start your second day in Kuala Lumpur with a visit to the National Museum, where you’ll learn about Malaysian history and culture. 

Afterwards, walk through the busy streets of Chinatown, shop at the many different stalls in Central Market and marvel at the colonial architecture in Merdeka Square.

In the afternoon, catch a train from KL Sentral to the Batu Caves. The Batu Caves are one of the most popular cultural attractions in Kuala Lumpur. Hundreds of colourful steps lead to the entrance to the deep cave complex. The caves are naturally beautiful, but something else makes them enchanting. The addition of Hindu shrines and statues has turned the caves into a place of worship. 

On your second day in the city, you’ll want to try out local Malaysian restaurants, such as

• Bijan Bar & Restaurant: This restaurant prides itself on offering innovative ways of enjoying Malay food, enhancing flavours and methods of preparing local delicacies. 
• Old China Cafe: Serving dishes that originated from the Baba Nonya communities of Malacca and Penang, Old China Cafe serves authentic Malaysian food. 
• Sek Yuen: At over 70 years old, Sek Yuen is one of the oldest surviving Chinese Cantonese restaurants in the city. 

Day 3: Malacca 

On your third day in Malaysia, make the three-hour train journey to the coastal city of Malacca.

Malacca is one of the country’s most historic cities. Here you can trace the evolution of Malacca from a small fishing village to a Portuguese, Dutch, then British trading port. 

Start your day exploring the ruined Portuguese churches and forts in Malacca. In the afternoon, wander through the UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers many of the city’s old streets, including the famous Jonker Street. 

Walking along Jonker Street, you can browse the many antique shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the local Malaysian restaurants. 

In the evening, hop on a river cruise as the sun goes down over the city. Afterwards, have dinner at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water to indulge in local Malaccan dishes with stunning views to match. 

In Malacca, the best thing to do is eat at various places, including restaurants and food stalls, to try the best of everything. 

• Donald and Lily’s: Serving up traditional Nyonya cuisine since 1980 and published in New York Times Magazine, a visit to Donald and Lily’s is a must.
• Chung Wah: Operating for over 50 years and the most popular outlet in Malacca, this Hainanese chicken rice shop is worth visiting for its famous chicken rice balls!
• Low Yong Moh: Known for its old-school dim sums, you can’t take a trip to Malacca without visiting this local family-run restaurant. 

Since Malacca is a popular city, there are plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets, such as 

• DoubleTree by Hilton Malacca (high-end accommodation) 
• Eco Tree Hotel (mid-range accommodation)
• YOTE 28 (low-end accommodation)

Day 4: Cameron Highlands 

On your fourth day in Malaysia, leave Malacca early in the morning to catch the seven-hour train to the Cameron Highlands. 

The Cameron Highlands is one of the most beautiful places in Malaysia. And due to its high elevation, the temperature is always much cooler than the coast. 

This region is known for its unique mixture of colonial British and authentic Malay culture. Home to tea plantations, strawberry farms and hiking trails in the jungle, there is so much to experience in this part of the country. 

Due to the travel time from Malacca, you will arrive in the Cameron Highlands in the early afternoon, so one of the best things to do is to head to the Boh Tea Plantation.

The Boh Tea Company was founded in 1929 and is one of the most famous brands of tea in Malaysia. A visit to the Boh Tea Plantation will allow you to enjoy the lush green terraces and learn how the tea is harvested and grown. With sweeping views of the region, enjoy a cup of tea while admiring your surroundings. 

• Restoran Ferm Nyonya: This restaurant is known for its delicious Nyonya dishes. Not only that, the first is halal, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.
• Restaurant Tringkap: While the restaurant may look basic with plastic chairs and minimal decor, the food is some of the best in the area. 
• Singh Chapati Urban Restaurant: Boasting a small menu of fresh, flavourful Indian food, this restaurant is not one to miss!
• Cameron Highlands Resort (high-end accommodation) 
• Heritage Hotel (mid-range accommodation) 
• Bricks Backpackers Hostel (low-end accommodation)

Day 5: Cameron Highlands 

Since there is so much to see and do in the Cameron Highlands, you’ll need another day exploring the region. 

On your second day in the Cameron Highlands, you’ll experience the best of the outdoors. 

Get up early to climb Mount Brinchang. As one of the main peaks in the Cameron Highlands, a visit to the top of Mount Brinchang is a must. 

The main way to get to the top is to take a drive (hire a car or taxi) along a winding mountain road. Standing at 2,031 metres above sea level, you’ll be blown away by the sweeping views once you reach the top.

After your morning mountain adventure, spend the afternoon trekking through the jungle. 

With jungle tracks scattered throughout the region, you can find yourself on the top of forested hills, at the bottom of a sweeping valley or standing beneath a waterfall; a trek through the jungle is a must while in the Cameron Highlands. 

• Delicious & Happiness Kitchen: This restaurant is a must-visit with low-cost, fresh and hot Chinese dishes. 
• Cameron Organic Produce Steamboat Restaurant: Utilising traditional charcoal steamboat stoves and organic vegetables from their garden, this steamboat restaurant is a must.
• Yong Teng Cafe: If you’re looking for a cafe serving delicious breakfast food, head to Yong Teng Cafe for their famous pancakes!

Day 6: Penang

On day six of your 10-day Malaysia itinerary, travel from the Cameron Highlands to the island of Penang. 

There is a bus that can take you to the island, which takes around three hours. 

Penang is one of Malaysia’s most diverse and interesting destinations, which is why you’ll spend two days exploring it!

The diverse nature of Penang is represented by the UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the old streets of Georgetown.

Spend your first day on the island exploring the old lanes, marvelling at the many murals and indulging in delicious Malaysian street food.

• Kheng Pin Cafe: This cafe is known for having some of the best lor bak (deep-fried meat, seafood and vegetables) in Penang, so it’s definitely worth visiting. 
• Sister Yao’s: This humble stall on Macalister Lane has been serving some of the best char koay kak (radish cake) for over 40 years. 
• Medan Selera Padang Brown: Lok Lok is a type of communal hot pot dish, and Medan Selera Padang Brown serves up some of the best in Penang.
• Eastern & Oriental Hotel (high-end accommodation) 
• Areca Hotel Penang (mid-range accommodation) 
• Red Inn Court (low-end accommodation) 

Day 7: Penang 

Wake up early on your second day in Penang because it will be an eventful day exploring nature and cultural attractions. 

Wake up early to walk to the top of the 833-metre Penang Hill for stunning views over the island. If you don’t feel like walking, you can take the funicular to the summit instead. 

After soaking up the views from the top of the hill, make your way to Kek Lok Si, one of the largest Buddhist Temples in Malaysia. The temple is an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries. 

After exploring the temple, head back to Georgetown to take the three-hour ferry to the nearby island of Langkawi. 

• New Lane Hawker Centre: Oh Chien is a fried oyster-filled omelette, and you can try one of the best at New Lane Hawker Centre. 
• Kafe Ping Hooi: Char koay teow is considered the most iconic street food in Penang, and you can try it at Kafe Ping Hooi. 
• Air Itam: Much like char koay teow, asam laksa is also one of the best dishes to eat in Penang. Try it at Air Itam!

Day 8: Langkawi 

After catching the three-hour ferry to Langkawi from Penang on the afternoon of day seven, spend the next two days relaxing.

Langkawi may be Malaysia’s most popular holiday destination, but you’ll be surprised at how relaxed, quiet and underdeveloped it is. 

After a jam-packed first seven days in Malaysia, spend your first day in Langkawi relaxing on the white sands of Cenang Beach. 

Swim in the ocean, soak up the sun on the sand and enjoy a few drinks at the rustic beachside bars while watching the sunset. 

• The Gulai House: If you’re up for a fine dining experience that serves Malaysian and Indian dishes, head to The Gulai House in the rainforest. 
• Yellow Beach Cafe: One of the best places to enjoy delicious food while watching the sunset on the beach is the Yellow Beach Cafe. 
• Langkawi Fish Farm Restaurant: Considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Langkawi, situated over the water, the Langkawi Fish Farm Restaurant is a must-visit. 
• The St. Regis Langkawi (high-end accommodation) 
• Dash Resort Langkawi (mid-range accommodation) 
• Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang (low-end accommodation) 

Day 9: Langkawi 

On your last day on the tropical island, you can do two things: relax on the beach or hop on an island tour. 

If you prefer to relax on Cenang Beach again, go ahead!

Want to do something different? Hop on an island-hopping tour around Langkawi, where you can explore the area’s many tropical inlets and secret beaches. 

After you’ve spent your morning exploring the beautiful beaches and inlets around the island, head to Langkawi Sky Bridge. Here a cable car takes you to the top of one of the island’s tallest peaks, where a long bridge spans between mountains. Once you’re on the bridge, you’ll be welcomed with stunning views of the island, and on a clear day, you’ll be able to see the nearby Thai islands too. 

Spend your evening back on Cenang Beach, watching the sunset with a refreshing drink in hand.

• The Cliff Restaurant and Bar: Located on a cliff overlooking Cenang Beach, this restaurant is popular for its spectacular sunset views. 
• Kayu Puti: Located in the St. Regis hotel, this fine dining restaurant boasts delectable food from world-famous chef Gaetan Biesuz. 
• Orkid Ria Restaurant: Known for its seafood, this restaurant prides itself on serving the freshest seafood on the island. 

Day 10: Kuala Lumpur

On your final day in Malaysia, you can catch the one-hour flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

If you wish to make the most of your time left in Langkawi, you can catch an afternoon flight to Kuala Lumpur before your evening flight out of the country. 

Or, if you wish to explore Kuala Lumpur some more, you can head back to the city in the morning to spend the day wandering around. 

If your departing flight isn’t until the evening and you want to spend the day in a fun way, head to Sunway Lagoon.

Located 19km southwest of central Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Lagoon is a theme park with waterslides, an artificial river, a surf beach and a wave pool. What better way to escape the heat than spending your final day in Malaysia in the water?

Useful Tips for Travelling in Malaysia 

Malaysia is above the equator, which means the country experiences warm weather year-round. However, it’s a tropical country, so along with the hot days, you can also expect high levels of humidity and rainfall almost any day of the year. 

Since this 10-day itinerary focused on travelling throughout the west coast of Malaysia, the best time to visit is between December and April. This time of year is when the temperatures are cooler, less humid and a lot less rainy. 

The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). 

Yes, tap water is safe to drink in Malaysia. 

The language spoken in Malaysia is Malay. 

While most Malaysians speak English, it’s always courteous when travelling to a new country to learn some of the basics, such as

• How are you? = Apa khabar
• Please = Tolong
• How much? = Berapa 
• Can you speak English? = Bolehkah anda berbahasa Inggeris 
• Where is the toilet? = Di mana tandas
• Thank you = Terima kasih 
• You’re welcome = Sama-sama
• I don’t understand = Says tidak faham 

Malaysia is generally a safe country to visit for tourists. It’s a country where you’re unlikely to encounter violence. However, like most places, you should be careful when it comes to petty crime, such as pickpocketing. 

A country with a rich cultural history, spectacular landscapes, and beautiful attractions, Malaysia is definitely a country worth visiting. 

If it’s your first time visiting Malaysia, this 10-day itinerary is perfect for you as it takes you through the country’s most popular and highly rated places/attractions. And if after this trip you loved the country, you definitely have to revisit to explore the east coast.

When will you visit this beautiful Southeast Asian country? 

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Dive Into Malaysia

Top 12 Malaysia Road Trip Adventures From Singapore, KL And Borneo

Heading to Malaysia or based in Singapore or Malaysia and looking for the ultimate Malaysia road trip?

You are not alone. Malaysia is a great country to explore by car with many fun destinations and experiences waiting for you. In fact, a road trip around Malaysia is our favourite way to explore this country as it’s just so easy and there are so many places worth visiting within a short drive of just about anywhere!

To help make planning your own road trip in Malaysia, I have listed the best 12 road trips Malaysia offers. I have separated them into sections depending on whether you want Malaysia road trip ideas for a great weekend from Kuala Lumpur, a road trip from Singapore to Malaysia, an East Coast Malaysia road trip, a Borneo road trip or the absolute best road trip in Malaysia.

Just keep reading and pick your best choice from the Malaysia road trip planner below.

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Driving In Malaysia

If you are new to road trips in this part of the world and are wondering what it’s like to be on the road Malaysia, read my full guide to driving in Malaysia here .

I spent a year living and driving in Malaysia and found it very straightforward and not scary at all. On our frequent trips back from Australia, we usually hire a car as it’s just such a great way to travel in this country. So don’t be worried!! You will be fine.

Click here for my full guide now.

If you don’t want to drive, we can book long distance taxis for you to make things extra easy.

Click here for prices and more information.

If you are starting in Singapore, we can also book long distance taxis which can take you over the border to anywhere in Malaysia. Find more information here.

Road Trip Malaysia Quick Adventures: From Kuala Lumpur

The following road trip ideas in Malaysia are written for either a weekend trip from Kuala Lumpur or slightly longer. You could also follow the first two suggestions if you are looking for a one day road trip in Malaysia.

If you are looking for something longer, keep reading for the big Malaysia road trip section below.

Looking for the ultimate Malaysia Itinerary Planner for your trip? Click here to get it now!

Port Dickson Fun

Overview: Kuala Lumpur – Port Dickson – Kuala Lumpur

Driving Time: 1.5 hours each way

Perfect For: Beach lovers looking for a weekend escape

If you need a beach break then the best place for road trip in Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur is Port Dickson.

This coastal area is just an hour and a half from the centre of KL and makes for the perfect escape of city life.

This is the place to lounge on the beach, enjoy a great resort for a great price or maybe even swim in your private pool ( see here for the top private pool villas in Port Dickson ). 

There’s also some great things to do in Port Dickson if you want to fill your days. You can go to the Army Museum, check out ostriches at the Ostrich Farm or play paintball! Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to hike to Cape Rachado and relax at Blue Lagoon .

Read more about Port Dickson in our full travel guide here .

Melaka Adventure

Overview: Kuala Lumpur – Melaka – Kuala Lumpur

Driving Time: 1.75 hours each way

Perfect For: Culture lovers looking for a weekend escape or day trip.

Malaysia road trip destinations don’t come much better than the UNESCO-listed city of Melaka.   Less than two hours from Kuala Lumpur, the city is full of historic buildings from the British, Dutch, and Portuguese.  Mixed communities of Malays, Malaysian Chinese, Malaysian Indians, Eurasians and more, give Melaka an astonishing mix of culture, religious buildings, customs, and festivals. 

Discover the eclectic mix of temples and churches, and soak up the present-day atmosphere at the main squares of 1Malaysia and Alor Gajash.  Dive into more than 30 museums where you can view restored 19 th -century houses, learn about the city’s colourful history and take an in-depth look at Malaysia’s maritime adventures.

Families will adore the plethora of interactive wildlife options in the city, such as the Melaka Crocodile Farm , Bird Park , or Zoo .  And, your children will beg for a visit to A’Famosa Resort with its fun Water Theme Park , Safari Wonderland and Old West attractions.

Get discounted tickets for Melaka Crocodile Farm here , Melaka Bird Park here and Melaka Zoo here . You can also get discounted tickets for A’Famosa Resort’s Water Theme Park here , Safari Wonderland here and Old West here.   .

Dine on a fantastic variety of street food at over 50 night markets, and enjoy haggling for bargains and souvenirs at the market stalls. 

For a romantic stay, select The Majestic Malacca , a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  Relax in sumptuous rooms and suites with four poster beds, and spoil yourself with treatments at their Spa Village. 

Families can choose to stay overnight at A’Famosa Resort Malacca – integrated with the theme park – or The Imperial Heritage Hotel in the city.  Close to many attractions, the Imperial is a favourite for children with a swimming pool and karaoke room, whilst parents will appreciate their two-bedroom suites.

Read more about Melaka in our full travel guide here.

Let Me Plan Your Perfect Malaysia Itinerary!

Want to save time and have the best Malaysia trip ever? Let me create your itinerary for you.

I’ll use my insiders knowledge gained over years of Malaysia travel to help you craft the perfect trip.

Find out more here >

Cameron Highlands Escape

Overview: Kuala Lumpur – Cameron Highlands – Kuala Lumpur

Driving Time: 3 hours each way

Perfect For: Nature lovers wanting a weekend or long weekend trip to cool down

One of the best places for road trips in Malaysia, the Cameron Highlands is another top favourite of ours.  You’ll reach this scenic hill station in a three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, where the cool climate and spectacular green views provide a welcome change from city life.

Set along a mountain plateau, high above the river valley, a trip here is a delight for all the family.  Enjoy the lush green terraces of the Boh Tea Plantation, taste sweet strawberries at Raaju’s Hill Farm and smell the exotic roses at Mrs Robertson’s Gardens.  With traditional English Cream Teas at mock-Tudor mansions you’re excused for wondering if you’ve woken up  in England!

Trek rainforest trails in search of local wildlife and revel in the spectacular jungle vegetation, followed by a cool off at a freshwater waterfall.  Along the route, look out for the Orang Asli tribe who reside in traditional villages dotted throughout the area.

Couples should splurge on a stay at the Cameron Highlands Resort – a majestic colonial hotel with stunning views across Pahang’s rolling hills.  Families can consider the mid-range Copthorne Hotel Cameron Highlands also with scenic views, an indoor heated pool, and a great location close to many attractions.

Read more about Cameron Highlands in our full travel guide here .

Perak Adventure

Overview: Kuala Lumpur – Ipoh – Kuala Kangsar – Taiping – Kuala Lumpur

Driving Time: 6.5 hours total

Perfect For: People wanting great food and culture in some of the best places in Perak and who have 4-7 nights to spare.

Perak, known as the Land of Grace, is the wonderful west coast state of the Malay Peninsula.  Follow our itinerary for an extreme road trip, Malaysia style! 

Depart Kuala Lumpur travelling three hours to Ipoh, the state’s capital, and check-in for a couple of nights.  Once a small village, Ipoh is now one of Malaysia’s largest cities but has retained its gorgeous British colonial architecture.  Best discovered on Old Town’s Heritage Walk, marvel at the pretty buildings, relax at ancient shophouses operating as cafes, and admire the city’s more recent addition of colorful street murals.

In modern times Ipoh was known for its tin-mining industry – the focus of the wonderful Han Chin Pet Soo Museum.  However, the region is most noted for its centuries-old Buddhist cave temples (check out one with Neolithic images dating back 5000 years and others with stunningly large Buddhas), and dramatic limestone cliffs best discovered at Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

The Lost World of Tambun theme park will keep children busy, with its Tiger Valley, Water Park and Lost World, and families should stay at the onsite hotel to fully appreciate the park’s many rides and attractions.

Get discounted tickets for the Lost world of Tambun here .

Ipoh is perhaps most famous for its food culture, with hundreds of restaurants and hawker food markets mixing Malay, Chinese – Cantonese and Hakka – and Indian flavours.  Hawker stalls, dim-sum restaurants, speciality noodle shops will all tempt you with wafting aromas, and dine on iconic dishes such as nga choi kai, hakka mee, chicken ho fun and wanton mee… washed down with a mug of Ipoh White Coffee.

For those looking for a little pampering we suggest taking a suite (with balcony and lake views!) at The Haven Resort Hotel , Ipoh.  For families or those on a slightly less budget, M Roof Hotel & Residences is ideal.  Set a little outside of the main hustle and bustle of the city centre, the hotel has a variety of apartments and basic hotel rooms, and features a nice rooftop swimming pool. 

Next stop is Taiping but en route take a side trip to Kuala Kangsar, the royal town of Perak.  This off-tourist-route town is home to some of the most impressive buildings we’ve seen in Malaysia, including the Ubudiah Mosque, the Royal Museum of Perak, the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery and Istana Iskandariah, The Royal Palace.  And check out the markets for souvenirs in the form of locally made pottery items.

Reaching Taiping, check-in at your accommodation for another couple of nights, giving yourself time to appreciate this lesser known town.  Similar to Ipoh, Taiping was a centre of the mining industry for decades, with British and Chinese influences still strong today. 

The town’s Heritage Trail, 11.5km, covers over 40 attractions including the British colonial clock tower and the National Heritage All Saints Church.  And pencil in at least a half day for the Perak Museum, with national history galleries and zoological specimens.For children, ensure to include a trip to the Taiping Zoo near to the city’s stunning Lake Gardens.  Home to over 1200 animals, the zoo supports endangered species and is active in conservation and research.

In the evening, return to the zoo for a Night Safari Taiping Experience or travel slightly out of town for a lovely fireflies river cruise at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve.

If you have time, extend your stay and visit the Orang Utan Island at Bukit Merah.  Easily enjoyed as a daytrip from Taiping, Orang Utan Island is a quiet sanctuary that’s home to endangered Orangutans. Spend a morning learning about efforts being made to protect the natural habitat of these wonderful primates.

Get discounted tickets for the Orang Utan Island Day Tour here .

The Novotel Taiping Perak , in the centre of town and minutes from Lake Gardens, is the ideal option for all travellers.  Equipped with a Kid’s Club and swimming pool, the hotel has a bar and international restaurant.

Read more about Ipoh in our full travel guide here . With extra time, you could also combine this road trip with the one above and add a stop in Cameron Highlands

Malaysia Road Trip From Singapore: Top Options

This section is especially for people who are looking for a road trip to Malaysia from Singapore. They are designed for a weekend or long weekend but you could also extend them to add more time to relax if you have more time for your road trip Malaysia from Singapore or you could combine them with the suggestions above or below.

Port Dickson and Melaka are also popular Singapore to Malaysia road trip destinations and you could follow those itineraries above as well.

Want the Easiest (and BEST) Way to travel between Singapore and Malaysia?

We can book a taxi for you from anywhere in Malaysia to anywhere in Singapore for a great price.

A taxi is the best way to cross the border as you don’t have to leave the air-conditioned comfort of your vehicle.

Click here for prices and online booking.

Johor Explorer

Overview: Singapore – Johor Bahru – Singapore

Driving Time: 50 minutes each way

Perfect For: City lovers or families wanting to explore Johor Bahru and Legoland Malaysia

Less than an hour’s travel from Singapore, this popular destination makes for an easy Singapore Malaysia road trip.   Home to the amazing Legoland, Johor Bahru offers many attractions suitable for both families and couples.  Visit for a daytrip, for a weekend or make this part of a much longer Malaysia trip.

Start your day discovering Johor Bahru’s Old Town, with its mosques, temples, churches, and historical buildings.  Browse the heritage shops and art galleries, admire colorful murals, and relax at alfresco cafes. 

The Chinese Heritage Museum – Tiong Hua Museum – is a great place to spend an hour – or drop by the equally interesting Royal Abu Bakar Museum, housed in what was once the Grand Palace and home to the Royal Family.

A fun place to visit is the famous Hiap Joo Bakery and Biscuit Factory.  With a history spanning over 80 years, sample delicious buns, biscuits, and their signature banana cake.   Other family favorites include the small Johor Bahru zoo. 

But, of course, children and all those young-of-heart will be hoping to include a visit to the famous Legoland Malaysia .  Super fun for all ages, there are multiple Lego-themed zones and worlds to explore.  Lego bumper cars, Lego planes, interactive Lego… and even a Lego roller coaster!

Get discounted tickets for Legoland Malaysia here.

Looking for somewhere quieter?  Head to Danga Bay, with its 25kms of scenic waterfront that includes a pleasant park, the Danga World Mini Theme Park, Danga City Mall and some fine dining restaurants. 

In the evening check-out Pasar Karat, a large flea market with antiques and souvenirs, and sweet-smelling food stalls that offer vast Asian menus.

If staying overnight, treat the children to a wonderful Lego-themed stay at the Legoland Resort .  Rooms come in various sizes and themes, and the hotel offers special activities for inhouse guests.  Alternatively, for a city stay we suggest the DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru .  Ideally located for most attractions, the hotel has an outdoor swimming pool on the 13 th floor, four restaurants and a spa, all helping to make this an excellent choice for couples or families.

Read more about Johor Bahru in our full travel guide here .

Tioman Getaway

Overview: Singapore – Mersing (ferry to) Tioman (ferry to) Mersing – Singapore

Driving Time: 2.5 hours driving each way plus ferry ride

Perfect For: Beach and nature lovers who want to escape it all

Tioman is a paradise island, fabulous for anyone looking to chill out for a few nights or families happy to immerse in nature, without the trappings of large resorts and cities.  From Singapore, travel just 2 hours to Mersing and catch the ferry – 1.5-2 hours, weather dependent – to Tioman.

Click here to see the latest timetables and prices

Stunning beaches and coves are surrounded by jungle on one side and the beautiful turquoise sea – teeming with live corals and colourful fish – on the other.  Explore by bicycle, ATV or on foot, trekking jungle trails, passing waterfalls and quaint traditional villages.

Renowned for its excellent diving and snorkelling, the island lures divers from all corners of the globe.  Families visit for a back-to-nature experience, spending relaxing days island-hopping and enjoying reef-protected swimming and water sports in the South China Sea.

Turtle encounters, an 18-hole golf course and duty-free shopping are just a few other available attractions… if you can pull yourself away from the beach!

Treat yourself to a stay at the highly rated Berjaya Tioman Resort , beach-facing with an outdoor pool and home to the golf course.  The resort offers spacious chalets with air conditioning and private balconies, and often promote special packages for families and honeymooners.

Read more about Tioman in our full travel guide here .

Desaru Adventure

Overview: Singapore – Desaru Coast – Singapore

Driving Time: 1.75 hours driving each way plus a ferry ride

Perfect For: Beach lovers who want a fun and easy escape

22 kilometres of Desaru Coast awaits you, with stunning beaches, terrific water sports, and a range of top resorts and accommodation options.  Easily reachable from Singapore – by a short ferry ride and 30 minute drive or alternatively by a 2-hour drive via the Causeway – the Desaru Coast is ideal for weekend or longer stays.

Surprisingly, this popular region continues to have an unspoilt, untouched feel, despite the development of a 21-acres integrated resort.   Boasting five spectacular wet and dry zones in the Adventure Waterpark , a world-class golf course and other attractions, there’s something for everyone! 

Don’t forget to explore the local region too, checking out wildlife interaction at the local Ostrich or Crocodile Farms, cultural experiences at the Tanjung Balau Fishing Village, and fresh-water fun at the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls.

Just looking to relax?  Head to any one of the empty stretches of beach that the area is famous for, all with fine golden sand and calm waters ideal for the plethora of water sports on offer. 

Many of Asia’s top hotel brands can be found at Desaru Coast, including One & Only , The Westin , Anantara and – our favourite – the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast .

Read more about Desaru in our full travel guide here .

Singapore To Kuala Lumpur

Overview: Singapore – Legoland Malaysia – Melaka – Port Dickson – Kuala Lumpur

Driving Time: 6.5 hours in total

Perfect For: People who like variety in their road trips! Have fun at Legoland, experience the culture in Melaka, relax the beach in Port Dickson and then dive into Malaysia’s biggest metropolis at Kuala Lumpur

While you could do this as a direct trip between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, why not have more fun and visit some destinations along the way?

If you are looking for a fun and varied Malaysia adventure, this Singapore to Malaysia road trip itinerary, with exciting stop-overs along the route between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, is perfect.

Commencing from Singapore, drive the short drive to Johor Bahru and check-in at your city-based hotel (we recommend the Double-Tree by Hilton ) or the unique Legoland Resort .  

Take a walk through Old Town and enjoy a snack at any one of the local cafes.  And then it’s time for fun and adventure-overload, as you enjoy a day at Legoland Malaysia .  Offering more than 70 rides, shows and Lego-themed attractions, you’re sure to have a blast!

Next morning, it’s a leisurely drive (2h15m) along AH2 to Muar. This is just a quick stop to check out the amazing street art and to have a little wander around this award-winning clean city.

Not much foreign tourists here so you may have it to yourself! Head to Muar Cultural Walk and Maharani Mural Lane.

Read more about Muar here.

After you’ve filled up your phone with photos, it’s time to head on to nearby Melaka just an hour away on route 5.  Stay for two nights at The Imperial Heritage Hotel or check here for other recommendations, and prepare to discover this ancient UNESCO-listed city. 

Travel by trishaw, taxi or on foot, spending your days exploring museums, historic buildings, temples and churches that all reflect the city’s turbulent history of colonial rule under the Portuguese, British and Dutch.  Feel the Chinese culture, from early settlers of the Ming Dynasty, that continues on today in the Baba & Nyonya communities. 

Take a ride on the Taming Sari Revolving Tower for great city views – noting colonial buildings covered in traditional cherry-red facades – and enjoy a river cruise along the Malacca River. 

Get discounted tickets to Taming Sari Revolving Tower here .

Melaka Zoo and the local Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary are great escapes from the bustling streets.  Or immerse yourself fully in the craziness of the city at the Jonker Walk Night Market and at the bars and karaoke clubs of Melaka Raya.  

And, if all that’s not enough to keep you busy, one of the most famous theme parks in Malaysia – A’Famosa Resort – is on the outskirts of town!

Melaka’s mix of nationality and heritage has spawned a completely unique cuisine in the form of delicious Nyonya dishes, best experienced at street hawker stalls.  Boasting rich food traditions and unique mouth watering flavours, ingredients include tamarind, lemongrass, laksa leaves and coconut milk.  Dine on tasty desserts of sweet potato and yams, combined with glutinous rice.

After two days of fun, it’s time to wave goodbye to Melaka.  Take the coastal road (or re-join the AH2 motorway) for the 1h40m drive to the beach resort town of Port Dickson.  With many affordable hotels, often with ocean-views, select from our listing of best hotels in Port Dickson . Get your suntan-lotion and a book ready, as it’s time to relax!

For your first day, discover the famed 18km shoreline with over a dozen beaches and excellent water sports.  For a real get-away-from-it-all-day, head out to Cape Rachado with 75 hectares of forest wildlife reserve, a historic lighthouse and small secluded beach.  Alternatively, relax at the busier beaches of Pantai Cahaya Negeri or Pantai Saujana offering great facilities and food stalls.

The following day, wake refreshed and ready to explore the region’s history at Lukut with its fort ruins, rainforests at Sungai Menyala, or up the adrenaline with ATV, archery and go-karts at Extreme Park Port Dickson.  Phew!

After two days at Port Dickson it’s time to depart to the bright lights of the capital city Kuala Lumpur.  We recommend a minimum three night stay to enjoy the great range of attractions and things to do in Kuala Lumpur.  

Visit Chinatown, head to the top of the world’s tallest twin towers at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers , and discover the rainforest at KL Forest Eco Park.  Massive shopping centres, temples, wildlife experiences, busy street markets, iconic food, art and cultural museums… the list of things to do is truly endless!  Check out our Kuala Lumpur 3 Day Itinerary to help plan out your stay.

A multicultural and dynamic favourite city of ours, accommodation options in Kuala Lumpur run from hostels to world-class luxury hotels.  To help you book your ideal stay we’ve reviewed the best areas and our top selections here: Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur . 

Read more about Kuala Lumpur in our full travel guide here . 

The Big Malaysia Road Trip

For the ultimate Malaysian road trip, you can combine both of the following by driving between Penang and Kota Bharu to make a big circuit. This also means you can start and finish your Malaysia East Coast road trip from any of the points on this itinerary.

You could use either of these itineraries for a road trip to Thailand from Malaysia as both get you closer to the Thai border.

Kuala Lumpur To Penang

Overview: Kuala Lumpur – Cameron Highlands – Ipoh – Penang

Driving Time: 7 hours in total

Perfect For: People who love exploring different areas and love great food! You need at least 4 nights for this road trip.

Time to hit the road for a West-Malaysia tour!  Commencing from Kuala Lumpur, set off on the 3-hour drive along Route 59 to the cooler climate of the Cameron Highlands hill station.  Check-in to your hotel for a couple of nights and relax, taking in scenic views of rolling hills and rainforests, tinged with colonial nostalgia.

We recommend a 2-night stay to enjoy all the fun activities, and to explore the nature of this gorgeous mountain plateau region.  Temples, tea plantations, rose gardens, cream teas at mock-Tudor mansions, butterfly and bee farms, and possibly your first-and-only taste of Lavender Ice-Cream, will keep you and the family well entertained! 

With fresh mountain air and stunning views, this beautiful region is a delight for trekking.  Follow trails in the lush rainforest to waterfalls and through Orang Asli native villages.  Climb Mount Batu Brinchang, or discover the Mossy Forest and Cactus Valley.

Hotels are speckled throughout the small towns that combine to make up the Cameron Highlands.  One of our favorites is the mid-range Heritage Hotel Cameron Highlands , with private balconies offering breathtaking views. Discover more about the towns and accommodation options here .   

Time to say goodbye to the Highlands and head down the twisting mountain road to Ipoh, 2 hours by Route 59 and 185.  Capital of the Perak state, Ipoh is Malaysia’s third largest city and is famed for its cave temples, towering limestone cliffs and well preserved British colonial architecture. 

A pleasure to explore by foot, Ipoh centre is split in two by the Kinta River with Ipoh Old Town on the west side and Ipoh New Town on the east.  Walk the historic streets of the Old Town, lined with ancient Chinese shophouses, admiring wall murals that street artists have added to the crumbling walls.  

Take a hit of Ipoh White Coffee at any one of the cool hipster coffee shops in this laid-back area, set against the backdrop of heritage architecture.  Head to Kong Heng Square, full of vine covered ruins with renovated buildings now housing stylish boutique shops and colorful market stalls.

Spend a day discovering the famous Buddhist cave temples (some with ancient images dating back thousands of years) and the oldest in the region, Sam Poh Tong Chinese Temple.  Travel slightly out of town for spectacular lakes and gorgeous limestone scenery at the Gunung Lang Recreational Park, or to Gopeng for the Gaharu Tea Valley. 

A mixture of Malay, Chinese Hakka and Cantonese, and Indian flavours have helped make Ipoh famous for its food culture.  Hawker food markets are numerous and cheap, offering an endless array of local specialties, or head to Jalan Leong Sin Nam for some tasty dim sum!

Luxury resorts, family hotels with pools and Kids Clubs, and cheap budget hotels are all available.  Splash out on a stay at the majestic Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat with garden, lake or water villas.  Slightly easier on the pocket is the Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites with standard and suite rooms, including 2 and 3-bedroom apartments great for families.   Compare Ipoh hotel options here .

Stay in George Town or at any one of the sprawling beach resorts.  Diverse in location, style and budget, accommodation options are numerous.  Indulge with a stay at the 5-star Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa Penang , located by the beach at Batu Ferringhi.  With multiple pools, restaurants, Kids Club, private golf course and gym, there are endless activities that make it hard to find time to explore the rest of the island! 

Discover more of our favourite Penang accommodation options here .

Depart from Penang International Airport, or continue your adventure by road travelling approx. 2-hours to the Thai border at Wang Prachan, making this part of a wonderful road trip from Malaysia to Thailand.

Read more about Penang in our full travel guide here . 

East Coast Malaysia Road Trip

Overview: Kuala Lumpur – Cherating – Kuala Terengganu (ferry to) Redang Island (ferry to) Kuala Terengganu – Kuala Besut (ferry to) Perhentian Islands (ferry to) Kuala Besut – Kota Bharu

Driving Time: 8 hours in total plus ferry times

Perfect For: People who love gorgeous beaches, tropical islands and interesting cities and have at least 9 nights

Let’s explore East Coast Malaysia!  Departing from Kuala Lumpur, it’s a 3-hour drive across the country on E8 highway to the coastal resort town of Cherating. 

A popular beach resort area in Pahang, Cherating is a quiet fishing village opening onto a wide beach.  Indulge in snorkeling, surfing and kitesurfing. 

Nearby, the Cherating River is good for kayak adventures or jump on a short cruise to explore the local mangroves.  Keep an eye out for snakes and monkeys along the way and head back in the evening for thousands of fireflies.  Drop by the Cherating Turtle Sanctuary in the north of the village, walkable from most accommodation, to see baby and rescued leatherback turtles.

Dotted with guesthouses and small hotels/chalets, Cherating is also home to Asia’s first Club Med – a 5-star all-inclusive beach resort.  Somewhere a little quieter to stay, the Royale Chulan Cherating Villa is excellent  with 34 beachfront villas and suites.

After a night or two at Cherating, travel north along Highway E8 (2h15m) to Kuala Terengganu.  The royal capital of the Terengganu region, this town was once a simple fishing village until developers discovered oil and rapid development took off! 

It is home to one of the best Chinatowns in Malaysia with Kampong-style stilt houses, and the beautiful “Floating Mosque”.  Discover the history of the region at the largest museum in Malaysia, the Muzim Kompleks Negeri Terengganu.  And head to Bukit Puteri for a 200-metre hill climb for great views across the city, the Sungai Terengganu river mouth and the South China Sea.

Feeling hungry?  Head back to Chinatown and try some delicious Peranakan dishes at Madame Bee’s Kitchen or the Town City Food Court.   For your overnight stay, we recommend the Grand Puteri Hotel .  Only five minutes’ walk from Chinatown and with reasonably priced all-air conditioned rooms, it’s ideal for all travelers.

After a good night’s sleep, wake refreshed and ready for your boat trip to exotic Redang Island!  Ferries depart – usually in the morning – from the Shahbandar Jetty, within Kuala Terengganu.  Remember to check the timings directly at the jetty or have your hotel assist as schedules can be volatile.  See here for full details on travelling to Redang Island.

Reaching Pulau Redang – best visited between late March-October – you’ll gasp in awe at the stunning white powder beaches and crystal-clear waters, set to the backdrop of lush tropical rainforest.  This is paradise, Malaysian-style!

Check-in for 3 nights at our recommended hotel – Laguna Redang – located on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Spend your time relaxing beachside or poolside, snorkeling or diving with the onsite PADI team, sampling treatments at the D’Manja Forest Spa or trekking in the cool rainforest.

After 3 nights at Laguna Redang it’s hard to pull yourself away but there’s still much to discover.  Catch the return ferry to Kuala Terengganu and travel (1h40m) further north along the coast to Kuala Besut for your small ferry (15-pax speedboats) to the Perhentian Islands. 

Expect the boat crossing to be a little wet and to stop at multiple locations dependent on where your fellow travelers are staying… which gives you a great chance to check-out hotels and the islands along the way!  Learn more here .  

Check-in for a 3 night stay at either Kecil – the party-backpacker style island and more livelier of the two, especially at Long Beach – or Besar, the more chilled and family-orientated.

Both islands have simple hotels usually opening directly onto the beach, serving Asian and some international cuisine.  Water sports are popular, as is exploring the interior jungle of the islands.  

No super-luxury resorts on offer, but arguably in the best position and with a swimming pool – a rarity for Perhentian hotels – is The Perhentian Island Resort .  Located on Besar, it has its own stretch of beach with restricted boat access. 

Enjoy slow, peaceful days where time almost seems to stand still until… it’s time to leave!  Jump back on the small ferry/speed boat to Kuala Besut and transfer 1 hour north along the coast to Kota Bharu. 

The largest city in Malaysia’s north-east, we suggest a one-night stay at Hotel Perdana , Kota Bharu – 4-star accommodation near museums and markets.  The city offers a handful of tourist attractions, all located within walking distance of each other.  Discover our Things To Do In Kota Bharu guide, whilst you wait for your onwards connection.

A popular transit point with its well-established airport – the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport – and railway connection to the south, Kota Bharu is also near to the Thai border for those looking to extend their tour into Thailand. 

Read more about Redang Island in our full travel guide here and Perhentian Islands in our full guide here .

Borneo Malaysia Road Trip Itinerary

Looking for a road trip in Malaysian Borneo? Here’s two great choices!

Overview: Kota Kinabalu – Poring Hot Springs – Sandakan – Sungai Kinabatangan – Tawau – Kota Kinabalu

Driving Time: 20 hours in total

Perfect For: Nature lovers who want to see the best Sabah offers on land with two weeks available

On the northeast coast of Borneo is the Malaysian state of Sabah.  Most visitors fly into Kota Kinabalu International Airport and spend a few nights in the city before heading out for epic Borneo nature and wildlife adventures.  We suggest to check-in for four nights as Kota Kinabalu, its surrounding rural jungle, and beautiful coastline offer an awesome array of activities and tours!  

Discover the town’s bustling markets selling locally made handicrafts, admire the beautiful City Mosque built on stilts above a lagoon, visit Chinatown, take in spectacular views at Signal Hill Observatory Platform, and don’t miss a ride on the famous Borneo Railway through leafy jungles along the beautiful Sabah coastline.

Outside of the city, you can undertake a fairly easy (relative!) 1N2D climb of 13,000ft Mount Kinabalu, challenge yourself with white-water-rafting at Kiulu River, visit the Klias River for a wetland river cruise searching for proboscis monkeys, or the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park home to tigers, monkeys, gibbons and orang utans!

A full day is needed for island hopping at the spectacular Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the “jewel in the crown” of Sabah.  Covering five islands just off the coast from Kota Kinabalu, enjoy your day snorkeling and lazing over a bbq beach lunch. 

A final favorite of ours is the Monsopiad Cultural Village, 30 minutes outside of the city, which offers a fabulous fun glimpse of life in a traditional Kadazan village. 

The city’s accommodation caters for all budgets with many backpacker style options, alongside more luxurious global-brand hotels.  The Magellan Sutera Resort is our top selection, located at the Sutera Harbour. This sprawling resort is set amongst tropical gardens and has beautiful South China Sea views.  If time allows, split your stay with a couple of nights at the 5-star Gaya Island Resort , set on an island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. 

Dragging yourself away from action-packed Kota Kinabalu, drive across Borneo to the northeast coastal town of Sandakan.  This long 330km travel is on well sign-posted but often pot-holed roads.  Passing alongside Mount Kinabalu, you’ll enjoy stunning views across the Kinabalu National Park.  

Break up the journey with a few stops, including at the awesome Poring Hot Springs to float in their high sulfur pools, and the Sabah Tea Resort Restaurant is a good spot for lunch. 

Reaching Sandakan and Sepilok check-in to your hotel.  There aren’t too many great options in Sandakan with the best options being in nearby Sepilok close to the wildlife experiences. Consider the Sepilok Nature Resort .

For most travelers, Sandakan is synonymous with The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre , being the main draw for many tourists to Borneo.  Combined with a visit to the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre , you’ll spend an interesting day learning about these endangered animals and their disappearing habitat. 

Around Sandakan you’ll find many tour companies offering a myriad of wildlife day tours and encounters, such as visiting the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary or Turtle Islands National Park , special Rainforest Discovery Tours and exploration of the Gomantong Caves, home to millions of swiftlets. 

Best arranged with the hotel as part of a package tour, depart Sandakan for possibly the highlight of your trip, with two nights at the Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort on the Kinabatangan River.  Stay at simple rainforest accommodation and spend your time enjoying day cruises and night treks in search of primates – such as the endemic proboscis monkey – birds, and other wildlife.

After two amazing nights depart on a very bumpy drive towards Tawau, where we recommend a 3 night stay.  Many tourists will use this time to head into the Danum Valley Conservation Area – approx. 2.5 hours from Tawau town and, unless you have your own 4WD, only accessible as part of a package with the Danum Valley Field Centre.  

Stunning secondary forest leads slowly into the warm humidity of the primitive jungle.  Stay overnight at the basic Danum Valley Field Centre chalets and experience epic early morning birding, night jungle drives and ancient rainforest day and night guided treks.  Extremely remote, the Danum rainforest is one of Borneo’s most legendary adventures. 

If long travel and muddy treks is not your thing, choose to stay in Tawau – Sabah’s third largest city – and check-in for 3 nights at the Borneo Royale Hotel .  

Spend a day visiting the Tawau Hills Park (Taman Bukit Tawau) with several easy, low-altitude jungle treks, a canopy walk and bird-breeding centre.  22km north of Tawau, you’ll enjoy towering flora, a botanical garden, hot springs and swimmable waterfall, alongside the easy- trekking peaks and trails.

Another full day can be enjoyed at the nearer Bukit Gemok Tawau, only 10km from the town.  With untouched forest full of giant trees and some unique elusive creatures, hike for approximately an hour to the Titian Silara canopy walkway.  

Back in the town, visit local markets specializing in dried salted fish, anchovies and prawns, or handicraft markets full of handwoven baskets and wooden souvenirs. And drop by the Teck Guan Cocoa Museum factory to watch first-hand cocoa processing into beverages and chocolate.  

Return to Kota Kinabalu on direct domestic flight from Tawau Airport.

Click here to see the prices for your dates

Read more about Kota Kinabalu in our full travel guide here . 

Kuching Explorer

Overview: Kuching

Driving Time: Minimal

Perfect For: Nature lovers who want an easy way to see Borneo without switching hotels a lot and have a minimum of 4 nights

Capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, Borneo, the fantastic city of Kuching is slowly becoming a top tourist draw.  Charming, compact, with riverside walks, historic buildings and colorful street art, there are many options for easy day trips to the surrounding wilds of Sarawak.

Check-in to your hotel – with our top choice, the Hilton Kuching , centrally located with excellent views of Sarawak River- for 4 nights, giving ample time to discover the city and enjoy our suggested day trips.

One of the most charming cities in southeast Asia, the city’s architectural heritage of White Rajah Brooke-era buildings and 19th-century Chinese shophouses is well preserved.  Though  perhaps the focal point is the winding Sarawak River, flowing through the historic heart of the city.  

Stroll along the river walkways and you’ll find historic buildings such as the Square Tower, Chinese History Museum and Sarawak Steamship Building.

Kuching also has some excellent museums and galleries, reflecting on the region’s fascinating history.  The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita is a must see, telling the remarkable story of the White Rajahs of Sarawak.  And visit the Sarawak Museum, said to hold one of the best collections in southeast Asia.

Cross Kuching’s famous Darul Hana Bridge for good views, and at night enjoy the Darul Hana musical fountain and light show.  Drop into the Main Bazaar and Carpenter Street at Kuching’s old Chinatown, for temples, Chinese medicine and food stalls.

Now it’s time to head out of town, travelling self-guided or as part of a guided tour for some terrific wildlife experiences! 

For the best national park experience in Sarawak – and one of the best places in the area to spot those funny, long-nosed proboscis monkeys – spend a day exploring Bako National Park .  A hot destination for hiking, with a mix of easy and longer trails, and epic jungle rainforest, mangrove swamps and limestone cliffs. 

To reach the Park, get an early start and travel approx. 1 hour outside of Kuching to the small pier next to the Bako Market.  A 20 minutes (often wet!) boat crossing takes you to the Park, where you’ll complete a quick registration at the National Park Headquarters and then you’re all set to explore!

Trails from 0.5km to 5.8km, with varying difficulties, spread out through the park with usually a wide range of wildlife easily spotted not too far from the Headquarters.  Keep binoculars at the ready for cheeky monkeys, Bornean bearded pigs, large monitor lizards and many colourful birds.   

If you prefer to explore the park by kayak, join an organized tour from Kuching for a peaceful 11km river kayak. 

Next up, how about meeting the orangutans at Semenggoh Nature Reserve ?  Probably the most popular day trip from Kuching, whilst there is no guarantee of seeing these semi-wild intelligent primates, there is a fairly good chance outside of the fruiting season (Dec and Jan).  Previously rehabilitated at the centre and returned to the wild, the animals regularly return for twice daily feedings.

Check latest schedules but expect a 9-10am and 3-3.30pm feeding schedule, with the best chance of viewing them at the earlier session, and also be aware of the 1.5km walk from the main building to the feeding area. 

Another great day out is a full day at the Santubong Peninsula , only 35km outside of Kuching.  A popular weekend destination for locals, enjoy the beach and swimming in the South China Sea.  

Take lunch at the gorgeous Damai Beach Resort and walk over to the Sarawak Cultural Village, an open-air “living” museum featuring a collection of longhouse replicas and traditional instruments.  Aim to catch their twice-daily splendid cultural show.

In the late afternoon make your way to the nearby Kuching Wetlands National Park, with over 6000 hectares of mangrove forest.  A mosaic of small rivers, creeks and streams meander through the Park, and are best explored on a Santubong Wildlife Cruise.  Cameras at the ready in search of Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and as the light fades fireflies come out to play…   

I hope you enjoyed this Malaysia road trip guide! For more information on Malaysia itineraries, read all our itineraries here . You can also find all our guides to planning a Malaysia trip here .

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

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8 of Malaysia’s best road trips

Words by Going Places

August 2020

9 minute read

With a great network of highways, gorgeous coastal roads and rewarding detours and pitstops, there’s no better way to see the country than on four wheels

With international borders still closed, it’s the ideal time for a great Malaysian road trip – one that begins right at your doorstep. If, however, you aren’t up for quite so much driving and want to start closer to the finish, just take one of Malaysia Airlines’ newly reinstated domestic flights to your starting point, and pick up a rental car from there.

What’s more, if kicking back on a beautiful white-sand beach – as you sip on an icy cold drink and listen to the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore – sounds like your idea of paradise, we have some great news for you. Redoxon has just launched its Travel Immunity Contest , where you stand the chance to win an all-expenses paid 4D3N holiday at Tanjung Rhu Resort  in Langkawi.

The contest runs from 1 September to 31 December 2020, and a total of two families can win the grand prize. All you have to do is post your personal travel immunity story and tips with an accompanying picture; include the caption “I travel with Rexodon because…” and share it on your Facebook or Instagram page. Do remember to set your account to public, include the hashtag #RedoxonTravelImmunity and tag @RedoxonMY.

Wherever you choose to go, we guarantee you’ll be floored by what you see: from dense ancient forests and Unesco Heritage sites, to dreamy coastlines and staggering mountains – not to mention all the amazing food. These eight Malaysian road trips will quench your wanderlust until foreign travel is back on the cards, and make you fall in love with our amazing country all over again.

From the nation’s capital to the food capital of Malaysia

Total distance: 355km

Before leaving KL, stop by the beautiful Istana Negara, Malaysia’s national palace, which commands a prime position overlooking the Klang River. You can’t go inside, but you’re welcome to take photos by the main entrance.

Then make your way to Kuala Selangor, before trundling down quiet back roads along the Strait of Malacca to the town of Sabak. Just before you enter Penang, drive through Taiping, voted third-most sustainable city in the world. Stretch your legs with a hike up Bukit Larut, also known as Maxwell Hill. Standing at 1,250m tall, Bukit Larut is no walk in the park, but the fresh air and lack of crowds make it an ideal day climb.

Hop back on the highway into George Town, where you can make a longer stop to explore the heritage sites and slurp up the street food that Penang’s capital is famous for. Make sure to allow enough time for a stop by Butterworth Bird Park (also known as Penang Bird Park), Malaysia’s first and largest avian-focused park.

Suggested stops along the way include:   The Ascott KL, The Somerset KL, De.Wan KL, Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang and Spa, Sunway Hotel Seberang Jaya  and  Projek Nasi Lemak. See our full itinerary here

A nature-filled drive that takes you to the Jewel of Kedah

Total distance: 494km

It usually takes less than two hours to reach Ipoh from Petaling Jaya, but to make a trip of it, you could explore Fraser’s Hill along the way, or even make an overnight detour to the Cameron Highlands for some cool mountain air.

To start your drive feeling fresh, stop in Rawang, about 30 minutes from Petaling Jaya on the AH2/E1, for a quick dip in the spectacular Taman Eko Rimba Kanching Waterfalls. There are seven tiers to the waterfall, and each has a pond for swimming.

Drive on another half hour or so and you’ll reach the Selangor Fruit Valley, where you and your family can experience being a farmer for the day and, of course, sample some of the delicious produce.

After a food- and heritage-filled jaunt in Ipoh, make your way farther north to the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal where you can park your car at the port or take it to the island via a car ferry (operated by either Langkawi Auto Express or Langkawi Ro-Ro Ferry Services). Enjoy a mangrove cruise to admire tranquil coastal forests or explore the rice fields around Padang Matsirat on a bike.

Suggested stops along the way include:  Sunway Lagoon, Somerset Damansara Uptown Petaling Jaya, Citadines DPulze Cyberjaya, Glaze Eatery, Lost World Of Tambun, Angsana Ipoh Mall, Tiga Bar, Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi. See our full itinerary here

A  journey marked with key religious sites and royal palaces

Total distance: 367km

Federal Route 3 is one of the most scenic highways not just in Malaysia but in all of Asia. Before you hit the highway, though, pay a visit to Batu Caves, just 20 minutes from central KL. This limestone cave complex houses Hindu temples filled with shrines and mystical dioramas, accessible via 272 rainbow-coloured steps. It’s definitely worth taking a tour to witness some of the fascinating plants and animals that live in the caves.

If you have time for an overnight stop, drive another hour or so up into Genting Highlands. The hotels, shopping malls, theme parks and casinos that make up this sprawling hillside resort guarantee round-the-clock fun. If natural attractions are more your thing, take a hike up Gunung Nuang or pay a visit to Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm to pick (and eat) your own fruit.

From Mersing, the highway joins the coastline, making for some scenic seaside views out the window. At Pekan, which is the royal seat of the Pahang sultanate, you’ll cross the Sultan Abu Bakar Bridge over the Pahang River before continuing on to Kuantan. From there, it’s an hour’s drive to the resort town of Cherating.

Suggested stops along the way include: Element Kuala Lumpur, Hilton Garden Inn Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman South, Miss Ellie Tea House, Ancasa Royale Pekan, Pahang and Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa. See our full itinerary here

For a grand Malaysian adventure that takes you up mountains and deep into the sea

Total distance: 120km

Drive over the Penang Bridge and head north to Kuala Perlis. Along the way, stop at Tupah Recreational Forest in Kedah. This lowland forest has a mighty river running through it and is a popular spot to hike, swim and picnic. Adventure-seekers can do an additional detour further south, to the Lojing Highlands, which form the start of the trail up Mount Yong Belar. It’s not an easy climb, even if you’re fit, but the views are worth it.

When you arrive at Kuala Perlis, take your car on the ferry to Langkawi or leave it in a parking lot, which costs about RM10 per day.

When you have had enough time lounging out in one of Langkawi’s many beach bars, head on a hike to Gunung Raya Reserve Forest’s granite peak. Schedule in enough time for birdwatching, kayaking and dives to explore the secret sights of the seabed.

Suggested stops along the way include: Stone Nine, Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, JungleWalla, Mega Water Sports, Ambong Pool Villas. See our full itinerary here

An epic trip that takes you from the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula to its eastern tip 

Total distance: 826km

The drive from Johor Bahru to Port Dickson is relatively short (just over three hours) but you can maximise your road trip by making stops along the way at towns such as Batu Pahat, Muar, Malacca and Seremban.

Malacca is best known for its delicious traditional food, but Seremban is no lightweight either. This underrated foodie haven is most famous for the Seremban siew pau , a flaky pastry bun with a meat filling.

From Seremban, it’s just 30 minutes to the resort town of Port Dickson, where you can feast on fresh seafood. When you’re ready to hit the road again, continue on to Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Highway before cutting across the interior of the country and taking the scenic B-roads that hug the eastern coastline all the way to Terengganu. Stop by the Lentang Forest Reserve, an hour from downtown KL, where you can cool off in one of the many natural pools. Alternatively, drive a little further on to the Sungai Pandan waterfall for a dip beneath the 100m-high cascading rapids, followed by a relaxing picnic lunch. When you get to Terengganu, find out more the city’s artistic heritage at the Terengganu Handicraft Centre or the Bazar Warisan (Heritage Bazaar). Terengganu is also the jumping off point for islands such as Redang and the Perhentian Islands.

Suggested stops along the way include: Angsana JB Mall, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru, Somerset Medini Iskandar Puteri, D&F Boutique Hotel, AnCasa Residences, Port Dickson, AnCasa Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Terengganu Golf Resort. See our full itinerary here

A quick and easy getaway from the capital to the beaches along the eastern coast   

Total distance: 294km

The journey from downtown KL to Kuantan takes just 2.5 hours if you drive nonstop but where’s the fun in that?

Your first refuelling stop should be Bentong – famous for its durians – to feast on the King of Fruits.

Do also schedule a visit to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, about 1.5 hours from KL, to witness the great work the sanctuary does in caring for young elephants that have been orphaned by poaching or logging. You can even help the mahouts give the elephants their bath.

After stopping in Kuantan for a hearty meal of nasi kukus (rice with spiced chicken) and curry noodles, it’ll take you less than an hour to reach the resort town of Cherating, where sun, sand and even a little surf await.

Suggested stops along the way include: Mountain Cat Durian, Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur, Oh Cha Matcha, Puteh Beach Bar, White & Black Cabin, MTree Hotel Puchong and The Kasturi. See our full itinerary here

An adventure through the eco-tourism hub of Southeast Asia  

Total distance: 332km

It’s a relatively easy drive from Sabah’s capital city, Kota Kinabalu, to its nearest town, Kundasang, but pay attention around the lower slopes of Mount Kinabalu as there are some sharp bends, and roads in Sabah can sometimes be bumpy.

About an hour out of Kota Kinabalu, make a stop at Upside Down House Sabah, a quirky tourist attraction where, you guessed it, a traditional house stands on its roof. After snapping some pictures, drive another hour or so to Kundasang. This is the highest settlement in Malaysia and just 6km from Kinabalu National Park, home to more than 4,500 species of plants and animals and of course, Mount Kinabalu, Borneo’s highest peak. Definitely schedule in some time to explore this amazing park.

From there, it’s a four-hour drive to Sandakan, on the northeast coast. Here, make a short detour to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to experience one of the twice-daily feeding sessions.

Suggested stops along the way include: Borneo Divers, Borneo Exotika, Teppanya, 50 Shades Bistro, Shangri-la Tanjung Aru and Hilton KK. See our full itinerary here

A carefree journey along the coastline with plenty of sun, sand and sea  

Total distance: 365km

It’s just 215km from JB to Malacca, making for a breezy 2.5-hour drive with several interesting pitstops along the way.

The first should be Pekan Nanas, or Pineapple Town, just 30 minutes from JB, to pick up some juicy road snacks. From there, Batu Pahat and Muar both have plenty of old-time coffee shops where you can perk up with a cup of traditional kopi.

Forego the highway from Malacca to KL in favour of the old coastal roads. It will take you a few extra hours’ driving, but it’s a much more scenic and interesting drive.

After about 1.5 hours on Route 5, you’ll reach Port Dickson, where you can stay overnight at one of the many beach resorts. If you prefer something quieter, head to Carey Island, about an hour outside KL. Here you can learn about the ancient culture of the Mah Meri indigenous community before digging into a seafood feast at one of the town’s fantastic restaurants.

Suggested stops along the way include: AladdinTi Malaysia, San Shu Gong, DoubleTree by Hilton Melaka, Stone Nine, Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. See our full itinerary here

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Singapore to Malaysia road trip: the most complete guide

Last Updated on 19/05/2023 by Clotilde Passalacqua

Are you visiting Singapore and considering extending your time to explore Malaysia, its neighbouring country? Nothing is easier than organising a Singapore to Malaysia road trip. Whether you travel with family, alone, or with friends, this is a trip that will fill everybody with memories.

There are several options to organise a trip to Singapore and Malaysia, there are good bus connections between the two countries, and then using buses and taxis you can reach the major sites in Malaysia. However, the freedom and flexibility you get by driving in Malaysia are unbeatable. You will be able to easily reach less known attractions, take your time, and not be forced into a schedule.

On top of the bus and car options, you can also join tours. Malaysians seem to love tour packages, but be aware that you may feel like on a school trip. We partially experienced this on the east coast (more below) and it wasn’t our cup of tea!

Driving in Malaysia is also a breeze, the main roads are in perfect condition, the rest are generally good, and traffic, in general, seems quite light. In this post we will look at:

• Considerations to define your road trip to Malaysia itinerary based on time available and season
• Practicalities to organise your Singapore to Malaysia road trip
• Best itinerary to mix cultural stops and time to unwind

Just to put this trip into context: we travelled as a family of 4 (with our 6 year old twin boys). In 2022 the borders were open but there were few foreign tourists in Malaysia, with more in Singapore.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through the links on this page, at no cost to you .

CONSIDERATIONS FOR A ROAD TRIP TO MALAYSIA FROM SINGAPORE

When you are starting to prepare for your Singapore to Malaysia road trip there are two important things to consider:

• the time that you have available and
• the time of the year of your trip, as Malaysia is affected by the Monsoon season.

Time available for a road trip in Malaysia and Singapore

Singapore is a really small country (city-state) but packed with tons of things to see and experience. Many people will tell you that a couple of days are enough in Singapore. Whilst this is true in the sense that in a couple of days you could gain an overview of the city, however, you could easily spend 5-7 days there if you enjoy exploring the museums and taking part in tours.

If you are tight for time then planning 3 days in Singapore is a good compromise.

Malaysia on the other hand is a big country with many things to explore throughout. In this article, we will focus on peninsular Malaysia and leave exploring Borneo to another time. I would recommend planning at least 12 days in the country

Time of the year: different itineraries for different seasons

• During the monsoon season from November to January you will get a bit more rain, but tropical rain is not uncommon during the rest of the year too.
• May to October From, roughly, May to October the monsoon presides over the west coast which sees rain most days even if sometimes just for a couple of hours in the afternoon. At the same time, the east coast is sunny and it is the perfect time to visit beautiful tropical islands like Tioman, Pulau Redang, or the Pulau Perhentian.
• November to March From November to March the monsoon is on the east coast. During heavy rain, the connection with the islands could be disrupted and resorts and hotels on the smaller island usually close during this period. While you can still include a visit to the east coast, if you want to soak up the sun you will want to dedicate more time to islands like Penang and Langkawi.

The itinerary you will see below is perfect for the Summer months. Of course you can do it whenever you want but at the end I will suggest another option if you travel in Winter.

PRACTICALITIES OF YOUR SINGAPORE TO MALAYSIA ROAD TRIP

There are a couple of things to check and consider when planning your Singapore to Malaysia road trip. First of all, make sure you are up to date with both countries’ entry requirements.

Check if you need a Visa to enter Singapore or Malaysia. Many countries can access Singapore with their free e-visa program (for tourism purposes), and Malaysia asks for a visa only from a few countries if you visit for tourism purposes for less than 90 days, but these things can change quickly and unexpectedly.

• The official website for Singapore: www.ica.gov.sg
• The official website for Malaysia: www.malaysia.gov.my

The same advice is valid for Covid 19 vaccine requirements. At the moment borders in both countries are open to everybody regardless of vaccination status, but again these things could change really quickly.

Driving license

To drive a car, you will not need special documents if your license is in English. In case your driving license is not in English you will need to provide an official translation, or you will need an international driving permit. Together with your driving licence, you need to provide your passport. Then you will be ready to go.

Touch and go card

This is a simple rechargeable card you can buy in any 7/11, that is used to pay the motorway tolls. If like us you forget to get one you will still be able to pay cash, but in most cases, you will need to buzz someone to special come and take the payment as everything seems to be automated and it’s a proper pain! So try to get one as soon as possible! It is a really useful card, we did use it also in KL to pay for some parking where it was one of the few accepted methods of payment!

Where to start your journey

You will have two options regarding where to start your journey and where to rent a car for your road trip. I’m assuming that you will arrive in Singapore. You can pick up a car directly at the airport but be prepared for a shock when you check the rental price. I checked quotations on different websites, at different times of the year and the results were always sky high.

However, there is an easy solution to this. You can spend your time in Singapore (where anyway you wouldn’t need a car), and then you can cross the border and pick up your car in Johor Bahru. This is a really simple process and the car rental will cost you a quarter of the price you see in Singapore. Even if you leave the car in another city (as I recommend in the itinerary below) you will still save lots of money.

Car Rental Net is our option every time we have to collect a car out of hours or return it to a different place because they include all fees meaning no nasty surprises!

Check here for the best price to rent a car in Malaysia

Cross the border between Singapore and Malaysia

To cross the land border between Singapore and Malaysia, you have two choices: you can cross the Johor–Singapore Causeway or the Second Link. Following there is a summary of your best options, but you can read a detailed article on how to cross the border from Singapore to Malaysia here.

If you decide to cross the border with a rented car (assuming you picked it up in Singapore) you need to check that you are allowed, and you will be responsible to get the VEP (vehicle entry permit)

If you decide to rent a car just across the border in Johor you can use a bus or train to cross the border at the Johor–Singapore Causeway.

• To cross the border with the bus you need to arrive at Marsiling (on the red line), from there catch bus 950 or 170 (there are also others, it is worth checking with the drivers) to the Woodland Checkpoint, then after clearing Singaporean immigration you will board again the bus and cross to Malaysia and clear immigration there too. You can also take a bus 170X from Kranji (on the red line).
• To cross the border with the train you need to arrive at Marsiling (on the red line), and from there catch bus 950 or 170 (there are also others, it is worth checking with the drivers) to the Woodland Train Checkpoint. Once at Woodland Checkpoint, you will clear both immigration controls before boarding the train and after the 5-minute journey, you arrive and simply exit the station.

The train is a really practical option, but if you are planning to travel during peak dates you will need to reserve your ticket far in advance. We used this option and it worked perfectly for us. You can buy the ticket here .

The bus is also ok, but you will need to clear immigration in two steps, and it could be more time-consuming.

Once you are on the other side of the border you can easily get a taxi to your rental place. Make sure to pick a downtown office and not the airport location.

• Of course, if money is not a concern you can also decide to cross the border with an authorised taxi!

SINGAPORE TO MALAYSIA ROAD TRIP JOURNEY

This road trip around Malaysia is based on 15 nights. You can squeeze it into 14 nights, but it would be difficult to shorten it more. However, I will make some suggestions at the end.

As I mentioned before, spending 3 days in Singapore will give you a good overview of the country , but feel free to add an extra day if you have more time available.

Malaysia is perhaps an underrated country but when you start to look deeper there are millions of beautiful and interesting places to see. It could become an overwhelming job to select what to include in your itinerary (it was for me), but here you have got a tested road trip that works really well and combines cultural interests with stops where to take a break and unwind, as well as water activities to get the best out of your time in Malaysia.

Of course, it also leaves out many things, but at the end, I will mention 2 easy swaps you could consider.

Day 1 – 4 Singapore 3 nights

• WHERE TO STAY: Singapore offers an impressive number of accommodations, unfortunately, unlikely other Asian destinations it is challenging to find reasonable budget hotels/Airbnb. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Orchard city centre and while it was ok, it was still quite priced. However, the location was really good to reach easily everything by bus or underground. Overall I would stay again.

As Said before Singapore is quite small but packed with interesting things to see. In three days you will have a good overview but it is impossible to see everything. In this itinerary, Sentosa island is not included. We travelled with kids, but this time we didn’t want to invest a full day between parks, we preferred to focus on discovering the city.

The first day could be a little shorter as you maybe arrive mid-morning. Take it easy, if you arrive at the hotel before check-in time, drop the bag and go for lunch. Then explore little India and go back to your hotel for a rest or a refreshing splash in the swimming pool. After resting walk along the Clarke Quay till you reach the Merlion and then move in front of the Marina Sand bay to watch Spectra a night light show. For dinner enjoy something a little different at Violet kitchen a restaurant hidden in the National Gallery. (book in advance)

On the morning of the second day explore Chinatown and for lunch, queue to taste some delicious food at the first stall awarded a Michelin star in the Chinatown complex (Hawker Chan). After lunch move to the bay and explore Garden by the Bay. Book the entrance in advance to avoid queuing and disappointment because it could be sold out. It will take all afternoon, but it really worth it. For dinner, you can stop at Satay by the bay.

On the third day, you can decide to visit one of the many interesting museums, or I would recommend a visit to the terrific botanic gardens . In the afternoon you can shop until you drop in Orchard street.

On the morning of the fourth day make your way to cross the border and pick up your rental car to start exploring Malaysia.

Day 4-5 Malacca 1 night

• DRIVING TIME: 2h 30
• Rucksack Caratel for a budget solution really close to the centre.
• Rosa Malacca for a stylish new hotel, with big rooms (we stayed here, but next time I would try the Rucksack hotel)

Driving to Malacca from Johor Bahru takes around two hours and a half so you can be there by lunchtime if you get up early. Malacca is not a big city, but there are many things to see.

On the first day after lunch take a stroll along the river and then walk around the old town to see A Famosa, Malacca sultanate, the charming St. Paul hill, and the area around Christ Church. At sunset take the boat that is near the Maritime Museum and enjoy the view from the river of the old buildings that start to light up. If you are there over Friday, Saturday or Sunday do not miss going to Jonker night market. The market takes over, the street is closed to traffic, and you can taste delicious street food.

On the second day go back to the area around Jonker street and visit some of the temples, a mosque, and shop in the traditional artisanal shops. If you are too tired to keep walking then take the car and reach Kampung Morten, a small preserved village along the river where there are around 50 traditional houses, including Villa Sentosa that you should be able to visit. (Unfortunately, it was closed when we went there but I understand it is quite interesting)

Around lunchtime is time to move to Kuala Lumpur

Day 5-7 Kuala Lumpur 2 nights

• DRIVING TIME: 2h
• Aloft hotel is in a great location and the hotel has a really fun and inviting vibe. The rooms are not big but have everything you need and there is a great rooftop pool with a bar for a medium price. There are different eating options and breakfast is superb!
• DRIVING TIME: 2h.

Driving from Malacca to Kuala Lumpur takes a couple of hours. Driving in the city was easy and we found parking easily wherever we went. There are a lot of underground parking lots around the city which makes it practical to go around with a car (Some parking don’t accept credit cards but only touch’n-go cards).

We stayed at the beautiful hotel Aloft beside the central station where the parking charge was reduced for guests. The parking entrance is just beside the main entrance on the left when looking at it, but it could be confusing. When you arrive drive in front of the hotel and ask the hotel staff that are usually outside to point you in the right direction)

On the first day after dropping off your stuff at the hotel, make your way to the Petronas twin towers. Make sure you buy your ticket in advance, it is highly unlikely otherwise that you will find space on the same day. The tour is organised and it lasts around 1 hour in total.

PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS FLEXIBLE TICKETS – IMPORTANT TO KNOW

The tickets you buy on the official Petronas twin towers website are the cheapest and they include what third-party websites call “skip the line” as you have to choose the entrance time. They are the same they just don’t promote it as skip-the-line tickets.

However, there is still a good reason to pay that extra £2-3. It is the possibility to cancel your ticket for a full refund up to 24h before. You will not have this option with the ticket you buy on the official website.

Then walk around the KLCC park or explore the immense shopping mall just below them and at 8 pm don’t miss the Symphony Light and sound show by the esplanade in front of the towers. If it is summer wait till dark to see the Petronas towers beautifully lit, then move to Jalan Alor for an incredible street food market experience.

Start early on the second day and beat the heat while visiting Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park (a little overpriced, but really engaging for kids). Parking is available just near the entrance. Then drive a little bit out of the city to see the majestic Batu caves and when you come back explore the intriguing Chinatown.

If you stay at the Aloft Hotel you can take the opportunity to relax by the rooftop pool with a drink. On the morning of the third day you want to leave around 10-10:30 for the next stop

Day 7- 8 Kuantan 1 night

• DRIVING TIME: 2h and 30 min
• WHERE TO STAY : Mangala Resort and Spa is a wonderful place where once you enter you will not want to leave. It is an all-villas resort, some over the lake water and some big enough for numerous families. A small gym, a lovely spa, a good restaurant and a peaceful infinity pool are part of it.

You will stop a little earlier than Kuantan because I really recommend you to not miss staying at the astonishing Mangala resort just out of town. Here you are coming to be in touch with nature and to relax. The Mangala resort is a little haven, maybe because when we went it was really quiet but we loved the peace and serenity of the lake, the big window that opened to a veranda directly on the water.

You can spend all afternoon here . The food is lovely and you can also have something to eat by the pool. The resort has been built on an abandoned mining land, you can take some time to walk around and explore nature and spot some of the hundreds of types of birds that found a home here in this new paradise. A beautiful Spa and a gym could keep you here all day, but before dinner, it is time to make a little journey to Cherating for an enchanting encounter.

Malaysia is home to 19 types of fireflies and near Cherating, you can take part in a boat tour that will bring you really close to this magical creature. Mr Hafiz has a special way to communicate with fireflies and you will end up surrounded by them and also able to gently hold them. It lasts one hour and it is unmissable!

After you can drive to the Cherating beach where you will find several, simple traditional cafés and restaurants where to stop for dinner.

We found “Beach café by Payung ” to be super charming and romantic. Laid back, settled overlooking the beach it was just perfect to blend with locals! On the morning of the second day , you can relax a little longer at the Mangala resort and after check out, you will start to drive towards Kuala Dungun, but there are a couple of stops on the way.

Day 8-10 Kuala Dungun 2 nights

• DRIVING TIME: 1h and 45min
• WHERE TO STAY: Tanjong Jara resort is a luxury resort perfectly integrated into nature. It is located directly on the beach and it offers beautiful rooms with gigantic bathrooms. The staff are lovely and helpful. It isn’t a budget place but it is really worth the money. (It is quite popular, they have one restaurant on the beach, book it in advance or it will be difficult to get a table when you arrive)

The drive to the next stop is around 1h and 45 minutes, but you will drive a little longer to stop on the way in a couple of places.

This itinerary works well if you can spend two nights in Kuala Dungun, we needed to make it shorter and we cut 1 night here and we felt too rushed. The east coast is a place to savour slowly!

After leaving the Mangala resort in 20 minutes you can be at the Sangai Pandall waterfall. These waterfalls are scenic and a favourite day trip destination for people from Kuantan. There is a parking lot that makes them easily accessible even if the road signals are a little scarce. You need to keep your eyes open for directions even if you are following Google maps.

You can splash in the waterfall safely and you will find many people having picnics and some also camping overnight. There are the same basic facilities like toilets and changing rooms.

Another stop is about one hour drive past Kuantan. Near the Club Med, there is a Sea turtle conservation centre . You can visit it every day, except Monday, from 9:30 to 16:30. The place is small and half an hour is enough to cover the educational part and visit the little swimming pool where some turtles are kept waiting to be released. From around 6/6:30 you can also release the baby turtles to the ocean after paying a small fee.

Finally, you can drive the last part of the journey and check in to another astonishing place: Tanjong Jara resort .

The architecture of this place invokes the grandeur of Malay palaces from the 17th century with modern luxuries and outstanding services. There is a beautiful beach, a lovely swimming pool with a connected bar, two restaurants, and an adult-only area. They also organise different tours and activities.

On the beach, there is a small hatchery where they protect eggs that sea turtles come to lay and occasionally you can release baby turtles (there weren’t any when we were there, unfortunately). If you are short on time you could also consider staying at the resort an extra day and visiting the island as a day trip from here.

On the second day, you can relax by the pool/beach and in the afternoon drive to visit Terengganu.

On the morning of the third day, you will need to leave around 9:30 to drive to Merang Jetty to board the transfer boat to Pulau Lang Tengah.

Day 10-12 Pulau Lang Tengah 2 nights

• TRANSFER TIME: 2h. plus 30min on the boat
• WHERE TO STAY : There are only three properties on the island. Summer Bay Resort is supposed to be the best (where we stayed), but don’t have high expectations unfortunately, low competition means high prices and low quality.

To reach Merang jetty you will need around two hours of driving plus half an hour on a boat.

I recommend you book your tickets in advance online. The resort where you are going to stay can also organise transport for you, but I found it was much more expensive.

BE AWARE : Before continuing I want to make you aware of my opinion. Pulau Lang Tengah is the island located between the more famous Pulau Redang and Perhentian Island. It is less touristic and wilder than the others, this is the main reason I choose it.

Unfortunately what could spoil your stay is the hospitality on offer. There are only 3 resorts on the island. We stayed in the one that is in theory the best, Summerbay Resort. My husband found a good definition for it: “a hostel masquerading as a hotel”

Everything from start to end is managed and organised in a really poor way by a group of young people that, even if polite, don’t have a clue about customer service or what people would expect for the price they charge.

The food offer is incredibly poor, rooms are basic and not properly clean, on the sea excursion the boat is over packed, and regarding the other activities like the jungle walk, they just show you where to start then you follow a rope through the jungle until the end. No-one is coming with you to explain anything, same story for the activity of the blue tears.

However, yes I would probably go back because there are moments when you sit on the beach (on the broken sunbeds) that you could almost feel you are on a Maldivian island. The sea life is terrific, and you can just snorkel from the beach.

If you are not getting annoyed by what I mentioned before then you can really relax and unwind. Most of the guests are Asian and seem to prefer the swimming pool so the beach stays quiet. Luckily there is a Warung that serves good food so you don’t need to eat at the “resort” restaurant and there is also a pleasant bar to sit by in the evening.

Most people are coming here on 3 day 2 night all-inclusive packages, but you can also just go on a bed and breakfast formula, paying separately for the snorkel activity.

On the morning of the third day from here, you can move to Redang island.

Day 12-13 Pulau Redang 1 night

• TRANSFER TIME: 30 min on the boat
• WHERE TO STAY : If money is not a concern I would recommend The Taaras beach and Spa resort . It is a place where you find five-star service and you will be able to unwind while enjoying the spectacular island. A more affordable but still great solution is the Laguna Redang island resort.

To reach Redang island you can book a boat transfer that will bring you directly there from Pulau Lang Tengah. Also, in this case, you should book your ticket in advance. When you book the boat transfer you need to select the resort pick-up and the resort where you need to be dropped off.

Pulau Redang is a completely different island. It is much bigger than Lang Tengah and you can find several types of accommodation options.

Redang is a bigger island and so you will have more difficulty finding that peaceful and serene setting unique to Lang Tengah, but it is still a beautiful island.

The Taaras beach and Spa is the best and most luxurious resort on the island and if you can afford it, it is a real treat. Laguna beach resort is probably the second-best option. It is a big resort that opens up on the main beach. They have big and lovely rooms organised in small buildings. There is a massive swimming pool with even a small slide for kids.

Most people are here on the usual 2/3 days 1/2 nights package and move in groups for each activity including lunch and dinner where there is a specific time to respect. This creates massive queues like to enter a canteen. We experienced this issue only for breakfast as again we took only the bed and breakfast option.

The breakfast option was vast but the quality was poor. Fortunately, there are many other eating options for lunch and dinner including a tasty and cheap traditional Warung, but you can also just walk to one of the other resorts or restaurants on the beach.

While at the resort take part in their snorkelling tour to see the sea turtles. The tour is superb and highly recommended. At this resort, they don’t mix guests from the package with others and this makes the experience much more spacious and enjoyable.

The beach is long and so you could take a long walk and explore the sea life around the different spots.

On the second day enjoy time on the beach until check out because then you will need to move back on land and face a long drive.

Day 13-16 Penang 3 nights

• TRANSFER TIME: 30 min on the boat and 6h and 30 minutes drive
• WHERE TO STAY : Georgetown is rich in lovely hotels. JEN by Shangri-La is located really close to the old town, the rooms are big, and there is also a swimming pool and free parking. really recommended!

When you check out, the resort will bring you and your luggage back to the jetty. At the jetty in Redang, many boats are arriving and departing, ask for some help if you are not sure how to identify your transfer.

Once on land, you will need to drive around 6 hours from Merang Jetty to Penang.

Of course, if you have more days available you can add a stop halfway to break the trip, however, if you don’t, I still believe this is the best option.

The drive is long, but really scenic. After passing through some towns and villages, you will drive a great road with little traffic that passes through the rainforest and you will have countless opportunities for pictures.

In Penang, the recommendation is to stay close to the old town. Jen by Shangri-La is an excellent choice, modern and in a great location, they offer parking (free for guests) and they also have a swimming pool (that, however, closes a little early around 6 pm).

The first evening you can just stroll around for dinner at the hawker centre by Gurney drive.

Then the second day , you can explore the old town, Fort Cornwallis, the Chew jetty, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, take the tour or at least stop for a drink by the Blue Mansion and enter one of the other heritage houses open to the public like the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Take pictures in Armenian street and pick one of the many great restaurants for dinner.

On the third day head to Penang hill (make sure to secure your tickets in advance). Enjoy the spectacular views, walk in the virgin rainforest and enjoy the many stops along the way. The visit will take you at least half a day, then you can explore the close by Kek Lok Si Temple, and if you still have energy by the end of the day you can enjoy a stroll in the Botanic gardens.

The last day of the itinerary will depend on the time of your departure, if you have at least half a day available then pack your things and leave them with the hotel and head to Batu Ferringhi for the last sea visit. If you have a little longer you can reach Penang National park and after exploring it take the boat to Monkey beach.

WHAT IS LEFT OUT OF THIS ROAD TRIP TO MALAYSIA FROM SINGAPORE?

Every time you visit a big country you need to face the difficult decision of what to leave behind for the next visit. This itinerary leaves 3 major things behind: Taman Negara National park, Cameron Highlands, and Ipoh.

• Taman Negara : this a fabulous national park, where you can discover the tropical rainforest, walk in the jungle, along the river, and engage in fantastic treks. If you want to add it to the itinerary you should consider 2 nights, as arriving there takes quite a while. Check also with your doctor about Malaria risk as Malaria is still present in these areas.
• Cameron Highland s: this is an area with tea plantations, hiking trails, gardens, butterfly and bee farms, and more. If you want to add it to the itinerary, you should consider at least 2 nights.
• Ipoh : sacrificing Ipoh is a difficult choice. If you can’t add more days to the road trip you could question if it could be worth cutting some time from Penang, but don’t or you will feel rushed in both places.

HOW TO ADAPT THE ROAD TRIP

I’m going to suggest here a possible alternative to this road trip itinerary to Malaysia from Singapore. One option is in case you need to shorten the trip by 1 to 3 days, and another option is if you are planning the road trip from November to March.

How to shorten the itinerary

To shorten the trip cut the time in Malacca and on the islands. You can visit Malacca as a short stop while driving from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, saving one day. When you are in Kuala Dungun you can organise a day trip to Redang instead of spending one night there and finally, you can cut the time in Penang to 2 nights instead of 3.

Day 1 – 4 Singapore 3 Nights Day 4 – 6 Kuala Lumpur 2 Nights Day 6 – 7 Kuantan 1 Night

Day 7 – 9 Kuala Dungan 2 Nights Day 9 – 11 Lang Tengah 2 Nights Day 11 – 13 Penang 2 Nights

Adapt the itinerary during the monsoon season

If your road trip to Malaysia from Singapore is from November to March then you need to reconsider what to visit on the east coast. Most of the island resorts in Redang, Perhentian, Lang Tengah, and also Tioman close in this season. You can still enjoy the east coast mainland or you can spend more time on the west coast and stretch the itinerary to Langkawi and introduce one of the missing stops Ipoh, Taman Negara, or Cameron Highlands.

Day 1 – 4 Singapore 3 Nights Day 4 – 5 Malacca Day 4 – 6 Kuala Lumpur 2 Nights Day 6 – 7 Kuantan 1 Night

Day 7 – 9 Kuala Dungan 2 Nights Day 9 – 11 Ipoh 2 Nights Day 11 – 13 Penang 2 Nights Day 13 – 16 Langkawi 3 Nights

Let me know with a comment below if have any more questions! Enjoy the trip

MORE ABOUT MALAYSIA

• How to cross the border from Singapore to Malaysia
• Best accommodation with a private pool in Penang
• Lang Tengah vs Redang
• Driving in Malaysia: everything you need to know
• Easy short trips in Malaysia

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Clotilde Passalacqua

Clotilde is a resilient, resourceful and adventurous person that navigate the world of travelling with kids. She is a mum of 7 years old twins and she share practical tips, profound insights and genuine personal experience to empowers family to embrace travel with children as an enriching experience rather than a daunting challenge.

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Take a road trip from singapore to malaysia: our fave spots in terengganu, penang, and malacca for good food and fun.

by Honeycombers • 26 May 2023

Pack your bags ‘cos you’re in for a ride. Travel from Singapore to Malaysia and discover culture, art, shopping and food along the way.

Making full use of long weekends and taking a short break from Singapore is always a great idea. What’s not so great is packing for airport security, trudging through airports and the possibility of hanging around waiting rooms because your flight is delayed. That’s why we love a good ol’ adventure on the road! Time to go old-school travel and drive across the causeway for a road trip from Singapore to Malaysia.

But first! Some travel reminders

Make sure you pack smart: Packing for a road trip is a lot more liberal. No liquid restrictions in small 100ml bottles! Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t look dodgy travelling to Malaysia with a trunk full of knives and assorted sharp objects. You do still have to make it through immigration…

Be the hostess with the mostest: Load up on snacks and water to keep you and your companions hydrated and the opposite of peckish. Although there’ll be a lot of food stops in Malaysia you can make along the way…

Immigration matters: Don’t forget to fill in your arrival card within three days before your return to Singapore. You’ll need to present this at the checkpoint on your way home. Also, this might seem trivial, but when you’re crossing the border to Malaysia from Singapore, always make sure the immigration officers have stamped and inked your passport (and that it’s visible to the naked eye!). Otherwise, coming back to Singapore will be difficult. Believe us: we’ve learned this the hard way.

Put these destinations in Malaysia on your map…

1. terengganu.

This Malaysian state may be a little further from others on this list, but that shouldn’t deter you from visiting it. Terengganu is known for traditional craftsmanship, such as batik art and wood carvings. It’s home to the Terengganu State Museum , which carries a vast collection of keris (asymmetrical Javanese daggers), royal regalia, and ancient artefacts. There’s also the Islamic Civilisation Park , where you’ll be taken on a journey of Islam’s history through replicas of famous mosques , monuments, and art. Don’t forget to check out the iconic Crystal Mosque – it’s wholly made of steel, glass, and of course, crystals! If you need a break from the city, set aside a day or two and take it easy at Perhentian Islands.

If you love food, larger-than-life murals, and an old-world charm that’s hard to find within the concrete jungle of Singapore, this is the destination for you. First, tuck into delicious nosh at Ipoh’s street stalls! Think assam laksa and shredded chicken hor fun, washed down with a cup of fragrant Ipoh white coffee. Take the most Insta-worthy pics at the coolest murals along Ipoh’s mural art trail, or explore its quirky museums and cave temples. It’s a good six-hour drive from Singapore, but you can stop by Johor Bahru , Malacca and Kuala Lumpur to do some shopping and sightseeing in between.

This area of Malaysia holds many hidden gems that’ll surprise you. If you’ve already conquered all of the hiking trails in Singapore, take things up a notch with the gorgeous ones in Muar. It’s also a stone’s throw away from some breathtaking waterfalls – check out the Lembing Rainbow Waterfall, which casts stunning rainbows in the sky in the early mornings. If you’ve got kids in tow, consider taking them to the Donhu Jurassic Garden. It’s no Jurassic Park, but it has plenty of cool, realistic dinosaur sculptures scattered across its grounds (and entrance is free)! Book accommodation near the Muar River for charming sunset views in the evening.

This sleepy colonial town is a gem with lively laneways and heritage buildings waiting to be discovered. The best way to get around? By foot! A little like Singapore, Malacca is a small coastal town rich in heritage and culture. A four- to five-hour road trip from Singapore, Malacca’s a great place if you’re looking for a quick respite from city life. Stay in or near the Jonker River to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle. While in Malacca, you must try the chicken rice balls (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!).

Cafes in Johor Bahru that are a hop, skip and jump away

5. kuala lumpur.

If you need to be near a swish mall, nice restaurants and tall buildings, Kuala Lumpur is the city across the causeway for you. A drive from Singapore will take you five to six hours, but brace yourself for the traffic in KL when you arrive. It’ll be worth it when you hit the food havens of Jalan Alor (get those roasted chicken wings!) and Petaling Street. Next, shop up a storm from Bangsar to Bukit Bintang, and check in to a snazzy hotel like Aloft KL Central , Chaos Hotel , Else Retreats , or the rustic Sekeping Backlane .

6. Cameron Highlands

Hills and greenery for miles, fresh clean air, chilly weather… you don’t have to go so far. Cameron Highlands is just a road trip away! Go strawberry-picking, stroll through eucalyptus trees, check out tea plantations, and generally take it slow because there’s always time for tea in Cameron Highlands. Check into Tudor-style resort on the hill, The Lakehouse , or the French chateau-inspired Cameron Highlands Resort for that true away-from-the-city vibe.

Listed as a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, the island of Penang has no shortage of cultural sights and natural scenery. With soft, sandy beaches and great food all around, Penang is also known for its vibrant street art. The quaint nooks and crannies of Georgetown and the Tropical Spice Garden – the only spice garden in South East Asia – as well as Penang’s many flea and night markets, are must-sees for visitors. Stay in a cosy B&B for an authentic Penang experience.

8. Johor Bahru

Enough with the day trips to JB! Technically a drive (not a road trip) away, it’s about time you check in to a fab hotel for a weekend and explore the capital of Johor’s cafes, night markets, heritage shops and more. It’s no secret: JB’s our favourite place to pop over for cool little cafes , authentic Malaysian street fare and shopping at those designer outlets .

Add these destinations to your travel itinerary, and get to road tripping in Malaysia!

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Go Road Trippin’ At These 11 Malaysia Destinations From Singapore

Looking to visit neighbouring Malaysia for a short getaway? Apart from hitting up the shopping malls at Johor Bahru, why not expand your radius by heading on a Malaysia road trip from Singapore? Blending vast, untouched forests and cities packed with classic architecture, Malaysia is an underrated treasure trove of culture and beauty that’ll definitely appeal to visitors of all ages. Wondering where are the best places to visit in Malaysia from Singapore? Read on for our favourite places to visit in Malaysia!

Overview of Best Road Trip Destinations in Malaysia from Singapore

Malaysia road trip from singapore: within 5 hours drive, 1. legoland malaysia.

If you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway, Legoland Malaysia is the perfect place for you. This vibrant theme park offers endless fun for the whole family, with thrilling rides, interactive attractions, and creative building experiences. The kids would be thrilled to find their favourite toy come to life! For added convenience, you can extend your adventure by staying at the Lego -themed hotel, immersing yourselves in a world of bricks. Don’t miss the chance to explore the underwater wonders at Legoland Water Park’s Sealife aquarium, making it a complete entertainment package for a memorable weekend trip.

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 1 hour 10 minutes

Wondering where are the fun places to visit in Malaysia? Known as Johor’s royal city, Muar easily earns a spot on our list for road trip destinations in Malaysia because of how it offers something for everyone. For those looking to try authentic Malaysian food, Muar serves a lip-smacking variety to overwhelm your taste buds! You can’t go wrong with local favourites like aromatic Otak-Otak (grilled fish cake) and creamy laksa .

Fan of colonial architecture? As a must-see remnant of Malaysia’s colonial era, the Sultan Ibrahim Jamek remains one of the most beautiful sights to spot in Muar! Providing a serene view of the Muar River, the sky-blue mosque was built with Western and Eastern influences in mind and adopts a unique neoclassical aesthetic. Ultimately, it’s the intricate designs of the mosque’s columns and balconies that help it stand out from the rest in Malaysia!

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 2 hours

For those seeking an all-inclusive holiday experience, check out the Lotus Desaru Beach Resort And Spa! The wealth of facilities combined with the naturally beautiful surroundings here make the resort a highly sought after destination for families and those looking to recharge and relax. These include adrenaline-filled water sports, therapeutic body scrubs and relaxing fun at their mini waterpark . So if you’re unsure of what are the things to do in Malaysia, this is the place for you!

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 1 hour 30 minutes

When you’re planning your Malaysia road trip from Singapore, be sure not to miss out on this exciting destination – Gombak. It’s home to the iconic Batu Caves, one of the world’s most popular Hindu shrines and also one of the popular places to visit in Malaysia. Every year, thousands of tourists pay a visit to get a glimpse of the towering gold statue at its entrance, as well as to snap some Insta-worthy pics while braving its 272-step rainbow stairs. 

That’s not all – Gombak is also a mere half-hour’s drive away from Sunway Lagoon, one of Malaysia’s biggest amusement parks, with over 80 attractions that’re split into 6 different theme parks. From dry and wet parks, to more thrilling activities like bungee jumping, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Overall, Gombak is definitely one of the best places to visit in Malaysia, and also a place worth including in your road trip itinerary from Singapore.

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 3 hours 58 minutes

If you’re a fan of Little Nyonya , we understand why you’re thinking about taking a drive from Singapore to Malaysia. Malacca’s Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is one of the many Peranakan houses that line the streets here. Home to four generations of a local family, this house has now become a museum that honours the Peranakan culture. There’s no better place to immerse yourself in this ethnic culture when you can get up close with the classic Peranakan artefacts!

Fuel up at the Jonker Walk Night Market after your visit to the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum! From Nyonya popiah and fried ice cream at the street stalls, to restaurants and cafes, no wonder it is one of the popular things to do in Malaysia! Don’t forget to pick up some quirky souvenirs along this bustling street.

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 2 hours 41 minutes

Malaysia road trip from Singapore: Beyond 5 hours drive

6. kuala selangor.

Prefer quieter locations for your Malaysia road trip from Singapore? Here’s a place you should check out on your next visit to Malaysia. Located within a stone’s throw away from the nation’s capital, Kuala Selangor is one of our favourite destinations on road trips to Malaysia – abundant with natural attractions. If you’re a nature lover, Taman Alam nature reserve will be perfect for you! You can catch sightings of migratory birds and agile monkeys among staggering varieties of other flora and fauna.

Don’t forget to add Melawati Hill to your travel itinerary when researching things to do in Malaysia! The Altingburg Lighthouse set on this hill is a popular destination as it offers a beautiful view of the sea. You may even be able to catch the lighthouse in action as it’s still being used to guide vessels navigating the Straits of Malacca! Do also visit Fort Altingburg before leaving Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. You’ll be able to see the fort’s ruins, its cannons, an observatory tower built for sighting the new moon, and more!

Fascinated by mesmerising photos of Bolivia’s world famous Uyuni Salt Flats? Take a Malaysia road trip from Singapore and visit Kuala Selangor’s Sky Mirror where you can get a similar experience at a fraction of the cost! The elusive sand bar only reveals itself during low tide, making it a secret tourist attraction that’s only accessible twice a month. Due to Sky Mirror’s endless horizon and shallow waters, the location is often visited by photography enthusiasts keen on taking the perfect Instagram-worthy shot.

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 4 hours 4 minutes

Pro tip: You’ll pass Gombak, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur as you drive towards Kuala Selangor. If you don’t want to make too many pit stops, we’d suggest taking a break halfway through your journey, which will be in Malacca. You can visit Malaysia’s famous Jonker Street for some food and souvenirs!

You can’t leave out Ipoh on a list of best places to visit in Malaysia. Known for its mouth-watering array of local cuisine, you can get ready for quality options such as their flavourful Hor Fun ( noodle strips in chicken broth ) and Ipoh white coffee ! Self-professed foodies will also adore creating their own food trail and will be spoilt for choice with options like Pusing Public Seafood Restaurant and Sin Yoon Loong.

Your Malaysia road trip from Singapore isn’t complete without visiting Ipoh’s limestone cave temples. These Ipoh temples are built into the side of limestone hills, so you’ll realise that temperatures are cooler the moment you step in. The Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple & Zen Gardens is one of such temples that are popular places to visit in Malaysia. As you walk to the end of the cave temple, the other end will open out to a beautiful lake and a garden. This is where you can rent paddle boats and bicycles to tour the grounds with your companions! 

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 6 hours

Pro tip: Take a break in Kuala Lumpur as you make your way towards Ipoh. This is a midway point as you drive from Singapore. You can visit Berjaya Times Square where there are over 1,000 retail shops and 60 food outlets. Not only can you fill up on food and stock up on snacks to tide you over the remaining journey to Ipoh, you can get a massage too! 

8. Cameron Highlands

Don’t make Ipoh your final destination on your Malaysia road trip from Singapore! Continue driving and you’ll reach Cameron Highlands in about two hours! Named after British explorer Sir William Cameron, the location is a haven for tea fanatics — with tea terraces stretching as far as the eye can see. Although the view of the vast greenery alone is enough to warrant a visit, there are plenty of things to do once you’re there! These range from indulging in quality tea and plucking fresh strawberries to trekking through Mossy Forest and exploring Orang Asli village.

Driving the entire road trip from Singapore to Malaysia can be exhausting, so why not stay the night at Stellar Goldenhill Cameron, which offers a refreshing escape? Though it is a campsite, it is not at all like the outward-bound camp you’re familiar with. Choose from aesthetic tents or cosy caravans at this Cameron glamping spot, and immerse yourself in nature’s embrace. End your day with a delightful barbecue in the cool mountain air, creating unforgettable memories in this idyllic setting.

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 7 hours 20 minutes

After a restful night, go for a picnic at Cameron Flora Park. This is one of the prettiest places to visit in Malaysia for an Insta-worthy experience as you dig into your picnic with a sea of pink flowers at the back. If you can’t get enough of flowers, head on over to the Cameron Lavender Garden. Immerse yourself in a garden of lavender flowers , hydrangeas, and more while enjoying a nice lavender ice cream!

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 7 hours 34 minutes

Pro tip: Go for some Puchong Yong Tau Fu before continuing your journey towards the Cameron Highlands. The food here will be more than enough to fill you up and there’s also AEON BiG Puchong Utama nearby where you can stock up on snacks for the rest of your road trip.

Looking to escape the frenzy of life in the big city? As one of the furthest road trip destinations in Malaysia, Penang Island or  Pulau Pinang  stands as a bastion of old-world charm that contradicts the modern-day hustle and bustle. The combination of old and new makes visiting Penang feel like you’re stepping into a time capsule.

Everything from the preserved UNESCO World Heritage Sites to the striking street art further emphasises this!

Of course, after the hawker delights and cultural immersion within the city, you’ll naturally want to find a place to wind down and relax. What better way to do it than on one of Penang’s beaches? They’re must-visit spots when going on a Malaysia road trip from Singapore, especially the ones that line the coastal area, Batu Ferringhi. Simply park your cars near one of the beaches or beach resorts, and make your way to the sandy shores on foot – then take a seat on the warm sand and enjoy one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever set your eyes on. After sundown, you can frequent the night markets likened to our local pasar malams .

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 8 hours 15 minutes

Pro tip: For foodies who travelled all the way down to Penang for the famous Siam Road Char Kuey Teow, he’s open from 3pm till he sells out, and is closed on Mondays – try queuing off peak hours!

10. Kuantan

Ever spotted a double rainbow? As one of the most popular things to do in Malaysia, you have to check out the one at Sungai Lembing’s Rainbow Waterfall in Kuantan! While the journey for this road trip destination in Malaysia can seem tedious with the rough drive across rocky terrain and trekking past slippery rocks, the view is definitely worth it. Reach the premises before 10am and you’ll spot a fascinating sight of a rainbow reflecting off the base of the waterfall to create a fainter bow above!

Looking to challenge yourself physically? Avid mountain hikers will find a huge payout when they reach Bukit Panorama’s peak! Even though it stands at just 271m tall, the summit provides a stunning vista of Sungai Lembing that comes complete with a picturesque sunrise and rolling hills. Beginner climbers should use the 1000 cement steps with handrails that shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to conquer!

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 5 hours

Pro tip: Take a quick stop at Kota Tinggi where you can have some McDonald’s and visit the nearby supermarket to stock up on more road trip snacks. You can also refuel your vehicle at the nearby petrol station and buy more titbits at the convenience store.

11. Kuala Terengganu

As one of the furthest destinations for any Malaysia road trip from Singapore, Kuala Terengganu is a location you’ll have a blast at if you’re a museum buff! Kuala Trengganu’s State Museum holds the title of the largest museum in South East Asia and occupies 27 hectares of land including galleries and open-air exhibitions. You’ll learn plenty, especially with their extensive collection of Keris (ancient Javanese daggers) and royal emblems.

Besides being rich in history and culture, Kuala Terengganu is also fondly referred to as the Land of Turtles! Over at sites like Perhentian Turtle Sanctuary Beach and Rantau Abang, thousands of Leatherbacks and Olive Ridleys will gather to nest. While this number has dwindled considerably over the years, it’s still worth a visit during June and July on the off-chance that you spot one of these gentle giants! Soaking in the wonders of nature doesn’t end there. Stroll down the boardwalk along the harbour at Pulau Duyong and enjoy the starry night sky while watching the subtle lights from passing yachts. It’s truly a sight to behold.

Estimated road trip time from Singapore: 7 hours 10 minutes

Pro tip: Stop at Chaah where you can visit Village Noodle & Cafe for a quick meal. You can also head to the nearby convenience store at the Shell petrol station to refuel your vehicle and get more snacks!

Road trip essentials to pack for your drive from Singapore to Malaysia

Is it possible to drive from Singapore to Malaysia?

The answer is yes, of course! From August 2022, you are able to travel between Singapore and Malaysia’s land borders regardless of your vaccination status, and without testing or quarantine.

Without a daily limit on travellers, you can expect there to be crowds and traffic jams at certain places. You can help make the immigration process faster and smoother by making sure you keep these in mind:

For those using passports

Taking a road trip to Malaysia in a Singapore-registered vehicle means that you’ll need a VEP. You can apply for a VEP through the VEP-JPJ portal and upon successful registration, you’ll get a VEP RFID tag. You may use the confirmation slip of your VEP application if you’re travelling to Malaysia before the RFID tag is ready. You’ll also have to check whether your passport has expired. Make sure that you still have six months left on your passport before it’s due for renewal. 

Also, after passing through a manned immigration booth, check that your passports are stamped before leaving the immigration booth.

For those using the MACS System

If you’re using the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS 2.0), you’re probably someone who frequently travels to and from Malaysia. With the MACS pass, travellers can expedite their customs screening, as there’s no need for immigration stamps when entering and exiting the country. A great way to make up for the long jams you might encounter!

Vehicle insurance for your car or motorcycle is compulsory if you’re entering Malaysia. Make sure that your insurance policy is still valid while you’re on your road trip to Malaysia.

While travel insurance isn’t compulsory, it’s always best to be prepared when going on a Malaysia road trip from Singapore. As foreign visitors are charged for all medical treatments, it’s advisable to get travel insurance to help cover any potential accidents or injuries that might crop up on your visit to Malaysia.

Touch ‘n Go card

Just like how we have a NETS cashcard to pay for parking fees and ERP charges, the Touch N’ Go card is needed to pay for highway and checkpoint tolls when you’re taking a road trip to Malaysia. You can download the Touch N’ Go app before applying for the VEP. The e-wallet can be linked to your VEP-RFID tag for payments on the road. How convenient is that!

Start organising a Malaysia road trip from Singapore this June holidays (2024)

After going through our list of where to go in Malaysia from Singapore, we hope you’re all set to have a fantastic Malaysia road trip! If you need a breather from all the driving, we recommend making a pit stop at a hotel along the way. Interested in a short getaway to paradise? Book a stay at one of the best Batam resorts or best Bintan resorts for an Insta-worthy vacation! Need help organising those travel essentials you’re bringing abroad? Read up on our guide to choosing a luggage and check out our recommendations on the best luggage options in Singapore !

This article was updated on 25 July 2024. Additional research done by Liew Shu Wen.

By Bryant Tay

When he's not telling others why Tom Holland is the best Spider-man, Bryant can be found indulging in football banter and exploring the vast world of gym fitness. He'll also buy you a cup of coffee if you can name a video game he's never heard of!

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SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun

Best Family Road Trip Destinations from Singapore to Malaysia

By Cherie Foo

Want to go on a last-minute holiday but don’t want the hassle of organising flights? Take a road trip to Malaysia. Assuming you’re driving from Singapore, you have plenty of options to choose from – including Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, and Johor. Our handy guide tells you how to get to each of them, and where to stay. We’ve also included family-friendly attractions that you shouldn’t miss. Get the kids to pack their bags… it’s time for a road trip!

Malacca is just a four-hour drive from Singapore, the perfect length of time for a first-time family road trip. This lively coastal town used to be occupied by the Dutch, which is why many of their buildings look distinctively European. Even if your kids aren’t old enough to appreciate history, they’ll still be impressed at the fire-engine red Christ Church, which was built using bricks shipped over all the way from the Netherlands. Of course, there’s plenty of delicious local food to keep every Singaporean appetite satiated.

Jonker Street: A road trip to Malacca is not complete without a stroll down Jonker Street. Lined with restaurants, eateries and shops selling souvenirs and knick-knacks, there’s also a night market from Friday to Sunday evenings. When you’re here, check out Mamee Jonker House, a one-of-a-kind Mamee Café that serves dishes revolving around – guess what? – Mamee noodles! Adults can try their hand at customising their very own instant noodles, while little ones can join in the Mamee Monster DIY workshop, and learn how to make noodles from scratch.

Melaka Wonderland: This water park features 16 attractions including the Big Wave pool, the Adventure Island, Anaconda Twist, The Pendulum, and a small dinosaur park. If your kids are still energetic and raring to go after taking on the water park, Melaka Bird Park is just next door!

A’Famosa Resort

A’Famosa is an integrated resort that features a hotel, villas, theme parks and more. The kids won’t be able to get enough of the resort’s Safari Wonderland and Old West. Then there’s their Water Park, which is the largest in Malaysia. Want to shop? Check out Freeport A’Famosa, an outlet mall with over 70 fashion, sport and accessories brands laid out in an open air mall complete with fountains, carousel and even a windmill.

The Settlement Hotel

This swanky hotel used to house a 1960s government office so you’ll be staying in a real slice of history. Apart from a 45-room residence block, the hotel also has four villas with spacious gardens and lawns and five traditional Malay villas, one of which houses their spa facility. There’s complimentary shuttle service to Jonker Street and the Portuguese Settlement as well.

How to drive to Malacca:

The most efficient way to get to Malacca is via the North-South Expressway (NSE). Watch out for the exit at Plaza Tol Ayer Keroh. If you need to take a break, there are several Rest and Service Areas (RSAs) at Gelang Patah, Machap, Pagoh, and Ayer Keroh, where you can grab a bite and fill up your tank. 

2: Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is an obvious choice for a quick and easy road trip if you’re a city lover. There’s a smorgasbord of good food to be had here, and plenty of attractions to keep kids occupied.

District 21: This indoor theme park at IOI City Mall has plenty of exciting obstacles and rides that will thrill kids of all ages. Younger ones can head for the tamer activities (such as the launch pad, carousel, tubby ride, and pedal go-kart) while older kids go for the sky trail, where they’ll have to navigate a wobbly rope bridge, balance on narrow planks and traverse a series of oil drums — all up in the air.

View this post on Instagram Here comes weekend again! Enjoy your weekend with your family at Sunway Lagoon and Have Your Best Day Ever with us! Grab your tickets at sunwaylagoon.com/promotions 🛒 now! Awesome 📸 by @rachealkwacz #BestDayEver #SunwayLagoonMY A post shared by Sunway Lagoon Malaysia (@sunwaylagoonmalaysia) on Apr 12, 2019 at 7:57pm PDT

Sunway Lagoon:  One of the best-known theme parks in Malaysia, this is just a short drive away from KL’s city centre. There are six different areas, including a Wild Wild West themed amusement park, a haunted house, an Extreme Park, a Water Park, a Wildlife Park and a Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon. There’s too much to cover in a day so pick your attractions carefully. Older ones might enjoy the Scream Park (a huge haunted house with zombies) and the Extreme Park (where you can take part in activities such as bungy-jumping, go karting and ziplining), but these may be too adventurous for younger children.

(See also: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Sunway Lagoon )

KLCC: This is where you’ll find the famous Petronas Towers. The KL Aquarium and the excellent Petrosains Discovery Centre are also located here. Visit them earlier in the day, then head to the KLCC playground and water park as the sun starts to set. This gigantic playground with a shallow wading pool and waterfall is massively popular with kids of all ages.

PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur

If you need to accommodate a large family, the PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur has spacious family suites that span up to 62 square metres. The hotel comes with all the usual bells and whistles, including a gorgeous pool. Kids under 12 stay free when they use existing beds.

Ramada Plaza Kuala Lumpur

Looking for a more affordable option? Try the Ramada Plaza Kuala Lumpur, a four-star hotel in KL’s Mid-valley district. Facilities include outdoor and indoor swimming pools. Plus, one child under the age of 12 stays free if using existing bedding.

How to drive to KL:

Take the Second Link at Tuas, then follow the signs to KL. From there, it depends on where you are going to. If you’re heading to Bangsar, take the “Bangsar” exit on the New Pantai Expressway once you hit the Sungei Besi toll. RSEs along the way include Machap, Pagoh, Ayer Keroh, and Seremban. Your journey to KL should take approximately five hours, but you might be stuck in heavy traffic once you reach the city.

3: Cameron Highlands

If your kids are clamouring to go somewhere cold, but you can’t afford to take that many days of leave (and splurge on expensive plane tickets), bring them on a road trip to Cameron Highlands!

Strawberry farms

Fun fact: Cameron Highlands is the only place in Malaysia which has strawberry farms. Popular strawberry farms in Cameron Highlands include: Big Red Strawberry, Strawberry Farm Kea, Healthy Strawberry Farm, and Kok Lim Strawberry Farm.

Honey farms

You’d be surprised – the honey farms in Cameron Highlands can make for unexpectedly educational visits. Most have tours and they’ll even walk you through the entire life cycle of the bee, so the kids leave with insights about how honey is made. Popular honey farms here include: Cameron Tringkap Bee Farm, Ee Feng Gu Bee Farm, and Highlands Apiary Farm.

Time Tunnel

Time Tunnel is the first ever memorabilia museum in Malaysia. It aims to preserve the “historical memory and cultural heritage” of Cameron Highlands. Here, you’ll find 1,000-plus exhibits spread out over two levels, from the private collection of See Kok Shan, a collector who grew up in Cameron Highlands.

As you stroll through the exhibits and reminisce about the past, the kids can immerse themselves in the different “sets” that are laid out, complete with props. They’ll be able to role-play as a hairdresser in a salon, pretend to serve drinks behind an old-school drinks cart, and even try their hand at some vintage games. Talk about a blast from the past!

Cameron Highlands Resort

This colonial hotel and boutique hill retreat is perched 1,500 metres above sea level. Serene and peaceful, it offers stunning views of tea plantations and rolling hills. All rooms and suites have gorgeous four-poster beds, polished teak furniture, and luxurious silk fabrics. The two-bedroom suite and signature suite can accommodate four, and cots are available upon request.

Moonriver Lodge

Moonriver Lodge is a family farmstay within the picturesque mountains of Sigar Highlands. There are plenty of fun activities here – a gardening programme to learn how food is grown on-site, a trek to see the Rafflesia Kerrii, the second largest flower in the world, harvesting organic vegetables, fruits and herbs from their kitchen garden, and even helping the staff prepare a meal.

Prefer some quiet bonding time with your kids? Laze on a hammock, play board games, or enjoy family karaoke (just remember to bring along your own VCDs or DVDs).

How to drive to Cameron Highlands:

The drive from Singapore to Cameron Highlands takes approximately eight hours so this is a longer road trip. Leave early so that you can reach Cameron Highlands at around 3pm in the afternoon. Take the North-South Expressway (NSE) and exit at either Simpang Pulai or Tapah. The Tapah route involves a three-hour long winding drive up the mountains, so we’d recommend the Simpang Pulai exit, which gives you a shorter and more manageable route.

RSAs along the NSE include Gelang Patah, Machap, Pagoh, Ayer Keroh, Seremban, Dengkil, Rawang, and Tapah. Hop out and use the restrooms, and stop for snacks/lunch at these areas.

4: Johor (Kota Tinggi)

Johor isn’t just for café-hopping and stocking up on groceries – there are also plenty of family-friendly attractions and sites that you can visit on a short road trip here.

Visit (Kota Tinggi):

Kota tinggi firefly park.

The sight of the night sky lit up with fireflies is spectacular – so don’t pass up on your chance to witness this at the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park, an easy 15-minute drive from Kota Tinggi’s city centre. You’ll drive through a palm tree plantation and arrive at a tze char restaurant where you can purchase tickets for your boat ride to see the fireflies. While waiting for the boat, kids can explore the mini farm and old-school playground nearby.

The boat sets sail towards the mangroves, where you’ll witness groups of dancing fireflies. Do pay attention to the audio guides; these provide interesting tidbits about the fireflies and the World War II Fortress that you’ll sail past.

Kota Tinggi Waterfalls

Kota Tinggi Waterfalls is one of the best known waterfalls in southern Malaysia. There are actually two waterfalls here – one near the park entrance, and another that can only be accessed via a walkway. If you’re coming with older kids, head for the cement steps – this will take you up the walkway, and from there, you can get to the larger waterfall. Your kids can swim, or rent tubes to float on. For younger kids who aren’t strong swimmers, stick to the waterslides and shallow pools. Alternatively, go on a hike – there are plenty of trails in the area.

Stay (Kota Tinggi):

Kota tinggi rainforest resort.

This family-friendly resort has swimming pools and natural water pools, and activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, paintball, abseiling, and Flying Fox. Guides can be hired to bring you on a trek through the rainforest, or a hike to the nearby Pelapah Waterfall. The resort’s Family Chalet Room can accommodate up to seven adults and one child – if you’re coming with extended family, definitely consider staying here!

How to drive there:

Kota Tinggi is just an hour away from the Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore. To get to Kota Tinggi Town, take the AH2 and AH18 to the Johor Bahru-Kota Tinggi Highway.

(See also:  Why Kid-friendly Colmar Tropicale Should Be Your Next Family Holiday Destination )

5. Johor (Desaru)

Like Kota Tinggi, Desaru is highly accessible (just 2-3 hours away!) for a road trip, and has plenty of fun for the whole family.

Desaru Ostrich Farm

This family-run ostrich farm is one of the largest in Malaysia. Most of the over 200 ostriches are fenced up for safety reasons, but there are two which roam freely. They are tame, so it’s perfectly fine to get up close and personal with them. Take a selfie with them, or pay for your kids to have an ostrich ride. You can also order an ostrich omelette or other ostrich dishes at the stall later. PS: Ostriches are attracted to shiny objects, so avoid wearing any eye-catching jewellery or accessories here.

Desaru Beach

Desaru’s pristine beach is famous. It overlooks the South China Sea, and the shallow portion of the sea extends pretty far out from the beach, making this an ideal spot for families with children to enjoy water play. If your kids are a little older, consider activities such as parasailing, jet-skiing, or a thrilling ride on an inflatable donut. Why not pay a visit to the newly-opened Desaru Coast ?

Desaru Fruit Farm

View this post on Instagram Went to the @desarufruit, and this guy was amused with lemon growing on tree. We spotted many different kinds of fruit trees and there was a mini petting zoo within. Animals always delight the kids, and they were most happy feeding koi fish. . #desarufruitfarm #lemontree #fruitfarm #sgtoddler #sonshine #instakids #shortgetaway #toddlerboy A post shared by Karen (@mumscalling) on Mar 10, 2019 at 12:58am PST

Desaru Fruit Farm has more than fruit – there’s a petting zoo, a paintball arena, and a go-kart and ATV track as well. Walk around by yourself and purchase fruits, or pay for the guided tour to learn more about how over 100 varieties of fruits and herbs are grown. This comes with a complimentary fruit platter. Remember to purchase some fresh fruits to enjoy on the drive back to Singapore!

Stay (Desaru):

Lotus desaru beach resort.

One of the most popular resorts in Desaru, this has apartments as well as more traditional bedrooms and suites. Baby cots and strollers are available for loan. Within the beach resort, there’s a water park, a “High Ropes” obstacle course that’s suitable for children over age 10, pond water rafting, paintball, Flying Fox, kayaking, and jungle trekking activities.

Sand and Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa

This family-friendly resort has a beautiful pool with a swim-up bar, and an air-conditioned gym that’s floating within the pool. The Family Suite Duplex is a comfy, spacious suite that spans two floors. You get your own space (with a luxurious four-poster bed) and kids get a colourful pirate-themed room. Perfect!

Take the same route to Kota Tinggi from the Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore. Then go via the Senai-Desaru Expressway and cut through Johor River to get to Desaru Beach.

Take a Road Trip today!

So you see, there’s no need to head to exotic, far flung locations in order to have fun. Just round up the entire family, hop into the car, and go on a road trip to visit our neighbours up north!

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Road Tripping in Malaysia: The Best Routes for Exploring Malaysia From Kuala Lumpur

PUBLISHED February 25th, 2022 05:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:37 pm

After long years of pandemic lockdowns, we’re all itching for more adventure – and a roadtrip sounds like just the ticket. With Malaysia lifting its ban on interstate travel, thoughts of scenic views, food trails , and nature escapes are getting us revved up already. Here’s our bucket list of the best routes for exploring Malaysia from KL, ranging from short drives to multi-day getaways.

Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara National Park

Drive time: 2 hours from KL to Fraser’s Hill, 4 hours from Fraser’s Hill to Taman Negara National Park

If you’re craving a dose of nature, a multi-day getaway to Malaysia’s green lung of Taman Negara National Park sounds like a plan. But rather than driving there direct from Kuala Lumpur, we recommend making a stopover at the rainforest-rich hamlet of Fraser’s Hill in Pahang. Spread over seven lush hills, this highlands village is criss-crossed with scenic mountain trails, prime birdwatching spots, and the popular Jeriau Waterfall. If you’re planning to stay overnight, you’ll find an array of charming colonial bungalows available for homestays – relics of the British colonial era.

Next stop: Taman Negara National Park . This pristine 130-million-year-old forest ranks among the world’s oldest rainforests, clocking in at 4,343 square kilometres of camping, cave exploring, and trekking opportunities. Highlights include getting high with stunning views on the world’s longest canopy walkway, as well as visiting the Kampung Orang Asli – a village of Malaysia’s native aborigines renowned for their blowpipe hunting skills.

Kuala Lumpur to Tanjong Jara

Drive time: 2 hours from KL to Gambang, 3 hours from Gambang to Kuala Dungun

Fancy a breezy coastal drive? You can get your fill of sun, sand, and spa time with a winding roadtrip from Kuala Lumpur along Malaysia’s tranquil east coast. First up, a dose of wellness – make your way to Mangala Resort & Spa in Gambang for a day or two of traditional Malay massages and luxe villa living, in the serene heart of fruit orchards and wetlands.

Hit the road via the picturesque Federal Route 3 , which runs along Malaysia’s east coast and offers hours of splendid seaside scenery. This route takes you through placid beach towns like Cherating – known for its laidback sands and leatherback turtles. In no time, you’ll reach the golden sands fronting Tanjong Jara Resort in Kuala Dungun, an elegant resort designed to resemble a 17th-century Malay palace. With a whole Spa Village to relax in, you can bet on your worries melting away here.

Kuala Lumpur to Penang

Drive time: 2.5 hours from KL to Ipoh, 2 hours from Ipoh to Penang

Want to eat your way through Malaysia? No better way to do it than a roadtrip from Kuala Lumpur through the hawker food heaven of Ipoh, and onward to the buffet of street eats that is Penang. Ipoh has no end of local delights to stuff yourself silly with – white coffee and chee cheong fun for breakfast, curry mee and claypot crab noodles for lunch, and silky caramel custard to top it all off. Walk off the food coma with a tour around Ipoh’s vibrant street art gems, particularly in Ipoh Old Town.

Strap in for the two-hour drive north to Penang’s capital of George Town , where every nook and cranny is crammed with tasty street eats. Start your day right with Apong Guan ‘s famously fluffy apom manis filled with bananas and shredded coconut, then vie with the crowds at Sup Hameed for nasi kandar (aka rice with curry-based meats and veggies). Drive over to third-generation stall Bridge Street Prawn Noodle for a slurpworthy bowl of Hokkien mee, before stopping by Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul for an icy dessert.

Kuala Lumpur to Taiping

Drive time: 3 hours from KL to Cameron Highlands, 3 hours from Cameron Highlands to Taiping

Nothing spells peace quite like rolling through the countryside in Cameron Highlands . Wind down your window and breathe in the cool highlands air, as you rove through lush tea plantations dotted with honeybee farms, strawberry farms, and rustic villages. Once there, a slice of countryside awaits. The Robertson Rose Garden flaunts over 100 species of roses, best seen from mid-spring; strawberry picking is another popular activity at farms, where you can eat them ripe and juicy right off the stem.

Ready to explore further? Wind your way past mountain ranges and dense forests to reach Perak’s northwestern town of Taiping . Whether it’s a stroll in Taiping Lake Gardens or a boat tour to Kampung Dew to watch the dazzling dance of fireflies on the river, this little town oozes tranquility. It’s also worth a trip to the historic Antong Coffee Mill – Malaysia’s oldest coffee mill still follows the traditional method of roasting beans over a wood fire to produce a unique smokiness.

Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Coast

Drive time: 4 hours

Set in southeastern Johor, Desaru Coast was once a quiet coastal town – until the luxury resorts started taking notice of its charms. These days, it’s a glam getaway for folks craving the suite life, with private plunge pools and prime beach access at the likes of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and One&Only Desaru Coast . Sun and sea aside, you’ll also have a splashing good time at the  Adventure Waterpark with over 20 wet and dry thrills to tackle.

Your four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur will take you past Johor , so why not stop over to fuel up? Drop by the local hotspot The Toast in Taman Mount Austin for Nanyang coffee, along with their signature egg mayo toast and nasi lemak. Or grab a seat at the popular Restoran Gim Cheng in Taman Daya for a spread of over 60 kinds of handmade dim sum, including the crowd-favourite mango shrimp rolls.

Kuala Lumpur to Malacca

Drive time: 2.5 hours from KL to Muar, 1 hour from Muar to Malacca

If you’re after a dose of heritage and culture, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Malacca is undoubtedly your cup of tea. But first, we recommend a day’s detour to Muar . The buildings of this historical town come splashed with stunning larger-than-life murals, including Julia Vochkova’s Loving Sisters and Sabek’s  The Bond . Also worth seeing is the Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque – a breathtaking mosque splashed in dreamy white and sky blue, blending elements of British colonial and traditional Malay architecture.

Next, head to the heritage hotbed of Malacca , where you can explore Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple: the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple . Another striking attraction, the Malacca Sultanate Palace , is a reconstruction of the 15th-century royal palace that stood in the same spot; not only is it wrought entirely of wood, not a single nail was used in its construction. For a suitably heritage-style stay, opt for the Timez Hotel , where each individually designed suite is a nod to Malacca’s history.

Road Tripping in Malaysia

Planning  your next road tripping adventure? UOB Cardmembers can a variety of travel deals, with up to 25% off accommodation bookings with Agoda , Booking.com and Expedia or up to 5% off savings on travel bookings with Klook . If you’re looking to rent a car to explore your destination, get up to 20% off Avis Car Rental or Budget Car Rental . Last but not least, don’t forget the Travel Insurance !

Don’t have a UOB Card? Find the right credit card for all your needs here .

Top Image: One&Only Desaru Coast

Deputy Editor

Jolene has a major sweet tooth and would happily eat pastries for all meals. When she’s not dreaming of cheesecake, she can be found in the dance studio, working on craft projects, or curled up with a good book.

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11 Places That Are An Hour’s Drive From KL For A Happy Road Trip To Lift Your Spirits

Road trip adventures in Malaysia

A leisure trip abroad is something wanderlusters in Malaysia have likely yearned for while being stuck at home during the pandemic.  Thankfully, there’re plenty of places worth exploring that are close to home and will lift our spirits like a trip abroad.

We mapped out 11 road trip-worthy spots – including hidden gems in Kuala Kubu Bharu and Bentong – within an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Table of Contents

1. Yue Shan Gu Miao – Chinese temple with rainbow steps

2. sungai pertak recreational forest – easy-to-access cascade waterfall, 3. sungai selangor dam – nature-viewing spot in kkb, 4. teng wun bakery & confectionery – 40-year-old bakery selling kaya puffs, 5. taman tasik milenium – scenic strolls around a lake, 6. alor lempah old dam – recreational park with man-made waterfalls, 7. world of phalaenopsis – orchid farm with a cafe, 8. thong kee restaurant – og kopitiam in bentong, 9. lemang to’ki – freshly prepared lemang with a variety of sides, 10. colmar tropicale – french-inspired town with a japanese garden, 11. pineyard – rustic cafe with lakeside views, hit the road with trevo to lift your spirits , book a trevo ride for your road trip in under 5 minutes here..

It’s not difficult to find Chinese temples in any town in Malaysia, but not many are as vibrant and eye-catching as Yue Shan Gu Miao in Kuala Kubu Bharu – abbreviated as KKB by locals. A hidden gem in the town, this temple has rainbow stairs that will add a burst of colour to any Instagram grid.

Not much is known about the temple, but it’s believed to be one of the oldest Chinese temples in the area – clocking in at over 100 years old, according to locals. 

The outer temple’s main steps were given a cheery makeover in recent years, with swings and archways added to attract curious passers-by looking for fun photo ops.

Address: Jalan Kubu, Kampung Sungai Damar, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor Opening hours: 24 hours, daily

KKB is well-known for its scenic waterfalls including Sungai Chiling and Lata Medang. If you’re not keen on working up a sweat, there’s a cascade – or low waterfall – inside Sungai Pertak Recreational Forest that does not require an arduous hike to reach.

Located right next to its designated parking lot, the cascade offers cool waters where you can dip your feet and relax before continuing on your road trip.  

To enjoy more views around this location, you can venture to the top of the cascade, reachable via a 10-minute walk or 3-minute drive from the base. There are plenty more rocks to sit on and soak in the sun and scenery here. 

We strongly recommend going to the top on foot as there are limited parking spots. Packing sunblock is also crucial since the rays can get pretty strong around noon. 

Address: Tapak Berkelah Sungai Pertak, 44000, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor Opening hours: 24 hours, daily Entrance fee: RM1/pax

A fun aspect of road trips are undoubtedly the stopovers. Sungai Selangor Dam happens to be a place worth stopping by for scenic nature views, especially if you’re heading to KKB or Fraser’s Hill in Pahang from KL.

Thanks to impressive views of green mountains that separate blue waters from skies that surround the dam, it is now a popular spot with several lookout points.

A perfect locale to bask in scenic nature views, the dam – a.k.a. Empangan Sungai Selangor – helps capture rainfall and provides water to Greater Kuala Lumpur.

Adventurous road trippers should explore the area, and make their way over to the Bridge Lookout Point . Here, you’ll find vehicles parked along the road, and passengers enjoying unobstructed views of the dam and its surroundings.

Address: Bridge Lookout Point, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor Opening hours: 24 hours, daily

Most locals in KKB are familiar with Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery. This humble establishment has been churning out baked goods since 1979 – for over 40 years. They sell around 200 pastries each day, all baked from scratch by its owner Mr Wun and his family. 

Loyal patrons are typically drawn in by the bakery’s iconic Kaya Puff (RM9/box) , arguably their most popular item. These flaky puffs with crumbly fillings are sold in boxes of five pastries, a product that lures curious visitors from far and wide.

Apart from this customer favourite, there are other baked goods such as Pandan Layer Cake (RM8) and Wedding Biscuits (from RM7).

A stone’s throw from the bakery is a colourful back alley attraction called Street Art Kota Bharu , which features painted mural walls depicting town scenes and local attractions. 

Address : 15, Jalan Dato Muda Jaafar, Pekan Kuala Kubu Bharu, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor Opening hours: Wed – Mon 9AM-5PM (Closed on Tuesdays) Telephone: 03-6064 1586

If your idea of a great road trip involves spending time in nature, don’t miss out on Taman Tasik Milenium. This tranquil park in KKB has picnic benches scattered along the waterfront, where you can enjoy your meals against the backdrop of a scenic lake and surrounding mountains.

For those with little ones, there is a uniquely themed playground called Dino World where your kids can stretch their legs after a long car ride.

The highlight here is a massive steel play structure in the shape of a T-Rex – kids ages 5-12 can climb all the way up the prehistoric creature’s neck and slide down its ‘tail’.

The park is a popular landing spot for paragliding as well. Those interested in this thrilling activity can check out Cloud Bass & Kelab Luncur Udara Kuala Kubu Bharu for more information. Each flight costs RM300/pax, and includes insurance and a GoPro camera. 

Address: Taman Milenium, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor Opening hours: 6AM-7PM, Daily 

Another spot to dip your feet in cool waters is Alor Lempah Old Dam , also known as Ampang Pecah. This area features manmade cascades and sandy banks that replicate the feeling of being at the beach in the middle of a surrounding hilly landscape. 

It’s also a popular area for picnics by the water, and swimming where the currents are calmer. 

This location is easily accessible by car, and has plenty of parking areas close to the cascades. Do note, however, there are no public toilets in the area, so a stopover at a nearby petrol station may be necessary on your way here.

Address: Alor Lempah, Taman Ampang Pecah, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu Opening hours: 24 hours, daily

Hiding out in a quiet neighbourhood in Batang Kali, Ulu Yam, is the World of Phalaenopsis. It is hailed as one of the largest phalaenopsis orchid farms in Malaysia, and where you can find plenty of vibrant orchids of varying species and colours to purchase from RM15/pot . 

These blooms make for pretty photo backdrops due to their abundance across various areas around the farm.

If you feel hungry during your visit, drop by The Florescence Cafe inside the orchid farm for coffee, cakes, and local dishes. Some ‘Ulu Yam Favourites’ listed on their menu include Mee Hoon Siam with Rendang Ayam (RM15) with generous portions of noodles and chicken, and Asam Laksa (RM15) which is mildly spicy. 

Finish your meal with your choice of coffee – from Long Black (RM9) to Caramel Latte (RM12) – or tea (from RM9) , with options such as chamomile, sencha, and lavender.

Address: 1017, Jalan Batang Kali, Ulu Yam Bharu, Kampung Sungai Kamin, 44300 Batang Kali, Selangor Opening hours: 9AM-5PM, Daily World of Phalaenopsis Facebook 

Those who frequent kopitiams in KL might be familiar with Thong Kee Restaurant . They have several branches in the Klang Valley, including in Cheras and Sri Petaling. A fact not known to many is that the original Thong Kee is located in Bentong where it has been operating since 1988. 

They are known for their classic kopitiam fare, which includes Kopi Cham (RM1.80/small) and Roti Bakar (RM1.60) with margarine and kaya, both popular and affordable orders here. An interesting light bite to grab for breakfast or yum cha is the Croissants (from RM4.30), which comes with fillings such as kaya and butter (RM5) and ham, cheese and egg (RM7.50).

Patrons of Thong Kee are likely to also recommend the Char Kuey Teow (RM6), which cuts back on the regular oiliness typically associated with the dish. 

Address: No. 4, Jalan Chui Yin, 28700 Bentong, Pahang Opening hours: Tue – Sun 7AM-4.30PM (Closed on Mondays)

Food is undeniably one of the highlights of road trips. Besides fuelling us up before our next destination, it’s also a chance for us to try out local delicacies in different towns. 

A famous food destination in Bentong is Lemang To’ki, a restaurant known for serving glutinous lemang and fragrant rendang all year round. They have a branch in KL, but their original restaurant in Bentong is where you can see rows of batang lemang cooking over charcoal. 

There are different serving portions of lemang to feed small to large groups. These include Lemang Kecil (RM13/small) to Lemang Extra Besar (RM16/XL), which can be ordered alongside their plates of rendang – Rendang Ayam (RM6) or Daging (RM8). 

Address: Batu 2, Jalan Tras, 28700 Bentong, Pahang Opening hours: Tue – Sun 8AM-8PM (Closed on Mondays) Lemang To’ki Facebook

Most of us have heard of Colmar Tropicale in Bentong. This location is popular among locals looking to experience strolling through a French village without having to leave our country.

This French village is modelled after Colmar in France, a city known for its quaint medieval village architecture. Similarly, Colmar Tropicale boasts cottage-style buildings and cobbled roads that look straight out of a fairytale – think Disney’s Beauty and the Beast . 

Besides renting a room at one of the many hotels located here, visitors can also dine at French restaurants or go for lighter cafe fare at Starbucks or Krispy Kreme.

About 3km away on the same hilltop as Colmar Tropicale is a Japanese Village – another themed attraction. A visit to the garden is included in your entrance fee, so we recommend dropping by to walk around the water garden and snap more ‘overseas’ pictures. 

You can rent kimonos (RM20/pax) , or feed koi with fish pellets (RM1/pack), both available at a traditional Japanese house in the garden. 

Address : KM 48 Persimpangan Bertingkat, Lebuhraya Karak, Bukit Tinggi, 28750 Bentong, Pahang Opening hours: 24 hours, daily Entrance fee: RM14/pax

Around a 45-minute drive from KL is Pineyard , an open-concept cafe housed inside a rustic cabin-like building. This aesthetically pleasing cafe has become popular for its waterfront dining area, and its location en route to Colmar Tropicale.

There are different seating options, ranging from bar seats overlooking the pond to communal tables that seat up to six.

Menu offerings include fusion dishes, such as the Curry Pasta (RM26) – a unique dish that pairs rich curry, pasta noodles, and sliced chicken breast. We tried the Big Breakfast (RM33), a large plate of chicken sausage, turkey ham, sourdough bread, scrambled eggs and roasted sweet potatoes with portions that feed up to two.

Address: C1, Jalan Tanarimba Pine, Kampung Janda Baik, 28750 Bentong, Pahang Opening hours: Wed – Mon 9AM-6PM (Closed on Tuesdays) Telephone: 03-6064 1586 Pineyard Facebook

A comfortable car is essential for a smooth and fun-filled road trip with your friends. So if you want to go on a journey to lift your spirits post-MCO but find yourself without a trusty ride, look no further than TREVO , the largest online car-rental marketplace in Malaysia. 

Browse through their vast catalogue of available cars – from light and compact Perodua Myvis and steady Honda sedans, to sporty Mercedes-Benzs and luxurious Toyota MPVs – to find the perfect ride that accommodates your journey length and group size. 

They have more than 4,000 cars and over 150 models to select from in the Klang Valley, Penang, JB, Ipoh and Kota Kinabalu. 

Booking a car with TREVO takes just under five minutes. Simply download the app to your smartphone, sign up for an account, and verify your identity to begin your car hunt. 

Vehicles are available for rent, both short- and long-term. To ease your decision-making process, listings even come with:

• User ratings
• Pet-friendliness status
• Touch ‘n Go and SmartTag availability
• Bluetooth/AUX compatibility

Once you’ve decided on a car, opt to meet your car host or have your car delivered to you before embarking on your road trip.

If you’re a car owner, TREVO even lets you rent out your car on their platform to earn extra cash. They also offer a ‘Buddy Driver’ service to make trips easier for busy bees – simply hire a personal driver to drive your car by the hour for up to 12 hours. 

Renting a comfortable ride ensures you’ll have just as much fun in between destinations as when you’re checking off locations on your bucket list. After all, meaningful moments spent in conversation and laughter with good company created along the way are worth treasuring as much as the anticipation of getting to our next stop. 

We’ve planned out the itinerary for you with these 11 places in KKB and Bentong, so all that’s left is securing a car suited to your needs. Here’s wishing you safe travels ahead.

Read more here: 

• Jeram, Kuala Selangor: visit scenic beaches and Sky Mirror Jetty
• 15 gorgeous waterfalls in Malaysia even beginners can hike to
• 60 things to do in Melaka: unique museums and theme parks

This post was brought to you by TREVO. 

Photography by Danny Ko. 

Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia

This article was updated on 21st November 2022.

10 underrated road trip destinations in Malaysia from Singapore with scenic natural wonders, delicious eats & more

As Singaporeans, many of us are no strangers to weekend getaways to popular destinations like Johor Bahru and Cameron Highlands . But why not shake things up with these 10 hidden gems that have long been overshadowed by the likes of Penang and Malacca , and try going on these road trips in Malaysia that will offer you a different experience?

From delicious food to stunning natural sights, there’ll be plenty to see and do at each and every one of these exciting destinations! 

1. Muar, Johor

First up on the list is every foodie’s favourite, the Royal City of Johor, Muar . 

The name Glutton Street alone is bound to pique your interest. As the oldest culinary attraction in Muar, this street is known for its otak otak , fried oysters , pork satay , and more. 

The deep, aromatic flavours of Sai Kee’s 434 coffee is also something you can’t miss. ZZ Satay Warisan also offers incredible satay for breakfast — it feels as though everyone in this city is crazy about food.

For those looking to have a taste of the city’s history and culture, how about going down the Muar Cultural Walk where rows and rows of murals make for Instagram-worthy photos? At night, the street becomes even busier with attractive performances, cultural shows and street vendors.

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 2 hours 15 minutes

2. Kuala Rompin, Pahang

Kuala Rompin is a nature retreat with an all-in-one package. Being so close to the river, sea and rainforests, you can visit friendly Orang Asli villages , gorge on the freshest seafood , admire the picturesque “mirror” Lanjut Beach and marvel at the ethereal blue lake, Tasik Biru .

Most notably, it is located right at the borders of Malaysia’s second largest national park, the Endau-Rompin National Park . It is home to some of the oldest rainforests in the world, as well as majestic waterfalls , serving as the perfect place for urbanites looking to immerse themselves in nature.

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 2 hour 45 minutes

3. Bentong, Pahang

Rather than Genting , how about visiting its underrated neighbour that has hot springs, a stunning waterfall and serene forest retreats? The Bentong Hot Springs , Chamang Waterfall , Kechara Forest Retreat and Lentang Forest Recreational Park is your go-to for a relaxing trip.

If you happen to be there on Saturday, check out Bentong Walk , a night market in a historic district featuring live performances and captivating art.

Surprisingly, Bentong also has a Japanese Village that has kimonos for rent, a teahouse and Tatami Spa!

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 4 hours 50 minutes

4. Sekinchan, Selangor

Sekinchan can fulfil all your dreams of feeling like a drama protagonist — run through the endless paddy fields with the blue sky at the back and listen to the sound of the rice plants rustling in the wind.

But make sure to visit before the harvesting seasons, ideally during mid-March to May and during mid-September to November , or else you won’t be seeing lush green fields but empty barren ones instead.

Don’t forget to make a wish at the Sekinchan Wishing Tree , or chill at the Pantai Redang Beach before touring the Bagan Fishing Village for some tasty seafood.

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 5 hours 20 minutes

5. Kuala Selangor, Selangor

Road trips in Malaysia can’t do without the dreamy Kuala Selangor . This seaside town is best appreciated at night, when you can go hunting for fireflies and watch them light up the night sky. It is also only at night when you can witness the mesmerising “ Blue Tears ” as Selangor River glows in splendid blue hues.

The magic continues with Sky Mirror where shallow waters become a reflective surface, mirroring the sky and creating illusions of walking on water.

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 5 hours

6. Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor

Locals call it the KKB, but please do not mistake this town for a certain crude local slang. Kuala Kubu Bharu is a popular weekend spot that is known for outdoor activities and adventure amongst Kuala Lumpur locals.

Boasting incredible views of rolling hills and waters from the summit of Bukit Kutu and at the Sungai Selangor Dam , it offers an ideal escape from the bustling cities. Nature-lovers looking for some exercise can take on one of the many waterfall hiking trails at Kuala Kubu Bharu , like the Lata Medang Waterfall and Chilling Waterfall trails.

If lazing around in the sun sounds like a better option, picnic at Taman Tasik Millennium and enjoy views of the lake and hills in comfort.

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 5 hours 10 minutes

7. Sungai Lembing, Pahang

Sungai Lembing is an old tin mining town that has turned into a haven for outdoor and nature enthusiasts. Like Kuala Kubu Bharu, Sungai Lembing is also home to beautiful waterfalls and panoramic sights — they literally have Bukit Panorama and Sunrise Hill , titular hills that live up to their very names.

The Rainbow Waterfall and Berkelah Waterfalls ( it has seven tiers! ) are definitely not to be missed, as well as this hidden Hindu cave temple with a gigantic nine metre long Buddha statue in Gua Charas , tucked away in a grand limestone massif more than 400 million years old.

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 5 hours 30 minutes

8. Gopeng, Perak

Also a former tin mining town, Gopeng has caves that have spelunking enthusiasts lining up at their doorstep. Similar to Gua Charas, Gua Tempurung is also around 400 million years old, although it is one of the longest caves in Malaysia with three enormous chambers and impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Want something brighter on your itinerary? Why not pay a visit to Cameron Highlands’ cousin, the Gaharu Tea Valley ? It’s less misty, and you can get a clear view of the majestic mountains and verdant tea plantations.

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 5 hours 51 minutes

9. Taiping, Perak 

Taiping is constantly overshadowed by Ipoh even though it is the second largest city in Perak. Rich with colonial history and architecture, it’s the perfect destination for history buffs. They have the oldest museum ( Perak Museum ), the oldest hill resort ( Bukit Larut ), the oldest zoo in Malaysia ( Taiping Zoo ) and markets that date back hundreds of years ago.

Another of their most famous attractions is the Taiping Lake Gardens , which is Malaysia’s first park! 

Not to mention, Taiping is only an hour away from a spectacular waterfall, the Lata Titi Dua , also known as Air Terjun Sungai Tebing Tinggi ( don’t get it confused with Lata Tebing Tinggi which is also in northern Perak ). Road trips in Malaysia

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 6 hours 52 minutes

10. Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu 

While this destination might be the furthest, it undoubtedly is the most rewarding, with unparalleled scenic views and unique island hopping opportunities. The allure of road trips in Malaysia lies in being able to see sights that can’t be found in Singapore. Drive along Federal Road 3 which traces the coastline, offering you incredible coastal views throughout the entirety of your road trip.

You’ll be spoilt for choice no matter whether you’re exploring the city or the outdoors. Enter the iconic Crystal Mosque located at the Islamic Heritage Park , which is made out of steel, glass and of course, crystals . Browse through exotic ingredients at the Central Market and learn about the Chinese community at Teck Soon Cultural House .

You can take the ferry out to various islands like Redang Island with its white sandy beaches, snorkel at the Perhentian Islands , or explore the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia, Kenyir Lake .

???? From Johor Bahru checkpoint: 7 hours

Embark on a new flight-free experience and start packing for these road trips across Malaysia!

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The Ultimate Road Trip Guide Travel from Singapore to Malaysia

• Travel Tips

Table of Contents

Covid restrictions have been relaxed, borders have been reopened, and international travelling has been made possible yet again.

For two years, the border between Malaysia and Singapore has been closed due to the rising cases of Covid-19, but as of 1st of April 2022, Malaysians can now travel to Singapore and Singaporeans too are now free to cross the bridge and visit Malaysia—be it to visit your close relatives and say hi to your friends, or even for leisure!

So, what exactly do you need to know before packing your bags and setting off on your trip from Singapore to Malaysia?

Flights might only take you less than an hour to reach Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from Changi Airport, but of course, the price per passenger might not be to your liking. So, how do you get there without leaving a huge hole in your wallet?

Continue scrolling through and discover the cheapest ways to travel to Malaysia , the essentials that you must have before you start your journey, and some of the best places to visit during your trip other than the one and only Petronas Twin Towers.

Preparations for the Trip

Valid passport.

Of course, first things first—make sure your passport is not expired! Keep in mind that your passport must be valid for more than six months in order to enter Malaysia.

You might not notice that your passport is nearing the expiry date especially when you have not been travelling abroad for quite some time, so it’s best to check the date and renew it if needed!

Vaccination

Make sure you’re fully vaccinated before travelling to Malaysia. While fully vaccinated visitors are no longer required to self-quarantine upon reaching Malaysia.

Mysejahtera App

At this point of time, you are still required to install the Mysejahtera app on your mobile. Some places still need to are still required to check the risk status of visitors through the app.  You need to upload your vaccination certificate to your Mysejahtera App so that your vaccination status will show “Fully Vaccinated”.

The app is available on both Apple and Android app stores, so be sure to download it to your smartphones beforehand.

Touch n’ Go Card (TNG)

For those who choose to drive to Malaysia, it is a must for you to keep a Touch n’ Go card with you at all times.

You’ll have to go through several highway tolls and all of them only accept cashless payments, so be sure to have sufficient balance topped up in the TNG card.

Other than being used for tolls, the TNG card can also be used for the MRT, LRT, Monorails, KTM, bus rides as well as parking fees.  

source: Ez-link

To ease your trip, you can go ahead and purchase the new EZ-Link x Touch n’ Go Motoring card , a dual-currency smart card which can be used in both Singapore and Malaysia.

You can easily get it from selected 7-11 outlets throughout Singapore as well as EZ-Link official Shopee store.

T op-ups can be made in various shops and petrol stations scattered throughout Malaysia too, but it is highly recommended that you download the Touch n’ Go e-wallet app in your smartphones.

source: Touch’N Go

Through this app, you can make payments at various stores that accept e-wallet payments and if you’ve purchased Enhanced Touch n’ Go card, you can even top-up your balance online!

Cheapest Way to Travel from Singapore to Malaysia

Now that you have all those essentials listed above settled, it’s time to decide which transportation method you prefer to travel to Malaysia.

Other than flying, there are three other options to choose from. While taking flights could indeed save a lot of your travelling time, these three options listed below can definitely save your bank accounts.

Travel by Bus - Suitable for those travelling with friends

The cheapest option to Malaysia is by none other than bus rides. However, this option is not recommended for those who are travelling with infants and elderly as it requires a lot of walking around and sometimes, long queues.

It is also not advisable to pack your things in a bulky and huge luggage, so backpacks are the best choices here.

First and foremost, you must reach Woodlands Train Checkpoint before you could even get on any of the Cross Border Shuttles. To do so, you can start your journey at Woodland MRT. 

Once you’ve arrived, try to look for sign boards that can lead you to the Woodlands Bus Interchange. Once you’ve gone down the staircase, you’ll straight away notice several buses waiting for you. But which one do you need to take?

You can either take Bus 856 (Berth 11) which only has six stops before you could reach the checkpoint or Bus 903 (Berth 4) and get off after ten stops.

You can also opt for Bus 903, 911T, 912, and 912 B , however, getting to the checkpoint via these buses is rather confusing. So, be sure to ask the bus driver first before you set your bags!

You may refer to this article for more in depth guide on taking the bus to the checkpoint.

You can, of course, walk to the checkpoint although you might be drenched in sweat upon your arrival. If you’re not in the mood to wait for the buses, feel free to take the taxi or Grab.

source: Google Maps

Now that you’ve arrived at Woodlands Train Checkpoint after a good 10-15 minute bus ride, go ahead and make your way to the Woodland CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex).

Once you’ve gotten through the Singapore immigration checkpoint, all you have to do is head down the escalator and take the Cross Border Shuttle Bus which will take you straight to Johor CIQ.

With less than $2, you can either choose to embark on the SBS Transit Bus (160, 170, 170X, and SMRT 950) or take the Causeway Link buses if you’re a Causeway Link ticket holder.

Upon reaching JB CIQ, proceed through the immigration process and before you know it, you’re free to roam around and take an exciting trip around Johor Bahru !

To ease your travels, feel free to rent a car—we recommend booking one from Easybook .

Travel by Train - Suitable for everyone including those with small children and elderly people.

If you feel taking bus too hassle or not in the mood for driving, and prefer to sit back and relax, then you can opt to travel to Malaysia via train rides—plus, the price for the train tickets never change, so don’t worry about any extra surcharges imposed especially during peak seasons.

To begin your trip, simply make your way to the Woodlands station. After going through the customs clearance, those who had purchased the train tickets online can straight away board the train while those who have yet to buy the tickets can do so at their official ticket counters for only $5.

Once you have the tickets in your hands, get on the train and enjoy the 5-minute journey from Singapore to Johor Bahru.

However, the train can only take you to JB Sentral, so you might have to figure out your own transportations should you wish to travel to the other parts of Malaysia. You can always rent a car or make use of the KTM train which connects many cities and towns in Malaysia.

Take the train from JB Sentral up until Gemas which is where you can find two KTM lines that lead you to different parts of Malaysia: The main KTM railway line goes all the way up to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang while the Jungle Railway goes to the eastern parts of Malaysia such as Kelantan.

Travel by Car - Suitable for those travelling with infants and elderly

If you’re planning on driving to Malaysia, you first need to ensure that your vehicle insurance policy covers your time in Malaysia. Then, you’ll have to register for the mandatory Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) if you haven’t done so already.

For first timers, you can register your vehicle details online here .

Once you’ve received a confirmation email, you’ll be contacted via another email to confirm your address as the VEP RFID tag will be posted straight to your doorstep. Now that you’ve gotten the tag, you’re free to start your journey to Malaysia!

*The tag installed also comes with an e-wallet which you can use to pay at the tolls around Malaysia.

While parking spaces in shopping malls can be paid with TNG and debit cards, there are also others that require parking coupons.

You can purchase parking coupons from various stores located nearby the parking spaces (most of the time, they’ll put up a sign if they’re selling any) or if you prefer to avoid any unnecessary hassles, go ahead and download the parking apps in your phone.

However, the apps might differ according to the states that you’re in, so be sure to use the right one.

Also, if by any chance, you are involved in an accident on the road, remain calm and dial up any of these emergency numbers according to your needs:

Police and ambulance services: 999

Fire and rescue department: 994

Accidents: 991

Tourist police hotline: 03-2149 6590

There are two different highways to choose from to explore Malaysia: The North South Highway (NSH) and the Eastern Coastal Route.

The latter is great for those who’d like to go on a road trip filled with some of the great views of the South China Sea while the NSH is often used by travellers who are planning on visiting the city of Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Ipoh, and Penang.

Road Trip To The Most Popular Destinations In Malaysia

Johor Bahru

If you’re travelling to Malaysia by land, the first state that you’ll reach is none other than Johor—so why not spend some time exploring its city, Johor Bahru while you’re there?

Also known as Malaysia’s southern jewel, Johor Bahru or JB is a popular tourist destination that could cater to almost everyone—be it those travelling with a group of friends or those visiting with family members and small children.

Need some good laughs with your kids? Get a ticket to LEGOLAND Malaysia and spend a few hours having fun at their seven different themed areas.

Go on exciting rides, be prepared to get drenched on their water slides, and say hi to some of the marine animals at the SEA LIFE Aquarium.

Avid food hunters on the other hand, surely won’t be disappointed as Johor Bahru also has an abundance of unique cafes and restaurants serving different kinds of menu while shopaholics out there could swipe their cards at Johor Premium Outlets.

source: Desaru Coast

If you have more time, don’t forget to visit Desaru too! Overlooking the South China Sea, this exact destination in Johor is great for those who plan on having a great time with their families and big group of friends.

Get a ticket to Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, a unique waterpark famous for its backdrop of traditional kampung and at least 13 thrilling rides and slides to keep you entertained all day long.

What’s even better is that it is only a matter of time until the opening of a brand new jetty that directly connects Singapore and Desaru, so no more time consuming travelling time!

Whether you’re a history buff or simply someone who loves sightseeing, then Melaka should definitely get included in your “must-visit” list. Filled with dozens of historical buildings, you can get a chance to learn a thing or two about Malaysia’s history and Melaka’s origin.  

The best way to explore this colonial town is of course, by foot as many of its attractions are located pretty near to each other.

Start your tour by visiting a couple of museums, take a closer look at the A Famosa fort along with the 16th century Church of Saint Paul on top of the breezy hill overlooking the town, try out some pandan pancakes with sweet gula melaka at a few of the Instagrammable cafes, and witness the lively nightlife at Jonker Street

Unique temples, themed water parks, historic castles, heritage museums, cave explorations, and countless local cuisines —these are the things that could describe the wonders of Ipoh. 

Although this gem in the north is located at least a six hour drive from Johor Bahru, Ipoh surely is worth a visit at least once in your entire lifetime!

Home to the Lost World of Tambun, you, your friends, and family can get a chance to have a blast splashing water and go on thrilling water slides.

What’s best about the theme park is that it is well surrounded by hills and mother nature—which makes you feel as if you’re really in the middle of a long lost world deep in the jungle!

source: Wikipedia

For those who prefer something more challenging, head to Gua Tempurung and explore the old cave. Be prepared to crawl through narrow openings, slide down the steep and slippery surfaces, and encounter some exotic insects calling the cave their home.

History lovers could pay Kelly’s Castle a visit while foodies could spend hours jumping from one eatery to another trying out mouth-watering egg tarts, dim sums, curry mee, tau fu fah, salted chicken, and many more.

Concubine Lane is definitely a must visit and if you can’t decide which of those famous food in Ipoh that you should not miss, here are some of our suggestions.

Nicknamed the Pearl of the Orient and Malaysia’s food paradise , Penang should get included in your itinerary especially if you have an undying love for delicious food and cuisines.

From nasi kandar to pasembur, rojak, cendol, and roti canai served with a generous amount of gravy, a sunny side up, and a juicy chicken thigh—you can have them all.

It is not difficult to find restaurants and stalls selling all those delicacies above, but there are also some that you should not miss: Penang Road Teochew Cendol, the town’s most famous cendol stall that has been operating since the ‘30s as well as Hameed Pata Mee Sotong in Esplanade Park Food Court.

source: Ghost Museum Facebook

While Penang is best known for its eclectic mix of food and culinary scene, this precious town is also the home to an array of interesting museums, parks, and sightseeing spots.

One of the most peculiar museums that you find in Penang includes the Ghost Museum which showcases eerie and horrifying depictions of ghosts and spirits originating from both Malaysia and Indonesia.

As for those who crave for amazing sunset views, don’t forget to stop by Batu Ferringhi!

Cameron and Genting Highlands

None can ever say no to spending some quality time on top of a breezy hill, sipping a hot cup of strawberry tea and munching on some tasty pastry while overlooking an entire tea plantation.

Cameron Highlands can offer you just that! Founded in the 19th century, Cameron Highlands is now filled with a great number of points of interest that could keep you entertained.

Other than sitting around in cafes, you can visit one of its many strawberry farms, get a taste of the unique nasi lemak strawberry, take a closer look at a colourful rose farm, tour around the villages of orang asli , and climb up Mount Brinchang if you’re feeling adventurous.

Of course, if you’ve visited Cameron Highlands, you must also spend some time in Genting Highlands.

In contrast to Cameron highlands which is a spot surrounded by beautiful mother nature, Genting Highlands focuses more on theme parks and thrilling fun! The main highlight is of course, the recently opened Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park.

Tioman and Perhentian Islands

In the mood for a spectacular view of the beach combined with the crystal clear sea water? If so, then pack your bags and make your way to either Tioman or Perhentian Islands.

Tioman Islands is located in Pahang while Perhentian can be found in Terengganu, however, both can offer you a pleasant vacation experience.

You can spend the entire day lying on the soft sand beaches and go snorkelling to see all the unique and colourful marine life in their natural habitat.

For those staying in Johor, you can take a ferry from Mersing to reach Tioman Island. As for the Perhentian Islands, since it is located on the eastern coast of Malaysia, you’ll first have to go through several hours of journey to Kuala Besut jetty and take the speedboat to the islands.

You’ll know that you’re nearing the pristine islands when the deep dark ocean water turns clear to the point where you can easily spot the corals and small marine animals swimming around—if you’re lucky, you might even take a glimpse of stingrays dashing through underwater!

Kuala Lumpur

Last but not least, what’s a trip to Malaysia without setting foot on its capital city, Kuala Lumpur?

If splurging your paychecks at high-end stores, sipping coffees at Instagrammable cafes , eating at some of the best fine dining restaurants, and visiting the Petronas Twin Towers are your definition of a perfect trip, then the busy city of Kuala Lumpur is the right destination for you.  

Do keep in mind, however, that the city is also known for its traffic jams especially during peak hours, but don’t worry too much as KL has a wide option of public transport—you can take the MRT, LRT, and Monorail lines to reach all sorts of main attractions such as the Central Market which is popular for Malaysian arts and crafts. 

Pavilion, the top shopping complex filled with an array of branded stores, the KL Tower which can offer you a great view of the entire city, and many more.

Getting to Malaysia from Singapore is indeed hassle-free. All you need to do is plan your itinerary beforehand and choose which one of the transportation options that you prefer. 

Once the first few steps are done, what’s left is for you to pack your backpacks and get ready for a fun road trip with friends and family!

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Discover Malaysia: An Unforgettable 7-Day Itinerary to Explore the Heart of Southeast Asia

Malaysia is a vibrant country where the modern meets the ancient, creating a beautiful harmony of culture, adventure, and history. From bustling cities to serene islands, a week in this Southeast Asian gem will leave you with lasting memories. Here’s your ultimate 7-day itinerary for exploring Malaysia.

Day 1: Arrival in Kuala Lumpur

Your journey begins in the bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur. As soon as you land, you will feel the energetic heartbeat of Malaysia. Start your day with a visit to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers , the tallest twin towers in the world. Don’t miss the sky bridge and observation deck for a breathtaking view of the city.

Next, head to Batu Caves , a limestone hill with a series of caves and cave temples. The highlight is the massive golden statue of Lord Murugan and the 272 colorful steps leading up to the temple cave.

In the evening, explore Jalan Alor , a famous food street in Kuala Lumpur. Indulge in Malaysia’s culinary delights, from spicy satay to delicious noodle dishes. This vibrant street comes alive at night with dozens of food stalls and restaurants.

Day 2: Historic Malacca

Take a day trip to Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage site just a couple of hours from Kuala Lumpur. Start your exploration at the A Famosa Fortress , one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Southeast Asia.

Visit the Stadthuys , an old Dutch building now serving as a history museum. Dive deeper into the local culture at the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum , which offers a glimpse into the Peranakan way of life.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Malacca River and explore Jonker Street, known for its antique shops and the lively night market. End your day with a Peranakan dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Day 3: Cameron Highlands Adventure

On your third day, escape the city heat and journey to the cool climate of the Cameron Highlands. Start your day with a tour of the Cameron Valley Tea Plantations . Learn about tea processing and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while overlooking the lush, green tea fields.

Explore the vibrant Kea Farm Market , where you can buy fresh local produce, flowers, and souvenirs. Don’t miss the nearby Butterfly Garden , home to an array of colorful butterflies and insects.

End your day with a visit to the Strawberry Farms , where you can pick your own strawberries during the harvest season.

Day 4: Penang – The Pearl of the Orient

On your fourth day, fly to Penang, known as the “Pearl of the Orient.” Start your day in George Town , a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with colonial architecture, vibrant street art, and eclectic cafes.

Visit the Penang Peranakan Mansion to gain insight into the opulent lifestyle of the Peranakans. Then, explore the colorful and aromatic Little India and take in the sights and sounds of this bustling quarter.

Don’t miss a walk along the picturesque Clan Jetties , traditional Chinese waterfront settlements. In the evening, head to Gurney Drive for a culinary adventure. This famous seafront promenade offers a taste of Penang’s best street food, from mouth-watering char kway teow to luscious Penang laksa.

Day 5: Langkawi Island Relaxation

Day five takes you to Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands. Start your day with a visit to the Langkawi Sky Bridge , accessible by the Langkawi Cable Car. The views from the bridge over pristine jungles and turquoise waters are truly spectacular.

Spend your afternoon at the Pantai Cenang , the most popular beach in Langkawi, known for its white sands and crystal-clear waters. Engage in water sports, or simply relax and soak up the sun.

Highly recommended is a sunset dinner cruise, where you can enjoy the breathtaking sunset while dining on a luxurious boat. Langkawi is also known for its duty-free shopping, so take some time to shop for souvenirs.

Day 6: Langkawi Exploration

Continue your Langkawi adventure by visiting the Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise , home to over 150 species of birds and other animals. This hands-on park allows for feeding sessions, giving you a unique wildlife encounter.

Following this, explore the mystical ancient Langkawi Mangrove Forest . Take a boat tour through the mangroves to observe natural habitats and wildlife, including eagles and otters.

For a touch of history, head to Mahsuri’s Tomb , steeped in local legend. The serene surroundings and museum offer a window into Langkawi’s past.

Conclude your day with a visit to the Underwater World Langkawi , one of the largest marine and freshwater aquariums in Southeast Asia. Don’t miss the penguinarium and the giant walk-through tunnel that showcases a diverse range of marine life.

Day 7: Return to Kuala Lumpur and Departure

Your final day in Malaysia brings you back to Kuala Lumpur. Spend your remaining hours exploring any sights you might have missed on your first day. Consider visiting the bustling Central Market for last-minute souvenirs and local crafts.

Another option is the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia , which showcases an outstanding collection of Islamic artifacts and artworks from across the world.

If time allows, indulge in a luxurious high tea at one of Kuala Lumpur’s renowned hotels, reflecting on your incredible week-long journey through Malaysia. Finally, head to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for your departure, taking with you unforgettable memories and experiences.

From the vibrant streets of Kuala Lumpur to the serene beaches of Langkawi, Malaysia offers an unforgettable travel experience that enthralls every type of traveler. This 7-day itinerary ensures you witness the best of what this incredible country has to offer—from historical landmarks and cultural festivals to culinary delights and natural wonders.

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