Magical  Malaysia holidays & tours

The flight time from London to Kuala Lumpur is approximately 13 hours. Although Malaysia does have several other international airports, including Penang, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu, the majority of flights from the UK will travel direct to Kuala Lumpur before connecting onwards from the capital. 

UK nationals do not need a visa to travel to Malaysia for tourism for visits of up to 90 days. You must submit an arrival card before you travel, and your passport expiry date must be at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page. 

You’ll find 878 islands off the coast of Malaysia, so sunseekers have plenty of beaches to choose from. But for the best islands and beaches in Malaysia, head to the country’s less developed east coast. The Perhentian Islands are a little slice of tropical paradise, with white sand, glass-clear water and some fantastic snorkelling. Pulau Besar is slightly bigger than Pulau Kecil but both are idyllic. Or Redang Island is part of the protected Terengganu Marine Park, for another tropical escape. As well as its own white sand beaches and coral reefs, the island is known for its green turtle population, along with the wildlife in the forests. Tioman Island isn’t one of the easiest to reach, but still has plenty to tempt. The island’s Juara Beach attracts surfers from around the world, plus there is some fantastic diving and snorkelling, and plenty of stretches of golden sand to relax on. On the west coast, Langkawi is more developed than the east coast islands, but with some beautiful white beaches dotted amid the mangrove forests. Or you’ll find plenty of secluded stretches of sand in Borneo, many on islands just off the coast. Lankayan Island, two hours from Sandakan is well worth the journey for its fabulous beaches (although there’s limited accommodation), while Selingan Island is equally tempting, although limited rooms means you’re normally restricted to an overnight stay.

The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian ringgit. There are 100 sen in a ringgit, with coins to the value of 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen. Notes come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 ringgit. The 1 sen coin is being slowly phased out and you’re unlikely to see the smaller coins, as their value is so small. Credit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, with Visa and MasterCard the most widely used. Smaller shops and street vendors will often only accept cash, with cards less widely used outside the cities, so it’s worth having some ringgit to spend during your Malaysia holidays. ATMs are also easy to find in cities. It’s worth knowing that Malaysian banks use a 6-digit PIN as standard, so while many will accept a standard UK 4-digit PIN, you may need to add a 00 before or after your usual number in order to withdraw cash. 

Choosing the best time to visit Malaysia depends on where you’re planning to visit on your Malaysia holidays, as the climate and rainy conditions vary from location to location. As Malaysia sits close to the equator, it tends to be hot and humid year-round, with a chance of rain in most seasons but if you’re visiting the east coast of the mainland peninsula, April to October is the best time to choose as the Northeast monsoon runs from November to March. If you’re visiting the west coast, December to March gets the best weather, with the Southwest Monsoon usually starting in late May until September. If your Malaysia tour visits Borneo, the best time to visit Sabah and Sarawak is from May to September when the weather is driest, although the shoulder season of April and October can be quieter and not too much wetter. 

Some of Malaysia’s best cultural and historic attractions are found in the UNESCO-listed cities of George Town, on Penang, and in Malacca (also known as Melaka). In George Town, don’t miss Cheong Fatt Tze (better known as the Blue Mansion), the Pinang Peranakan Mansion and the town’s vibrant streets and temples. Or visit the Portuguese A’Famosa Fortress in Malacca, along with St Paul’s Church, the oldest church in South East Asia. There are also cultural and historic sites to visit in Kuala Lumpur, including Masjid Jamek, one of the city’s oldest mosques. And the Hindu temple and shrine at the Batu Caves are a short drive from the capital, home to a 141ft golden statue and colourful temple buildings. 

There are some fantastic opportunities to get outdoors in Malaysia, including hikes in the country’s rainforest and nature reserves. If you’re visiting Penang, the island is home to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Penang Hill, with plenty of trails for all levels. Or the virgin rainforest at Tama Negara, around three hours from Kuala Lumpur, is one of the oldest in the world with some easy trails around the river and waterfalls. There’s more great walking in the Cameron Highlands, with its tea plantations and more than 700 different plants found in the hills. And in Borneo, you can wander through protected reserves which are home to orangutans and shyer nocturnal primates, as well as spotting monkeys and pygmy elephants in the trees around the Kinabatangan River. Or there’s rafting on the rivers, especially around Ipoh in peninsula Malaysia, with white-water conditions suitable for beginners plus more challenging rafting. 

If you’re travelling between peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia (Borneo), the only option is to fly, with plenty of internal routes to Sabah and Sarawak. If you’re travelling around the Malaysian Peninsula, there’s also a good train network, as well as some internal flights, including to Penang and Langkawi if you’re heading to the islands. The West Coast train line runs from the Thai border to the far south of Malaysia in Johor Bahru, while the East Coast line runs from Kota Bharu in the north down the east coast towards Gemas, east of Malacca. The planned East Coast Rail Link intends to expand the rail connections across the east coast. Buses are even more frequent and comfortable, with airline-style seats and icy air-conditioning, with connections across the country – although without the more leisurely style of the trains. You’ll also find ferries connecting the coastal ports of the peninsula with the islands. In Borneo, public transport is very limited outside cities, although some long-distance buses do run. Distances are large, so internal flights are often a significant time-saver. In the cities themselves, you can find traditional rickshaws in Malacca and Penang, but local buses and taxis are more common these days. The Grab app is one of the easiest ways to find taxis. Kuala Lumpur also has an urban rail network, including a monorail, elevated trains and overland trains. 

With a delicious melting pot of influences, including Chinese and Indian, but also Middle Eastern, Indonesian, British and more, Malaysian food is packed with flavour and spice. If you try nothing else, Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak or ‘fat rice’ is unmissable. With coconut milk used to cook the rice, it’s served with fried anchovies, a spicy sambal paste and peanuts, often with added chicken, tofu or egg. Rice is the base for many of the country’s most popular dishes, all with their own twist – nasi campur usually comes with a creamy curry, while nasi kandar originated in India with spicier versions, or the Chinese ‘economy rice’ is usually accompanied by stir-fried and vegetable options. Another Malaysian classic is roti canai, a flaky crispy fried bread served with curry sauce to dip it into, as well as rendang, a very slow-cooked stew of meat braised in coconut milk and spices that’s often served for celebrations. There’s also plenty of fish and seafood to try. Char kuay teow includes stir-fried rice noodles, prawns, bean sprouts and onion. Or look out for laksa soup noodles, especially in Penang. Laksa lemak has more Thai influences, including coconut milk, while Assam laksa is a stronger savoury fish-based version, which has a ‘love it or hate it’ reputation. You’ll find plenty of tropical fruit on offer for dessert, along with the famously strong-smelling durian.

Malaysia’s tropical climate means you’ll want lightweight clothes for the high temperatures and humidity, as well as options which keep you covered up. This is partly because the country tends to be conservative in terms of dress, but also to protect your skin against the sun, or when walking in the rainforest in Borneo. Even in the Cameron Highlands, where it tends to be slightly cooler, the humidity can make it feel warmer, so loose light layers are the best option across Malaysia. Natural fabrics which dry quickly are ideal and nothing too close-fitting. Tourists are expected to have shoulders covered and legs to at least the knee, although women aren’t expected to cover their hair except at mosques. Attitudes are more relaxed at the beach but a kaftan or sarong is always useful here too. Comfortable sandals are ideal for both cities and the beach, especially ones which are easy to remove outside temples or mosques. You’ll also need a lightweight raincoat, even if you’re travelling outside the rainiest months, as well as a waterproof day pack for Borneo, plus sturdy closed-toe shoes for walking in forests and rainforest. High-strength mosquito repellent is also essential, especially in Borneo and the Cameron Highlands, along with high SPF and a hat against the strong sun. 

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Malaysia although you may find that restaurants include a standard service charge in the bill. Otherwise, if you’re happy with service, around 10% would be the usual amount to leave. In cafes or taxis, it’s normal to round up the bill. Tour guides and drivers will appreciate a small tip (we include recommended amounts for tour managers, drivers and guides in our useful information packs, which you’ll receive after booking). Remember that porterage is included in our Malaysia tours, so there’s no need to tip for bags.