Malaysia
Hawker food, ancient rainforest and islands on two coasts, a short flight from home.
- Best time to visit
- Dec–Apr west, Mar–Oct east
- Getting around
- Short flights, trains and Grab
- Currency
- Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
- Ideal length
- 7–9 days
Malaysia is three trips in one country
Most visits stop at Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. Both are good, but Malaysia's range is the real draw: the food and street art of Penang, the cool tea hills of the Cameron Highlands, the old port of Malacca and, across the sea in Borneo, orangutans, Mount Kinabalu and some of the best diving in Asia.
It's also easy for Indian travellers: visa-free for now, English widely spoken and vegetarian food everywhere. The one thing to plan around is the monsoon, which reaches the two coasts at different times of year.
The country, area by area
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The Petronas Towers, Batu Caves and hawker food in KL (two or three nights is plenty). Malacca is a UNESCO port town of Portuguese, Dutch and Peranakan history two hours away, and the Cameron Highlands bring tea estates and cool air.
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George Town's street art, shophouses and the best street food in Malaysia, with Langkawi's cable car, mangrove trips and beaches an hour's flight away.
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Clear water, turtles and coral on the east coast, best from March to October. Tioman is a marine reserve with excellent diving and snorkelling.
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Sabah has orangutans at Sepilok, Mount Kinabalu and world-class diving off Semporna; Sarawak has rainforest longhouses, Mount Santubong near Kuching and wildlife like proboscis monkeys and hornbills.
Things worth actually doing
Tap the ones you would like on your trip.
Good to know before you go
Visa-free for now
Indian passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 30 days under the current exemption. Fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before landing.
Two monsoons
The east-coast islands mostly close from November to February, when Langkawi and Penang are at their best.
Indian food everywhere
Banana-leaf rice, dosa and vegetarian restaurants in KL's Brickfields and Penang's Little India.
Dress for mosques
Robes are lent free at the big mosques. Shoes off, shoulders and knees covered.
Read before you go
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Read
Destination guides
Langkawi Travel Guide: Itinerary, Stays and Things to Do
Dreaming of the Langkawi archipelago in Malaysia? Discover the best time to visit, where to stay, what to eat, and a day-wise Langkawi trip itinerary to help you plan the perfect Malaysia trip, with hidden beaches…
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Destination guides
Malaysia in 7 Days: Itinerary, Visa and Budget for Indians
Three cultures. One country. Zero visa hassle. Malaysia is Southeast Asia's most Indian-friendly destination — Little India in every city, vegetarian food everywhere & rupee going further than anywhere in Asia!
Read the story
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Read
Destination guides
Things to Do in Malaysia: Cities, Culture and Rainforests
Malaysia blends buzzing cities, lush rainforests, and dreamy beaches—plus the food is out of this world! From KL’s towers to Borneo’s rainforests, there’s something for every traveler.
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