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Malaysia is a mixture of different cultures and is a vibrant and exciting place to be! From Orangutan inhabited rainforests in Borneo to cosmopolitan skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a great destination! There is no lack of beaches as the country is essentially divided into two areas Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (also known as Sabah and Sarawak, or Malaysian Borneo) by the South China Sea.
A heavy blend of Indian, Chinese and Malay influences, the mix of religions, culture and food makes Malaysia the perfect destination for a traveller looking to experience a world totally different from home!
One thing’s for sure - Kuala Lumpur knows how to make an epic first impression. Welcome to Malaysia’s capital, and one of the most futuristic cities in the world, where sky-high rooftop bars and local hawker centres await discovery. Shopping, street food crawls, historic temples and glitzy skyscrapers… Ready to keep pace with Kuala Lumpur?
Malaysia’s most iconic cultural landmark has to be the Batu Caves. Famed for its stunning limestone caves, 272 rainbow steps leading to the top, and the giant golden statue of the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan, your jaw is about to drop. This is easily one of the most beautiful temples you’ve ever seen, and a must-visit on our Malaysia trips.
Longing for a nature escape? The Cameron Highlands is calling, promising sleepy emerald valleys and pockets of woodlands. Enjoy the idyllic temperatures as you explore the tea plantations, taste the famous strawberries, or hike along the mossy forest trails. Malaysia’s very own fairytale is where you need to be.
You can’t help it - George Town is the kind of place that every traveller gets bewitched by. From vibrant urban murals to tasty street food and backstreet bar crawls, your next adventure is right around the corner inside this magical city. Even if you’re here for a day, the memories stay with you long after you’ve left.
Langkawi is pure paradise. From the moment you arrive, those sun-drenched shores backed by tropical palm trees capture your attention. Spend your days basking in the golden rays, enjoying all the budget shopping, or getting active with ocean kayaking. What better way to celebrate the evening than with a sunset cruise?
Add Malacca to your itinerary if you want to experience Malaysia’s rich local culture and one of Asia’s most bustling night markets. From lantern-lit alleyways to riverside views and colourful architecture, this gem of a city is effortlessly charming. Malacca moves to its own rhythm; step into it, and you’ll see what we mean.
As with Malaysian culture, Malaysian food is a blend of influences from Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Indian and Western palates. Each of the ethnic communities has its own specialities and street food is cheap and plentiful. Why not try a Nasi Goreng (Malaysian-style fried rice) or Rendang Daging (slow-cooked beef with lemongrass and coconut)?
Although Malaysia is a very multicultural society, it is a Muslim country and the Islamic festival of Ramadan takes place every year when Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours. During this time it may be more difficult to access the variety of food normally on offer.
Muslims also are not allowed to consume alcohol but restaurants and bars serve alcohol to the Indian, Chinese and Western communities. So getting a beer at the end of a long, hot day sightseeing will be easy.
Malaysia is hot and humid all year round, with humidity hovering at around 80% and temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 32 ºC across the country and seasons. Rainfall is the biggest variable in Malaysia's climate and ranges depending on the season and which part of the country you are in.
West Coast Peninsular: The wettest months are September to December and the driest are January and February.
East Coast Peninsular: The wettest months are September to December and the driest are June and July
Sabah and Sarawak: The Wettest months are November to February and the driest are April to July.
Due to the possibility of sudden downpours always have an umbrella or lightweight raincoat to hand! But don’t worry as outbursts are short and strong and very rarely last all day.
Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Malaysia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Malaysia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Malaysian High Commission in the UK.
To enter Malaysia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Make sure it is undamaged, with no pages missing.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Malaysia does not recognise dual nationality. You can be refused entry if you’re found with a Malaysian passport and one of a different nationality. If you have dual nationality (not including Malaysian), enter and exit on the same passport.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You can visit Malaysia without a visa for tourism. You will normally be allowed to stay for 90 days on arrival.
If you want to stay for longer than 90 days or are not a tourist, you must apply for a visa from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission before you travel.
The Malaysian authorities do not tolerate illegal immigration. Do not overstay your visa or violate the terms of entry. Even if you overstay for just a few days, you can be:
Detention facilities can be poor with limited healthcare. The British High Commission is unable to help you stay in Malaysia or issue any document to support your overstay.
Keep a copy of your passport and visa safe in case your passport is lost. It may take time to get a replacement visa. If you cannot show your original visa or entry stamp on exit, you may be treated as an overstayer.
You must submit an arrival card online to enter Malaysia. Do this before you travel – airlines may ask for it at check-in. If you are not passing through immigration, you do not need to complete an arrival card. See the Malaysian Immigration website for further information, including exemption details.
If you’re travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (sometimes known as Malaysian Borneo and made up of the states of Sabah and Sarawak), you must carry your passport. You will pass through immigration control and must get entry and exit stamps.
To enter Malaysia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Malaysia guide.
The Malaysian authorities could ask you to take a urine test on arrival if they suspect drug use. If they find drugs in your system, they could detain or deport you and ban you from returning to Malaysia. You could face these penalties even if you took the drug outside Malaysia, including in a country where it is legal.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Malaysia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
If you are not sure if it is legal to bring items, including medications, declare them on entry.
It’s illegal to import unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia. This includes spent ammunition and souvenirs from war museums. Do not take any weapons or replica weapons into Malaysia. You may be detained and charged if you do. If you’re convicted of dealing in illegal firearms, you can get a death sentence.
When you enter or exit Malaysia, you must declare cash in any currency or travellers cheques worth 10,000 US dollars or more. If you do not, customs officials could seize your money. You could get a fine of up to 3 million Malaysian ringgit and up to 5 years in prison.
Before you travel, you must get approval to take ringgit worth 10,000 US dollars or more into or out of Malaysia.
See the Royal Malaysian Customs Department website for more information.
Being a country with an eclectic mix of people and cultures, Malaysians are generally tolerant of outsiders' customs. However, it can be a generally reserved and conservative place so please keep that in mind while travelling. The majority of Malaysians are practising Muslims and you should be mindful of respecting customs and traditions regarding the religion of Islam.
Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Travellers should dress appropriately at all times, and take care to cover up their shoulders and knees, particularly when visiting mosques, temples, or other religious sites.
Women travellers especially should be mindful that Malaysian women tend to dress more conservatively than Western standards and keep that in mind while packing.
For complete and updated information regarding local laws and customs in Malaysia please refer to travel.state.gov
We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.
