Malaysia fits into one trip the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown's street food and street art, the tropical islands of Langkawi and Perhentian and the Borneo jungle with orangutans. A holiday in Malaysia is rarely boring: city, sea and nature are a few hours from each other here.
An independent trip around Malaysia is made easier by the infrastructure: taxi apps, buses and trains between cities, inexpensive domestic flights and English almost everywhere. The capital Kuala Lumpur is the main hub from which it is convenient to fly to the islands and Borneo.
Why independently
- Your own pace. City, beach, the Cameron Highlands and Borneo — put together as you like.
- Price and flexibility. Hotels and tickets without an intermediary are cheaper than a tour, and the flights between points are short.
- Food. The hawker markets of Penang and Kuala Lumpur are a separate reason for the trip.
When is it best to go
The seasons depend on the coast. The west (Langkawi, Penang) is better from December to March. The east (Perhentian, Tioman) is more comfortable from March to October, and in November–February many islands are closed because of the monsoon. Kuala Lumpur and Borneo receive visitors year-round, but rains are frequent there.
Visa and entry
The entry rules for Russians and the mandatory online arrival card have changed, so before the trip check the conditions on the official websites of Malaysia's immigration service.
Where to stay: cities and islands
- Kuala Lumpur — the Petronas Towers, shopping malls, food.
- Langkawi — beaches, a cable car, a duty-free island.
- Penang and Georgetown — UNESCO heritage, street art, gastronomy.
- Borneo: Kota Kinabalu and Kuching — Mount Kinabalu, jungle, islands off the coast.
- Perhentian and Tioman — snorkeling and diving on the east coast.
Below are hotels by city and island: compare prices, look at guest reviews and book.