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60 Essential Things to Know Before Going to Malaysia
If you’re looking for all the important things to know before going to Malaysia, you’re in the right place!
I lived in Malaysia with my family for almost 18 months. During that time, we spent a lot of time exploring the country and learning about the culture.
Based on our experience and exhaustive personal research, here are the essential things to know before going to Malaysia. It was truly a labor of love (emphasis on the love) to compile.
There is so much to do, see, eat, and enjoy in Malaysia. Even if you’re visiting for a short getaway. It is certainly one of our favorite places to visit so far.
I’ve broken down all the things you need to know before going to Malaysia into different categories. This will help ensure your trip is a success, regardless of how long you plan to stay.
Everything You Need to Know Before Going to Malaysia
1. Malaysia has a hot and humid tropical climate. The average year-round temperatures range from 82-89F (28-32C). It’s cooler in some parts of the country, like Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands.
2. Malaysia has two monsoon seasons. The east coast monsoon runs from March until September, and the west coast monsoon runs from October to April. Monsoon seasons generally just have rain in the afternoons, not all day long.
3. Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country located on two pieces of land.
There’s Peninsular Malaysia which is where Kuala Lumpur (aka: KL) is located and then there’s East Malaysia which consists of the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
4. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur. It’s actually its own federal government area. However, in recent years the governmental center moved its actual offices and operations to Putrajaya. It has excellent rooftop pool-view hotels!
5. The official language in Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia. However, English is also widely spoken, especially in KL and other big cities.
Mandarin and Tamil are also commonly spoken languages, due to a large number of Chinese and Indian immigrants respectively.
6. Visitors from some countries need visas to visit. Check the requirements for your country here. Other countries’ visitors, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
If you overstay your welcome in Malaysia you’ll be subject to fines, jail time, and/or being banned from returning. So keep track of your time!
7. Internet and wifi are both affordable and high quality. We only had internet problems once, during a thunderstorm power outage. You can get sim cards with unlimited data for less than $10 USD/month. Cellular data works great!
8. Credit cards and cash apps (like Grab pay) are widely accepted in cities. We rarely needed to visit an ATM. However, cash is still king in the countryside. Cash is also the only way to pay for fares on public transit in KL.
9. There are NO ATM fees anywhere in the country! Well, besides the fees your bank may charge.
But the actual ATMs in Malaysia don’t charge extra fees just to use them. It’s one of our favorite random things about visiting there!
10. The Malaysian currency is the Ringgit. Usually, the exchange rate is approximately 4RM to $1 USD. But it can range anywhere from 3.75RM to 4.25RM to $1 USD.
The current exchange rate is one of the essential things to know before going to Malaysia.
11. In Malaysia the power sockets are type G. This is the same kind as in the UK. The standard voltage is 220v and the frequency is 50Hz.
We travel with a couple of these universal outlet adaptors so we can use any outlet anywhere.
12. The emergency phone number is 999. It can be called from any Malaysian phone number. This emergency line serves the same general function as 911 in the US.
It will route fire, police, or medical services to your location as needed.
13. You might need vaccinations to visit. The requirements depend on your country of origin. For example, if you’re coming from the US, you probably won’t need any vaccinations.
But if you’re coming from Africa or South America, you might need a yellow fever vaccination. Check the requirements for your country here.
14. Malaysia is fairly safe. In 2022, it ranked between the UK and Italy. I have never felt unsafe while traveling in Malaysia.
Even when out and about by myself, out with a girlfriend, or out with Little Man on my own everything felt normal.
Things to Know About Transportation Before Going to Malaysia
15. In Malaysia, you have to drive on the left. Cars are made in the British style, with drivers placed on the right side of the car. They are not built in the US style, with the driver’s side on the left.
Note: Pay close attention to road signage!
16. Public transportation in and between cities is very good. There is a bus and a t system in KL. The trains are electric and run on a set schedule.
The stations are clean and generally easy to access. I used them often when we lived in KL, with and without my kid in tow.
17. There are also air-conditioned intercity buses with wifi that are very reasonably priced. They run on a set schedule and are perfectly safe.
They’re also the only way you can get from KL to Penang for less than $10 USD per person.
👉 For booking travel in Asia, we like to use 12go.asia!
18. Skip taxis. In almost 18 months in Southeast Asia, we never took a cab. Download and use the Grab app. It’s a rideshare app available all over Southeast Asia.
You can also get restaurant or grocery delivery through the app as well.
19. Roads are generally pretty good. Highways often have rest areas for refueling both vehicles and stomachs. There are also plenty of toilets in the rest areas.
These restaurants are cash only, so have cash on hand if you plan to drive outside a city.
20. Unlike a lot of Southeast Asia, there are no tuk-tuks anywhere in Malaysia. The closest thing is the rickshaws in Melaka.
These bizarre three-wheel bike carts are decored with brightly colored LEDs and often play loud music. They’re purely for tourism, not transportation though. We still loved riding them!
21. Travel to Malaysia, and within it, is pretty easy thanks to AirAsia. This Malaysian budget airline has its hub in KL. You can fly between Malaysian cities, or as far as Japan or Australia, for really affordable prices.
Domestic flights can be as low as $10-$15 USD per person excluding luggage or other extras.
22. You don’t need a guide or a guided tour to visit Malaysia. It’s easy to get around on your own during your trip.
If you want to hire a private driver to get you between cities on the mainland, that’s also an easy and fairly affordable option.
Things to Know About Food Before Going to Malaysia
23. Don’t drink tap water in Malaysia. You need to boil or filter it before you drink it. It’s perfectly safe for showering and brushing your teeth, though. We did it daily without issues when we lived there.
Fun Fact: I even drank it unfiltered a couple of times and didn’t die. I don’t recommend you do this, though!
24. Thanks to the diversity of its people, the cuisine variety in Malaysia is exquisite! You can find authentic Chinese and Indian food as well as western favorites, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.
If you can think of it, there’s probably a restaurant for it in Malaysia.
25. Alcohol is expensive. There are a lot of taxes on it, including locally made beer. In part because of the Islamic influence, sinful extravagances all tend to have a lot of taxes on them in Malaysia.
26. Food is cheap! Especially local, Malaysian food. But also fast food like McDonald’s.
It may not be as cheap as other countries in SE Asia, like Myanmar, but food there is much cheaper than anywhere we visited in Mexico or Central America!
27. It’s usual for a restaurant not to allow alcoholic drinks inside! Instead, they typically serve tea and coffee as staple drinks. Soft drinks, iced tea, and lemonade are also all frequently available.
28. Try white coffee from Ipoh. It’s made by roasting beans with margarine before brewing them. And it has a very unique taste.
Tea Tarik is also really good. Even Little Man loved it and occasionally ordered it at restaurants. It’s good hot or iced.
29. Malaysian food is amazing! Try Nasi Lemak (watch out, it’s spicy!), Kaya spread, and a dessert called Cendol.
It’s the only time I’ve seen corn and green beans served together in a slightly sweet dessert form. Try all the local food you can!
30. Pork and other non-halal items are sold in a separate part of the grocery store. There are even separate shopping baskets and checkout counters in the non-halal section.
Once you pay for it, the non-halal food must go in your bag not back into the shopping cart.
31. If you want fancy foreign foods, like Kraft Mac n Cheese in the blue box or Dr. Pepper, shop at B.I.G.
This Malaysian grocery chain has most of the foreign foods you’ll crave most of the time. Don’t buy staples here though because it’s pricey.
Pro Tip: B.I.G. and Marks & Spencer are the only places to find American holiday items like Halloween candy or plastic Easter eggs.
32. Hawker food centers are the best place to try local street food. They are almost always cash only. When you go here, you’ll find some of the best nasi lemak.
Ask any local for the best nearby hawker center and you won’t be steered wrong.
33. Upscale and mid-range restaurants often have service charges, even for groups of two to three people.
We had it happen when we ate at a few restaurants but generally not at local haunts. It also doesn’t generally happen at fast food places.
34. Sometimes restaurants also include VAT taxes. But not always. We never did figure out why some do and some don’t do it.
Just check your bill before you pay for unrecognized charges and ask the waiter. They’re happy to clarify the confusion.
35. Tipping isn’t common or expected like it is in the US and Mexico. It’s uncommon in most of Asia. If you leave money on the table, your server may follow you to return it.
Things to Know About People Before Going to Malaysia
36. Malay and Malaysian are different concepts. Malay is one of the local ethnicities and Malaysian refers to anyone from Malaysia.
So, a Malay person is Malaysian but a Malaysian person is not necessarily also Malay.
37. Malaysia is a very diverse, multi-cultural society. Malays make up the majority of the population at around 60%.
Chinese Malaysians are the next largest group at around 25% followed by Indian Malaysians at around 7%.
There are also smaller groups of indigenous tribes and a fairly sizeable expat population that make up the other 7-8%.
38. One of the most important things to know before going to Malaysia is that Malaysians are incredibly warm and welcoming people.
They love kids and are very family-oriented. We made friends quickly and felt welcomed everywhere we went.
39. Malaysians love holidays. They celebrate not just Muslim holidays like Eid and Hari Raya but also Diwali, Christmas, and Chinese New Year.
We saw some of the largest Christmas displays ever, including in the US, at several malls in Malaysia.
40. It’s an Islamic country and generally follows Islamic law, although officially it’s secular.
The influence can be seen in the federal holiday schedule, school schedule, clothing trends, and even numerous pork-free restaurant menus.
41. Malaysians typically dress quite conservatively. Many women wear hijabs. You’ll rarely see bikinis at waterparks, and tank tops are also very rare.
You must cover your knees and shoulders when visiting any religious sites.
42. PDAs are strongly frowned upon. Even hugging or light kissing among men and women. I rarely saw people holding hands.
Also, homosexuality is technically still illegal so same-sex couples visiting should never demonstrate any public affection.
43. Respect nature and its spirits. Malaysians are very superstitious. The animist beliefs that predate Islam’s arrival on the Malay Peninsula have fostered a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural.
Interesting Examples: It’s common to “ask for permission” before urinating in the jungle. You should also never bring anything back from a visit to the jungle for fear of bringing a curse into your own home.
There’s also a day in October when most Malays won’t travel or go far from home out of concern that something will go wrong because the spirits are on the loose.
44. Despite English being common almost everywhere, some basic Malay phrases are things to know before going to Malaysia. It always helps!
If you learn nothing else from this phrase list, learn “thank you.” That simple phrase will always get a smile.
Basic Malay Phrases
✔️ Good/ Morning – Selamat Pagi (s’la-mat pag-ee)
✔️ Good /Afternoon – Selamat Tengah hari (s’la-mat teen-gah har-ee)
✔️ Good/ Afternoon/Evening – Selemat Petang (s’la-mat puh-tong)
✔️ Good /Night – Selemat Malam (s’la-mat mah-lahm)
✔️ Goodbye – Selamat jalan (s’la-mat zha-lan)
✔️ Thank you – Terima kasih (te-ree-mah ka-seh)
✔️ Please – Tolong (toh-long)
✔️ Yes / No – Ya (yah) / Tidak (tee-dak)
✔️ You’re welcome – Sama-sama (saa-ma saa-ma)
✔️ I don’t understand – Saya Tak Faham (saa-yah tak faa-haam)
✔️ Where is the bathroom? – Di mana tandas (dee ma-na tan-das)
✔️ How much? – Berapa (be-raa-paa)
✔️ Expensive – Mahal (maa-hal)
✔️ 1 – Satu (saa-too)
✔️ 2 – Dua (doo-aa)
✔️ 3 – Tiga (tee-gaa)
✔️ Beautiful – Cantik (chan-tek)
Tourism Travel Tips to Know Before Going to Malaysia
45. Malaysia has some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia. From Penang and Langkawi in the west to Tioman Island and the Perhentian Islands to the east, it’s got a lot to enjoy.
We really enjoyed Christmas 2020 on Sibu Pulau (aka: Sibu Island), near Singapore. It’s home to one of the best family resorts in Malaysia!
46. It’s a very budget-friendly travel destination. From hotels well under $100 USD per night to meals well under $20 for a family of four, you can do a lot on a reasonable budget in Malaysia.
47. Vacation rentals are a great way to save money. We found some lovely ones in KL as well as next to Legoland for under $30 USD per night.
There are also hostels around Malaysia, but as family travelers, that isn’t really our thing.
48. Plan to shop. A lot. There are malls everywhere in Malaysia. The shopping mall industry is actually in the top five industries in the country!
For good reason. Everything is at the mall from movie theaters to grocery stores.
49. Scuba diving is amazing. Like most of Southeast Asia, there are abundant and unique scuba opportunities. The best ones are off the Borneo coast, but the eastern coast of the peninsula is also pretty great.
50. Many tourist destinations don’t have ATMs, including the Perhentian islands and Taman Negara. Always swing by an ATM for cash in a city before heading out into the countryside or the islands.
51. There is a large variety of activities (city, beach, jungle, mountains, culture) in the country.
You can gamble at the largest hotel in the world in Genting Highlands, visit a high-rise rotating restaurant in KL, scuba dive off the beaches of Tioman, hike holy Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, and trek for Orangutans in Sarawak…all in one vacation if you’re adventurous!
52. Malaysia is not a party hub. You won’t find full moon parties or a massive club scene. This doesn’t mean that Malaysians don’t like to socialize.
It’s just more low-key. There are lots of pubs to enjoy a pint as well as many Korean karaoke bars.
53. Penang national park is one of the smallest national parks on earth. It’s also absolutely beautiful!
Definitely add a few days in Penang to your Malaysia itinerary if you can. The food scene there is also one of the best in the country.
54. Beware of jellyfish at the beaches. There’s usually a ‘season’ for them as well as signage. But sometimes not.
Also, if you’re in Johor Bahru, across from Singapore, don’t go swimming. There are saltwater crocodiles all over the Singapore Strait!
55. There are five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia: Georgetown (Penang), Melaka, Lenggong Valley, Gunung Mulu National Park, and Kinabalu Park.
We’ve visited several of these sites and they are all amazing!
56. Some parts of Malaysia are duty-free. This means there are no taxes, including on things like alcohol and cigarettes.
The islands of Langkawi, Labuan, Pangkor, and Tioman are all duty-free in designated areas.
57. Plan ahead for the public school holidays. Malaysians love traveling when their kids are off school and all public schools around the country are on break at the same time.
International schools are on a slightly different schedule, though.
58. No drugs! Seriously, if this is your thing don’t do it in Malaysia. Getting caught with even a tiny, token amount of marijuana can result in a death penalty conviction.
Even for tourists. It’s not worth the risk.
59. Go to Legoland. Tickets are much more affordable than in the Americas.
Plus, there’s a lot to do in the area since it’s on the outskirts of Johor Bahru and across the bridge from Singapore. It’s one of our favorite things to do in Malaysia.
60. Packing Essentials. Be sure to pack things like sunscreen, hats, insect repellent, and appropriate clothing for the beach or jungle.
Pack pants or capris rather than shorts as well as t-shirts rather than tank tops for day-to-day adventuring.
Packing Extras
In addition, despite the daytime heat, the malls are chilly. Almost frigid compared to the outdoors. Bring a sweater or light jacket to keep in your day bag. Especially for the kiddos. Ours froze every time we went to the mall.
You’ll also want to be sure to have your passport and any other required travel documents. If you’re going to be driving, an international driver’s permit is a good idea as well. Some rental agencies require them.
And don’t forget your camera. There’s so much to see and do in Malaysia, you’ll want to be sure to capture it all!
Conclusion: Things to Know Before Going to Malaysia
Malaysia is a country full of surprises. From the bustling city life of Kuala Lumpur to the pristine beaches of Borneo, there’s something for everyone in this Southeast Asian nation.
Overall, we were impressed with the high quality of medical care (we used their medical system twice) as well as how kid-friendly Malaysia is.
It wasn’t originally on our radar, and we accidentally ended up staying so much longer than we’d planned. But I’m so glad that we did.
It’s somewhere that anyone considering Southeast Asia should plan to visit.
Now that you have all the things to know before going to Malaysia, you’re sure to have an amazing time!
👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!
