Malaysia Travel Budget for 2025 – What to Expect & How Much You’ll Spend

It’s a bit more expensive than Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, but much cheaper than places like Singapore. Whether you’re traveling on a shoestring or ready to splurge, understanding the typical travel costs in Malaysia will help you plan smarter.

One travel cost that really stands out in Malaysia is alcohol — it’s heavily taxed, and a single beer can easily cost around $5.

This guide breaks down the average daily costs for three types of travelers: backpackers, conscious spenders, and big spenders. No matter your budget, this 2025 Malaysia travel budget breakdown will help you set realistic expectations. I will also cover my costs and what value I got for the money spent.

Below is a quick “at‑a‑glance” comparison table on average costs for accommodation, food, drinks, transport, activities and Internet, followed by detailed sections. You can click any link to jump straight to your travel style.

Malaysia Travel Budget Overview: Backpacker, Conscious Spender & Big Spender

Daily Averages

Category	Backpacker (RM / USD)	Conscious Spender (RM / USD)	Big Spender (RM / USD)
🏨 Accommodation	RM 20 – 80 ($4.5 – 18)	RM 50 – 200 ($12 – 47)	RM 250 – 500 ($55 – 110)
🍜 Food & Drink	RM 20 – 40 ($3 – 8)	RM 60 – 100 ($13 – 22)	RM 100 – 200 ($22 – 45)
🚍 Transport	RM 5 – 15 ($1 – 3)	RM 20 – 50 ($4 – 11)	RM 50 – 100 ($11 – 22)
🎟️ Activities	RM 10 – 30 ($2 – 7)	RM 40 – 100 ($9 – 22)	RM 100 – 200 ($22 – 45)
📶 Internet & SIM	RM 2 – 5 ($0.30 – 0.50)	RM 5 – 10 ($0.5 – 1)	RM 10 – 15 ($2 – 3)
Total / Day	RM 77 – 170 ($18 – 38)	RM 275 – 510 ($60 – 113)	RM 510 – 1 015 ($113 – 225)

Note: USD figures assume 1 USD ≈ RM 4.5 (June 2025). Adjust as needed.

Jump to Detailed Budgets

• Backpacker Budget
• Conscious Spender Budget
• Big Spender Budget

Western vs. Eastern Malaysia – Which Is Cheaper?

When planning your Malaysia travel budget, it helps to know that not all parts of the country cost the same. In general, Western Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia) is cheaper and easier to travel through than Eastern Malaysia (Borneo) — especially if you’re on a tight budget.

If you’re traveling on a tight budget, it’s often better to start in Peninsular Malaysia, where it’s easier to move around affordably. If your budget allows, add Borneo for wildlife, rainforests, and unique experiences — just plan for slightly higher daily costs, especially for tours and transport.

Western Malaysia – Budget-Friendly and Well-Connected

Places like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, and Langkawi offer plenty of affordable accommodation, cheap and tasty street food, and excellent public transport. There’s a healthy mix of budget hostels, mid-range hotels, and luxury stays. You can easily get around using buses, trains, or Grab (like Uber), which helps keep your daily costs low.

Eastern Malaysia – Pricier But More Adventurous

Over on Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak), the vibe is more adventurous — think jungle safaris, diving trips, and national parks. But this comes with higher costs. Internal flights to get there (and between towns), plus organized tours, can add up. Budget stays exist, but they’re fewer, especially near natural attractions.

West Malaysia Travel Budget – My Real Costs

During 22 days in West Malaysia, I averaged RM 310 (≈ US $74) per day, staying in private rooms throughout—mostly budget hotels and guesthouses located centrally with A/C. I paid from RM50 to RM150 at all times. That daily average includes everything: accommodation, transport with bus, restaurant food from breakfast to dinner, entrance fees, and tours. Total budget of RM 6815 (≈ US $1632).

The route

• Penang (Museums, national park, temples)
• Cameron Highlands (Half-day tour and hiking)
• Taman Negara (including an overnight jungle trek in a cave)
• Perhentian Islands (several snorkeling trips)
• Melaka (historic sites, riverside walk, local markets)
• Kuala Lumpur (Batu Caves, lots of streetfood, city sightseeing)

Budget Breakdown

Category	Total (RM)	Per Day (RM)	Per Day (USD)
🏨 Accommodation	2,500	114	~$27
🍜 Food & Drink	2,000	91	~$21
🚍 Transport (bus, van, grab)	660	30	~$7
🎟️ Activities & Tours (total)	1,450	66	~$15
— Jungle trek & overnight cave	280	13	~$3
— Snorkeling trips	200	9	~$5
— Half-day Cameron Highlands tour	70	3	~$2
— Museums & National Park fees	900	41	~$10
📶 Internet & SIM	62	2.8	~$0.60
🛡️ Insurance	198	9	~$2
Total (22 days)	6,815	310	~$74

Note: I flew from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu for RM 249 (≈ US $59), and that cost is not included in the budget above or below.

East Malaysia Travel Budget – My Real Costs

During 19 days in East Malaysia, I averaged RM 359 (≈ US $85) per day, staying in private rooms throughout. Total budget of RM 6821 (≈ US $1610). That total includes accommodation, transport with bus, restaurant food from breakfast to dinner, entrance fees, and activities. I did not fly within Borneo and went with buses instead.

Budget Breakdown

Category	Total (RM)	Per Day (RM)	Per Day (USD)
🏨 Accommodation	1,950	103	~$24
🍜 Food & Drink	1,850	97	~$23
🚍 Transport (bus, van & grab)	400	21	~$5
🎟️ Activities & Tours	2,503	132	~$31
— Scuba Diving (2 separate days)	700	–	–
— Private Boat Excursion (2 trips private negotiated with boat captain)	200	–	–
— Kinabatangan Cruises (6 safari boat cruises)	550	–	–
— Entrance Fees (Sepilok, Tomangong cave, different environmental fees)	300	–	–
📶 Internet & SIM	53	2.8	~$0.60
🛡️ Insurance	175	9	~2
Total (19 days)	6,931	364	~$86

Note: Prices based on actual spend; No internal flights were taken. Transport between cities was by bus or van only. Inside the cities Grab was used.

The route

• Kota Kinabalu
• Semporna for 2 diving days and 2 private boat excursion to remote islands to visit sea gypsies
• 4 nights in Kinabatangan River Safari, with 6 river cruises total
• Sepilok to visit the orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries
• Kundasang for hiking
• And some much-needed downtime back in Kota Kinabalu

The diving, river cruises, and private boat trip were the biggest expenses, but absolutely worth it. If you’re on a tighter budget, skipping those could bring costs closer to RM 250–280/day. Travelers wanting more comfort or guided packages should plan for RM 450/day or more.

Detailed Budgets by 3 different Travel Style

Backpacker Budget (RM 77–170 / Day ≈ $18–38)

Backpacker Budget (RM 77–170/day or $18–38) covers basics like hostels, street food, local buses, and free or low-cost attractions. It’s very possible to travel Malaysia on $18/day, especially if you stay in Peninsular Malaysia, prioritize street food, public transport, and dorms.

But having a buffer (like $22–25/day) gives more flexibility and comfort. If you want to travel in Borneo, a budget of $25–38/day is doable, but you’ll need to scale down on the activities.

🛏 Accommodation
Dorm beds: RM 20–60
Guesthouses: RM 50–100

Tip: In Borneo, avoid lodges tied to tour companies.

🍜 Food & Drink
Street food: RM 5–10 per meal
Mamak cafés: RM 10–20 per meal
Daily total: RM 15–40

Tip: Stick to local food courts for authentic meals. Look where there are many locals eating and eat there as well.

🚍 Transport
MRT/LRT: RM 1–3 per ride
Intercity bus: RM 30–60
Daily total: RM 5–15

Tip: Use local bus or shared van for short and long trips. In Sabah, take shared minivans.

🎟️ Activities
Free: Street art, beaches, hikes
Paid: Museums, National Parks, Animal Sanctuaries RM 10–30; 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara RM 280

Tip: Haggle in person always.

📶 Internet & SIM
10 GB prepaid SIM: RM 20–30/month
Daily average: RM 2–5

Tip: Buy SIMs in town, not at the airport.

Conscious Spender Budget (RM 275–510 / Day ≈ $60–113)

The Conscious Spender Budget suits travelers who want comfort without going overboard. It covers private rooms, a mix of local and restaurant meals, easy transport, and activities like guided tours or the occasional treat—perfect for relaxed yet value-conscious travel.

🛏 Accommodation
Mid-range hotels (3★–4★): RM 150–250
Airbnb/private rooms: RM 180–300

🍽 Food & Drink
Local cafés + casual Western meals: RM 20–40/meal
Upscale dinner (1×/trip): RM 100–150

🚖 Transport
Grab rides: RM 10–30/day
Domestic flights (AirAsia KL → Borneo): RM 100–300

📅 Book flights in advance for deals.

🎟️ Activities
Petronas Towers: RM 40
Langkawi Sky Bridge: RM 55
Organized tours: RM 100–200
Kinabatangan River Cruise: RM 100 per day cruise / RM 50 per night cruise
Diving in islands of Semporna (Mabul & Kapalai): RM 350 per day

📶 Internet & SIM
20 GB SIM: RM 25–35
Coworking pass (optional): RM 30–50/day

Big Spender / Premium Budget
(RM 510–1 015 / Day ≈ $113–225+)

The Big Spender Budget (RM 510–1,015/day or $113–225) is for those who enjoy premium comfort—think boutique stays, fine dining, private transfers, and exclusive experiences like diving in Sipadan or luxury safaris. Ideal if you want to travel Borneo in style.

🏨 Accommodation
5★ Hotels / Luxury Resorts: RM 450–800
Over-water chalets: RM 700–1,200

🍷 Food & Drink
Fine dining: RM 150–300/meal
Premium cafés & brunch: RM 50–80

🚁 Transport
Business-class flights: RM 200–500
Private drivers: RM 250–400/day
Yacht charters: RM 500+

🎟️ Activities
All-inclusive guided safaris 3D2N (Kinabatangan) – RM 600–2,500
Includes river cruises, jungle walks, accommodation, and meals.

Helicopter tours over Langkawi or Kuala Lumpur – RM 1,000+/hour
A breathtaking way to see Malaysia’s diverse landscapes.

Luxury spa treatments at top resorts – RM 400–800
Think deep-tissue massages, flower baths, and private jungle-view pavilions.

Scuba diving in Sipadan (premium package) – From RM 2,200
Often includes multiple days, gear rental, permits, and accommodation.

Private yacht charters (Langkawi or Sabah) – RM 1,500–5,000/day
Sunset cruises, snorkeling trips, or even overnight stays.

High-end cooking classes with market tours – RM 300–600
Private chefs, exclusive recipes, and hands-on experience.

Hot air balloon ride (Putrajaya) – RM 850+
A rare way to catch sunrise from above.

📶 Internet & SIM
High-speed eSIM with 25 GB to unlimited data: RM 100–300
Private coworking suites: RM 1,000–2,000/month

Sample Trip Totals

Use these estimated ranges multiplied by the number of days to get a rough idea of your total travel budget (rounded figures):

Trip Length	Backpacker Total (RM / USD)	Conscious Spender Total (RM / USD)	Big Spender Total (RM / USD)
7 days	RM 540–1 190 ($120–265)	RM 1 925–3 570 ($430–795)	RM 3 570–7 105 ($795–1,580)
10 days	RM 770–1 700 ($170–380)	RM 2 750–5 100 ($610–1,135)	RM 5 100–10 150 ($1,135–2,255)
30 days	RM 2 310–5 100 ($515–1,135)	RM 8 250–15 300 ($1,830–3,400)	RM 15 300–30 450 ($3,400–6,765)

Note: The low end of the backpacker budget applies mainly to Peninsular Malaysia with slow travel. Borneo generally requires a higher budget due to increased costs.

Money-Saving Tips for Malaysia

1. Use Public Transport

• Malaysia has a good network of buses, trains, and light rail, especially in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
• Grab (like Uber) is also super cheap and convenient compared to taxis.

2. Eat Local Food

• Street food and hawker stalls offer amazing and authentic meals for very low prices — think $2–3 for a meal.
• Avoid fancy restaurants unless it’s a special treat.

3. Stay in Budget Accommodations

• Guesthouses, hostels, and budget hotels can be found easily, especially outside the main tourist spots.
• Airbnb is also an option and can sometimes be cheaper if you stay longer.

4. Shop at Local Markets

• Instead of malls or tourist shops, buy souvenirs, clothes, and snacks at local markets where prices are lower.
• Bargaining is normal in many markets.

5. Travel Off-Peak

• Avoid traveling during major holidays or school breaks when prices spike.
• Visiting during the shoulder seasons can save you on flights and accommodation.

6. Plan Your Sightseeing

• Many attractions have free or very cheap entrance fees.
• Look out for combo tickets or discounts if you want to visit several places.

7. Use a Local SIM Card

• Getting a local prepaid SIM for data is cheap and will save you from expensive roaming charges.

8. Avoid Expensive Tours

• Instead of organized tours, explore on your own or with a small group to save on guide and transport fees.

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