Malaysia: Travel Budget – How Much You Can Expect to Spend

Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia’s most underrated destinations — rich in cultures, nature and adventure — and it’s quite budget-friendly.

It’s a bit more expensive than other Southeast Asian countries: Thailand (not including the islands), 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.

I averaged $80.5 per day traveling 22 days in Peninsular Malaysia and 19 days in Borneo in total. I stayed in private rooms the whole stay and did a lot of activities. Have in mind that this is a mid-range budget. For backpackers, you could have a similar experience for ~$50, but you’d have to stay in dorms and keep an eye on your spendings, but still do many activities.

I’ll break down my spendings in West and East Malaysia separately, so you’ll get a clear overview of the expected expenses in each region.

But first a comparison of the regions.

Peninsular Malaysia vs. Borneo – Which Is Cheaper?

Although Peninsular Malaysia is wealthier than Borneo, traveling in Borneo as a tourist can be more expensive due the types of activities you’ll most likely do. Such as spotting Pygmy Elephants during river cruises, diving in one of the best places in Asia or renting a boat to visit the sea gypsies (Bujau Laut People).

I spent $74 on average in Peninsular Malaysia and $85 in Borneo. I spent more on accommodation and transport in West Malaysia, but more on food and activities in the East. I usually skipped­ tours and packages when possible, and organized activities without agencies which made it a bit cheaper.

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 nature experiences and plan for a slightly higher daily cost, especially for tours and experiences.

Now, let’s dive into the details of West Malaysia.

Peninsular Malaysia Travel Budget – My Actual Costs

Places like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, and Perhentian 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 and trains which helps keep your daily costs low.

My route in Peninsular Malaysia:

Kota Kinabalu → Semporna (Bus for around 12 hours)
Semporna → Kinabatangan (Bus & Hitchhiking)
Kinabatangan → Sepilok (Minivan)
Sepilok → Kundasang (Bus)
Kundasang → Kota Kinabalu (Minivan)

During my 22 day stay in peninsular Malaysia, I spent on average RM 310 (≈ US $74) per day. That daily average includes everything: accommodation, transport with bus, restaurant food from breakfast to dinner, entrance fees, and tours.

Cost of Activities in Peninsular Malaysia

The activities in Peninsular Malaysia was a mix of museums, hiking and snorkeling.

• Jungle trek Taman Negara & overnight cave stay – RM280 (~$67)
• 3 different snorkeling trips in Perhentian Islands – RM200 (~$48)
  Check out my post: Perhentian Travel Guide for more information
• Half-day Cameron Highlands tour – RM70 (~$17)
• Entrance ticket for many museums in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, National Park fees in Penang and other smaller costs for activities – RM900 (~$216)

Cost of Accommodation in Peninsular Malaysia

I stayed in private rooms—mostly budget hotels and guesthouses located centrally with A/C. I paid ~$27 on average, the cheapest being RM50 (~$12) in Ipoh and the most expensive being RM150 (~$35) in the center of George Town.

If you are solo traveling on a backpacker budget, hostel prices typically range from $5 to $15 per night.

Cost of Food & Alcohol in Peninsular Malaysia

I spent on average RM88 (~$21) on food and drinks, and I usually ate in hawker stalls and at times some café meals and western restaurants. This average includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and the occasional beer.

Keep in mind that alcohol is heavily taxed in Malaysia, and a beer typically costs around RM23 (~$5) in a restaurant.

Cost of Transportation in Peninsular Malaysia

I spent about $7 per day on transportation, split roughly 50/50 between long-distance travel and short local rides.

• Long-distance travel between cities—mostly by bus, train, and minivan—averaged around RM15 per day (~$3.60). This covered routes like Penang to Ipoh, Cameron Highlands to Taman Negara, and onward to the Perhentian Islands, Malacca, and Kuala Lumpur.
• Shorter rides within cities were mostly by Grab or local buses:
  Grab rides: RM5–RM15 ($1.20–$3.60) per trip
  Local buses: RM1–RM3 ($0.24–$0.72) per ride

Overall, transportation in Peninsular Malaysia is affordable, reliable, and easy to navigate—even for solo travelers.

Borneo Travel Budget – Pricier But More Adventurous

Over on Borneo, the vibe shifts to something more adventurous—think jungle safaris, diving trips, and sprawling national parks. But this comes with higher costs. Internal flights to reach Borneo (and travel between towns), plus organized tours, can quickly add up. Budget stays do exist, but they’re fewer and harder to find near natural attractions.

I wrapped up my West Malaysia journey in Kuala Lumpur and flew to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo for $59, including checked luggage.

During my 19 days in Borneo, I averaged RM359 (~$85) per day, staying in private rooms throughout. My total budget came to RM6,821 (~$1,610), which covered: accommodation. transportation (I only traveled by bus in Borneo), restaurant meals from breakfast to dinner, entrance fees and activities and tours.

While I stuck to buses, many travelers fly into Semporna to save time, then travel back by bus toward Kota Kinabalu, stopping along the way at places like Sipadan, Kinabatangan, and Sepilok. If you’re short on time, consider flying to Semporna to avoid spending an entire day on the bus.

My route in Borneo:

Cost of Activities in Borneo

Most travelers come to Borneo for its wild nature and world-class diving. The islands around Semporna are especially popular, with Sipadan as the crown jewel. Inland, the Kinabatangan River Safari is a highlight, offering incredible chances to see wildlife like pygmy elephants, orangutans, crocodiles, and hornbills in their natural habitat. Other must-dos include visiting Sepilok for its orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries, and hiking in the cooler highlands around Kundasang.

Here are the nature-based activities I did and what they cost:

• Scuba diving around Semporna: I did two separate days of diving, paying RM900 (~$215) total for refresher courses, 6 dives and lunch included.
• Private boat excursions: I arranged two trips directly with boat captains for RM400 (~$95).
• Kinabatangan River safaris: I joined six different boat cruises, which cost RM800 (~$191) in total.
• Entrance fees: This includes Sepilok sanctuaries, Tomanggong Cave, and various environmental fees, adding up to RM400 (~$96).

Overall, activities in Borneo are more expensive than in Peninsular Malaysia, but the experiences—especially the wildlife and diving—are absolutely worth it.

Cost of Accommodation in Borneo

In Borneo, I stayed in private rooms and spent an average of ~$24 per night on accommodation—slightly cheaper than in Peninsular Malaysia. Cheapest one being in Kundasang for ~$14 per night and the most expensive in Kota Kinabalu for ~$26 per night.

Cost of Food in Borneo

For food I spend on average RM96 (~$23) per day which was slightly higher than in Peninsular Malaysia. One reason for the higher food costs in Borneo is that restaurants in touristy areas often charge more, largely due to limited dining options.

Cost of Transportation in Borneo

I spent about $5 per day on transportation in Borneo, split roughly 50/50 between long-distance travel and short local rides. All my paid transport was by bus or minivan—no flights or taxis.

I also did some hitchhiking, especially around Kinabatangan, where getting around was tricky at times due to Muslim celebrations that disrupted local transport schedules. Hitchhiking turned out to be a helpful (and free) alternative in those moments. I even offered to pay for the rides, but every single driver declined. They told me they wanted to give me a good experience of Malaysia—and they truly did.

Overall, transportation in Borneo was affordable, but less predictable than in Peninsular Malaysia.

Was It Worth It? My Borneo Budget Reflections

Some activities ended up costing more than I expected, but overall, I was genuinely happy with the value I got. From diving in Semporna to spotting wildlife along the Kinabatangan River, every ringgit spent felt worthwhile. The experiences were rich, the nature unforgettable, and the generosity of locals made it even more special.

If you’re traveling with someone, you can enjoy the same experience for around ~$65 per person—making Malaysia an even better value when shared.

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.

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. Visiting Kinabatangan is doable without prebooking. You can just book accommodation and shop for safari once you are there. Cheaper, but a bit more hassle.

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