A Blow-by-Blow Account of Malaysia Budget Travel: How Much I Spent On My 14-Day Trip

I should definitely start with ‘I am a modest traveller’. My last trip to Malaysia was back in 2020 (during COVID and a story for another time). While chalking out my recent travel to the Malay peninsular, the possibility to pen every article of expense was a tremendous revelation. That way I would manage a break down of Malaysia budget (which otherwise is a rarity to find on the internet) and help fellow travellers planning their own.

Allow me to share the blow-by-blow account of how much I spent approximately on the flights, the stays and also on intra-city as well as intercity travel along with activity / entry fees (wherever applicable).   

• Non-refundable
• Baggage Allowance: 30 kgs check-in along with 7 kgs carry-on/ person

• Non-refundable
• Baggage Allowance: 7 kgs carry-on / person

• Non-refundable
• Baggage Allowance: 20 kgs check-in along with 7 kgs carry-on/ person

We purchased two CelcoDigi sims with unlimited data for RM 70 (INR 1,510 approx.). You can also score one online, an e-sim through either Airalo or Saily

• Casa Residency Apartment – INR 3,283 (Including MYR 10 Tourism fee per night, 25% Property service charge, MYR 30 Cleaning fee per stay,10 % City tax)*

• Paragon Lutong Hotel – INR 2,928.71 (Including taxes and charges)*

• AA Homestay – INR 16,586 (Including MYR 10 Tourism fee per night)*

• Capital City Suites at Times Square KL – INR 3,262 (Including 8 % VAT, MYR 10 Tourism fee per night, 18% Property service charge per night)

• Fathers Guesthouse Age 7 years old and above only – INR 2,689 (Including 8 % VAT, MYR 3 Environment fee per night, MYR 10 Tourism fee per night, MYR 15 Property service charge per night)

• M Boutique Hotel Station 18 – INR 9,454.32 (Including taxes and charges)

• Melayu Villa by Aayu – INR 12,096 (Including MYR 10 Tourism fee per night)

From KL Airport to KL Sentral by KL Espress for two – MYR 110 (INR 2,380 approx.) *

Buy Tickets Online

Touch N Go Card Issuance at their outlet – MYR 10 (INR 220 approx.) *

Recharge of Touch N Go Card – MYR 100 (INR 2,160 approx.) *

Renting a self-drive car from Discover Cars (we had our IDP that’s mandatory to drive in Malaysia) – INR 17,420 but INR 26080 including third-party insurance*

Cab fare from Bukit Bintang to the Airport – MYR 88 to 100 (including tolls) (INR 1,900 to INR 2,160 approx.) *

Monorail Tickets Cost from KL Sentral to Hang Tuah – MYR 5.80 (INR 70 approx.) *

Definitely depends on dietary choices. With our time mostly on the roads and our desire to taste local, we ended up at rest stations, local met-up places and Chinese Restorans to relish their delicacies.

On average East Malaysia was comparatively steeper than West Malaysia.

Brunch for two in Miri – MYR 30 (INR 650 approx.) *

And drinks along with it – MYR 20 (INR 440 approx.) *

Breakfast for two at Mulu National Park Café in Mulu – MYR 23 (INR 500 approx.) *

Dinner for two at local homestays usually costs between MYR 50 to MYR 80 (INR 1,080 to INR1,730 approx.) *

Breakfast of Kaya Toast & Cham for two at Perak Restoran – MYR 12 (INR 260 approx.) *

A meal of Roti Canai at a night market is around MYR 10 (INR 217 approx.) *

5-day Mulu National Park Pass for two – MYR 60 (INR 1,300 approx.) *

Deer & Lang Cave tickets for two – MYR 70 (INR 1,510 approx.) *

Clearwater & Wind Cave tickets for two – MYR 140 (INR 3,020 approx.) *

Canopy walk tickets for two – MYR 100 (INR 2,160 approx.) *

Night Walk for one – MYR 30 (INR 650 approx.) *

Kayaking for two – MYR 120 (INR 2,590 approx.) *

Lavender Garden Entry fee for two – MYR 40 (INR 870 approx.) *

Kellie’s Castle Entry for two – MYR 32 (INR 690 approx.) *. You can either purchase it on the spot or buy it online.

Gaharu Tea Estate minibus hop-on & hop-off tour for two – MYR 26 (INR 570 approx.) *

Penang Funicular Normal Tickets for two – MYR 60 (INR 1,390 approx.) *. You can either purchase it on the spot or but it online.

*The conversion rate is subjected to change and so is the cost of the accommodations, activities and flights. The mounts have been rounded off to the next decimal. This comprehensive break down is to provide a baseline for those who are looking at an approximate budget to travel to and in Malaysia. This is a couple’s budget to explore Malaysia for two weeks. Also note that you can avail the extensive public transport to hop from one destination to another but we skipped that and opted to rent a car.

I may have missed a few things here and there, but I believe I have covered a major part of the expenses that usually constitutes various aspects of travel, which will hopefully help other to plan their Malaysia budget.