Kuala Lumpur: Travel Tips for Backpackers and Budget Travelers

Budget travelers often have reservations about visiting Kuala Lumpur.

KL is arguably the prettiest capital city in Southeast Asia, with ultra-modern buildings and beautiful glass skyscrapers, encapsulated by the impressive Petronas Twin Towers.

However, for budget travelers the city’s modern qualities mean one thing:

More expensive.

But that’s not entirely true!

Unlike its southern neighbor [Singapore], Kuala Lumpur is actually quite easy to enjoy on a budget.

Why Budget Travelers Should Visit Kuala Lumpur

If you want to spend your money like there’s no tomorrow, you can certainly do that in Kuala Lumpur. There are luxury hotels, exclusive restaurants, and high-end cocktail bars that give you posh experiences in exchange for a whole lot of cash.

However, those types of places are the exception and not the rule.

Kuala Lumpur is budget-friendly in the following ways:

Food: Kuala Lumpur has amazing street food, which is not only affordable but also one of the main reasons why people want to visit KL. You can find street food nearly everywhere, from big night markets like Jalan Alor to smaller vendors on the block corners. There are also many local restaurants where you can enjoy a nicer meal for surprisingly low prices.
Accommodations: Kuala Lumpur has numerous budget hotels and budget hostels that provide comfortable lodging without breaking the bank. And you’ll find many of these accommodations within walking distance of the City Centre.
Transportation: If you stay near the City Centre, then you’ll find that most places of interest are in walking distance. You can easily take a Grab, bus, or train to reach places on the outskirts of the city, like the Batu Caves.
Shopping: If you need to buy something that’s gone missing from your luggage or that you left at home, there are literally hundreds of places to buy these items cheap in Kuala Lumpur, from budget-friendly shopping malls to street markets.

Why KL is a Perfect Stop for Backpackers

Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are major entry points for travelers who are backpacking through Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, many backpackers high-tail it out of these cities and head for cheaper countries like Indonesia and Thailand.

But if you skip over Kuala Lumpur then you’re really going to miss out.

The food is delicious, the sights are spectacular, and the culture—a graceful blend of the traditional and modern—is exciting to dive into.

Plus, Kuala Lumpur is the perfect place to resupply before the next chapter of your journey. For instance, you can purchase the following items in KL for very low prices:

Headphones and earphones
Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
Clothes
Bathing suits
Sandals and flip flops
Camera gear
Cell phones and computers
Suitcases and travel bags

Kuala Lumpur also has a variety of quality:

Health clinics
Pharmacies
Hair and beauty salons

KL Budget Travel Tips

Here are 10 tips that will help you enjoy your stay in Kuala Lumpur while staying firmly within your budget.

1. Find Travel Necessities for Cheap

Kuala Lumpur is known for its gorgeous shopping malls, which are beautiful to look at but not ideal to go shopping in if you’re on a budget.

Check out the following malls for budget shopping:

Berjaya Times Square: Berjaya Times Square is the best all-around shopping mall for budget travelers. Everything is sold here, from clothing, to electronics, to travel gear. There’s even an indoor theme park!
Low Yat Plaza: Low Yat Plaza is a small shopping mall where you can buy computers, cell phones, and other electronics directly from manufacturers. It’s a little more expensive than Berjaya Times Square, but it’s your best bet if you’re looking for best-quality equipment at the lowest price. It’s ideal for digital nomads who need to upgrade their gear for long-term work and travel.
Sungei Wang Plaza: Sungei Wang Plaza feels more like an indoor street market than a shopping mall. It’s a great place to buy used electronics or “low-quality-but-gets-the job-done” hardware. For instance, you’d go here if you wanted to install a new hard drive on your laptop. But Sungei Wang also has a variety of other outlets that sell clothing, fashion accessories, and other items at budget-friendly prices.

2. Enjoy the Street Food

“Budget” does not always mean “low-quality” and there’s no better example than the street food in Kuala Lumpur. Taste the street food if you’re trying to keep your expenses down, and also if you want to taste the amazing cuisine that Malaysia is famous for.

Create your own three-course meal by hopping from one vendor to the next, and wash it down with a cold Tiger or a fresh smoothie.

Jalan Alor is KL’s famous street food market, but you can excellent street food in every part of the city.

3. Party Strategically

You might have heard that Kuala Lumpur has a great nightlife scene, and this is true.

Most of the action happens at Changkat, which is busy street in the city centre that’s lined with bars and nightclubs. Changkat is a fun place to go out with friends, family, or fellow backpackers, but it can be very expensive if you’re going to buy anything other than Tiger or Heineken. [Don’t buy food in Changkat—Jalan Alor market is just up the street, if you get hungry.]

When you go out in Changkat, try and stick to beer or have your group pitch in for a discounted beer bucket or beer tower.

However, Changkat is not the only place to go out in KL. If you prefer quality over quantity, then you should head to some of the rooftop bars or speakeasies that are located all around the city. You’ll pay more for the cocktails, but it’s a better option if you’re not trying to get very drunk and if you prefer to drink someplace with more atmosphere, nicer city views, or interesting theming.

4. Limit Your ATM Trips

What’s great about Malaysia, compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, is that your credit and debit cards are accepted in many places. You don’t need cash to pay for everything. [If you’re a local Malaysian then you can also pay for things with DuitNow QR.]

Many places charge a 3% fee for using your card, but sometimes that’s cheaper than the foreign withdrawal fees you may incur from your bank when you use the ATM.

If you’re an international travel, you might consider taking out a larger sum of cash when you use the ATM. This will help you cut down on foreign withdrawal fees.

It’s always advisable to keep some of your cash locked in the safe at your hotel / hostel, but Kuala Lumpur is considered a safe city and you don’t have to worry much about carrying lots of cash with you (unless you’re going to be wandering around dark, empty places late at night—not advisable anywhere you travel).

5. Avoid Taxis

A taxi is the most expensive way to get around KL.

Bukit Bintang (the central district of Kuala Lumpur) is highly walkable, but if you need to get outside the city centre then it’s cheaper to take a Grab, bus, or train.

Be prepared if you plan on going out in Changkat. The taxis there charge exorbitant prices to take you home, and you might also have difficulty securing a Grab ride from there.

6. Pre-Arrange Your Airport Transportation

There’s one exception to the taxi rule.

If you’re taking a flight out of KL from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), you might want to pre-arrange your ride ahead of time.

In KL, a Grab ride is easy to get in the daytime, but drivers aren’t always available in the early morning or late at night. You could risk spending a half hour or more waiting for a Grab ride, putting you at risk of missing your flight. In that case, you’d have to go seek out a taxi, which will charge you a higher price—and depending on where you’re staying, taxis might also be hard to find in the early hours.

If you’re checking out of your hotel in the early morning, you might want to have a taxi pre-booked so you know you’ll make it to the airport on time. Your hotel or hostel should be able to help you with this. [We certainly will at Bestow!]

7. Book a Bus Trip or Train Ride

Kuala Lumpur is a major transit hub. If you don’t have a vehicle and you’re trying to travel somewhere else within the country, it’s cheaper to book a bus or train than to fly out of KLIA.

Trains have the most reliable departure and arrival times. The buses will take a little longer to reach their destination, but they travel to more locations and they’re usually very comfortable.

8. Save Money When You Go Hiking

One of the coolest things about Kuala Lumpur is that it’s a “city in the jungle.” Beautiful rainforest surrounds the city on all sides and makes for excellent hiking.

If you don’t have a car, then the Grab ride will take you about 25-30 minutes.

Consider taking the train to the outskirts of the city, and then using a Grab to reach the nearby hiking spots. The train is the cheapest way to get around KL.

For example, you can take the MRT to the Batu Caves, and use a Grab ride to reach Taman Negeri Selangor rainforest. Planning your transportation in such a way can help you keep your Grab expenses down.

Some hostels organize day trips to hiking destinations around the city, but check the price first to see whether or not you can get out there on your own for cheaper.

9. Stay Close to the City Centre

You’ll spend less money on transportation when you stay closer to the city centre.

Look for a hotel or hostel in Bukit Bintang, which is the most central neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur. When you stay in Bukit Bintang, most of the exciting things to do (like the Petronas Towers, Jalan Alor, and KLCC) are within walking distance or just a short Grab ride away.

10. Treat Yourself for Less

At Bestow, we’re all about “luxury for less.”

We offer lovely dining and hotel experiences right in the heart of KL that are suitable for a backpacker budget!

Check out our:

Budget Hostel in Bukit Bintang: Bestow Capsule Hostel has futuristic space capsules in which you can sleep comfortably and quietly. We’re an excellent place for digital nomads and backpackers who don’t want to stay at a party hostel.
Boutique Hotel in Bukit Bintang: Bestow Boutique Hotel (opening 2023!) is a lovely “oasis in the city” with a jacuzzi, rooftop bar, and rooftop pool. Although we’re located in the heart of the city, you’ll enjoy accommodations flowing with ambient beauty.
Garden-Inspired Restaurant: Bestow Restaurant & Bar serves up Asian fusion dishes for prices that won’t drain your wallet. Come taste our menu if you’re looking for something other than street food.