Last updated: January 2024
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in Malaysia or are you just thinking about taking a trip there?
Will residing in or taking a vacation in Malaysia still make financial sense for you when taking into account all living expenditures and other costs?
Let’s go further and talk about how much it will cost you to live in or go to Malaysia, regardless of whether you only intend to travel or live alone or if you have friends or family with you.
We understand that your budget is undoubtedly one of the factors you are thinking about.
However, did you know that even if you live in or go to an expensive country, you may still save money if you are excellent at planning your personal spending?
On the other hand, you can be seeking information on how much it will probably cost you before moving to or visiting Malaysia, starting with how much meals cost, if the country is affordable for tourists, and other expenses that you should expect when visiting the country.
No need to worry, as we will go through a lot of facts with you that you should be aware of before deciding whether living in or visiting Malaysia is actually a smart decision.
Here’s how to visit Malaysia on a budget and what to be aware of in regards to the costs you should expect if you want Malaysian adventures without the price tag.
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Is Malaysia cheap for tourists?
Is Malaysia expensive for tourist? – Is Malaysia Cheap
One of the most well-liked travel destinations in the region is Malaysia – famous for its multiethnic community, scenic islands, and old rainforests.
Malaysia is also a very cost-effective travel destination but your choices and travel style ultimately determine how much money you spend.
Nevertheless, Malaysia is often a reasonably priced destination, especially if you know what you’re doing.
Do not worry if you are planning your first trip to Malaysia and are unsure of what to expect.
In keeping with this, we’ve prepared the top 5 ways Malaysia may rank among the tourist locations with the lowest costs.
1. Some of the best and well known tourist destinations are free
Some of the best sights in Malaysia can be enjoyed at absolutely no cost at all!
We are referring to the pristine islands, the magnificent temples, or the other spectacular natural attractions and caverns.
Even a cultural festival is free to attend!
2. Traveler SIM cards are readily available
Although WiFi is readily available in the majority of Malaysian sites, it is preferable to use a traveler’s SIM.
There are many different service providers to pick from, and they fiercely compete with one another.
You could even notice some telecom stores as soon as you get off the plane, depending on the airport you land at!
3. Plenty of affordable accommodation options
These reasonably priced accommodations, which range from cozy guesthouses to backpacker hostels, are not difficult to find.
Numerous of Malaysia’s most well-known tourist spots provide a variety of low-cost lodging alternatives.
Learn too: Is it cheap to study in Malaysia?
4. Seasonal promotion
Malaysia Seasonal Promotion – Is Malaysia Cheap
Living in a multicultural culture has many benefits, one of which is the abundance of festivals we may attend.
Holidays sometimes include a ton of advertising and deals in addition to giving Malaysians a day off.
Businesses frequently provide remarkable discounts to draw visitors, whether they are in malls, restaurants, or even at some hotels and tourist sites.
Learn more: What do you get cheap in Malaysia?
5. Budget-friendly street foods
One of our favorite things about being Malaysian is being able to indulge in the street food, which is the most genuine (and finest) gastronomic experience in the country.
Don’t be embarrassed to occasionally indulge in some street cuisine, even if it’s totally fine to eat at a high-end restaurant occasionally!
How much do meals cost in Malaysia?
How much do meals cost in Malaysia? – Is Malaysia Cheap
Malaysians spend RM45 on meals on a daily average.
An average lunch should cost about RM18 per person based on the spending patterns of prior tourists.
Prices for breakfast are often a little lower than those for lunch or supper.
In comparison to quick cuisine and street food, sit-down restaurants frequently have higher costs.
With this, below is a list of Malaysia’s typical food costs.
These actual expenses are from what we find out and might help illustrate how cost living is in Malaysia.
| Meals | Cost (RM) per Pax |
|---|---|
| Food Court | RM7 -RM15 |
| Road Side Stall | RM6 – RM10 |
| Indian Restaurant (for two) | RM22 |
| Ding Tai Fung | RM40 |
| Roti Bread | RM1.50 |
Is alcohol cheap in Malaysia?
Prices of alcoholics in Malaysia – Is Malaysia Cheap
Having and taking some few shots after a long tiring day is what every tourist out there usually does – that’s why we understand that you might also be thinking if alcoholic beverages are expensive in Malaysia.
So, to simply answer this question, alcoholic beverages in Malaysia are indeed very expensive.
Whilst drinking alcohol is not banned in many parts of the country, taxes make it expensive by Malaysian standards.
Compared to neighboring Asian countries, Malaysia has the highest excise tax rate on beer and stout.
Even if you are good at bargain, it doesn’t usually work on stores that sell alcoholic beverages because basically, Malaysia levies a very high duty on alcohol – commonly referred to by Malaysians as “Sin Tax”.
However, there are still few stores in Malaysia that sell a bit cheaper alcoholic beverages compared to other stores.
But, still don’t expect that you will get a very big discount because alcoholic beverages here are really expensive no matter what happens.
How much money do I need per day in Kuala Lumpur?
How much money do I need to survive in KL? – Is Malaysia Cheap
For your trip in Kuala Lumpur, you should budget around RM218 per day, which is the average daily cost based on what previous tourists spent here.
On average, previous visitors have spent RM23 on local transportation and RM45 on food for one day.
In line with this, listed below are some additional typical travel costs for a solo traveler intending to visit Malaysia.
| Average Travel (per person) | Cost (RM) |
|---|---|
| One week | RM1,524 |
| Two weeks | RM3,034 |
| One month | RM6,532 |
Is Malaysia Cheap?
The cost of living in Malaysia will still vary based on how you allocate your daily expenditures, particularly where you reside, how much you spend on regular meals, and other things.
Living in Malaysia won’t, however, cause you to worry about money if you are good at managing your budget since, in essence, you can simply save money here if you are, once more, skilled at managing and holding your money.
So, one of the things you should constantly keep in mind to live more comfortably in Malaysia is to be aware of your spending.
Overall, we all wish you the best and hope your journey is as wonderful as you are, whether you still desire to spend a short break in Malaysia or have already decided to leave and settle here.
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