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Malaysia combines modernity with a rich cultural heritage for travelers to explore its vibrant cities, amazing beaches, and great food at much affordable prices will satisfy backpackers and shoestring travelers alike, and that has turned it into one of those destinations catering to every one's dream.
Beautiful city in the country (Source: MalaysiaTourism)
Among the top priorities of tourists is to seek a decent, reasonably priced place to stay. Malaysia offers a great variety of options at very reasonable prices, allowing you to save on lodging and splurge more on your adventures.
Hostels and Guesthouses
Most places in Malaysia have hostels and guesthouses available, but a much larger number will be found in major tourist hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi. The prices of these various options start from $6-12 per night for a dorm bed, while private rooms can be in the price range of $10-25. Most hostel options provide free Wi-Fi and breakfast, and common rooms in which one may meet other travelers.
Example of hostel in the city (Source: booking)
Budget Hotels
If budget travelers want to add a bit more privacy to their travels, yet still keep within the tight budget, then a budget hotel will work. Kuala Lumpur can offer clean, air-conditioned rooms with basic amenities for $15 per night. Smaller cities and rural areas may be even cheaper, going down to $10 per night. Some of these hotels offer such extras as breakfast and shuttle services, free of charge, to nearby attractions.
Budget boutique hotels in Kuala Lumpur (Source: mrandmrssmith)
Homestays and Airbnb
For staying with the locals, better options are a homestay or booking via budget Airbnb. You will be able to stay with a local family, and it will give you a good view of how the people of this country live, for which you would need to pay approximately $10 to $20 per night.
On the other hand, Airbnb provides you with private rooms and whole apartments at a budget price. Normally, the prices compared with hotels are lower, but the best offers could be availed only when you decide to stay there for a longer period.
Vacation Rentals in Ipoh, Penang (Source: Airbnb)
Food in Malaysia is multicultural, with strong influences from Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. There is no need to spend too much to enjoy all types of food. You will find plenty of street food and local eateries, serving delicious meals at pretty affordable prices.
Street Food
Street food is one of the great ways to experience the country's culinary scene. As for the more city-like atmosphere, the markets and hawker centers in George Town, Kuala Lumpur, or Melaka offer all kinds of dishes at a price of around $1-$3 per plate.
One can get dishes ranging from Nasi Lemak to Char Kway Teow and Laksa, all very affordable at $1 to $3 per plate so that one can easily feast on local favorites without breaking the bank.
Char Kway Teow dishes (Source: Reddit)
Food Courts
Food courts in malls and public areas are also worth a try for the variety of local and international dishes. Of course, the prices are a little higher than for street food, but you should be able to get a complete meal for about $3-5 dollars. It is also one of the good areas to look for affordable drinks and desserts such as cendol or iced kopi.
Signatures food courts (Source: Tripadvisor)
Indian and Chinese Eateries
Other reasonably priced restaurants are the countless Indian and Chinese eating houses dotted everywhere in Malaysia. These restaurants serve very filling and delicious meals at very economical prices.
A regular Indian meal sold in local mamaks or Indian Muslim eateries will be a plate of roti canai or nasi kandar no larger than a frisbee for just $2 to $5 or food stalls selling Chinese food have chicken rice or wonton noodles going for some $3 to $6 per serving.
Traditional Chinese cuisine (Source: SmartBite)
This country has simply stunning natural beauty, historical sites, and vibrant urban landscapes, many of which are available at budget prices or even free of charge. A selection of some of the best things to see on a tight budget includes.
Batu Caves
A place to visit outside of Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves. Situated on a hill of limestone, it comprises a number of caves and cave temples, of which the greatest is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan.
This is headed by the fantastic gold statue of Lord Murugan, which stands at the foot of 272 colorfully painted steps that rise to the main cave. The best part is that entry is free and hence very budget-friendly.
Batu Caves (Source: CKTravels)
Penang’s Street Art and Historical Sites
Penang, and especially George Town, is really famous for its street arts, historic buildings, and cultural heritage. Looking through the city's murals and installations of street art is free of charge and can comfortably be done on foot.
Other than that, there are numerous temples, for instance, the Kek Lok Si Temple, which has an entrance fee of about $1, that allow insight into Malaysia's religious and architectural history.
Kek Lok Si Temple (Source: ThePartyingTraveler)
Taman Negara National Park
Nature lovers will especially love Taman Negara National Park. The large rainforest offers some great hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and canopy walks at extremely reasonable prices.
While entry into the park costs about $1, additional activities ranging from boat rides to guided jungle treks would cost in the range of $10 to $20 for an affordable yet thrilling adventure.
Natural beauty of Taman Negara National Park (Source: WeGowithAnuar)
Public transportation is well developed in this country, and domestic flights are cheap; getting around the country does not tend to cost that much. Be it traveling between cities or exploring an urban area, one will find ample transport options on a shoestring budget.
By bus
Going by bus is one of the cheaper, more practical ways to travel inter-city and around the region of this country. Long distance buses between major cities will charge from $5 to $12.Even the local buses within the towns or cities have an even cheaper fare, mostly less than $1 per travel.
Public buses in the city (Source: TunnelTime)
By Trains
According to the locals here, another inexpensive option to get around is the train network. KTM Komuter trains offer very cheap trips within and between the cities, starting from $1. If you want to visit the east coast or other rural areas, this jungle train will go through some nice routes at budget prices, usually between $10 and $20, depending on the distance.
KTM Komuter (Source: Wikipedia)
By Airlines
If you have to travel longer distances in a rush, low cost carriers like AirAsia, Malindo Air, and Firefly offer affordable domestic flights. Depending on the season and how far in advance you book, you can find flights between cities like Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi for as low as $15-$50 one way.
Travel by plane with AirAsia (Source: AirAsia)
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Traveling on a shoestring doesn't necessarily have to mean giving up on experiences. A few smart tips, and you will be able to make the most of your visit to this country without denting your wallet.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
Peak travel seasons for Malaysia fall in the periods of school holidays and major festivals like Hari Raya or Chinese New Year. These are the times when accommodation, flights, and tours tend to be rather pricey.
Off-Peak seasons in the country (Source: RoadAffair)
Use Public Transportation
While it is relatively inexpensive to take a taxi or ride sharing service like Grab in Malaysia, taking public transportation will save you even more. Major towns like Kuala Lumpur have very affordable public transportation that includes trains, buses, and a Light Rail Transit system.
Light Rail Transit system (Source: TheIndependent)
Look for Free Attractions
Many of the country best attractions are free to visit, or at the very least, the entry fees are extremely low. From public parks to hiking trails, vibrant markets, and even cultural landmarks, there is so much to see and do without needing to spend too much.
Images of tourist hiking (Source: Thrillophilia)
Malaysia has so much to offer the budget traveler in terms of richness in culture, natural beauty, and vibrant urban cities. Provided that you can follow through with the tips above and plan your trip wisely, you can find a budget tour to this country very reasonable. Let's go on an economical trip with Asia King Travel equipped with all the amenities and what you essentially need in the tour.
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