Malaysia is a beautiful country that has taken us by surprise and definitely became one of our favorite travel destinations. Not only the incredible food and the stunning and diverse nature have captivated us, but also the inhabitants and the culture of this special country expanded our Malaysia itinerary a lot more than was initially planned.
In other posts, you may have already read that we were fortunate enough to spend about 1 ½ month in the country. Since not everyone has that much time, we put together a Malaysia 2-week itinerary covering the most important places to see in the Malaysian Peninsula.
Author’s note: We decided not to include the Malaysian part of Borneo because this at least takes another week (we spent about three weeks there and could not even discover all the places that were part of our Backpacking Malaysia itinerary). In the following, you will find what we believe to be the ideal Malaysia trip itinerary for 2 weeks in Malaysia, in which you can gain insight into the most beautiful and different facets of Malaysia.
What to find out in this post
- 1 Malaysia 2-week itinerary – Planning
- 2 Your ultimate Malaysia Itinerary to the most beautiful places in Malaysia
- 3 Day 1 – 3 Kuala Lumpur
- 4 Option: Day 3/ Day 14 Melaka
- 5 Day 4 + 5 Cameron Highlands
- 6 Day 6 – 8 Perhentian Islands
- 7 Day 9 – 11 George Town, Penang
- 8 Day 12 + 13 Langkawi
- 9 Day 14 Returning to Kuala Lumpur
- 10 FAQ about traveling in Malaysia
Malaysia 2-week itinerary – Planning
Of course, you should plan some things before you travel. Especially those who only have little time in the country probably don’t want to start planning just after they have already arrived. Therefore, we would like to start planning your trip to Malaysia with you in this section.
MALAYSIA INFO BOX
Accommodations in Malaysia: Find your accommodation on-site or book it in advance via Booking.com (During peak season, it’s recommended to book in advance!)
The most popular activities & tours in Malaysia
Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur
Guided Tour to Cameron Highlands (from KL)
Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur (Guided Half-day Tour)
Discover the unique Street Art in George Town (Penang)
Getting there: Make sure to check for the best flight deals on Flight comparison-Sites Ideally, you can book your flights at least six weeks in advance.
Transport: Bus (You can purchase your ticket at the bus terminal or online on 12AsiaGo), Tours, , or Taxi
Need Travel Insurance? Well insured with one of the world’s most popular travel insurance for travelers: World Nomads.
Malaysia Must-Have: Malaysia Travel Guide and travel adapter
Best Time to travel to Malaysia
There are different monsoon times in the country. Depending on whether you are in the west or east of the country, the weather can be very different. So make sure to check which season prevails in which part of the country before you backpack Malaysia. Below you can find a rough overview.
Best time to visit Malaysia Peninsula
All year round, but between February – May and September – November, you will have a rainy Season.
Best period Malaysia West Coast
The driest travel time on Malaysia’s west coast is in January and February. Most rainfall occurs between September – November.
Best period Malaysia East Coast
April – October. From November to February, there might be heavy rains and storms. The Perhentian Islands are even closed to tourists for some time. (More details about the Perhentian Islands can be found in our Perhentian Island Guide or later in this article)
Best Travel Time Malaysia Borneo
March – October. The rainy season is from November to February
Transport
If you are planning to travel through Malaysia, you must check how to get from A to B. This is actually pretty easy in Malaysia. Between almost all destinations, minivans, buses, or even trains operate. Another possibility is to organize a taxi or a car with a driver. You can either book the tickets at the bus stations on site (terminal) or in advance .
If you need to travel longer distances, you can also do so by plane. In Southeast Asia, there are reasonable offers and various low-cost airlines. You can find cheap flights with .
Most beautiful places in Malaysia
Of course, you should also be aware of which places you would like to see before you arrive in the country. With our itinerary for Malaysia, you cover the most popular places in Malaysia and get an insight into the different facets of the country (beach, mountains, city, island, etc.). Maybe there is another place in Malaysia that you really want to see that you want to add to your itinerary. You can use travel blogs, personal recommendations from friends and family, travel guides, or even travel portals like for help.
2 Weeks in Malaysia Cost
Only very few people are lucky enough to book a trip without having to pay attention to the costs. If you are not one of those enviable people, you should definitely set up an approximate budget upon traveling. We traveled to Malaysia on a budget and spent about $ 18.40 per day, adding to a budget minimum of $ 257.6 for a trip through Malaysia in 14 days. If you want to know how to travel with so little money in Malaysia without missing out on something, be sure to check out our Malaysia Travel Cost Guide.
On an average 14-day Malaysia trip, the travel expenses in Malaysia for travelers without a small budget are about 35 € per day, which adds up to an average Malaysia 14-day budget of $ 490.
Malaysia Information
Moreover, you might want to read about the culture, certain information about the country and people, and travel warnings before your departure. Especially those who want to get in touch with locals should check which special customs and habits the Malays have to avoid awkward situations. The most important tips that you should know before you travel to Malaysia can be found in our Malaysia Travel Tips article.
What to pack
If this is your first time in Southeast Asia, it’s hard to decide what to pack and what to leave at home. Especially for backpackers, every kilo more can have a significant effect on the comfort of your trip. Make sure to check our Southeast Asia Backpacker Packing List for women and Backpacker Packing List for men as a bit of help.
Your ultimate Malaysia Itinerary to the most beautiful places in Malaysia
Day 1 – 3 Kuala Lumpur
When you visit Malaysia, your 14-day adventure will probably start in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur impressed us a lot and is much more than just “another big city.” Here you can discover many impressive sights.
First and foremost, of course, the Petronas Towers, which you’ve probably seen many times in the media.
But moreover, Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it is often abbreviated, is an exciting and especially green city. For example, did you know that there is a bit of rainforest in the heart of the city, where you can see various species of animals, insects, and birds? Kuala Lumpur is a great city to arrive in Malaysia and spend your first days in.
To learn about the attractions in KL, be sure to read our complete Kuala Lumpur Attractions Guide.
Kuala Lumpur Highlights
- Petrona Towers
- Batu Caves
- KLCC Park
- Merdeka Square
Kuala Lumpur Accommodation tip
Akar Hotel Kampung Baru: 3-star accommodation in the center of Kuala Lumpur with excellent value for money, private rooms, and city views.
Check more info, prices, and availability of Akar Hotel
Author’s note: This itinerary assumes you will begin your journey at the airport in Kuala Lumpur. If you are arriving from Thailand, you can start your round trip in Langkawi (from Koh Lipe, you can go on a boat in high season). If you are coming from Singapore, Melaka is a great starting point for your Malaysia trip. You can easily adjust the rest of the route accordingly.
Option: Day 3/ Day 14 Melaka
Depending on your flight times and how much time you have in total in Malaysia, Melaka is a great option. Especially if you want to include Singapore in your trip, Melaka offers an excellent stopover, as it is about halfway between KL and Singapore.
Melaka is a small cute harbor town whose colonial buildings make you think you’ve traveled to the Netherlands instead. Especially with the canals that run through the small town, it reminds a little of Amsterdam.
A funny feature of Melaka is its brightly colored fairy tuk-tuks, in which you can have a ride through the city.
Melaka Highlights
- The Colonial Buildings of the city
- Melaka River Walk
- The Red Square
Day 4 + 5 Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands were definitely a real highlight of our Malaysia trip. Its relatively high altitude makes it much cooler than in the rest of the country, so bring a pair of long pants and a jacket, especially if you’re out early in the morning or the evening after sunset. The Cameron Highlands is one of the greenest places I have ever visited, and the breathtaking nature surrounding everything is definitely worth visiting.
If you visit the Cameron Highlands, you should not miss a trip to the tea plantations. You can either book a tour here or directly in your accommodation or a travel agency on-site.
The Cameron Highlands is a perfect place just to relax and enjoy leisurely walks or hikes in the countryside. Definitely try to travel there during the week, as the Highlands are often full of local tourists on weekends.
If you want to learn more about the Cameron Highlands and its tea plantations, be sure to check out our comprehensive Cameron Highlands Guide.
Highlights in den Cameron Highlands
- Mossy Forest
- Boh Tea Plantations
- Hiking
>> Check the hiking trails in Cameron Highlands here.
Cameron Highlands Accommodation Tip
Fathers Guesthouse: Guest house for adults in a family atmosphere with a garden, terrace, and communal lounge.
Check more info, prices, and availability of Fathers Guesthouse
Day 6 – 8 Perhentian Islands
If you visit Malaysia, you don’t want to miss the beautiful beaches in the country. One of the best beaches for us was Long Beach on the Perhentian Islands on the east coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. If you are planning to visit the Perhentian Islands, make sure they are currently open for visitors, as the islands are usually inaccessible during the low season (November – January).
But if you’re lucky enough to arrive during peak season, you should not miss the Perhentians. Especially for all divers and snorkelers, the Perhentian Islands are simply an unforgettable experience.
But beach lovers and sunbathers will also absolutely enjoy this island as well.
If the Perhentians have now got you interested, be sure to read our Perhentian Island Guide.
Author’s note: If you travel during the time when the Perhentian Islands are closed, you can just spend more time on Langkawi instead, which we will introduce as the last stop of this itinerary.
Perhentians Highlights
- Picturesque beaches
- Diving
- Snorkeling
Day 9 – 11 George Town, Penang
Penang is not only the perfect place for foodies but also for street art lovers. You will find impressive street art on almost every corner, with which you can shoot funny and creative photos. Be sure to get one of the free walking maps you can find throughout the city. With the help of this map, you can see exactly where which piece of street art is located.
The city center is not overly large, so everything is within walking distance. If you like, you can also join one of the free walking tours to see all the fantastic things to do in Penang.
After your photo and sightseeing tour of Penang, you are probably starving. George Town is known throughout the whole country for its incredible cuisine. Here you will find something for every taste. In addition to international cuisine, Chinese, Malaysian and Indian dishes are particularly popular.
George Town Highlights
- Street art
- Temples
- Colonial Buildings
Day 12 + 13 Langkawi
Our last stop in Malaysia is to relax a bit before heading back home or traveling to another country in Southeast Asia. Langkawi is the northernmost island of Malaysia and is located near the border with Thailand. Anyone upset during his trip by the pricey alcohol can now treat himself to a leisurely beer while staying in Langkawi as you don’t have to pay VAT.
There are many things to do in Langkawi as you will find various beaches and everything a fabulous beach holiday should offer, such as water sports or excursions.
Another highlight in Langkawi is a ride on the cable car, from which you have an amazing panoramic view of the island.
Langkawi Highlights
- The stunning beaches of the island
- Langkawi Suspension Bridge
- Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
Day 14 Returning to Kuala Lumpur
Two weeks in Malaysia are flying by much faster than expected, and it’s time now to return to Kuala Lumpur to catch your flight home (of course, if you want to travel further in Southeast Asia, you don’t have to return to KL).
From Langkawi there is, for example, during the high season, a ferry that brings you to the beautiful Thai island of Koh Lipe). Depending on how much time you have, you can spend a nice day in Kuala Lumpur or go directly to the airport to fly back home.
FAQ about traveling in Malaysia
The more time you can spend in Malaysia, the better. There is so much to discover. It is recommended to spend at least two weeks in Malaysia to see the highlights and get a good overview of the country.
Malaysia is considered a very safe country to travel to and can usually be traveled without hesitation.
Malaysia can also be visited and traveled as a (solo-traveling) woman without hesitation. Of course, as in any destination, you should always take care of your valuables and never trust strangers.
Your expenses in Malaysia basically depend on your travel style. The average traveler spends about €50-60/$60-75 per day. The average backpacker spends around €15-21/$18-25 per day on backpacking in Malaysia.
Malaysia is one of the most fascinating countries in Southeast Asia. Malaysia is also suitable for backpacker beginners with its unique mix of diverse cultures, architectural features, breathtaking landscapes, and great connections throughout the country.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I am planning two weeks in Malaysia and your guide is super helpful for me to plan my trip.
Hi Upasana,
Thank you for your comment! I am happy you like it 🙂