Want to travel to Malaysia and Singapore and are looking for a cool itinerary that takes you past all the highlights? Then this is the place to be! With this itinerary, you will discover the country's most beautiful places, from vibrant cities and cool highlands to tropical islands. Ideal because you can plan your own route an instant. Malaysia is an incredibly versatile destination that is perfect for adventurers and laid-back travellers alike. And extra nice: the country is very easy (and safe!) to travel through. Check out our itinerary and tips below, and let the planning begin!
General information on Malaysia
Are you planning your trip to Malaysia? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and applying for a visa. You can find all the information you need about Malaysia here.
How many weeks do you need for this tour of Malaysia and Singapore
We have the tour below in three weeks and, in our opinion, this is the ideal duration to really experience Malaysia properly. With this itinerary, you see the best of the country without rushing. Do you have less time? Then you can easily shorten the route by skipping one or two destinations. Do you have more time? Then we give you a few extra places to add at the bottom for an even more complete trip.
Day-to-day overview of our trip
To give you a good idea of what our trip looked like, we have created an overview below. This will help you get an idea of the pace of travel, how many nights we stayed in each place and how you can keep a nice balance between travelling and relaxing. Use this schedule as inspiration and adapt it to your needs and available time!
Day 1: Arrival Kuala Lumpur
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Day 3: Travel to Cameron Highlands
Day 4: Cameron Highlands
Day 5: Cameron Highlands
Day 6: Travelling to Penang (George Town)
Day 7: Penang
Day 8: Penang
Day 9: Travelling to Langkawi
Day 10: Langkawi
Day 11: Langkawi
Day 12: Langkawi
Day 13: Langkawi
Day 14: Travelling to Singapore
Day 15: Singapore
Day 16: Singapore
Day 17: Travelling to Malacca
Day 18: Malacca
Day 19: Malacca
Day 20: Travelling to Kuala Lumpur
Day 21: Return trip to the Netherlands
Starting in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur: Many travellers start their trip in Kuala Lumpur and so did we! For us, the choice was easy: it saved more than €100 per person on the plane ticket. Besides, we found the alternation between bustling cities, charming villages and tropical islands perfect. Do you choose to start in Kuala Lumpur? Then we recommend travelling north via the Cameron Highlands, Penang and Langkawi. You can then travel on to Singapore and finish in atmospheric Malacca.
Singapore: But... of course, you can also choose to start your trip right in Singapore. And trust us: that is definitely not a punishment. Singapore is modern, super-clean and mega well-organised. A great place to start and end your adventure. From Singapore, you travel easily north via Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands and Penang, eventually ending on the island of Langkawi. From there, you can fly back to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for a few tens of dollars.
The ultimate travel itinerary through Malaysia & Singapore
In this itinerary, we take you through the most beautiful and special places in Malaysia and Singapore. From bustling cities and historic villages to lush nature and paradisiacal beaches. So you'll be fully prepared to make the most of your trip!
1. Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's bustling capital, is one of Asia's most modern cities. You will find traditional temples, street food markets, ultra-modern neighbourhoods and even surprising bits of nature. You can sample food from all corners of the world, from Indian curry to Chinese dim sum. This impressive mix ensures that there is something for everyone.
In other words; the perfect place to start or end your Malaysia tour. Curious about what to do in Kuala Lumpur? Check out our tips for Kuala Lumpur.
Tip: Book a Grab taxi from the airport to your hotel. For the Grab app, you just need internet. It is therefore convenient to buy a local SIM card or arrange an e-sim card through, for example Airalo.
2. Cameron Highlands
After the busy city of Kuala Lumpur, it's time for some fresh mountain air. And by fresh, we mean really fresh! So keep in mind to bring long trousers, jumper and/or windbreaker!
Indeed, the Cameron Highlands lie at an altitude of over 1,500 metres and are known for their many tea plantations, misty forests and cool climate. This area was once discovered by the British and still feels a bit colonial. Take cool hikes through mossy trails, visit a tea factory and sip a cup of freshly brewed tea overlooking the hills. This region feels like a completely different Malaysia. What you really need to see read our blog with tips for the Cameron Highlands.
Travel time from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands is about 3.5 to 4.5 hours by bus. We recommend getting bus tickets in advance through the website of 12GoAsia book, especially on weekends and public holidays, to avoid disappointment. Find more information in our blog travel from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands.
3. Penang (George Town)
Penang is perhaps the most cultural destination of your trip. In George Town, the island's capital, walk past colonial buildings, colourful street art and temples of different religions. The island of Penang used to be an important trade route for Europe, the Middle East, China and India. As a result, you will find so many different cultures here today. Everything here is about atmosphere, nature and delicious food. Check out our tips for Penang And find out what's on offer!
Travel time from Cameron Highlands to Penang (George Town) is about 4 to 5 hours by bus and bus tickets can be easily bought in advance online at 12GoAsia. Find out more in our blog travelling from Cameron Highlands to Penang.
4. Langkawi
The next destination is beautiful Langkawi. This tropical island has everything you need: beaches, jungle, waterfalls and viewpoints. We spent over 5 days there for a reason! Hire a scooter and explore the island at your leisure. Sail through mangroves, go snorkelling, visit the Langkawi Sky Bridge or just relax on Pantai Cenang. It's a nice place to get away from it all. Read all about it in our blog: tips for Langkawi!
Travel time from Penang (George Town) to Langkawi is about 40 minutes (excluding boarding and check-in time) by plane and tickets can easily be bought in advance online at 12GoAsia. Why it's best to take the plane for such a short trip read our blog travelling from Penang to Langkawi.
Read also: A 3-week tour of Sri Lanka
Read also: The ultimate Cambodia travel itinerary + handy tips
5. Singapore
Singapore has really kind of captured our hearts. It is a city of extremes: modern architecture, tropical gardens and ultimate delicious street food come together effortlessly here. Although it is a compact city, there is a huge amount to experience. Stroll through Gardens by the Bay with its iconic Supertrees, explore the colonial buildings around Marina Bay or dine at a hawker centre. Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam give you a glimpse into the different cultures this city is rich in. Everything is well organised, clean and safe. So a perfect combination with your itinerary Malaysia
Travel time from Langkawi to Singapore is about 1.5 hours (excluding boarding and check-in time) by plane and tickets can be bought easily in advance online at 12GoAsia or Booking.com. Find out more in our blog travelling from Langkawi to Singapore.
6. Malacca
Between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur lies atmospheric Malacca, a colourful city full of history. Here you can see Dutch, Portuguese, English and Chinese influences intermingled in the architecture, temples and churches. The real draw (if you ask us)? The Jonker Street Night Market, which takes place every weekend. You'll find street food, live music and fun stalls. Ideal if, like us, you love street food! In other words: Stroll through the colonial centre, take a boat ride on the river and discover why this town is so popular among travellers. Read our tips about Malacca and go on your trip prepared!
Travel time from Singapore to Malacca is about 4 to 5 hours by bus and bus tickets can easily be bought in advance online at 12GoAsia. Find out more in our blog travelling from Singapore to Malacca.
We concluded our trip again in Kuala Lumpur, and from Malacca it would take about 2.5 to 3 hours to travel by bus. Buy tickets in advance easily online at 12GoAsia. Find out more in our blog travelling from Malacca to Kuala Lumpur.
Alternative travel routes through Malaysia
Do you have longer time or want something just a little different from this itinerary? Then fortunately there are plenty of great places to extend or modify your Malaysia itinerary. Think pristine jungle on Borneo, roadless tropical islands or one of the world's oldest rainforests. Below, we share a few extra options that you can easily add to your ideal Malaysia itinerary!
1. Borneo
If you have extra time or want to rearrange your itinerary, consider a trip to Malaysian Borneo. Here you'll find pristine jungle, orang-utans, cool divespots and the impressive Kinabalu National Park. Perfect for nature lovers looking for adventure.
2. Taman Negara
Prefer more jungle on your Malaysia tour? Then Taman Negara is a great addition. This is the world's oldest rainforest, where you can hike, take river trips and spot wildlife. You can schedule this stop between Kuala Lumpur and the Cameron Highlands.
Tip: Check the weather forecast beforehand. Yes...really very Dutch but if it's raining really hard you better skip this place. Unfortunately, this also applied to us!
3. Perhentian Islands
For those who love tranquillity, white beaches and snorkelling, the Perhentian Islands are a great alternative to Langkawi. These paradise islets on the east coast are car-free and only accessible by boat.
Note: Keep in mind that the Perhentian islands are seasonal. Between mid-October and mid-March is the monsoon period here, which means almost everything is closed. Travelling between mid-March and mid-October? Then you can fully enjoy everything the islands have to offer. July and August are the most popular months, but even then it remains relatively quiet.
Our favourite addresses for Malaysia and Singapore
Of course, you also want to have a nice stay. That's why we've collected our favourite accommodations in Malaysia. From cosy guesthouses and stylish boutique hotels to beach bungalows. This way, you will make your trip not only beautiful, but also very comfortable (which is nice!) For each destination in this itinerary, we have listed our recommendations in separate blogs. So you can easily pick your favourite places to stay!
→ Check out our favourite addresses in Kuala Lumpur
→ Check out our favourite addresses in Cameron Highlands
→ Check out our favourite addresses in Penang (George Town)
→ Check out our favourite addresses in Langkawi
→ Check out our favourite addresses in Malacca
We hope these tips help you plan your ideal itinerary through Malaysia and Singapore! Do you have any questions about this blog? Then feel free to drop us a line at Instagram.
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