Kuala Lumpur in 4 Days under 1500 AUD
This trip was all about meeting my long term buddies and spend time talking about our amazingly misaligned life, reliving and cherishing our younger self — innocent yet cheeky memories!
Day Wise Itinerary
Day 1 - City of KL
Vibrant, colourful city with a mix of modern and traditional charm. Spent time walking around the city, near the iconic Petronas Towers, capturing some incredible shots of the towers and the bustling crowds. This area is way too touristy, with tourists flocking for that perfect photo , so rehearse your 2000 poses with 500 props before you go!
One of the highlights of the day was indulging in Malaysian cuisine - yumm!!. Nasi lemak, a flavourful dish that's a must-try. For street food lovers, Kuala Lumpur doesn't disappoint, there's this food street in Bukit Bintang offering a variety of cuisines.
Day 2 - Genting Highlands
An easy bus ride (~ 21 MYR round trip) from Kuala Lumpur Sentral. Located at a higher elevation, the cool and foggy weather was a refreshing change - hide away from humidity. A scenic Glass Gondola ride takes you to the top, offering panoramic views of the surrounding greenery.
Want to skip the long queue for the gondola? Don’t miss the special tip I’ve included below, a quick and easy way to save time and enjoy your ride without the wait.
Genting Highlands is like a little escape from the heat and chaos of the city. And the best part? It’s got everything under one roof - like literally! The indoor theme park here is a whole vibe , which is great for families with kids and adults who enjoy gaming. From arcades to skill-based games, there's something for everyone. If you're competitive, this is the spot for you! They even have activities like archery to keep things exciting.
If you have a sweet tooth (or just an ice cream obsession), you have to try the honeycomb ice cream here. Oh my goodness, it’s like heaven in a cone. Imagine creamy, cold goodness topped with honey and actual honeycomb bits - pure magic for any ice cream lover. Trust me, this isn’t optional.
And while you’re busy eating your way through the theme park, there’s plenty of action to keep you entertained. They’ve got an indoor roller coaster (so go scream your lungs out in the comfort of air conditioning), a shopping to drain your wallet, and those classic carnival-style games where you can win soft toys (plushiee).
It’s the perfect way to spend a day indoors, beating the heat, munching on amazing food, and having some good old-fashioned fun.
Day 3 - Batu Caves & National Mosque
Lost hope? Got caught amidst chaos of unfair & cruel world? No worries I got you! Pack your bags with enough hydration and pay a visit to the stunning Batu Caves, a significant cultural and spiritual site in Malaysia. The temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is set within a limestone cave and features a towering golden statue and vibrant steps leading up to the main cave.
Afterward, we visited the National Mosque of Kuala Lumpur (Masjid Negara) , a remarkable symbol of Islamic architecture. The mosque is open to tourists and visitors are provided with appropriate attire, including hijabs, to enter and explore the serene interiors.
Travel Tip: Avoid visiting on Fridays during prayer times, especially before 3 p.m., Non-Muslims are not allowed into the mosque on Fridays between 9.00am to 3.00pm
Day 4 - KL Tower
It was a pretty hot day in Kuala Lumpur (as it usually is!), but the KL Tower is definitely worth a visit. The view of the vibrant city is amazing, and if you’re feeling adventurous, step into the glass projection rooms on two sides of the tower, you know , just for the experience i would say!
From the KL Tower, you can actually see Merdeka 118 that is currently being built, which is about to become the second tallest building in the world. Something to look forward to on your next trip!
Durian Tasting! - okay am not forgetting this one for sure , an experience! I couldn’t decide if it was the best or worst thing I’ve tried, but I finally did it. At Durian BB Park in KL, I worked my way through all kinds of durians, from mild to super intense. The smell? Yep, it lives up to the hype. People even wore gloves to eat it! The stronger ones had this blue cheese vibe - slimy, and definitely not easy to swallow.
For someone like me, who doesn’t go by others’ judgment, it was worth trying just to form my own opinion. If you’re curious, I’d say give it a shot. Who knows, you might actually love it or at least survive it like I did!
Kuala Selangor
A half-day tour to Kuala Selangor turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip to Malaysia. Started around midday, and the first stop was the Sri Shakti Temple, a stunning example of Hindu architectural brilliance. It’s one of the oldest temples in Malaysia
About 15 minutes from there, we made a quick stop at Bukit Melawati, near Kuala Selangor. This spot is known for its cheeky residents—the monkeys! There are two kinds of monkeys here. One was super friendly and, interestingly, it eats grass (I believe they’re called Silvered Leaf Monkeys). The other type was a bit more mischievous, but it added to the fun. It’s definitely a touristy stop, but the vibe was lively, and it was enjoyable watching these little creatures interact with visitors.
From there, we headed straight to the highlight of the tour—the Firefly Park.
At night, we witnessed the magical sight of fireflies lighting up the bushes like twinkling Christmas lights. It was surreal! I was way too excited. It was a peaceful boat ride along the Selangor River , all i could spot above was eagles and birds circling the sky and being fed by boatmen . It was truly serene and memorable moment.
Pro tip: don’t forget to apply mosquito repellent before the ride , it gets quite buggy in the dark near the riverbanks.
On top of that, the river here is known for its bioluminescence or, as locals call it, the “blue waters.” !!! - ( yea took me sometime to figure why that name - sounds more like to attract tourist ;p ) When the conditions are right, you get to see the river glowing with vibrant blue lights as the water is stirred.
This part of Malaysia is known for its seafood, so if you are a sea food lover , indulge in a delicious feast of fresh, local dishes.
This tour was a perfect blend of nature, wildlife, culture, and relaxation—highly recommend it if you’re ever in Malaysia!
Although I must admit, most of the planning for this trip was done by my friend. As someone who’s usually the trip planner, it was honestly refreshing to take a backseat this time. If you know what I mean , it was liberating about letting someone else handle the details-especially the budgeting! It gave me the rare chance to just show up and enjoy without crunching numbers or mapping out every stop. Thank you buddy !
Expenditure for 1 Adult
| Transport | Accomodation | Food | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 AUD | 200 AUD | 200 AUD | 200 AUD |
Things you need to know
Accommodation Tips:
Service apartments are a great option for affordable stays.
Most come with rooftop pools, perfect for unwinding and enjoying the weather for the rest of the evening.
Genting Highlands Gondola Tips:
Expect long queues if you book a regular gondola.
Skip the queue by booking a glass-floor gondola via https://www.rwgenting.com/en/getting-here/cable-car.html.
Alternatively, you can book the gondola along with your bus ticket from KL Sentral for added convenience.
Essential Tips
Get to Batu Caves before 7:00 AM to beat the crowd and enjoy the serene vibes. You can thank me later!
Mid Valley Megamall is a great spot for movies and food. Don’t miss Sadap Sedap, an authentic Malaysian restaurant with amazing flavors.
Bukit Bintang Food Street is a haven for foodies with all kinds of cuisines. Just keep an eye on your belongings as it can get crowded.
For Instagram-worthy photos near the Petronas Towers, head to the signal crossing. Photographers are around ,bargain for about 100 Ringgit to get 5-10 classic snaps.
If traveling from KL to Singapore, evening flights (4–7 PM) are the cheapest, often costing just around 25 SGD. Traveling by road is another affordable and scenic option.
Use the GRAB app for all your cab rides and indoor food cravings—it’s a lifesaver! Just a heads-up, though: every now and then, your food might take a little detour (like being left outside the wrong apartment). Annoying? Sure. But hey, it’s all part of the adventure!
Have a nice trip ahead :)