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Best short trips in Malaysia? Short getaways in Malaysia?
Where to go for short trip in Malaysia? With its extensive and modern transportation network, Malaysia is perfect for that. Both for locals who want to go on a short getaway in Malaysia, and for foreigners on a short trip in Malaysia. So, let’s answer the question — where to go in Malaysia for short trip? What to see in Malaysia?
Below are 7 ideas for short getaway in Malaysia.
Table of Contents
Where to Go For Short Trip in Malaysia?
Despite being a less popular destination in Southeast Asia, Malaysia offers amazing experiences for all types of travelers. There are plenty of picturesque places to visit and fun things to do in Malaysia. Even if you are traveling to Kuala Lumpur for a few days, we would recommend you to explore beyond the capital.
Here are a few options where you can go for short trip in Malaysia.
Best Day Trips From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
What to do in Kuala Lumpur? Where to go on a short trip from KL?
Check out some of the coolest day trips Kuala Lumpur has to offer.
1. Cameron Highlands Private Day Tour (click for more details)
Cameron Highlands day trip from Kuala Lumpur.
Overall, one of the very best day trips from Kuala Lumpur.
A day trip to Cameron Highlands is a long day trip, but worth the tiring hours! And, oh, so beautiful! You’ll be visiting a tea plantation and tea factory. Trust us, these mountains views there are epic. Besides the tea plantation and factory, you can also visit strawberry fields and a butterfly farm.
Keep in mind that the tea factory is closed on Mondays. If you would like to visit the factory, do not go on this excursion on a Monday. Because then you will be able to visit only the plantation. As Cameron Highlands are located at an elevation of 1500 m, it may get cool especially in the evenings. So, bring a jacket with you.
This place is also one of our personal favorites. So, when people ask us, where to go for short trips in Malaysia, the answer mostly includes Cameron Highlands.
DURATION: 12 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Epic mountain views of Cameron Highlands
- Enjoying cool weather in Cameron Highlands
- Visiting a tea factory and plantation
2. Full-Day Trip to Malacca (click for more details)

A sightseeing day trip to the historic city of Malacca.
It’s a long day trip, but so worth the tiring hours!
Malacca is a UNESCO-listed historic coastal city known for its historic centre with Portuguese architecture. It is believed that Malaysia’s history started in 15th century in the Sultanate of Malacca (modern day Malacca). This excursion gives you the opportunity to explore ‘the cradle of Malaysia’.
DURATION: 10 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Exploring the colorful streets of the city and important landmarks
- Seeing the Portuguese colonial architecture
- Visiting the beautiful Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
- Tasting authentic Peranakan cuisine
For us, personally, Malaysia has become our favorite country in the region. Because of its rich culture influenced by a melting pot of ethnicities, its natural beauty and, of course, the food. We love Malaysia’s diverse cuisine.
3. Private Full Day Tour to Taman Negara (click for more details)
A full-day excursion to Taman Negara National Park.
On this KL day trip you’ll experience Taman Negara National Park up close. It’s a large park consisting of a vast ancient rainforest. In fact, it’s one of the world’s oldest rainforests! Trek through the virgin rainforest and explore the Titiwangsa Mountains. Learn more about flora and fauna, and visit an indigenous village. Enjoy the walk along the canopy walkway and ride a traditional longboat up the river.
DURATION: 11 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visiting one of the oldest rainforests in the world
- Taking a longboat up the river
- Exploring Titiwangsa mountains
- Visiting an indigenous village
Multi-Day Trips From Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a long weekend getaway? Or just want to visit another city in Malaysia?
Check out this list of our favorite multi-day trip options from KL! Be it just a short vacation in Malaysia, or a short trip to Malaysia from overseas, we can recommend these trips to everyone.
4. Penang, the Foodie Capital of Southeast Asia
Visit one of the most interesting places in Malaysia, Penang.
Rich with culture and heritage, Penang is one of the top destinations in Malaysia.
Boasting a blend of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Peranakan and British influences, Penang has a very colorful history. And that’s what attracts so many visitors, both from Malaysia, and abroad. Nicknamed “The Pearl Of The Orient”, Penang is wonderful destination for a short trip in Malaysia. Especially if you love food! Thanks to the rich blend of cultures, Penang has a diverse and mouth-watering selection of cuisine, and is considered one of the best destinations for foodies in Asia.
What to do in Penang? There are many great day trip options from Penang. To highlight just a few: definitely explore Penang’s colorful capital city, Georgetown. Head to Penang hill for awesome views of the city. Try Penang’s best dishes.
You can see the city’s highlights just in one day in Penang.
However, we recommend you to stay for at least 3 days.
See more: Best Day Trips From Penang
5. Langkawi Island
Relax on a beach and have fun in Langkawi.
Langkawi is a top beach destination in Peninsular Malaysia.
Langkawi is known for its lush, dense jungle, pretty beaches and relaxed vibe. It is one of the most popular beach destinations in Malaysia, and deservedly so. It is very easy to get from KL to Langkawi – there are domestic flights departing almost every hour. The flight takes only 1 hour, and costs peanuts (if you book with AirAsia).
There are plenty of things to do in Langkawi, including many great day trips from Langkawi. Definitely go island hopping, and join a kayaking tour through mangroves. If you are up for an adventure, conquer the obstacles at SKYTREX Adventure Park!
Boasting a rich culture influenced by a melting pot of ethnicities, Malaysia is a place to go if you are interested in architecture, culture and history. Foodies will love Malaysia’s diverse cuisine, and nature lovers will enjoy Malaysia’s natural beauty. Many travelers choose to travel only to Kuala Lumpur, and only for a few days. But we would recommend you to explore beyond the capital!
6. Ipoh

Explore a picturesque heritage city of Malaysia.
Ipoh is a picturesque place for a long weekend getaway in Malaysia.
In the city, do a self-guided heritage walk. It covers most of the historically important places of Ipoh. Known for its remarkable colonial buildings, Ipoh is also famed for its delicious cuisine. In fact, it is a lesser known food city of Malaysia.
You can also visit its temples and caves, and explore the surrounding area which is known for its natural beauty. If you want to explore Ipoh’s surroundings, definitely visit Gaharu Tea Valley, an agro-tourism tea plantation. Trek the Ulu Geroh Rafflesia Trail to see the enormous parasitic flower, Rafflesia. Spend a relaxing day at the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat. Visit the famous Tempurung Cave.
If you are visiting Ipoh with kids, visit the Sunway Waterpark.
7. A Visit to a Durian Farm

Learn more about the famous durian fruit.
Durian is often called the “king of fruits” in Southeast Asia.
Its large size, hard shell with spikes, rich and unique flavor and distinctive smell is what it’s known for. The fruit is wildly popular around Southeast Asia, and Malaysia is not an exception. People just love this fruit. Well, except for tourists travelling to Malaysia and the rest of Southeast Asia. To many of us, it’s just a smelly, disgusting fruit. But still, we are fascinating by it.
If you are traveling in Malaysia, do not miss the wonderful opportunity to visit a durian farm. As there are many farms to choose from, just pick the closest one! Some of these farms even offer accommodation, for instance, Bao Sheng Durian Farm in Penang. If you are visiting Penang, consider staying at a durian farm. It is one of the most unique things you can do in Penang.

Malaysia Travel Tips
Malaysia is a wonderful destination.
It’s not as popular as Thailand, Bali and the Philippines, and it’s often overlooked by tourists. We have been to Malaysia several times and we can proudly say that Malaysia is one of our most favorite countries in the world. It has got nice, hot climate, diverse cuisine, and rich culture influenced by a melting pot of ethnicities. There are plenty of things to do in the country, and you won’t get bored when traveling in Malaysia.
Here are some of the things we have learned about this country.
Some of our best Malaysia tips.
- Choose the best time to visit Malaysia. The best time to visit Peninsular Malaysia is from December to March when it’s dry. It’s also the high season when prices go up slightly. At the same time, having been to Malaysia in all seasons, we can add that mostly it’s okay year-round.
- Use trains and buses in Malaysia. You don’t have to rent a car when traveling in Peninsular Malaysia. You can get everywhere by public transport – bus or train. Peninsular Malaysia boasts an extensive bus network, and the rail connects major cities. Trains and buses in Malaysia are clean, reliable and modern, and tickets are cheap. There’s no need for a car.
- There’s no public transport in Langkawi, though. The exception is Langkawi island. There’s no public transport on the island. There you may need to rent a car or scooter for flexibility. Alternatively, you can travel by taxi (more expensive option).
- Domestic flights are cheap; fly to save time. Malaysia has a great budget airline, AirAsia, which offers cheap flights all over Malaysia. For example, an AirAsia flight from KL to Langkawi will set you back only 15 euro!
- Eat like a local. Malaysia is famous for its diverse cuisine which is influenced by many cultures. And the best food can be found in small local cafes and eateries, as well as street food stands. Don’t be afraid to try street food in Malaysia. You won’t be disappointed!
- Do not miss Malaysian Borneo. If you have time, definitely explore Malaysian Borneo. It’s a less popular part of Malaysia, but more pristine and has this “unexplored” feel. It boasts dense primary rainforests, diverse wildlife, pretty beaches and abundant marine life.
- Stay with a view! It can be very affordable. When you are visiting Kuala Lumpur, stay at a 5-star hotel. KL has many affordable 5-star hotels and modern apart-hotels. A number of them boast great skyline views and offer rooftop pools with views of the Petronas Towers and KL Tower. We recommend you to stay in such a hotel (one example — THE FACE SUITES). It’s an unforgettable experience for a fraction of the price.
Have you visited Peninsular Malaysia? Did you do any day excursions in Malaysia? Which, in your opinion, are the best day trips from Kuala Lumpur you could recommend? Best short trips in Malaysia?
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