Malaysia is a kid-friendly country, and you should visit it with your family. We traveled around a bit with our toddler (and solo and as a couple too). The cities are usually enjoyable with smaller kids as well. You can easily spend 3 weeks in Malaysia.
Let’s start in the north.
Langkawi 4 days
Beaches, cable cars, and waterfalls are the main attractions of Langkawi. A bit of Asian Balkans. The island is not stroller friendly, the best if you babywear or use a taxi (Grab is a popular app for rides) and have short walks if you have a baby carriage with you.
Best things to do in Langkawi
- Langkawi Cable Car (SkyCab)
- SkyBridge
- Oriental Village
- Mangrove tours
- Waterfalls
Penang 4 days
The heaven of food and arts. Personally, we think the food is similarly delicious in most Malay cities. Still, you definitely have access to various cuisine just next to each other: the old town, the Chinatown, and little India both worth exploring. Besides the historical buildings, you will see a lot of recent murals as well.
Must See Penang:
- George Town with its street art
- Snake Temple
- Penang Botanic Gardens
- Fort Cornwallis
Beaches at Batu Ferringhi 2 days
If you are into beaching, take a day or two and visit Batu Ferringhi. Near the airport, the snake temple attracts quite many tourists too.
Get around: Walk in the city center, which is pretty well manageable with the stroller too. Grab for longer distances.
Kuala Lumpur – KL 4-7 days
The Petronas Towers, KLCC Park, the TV tower, the Batu Caves, the botanic garden, and the bird park are a few among the numerous highlights of Malaysia’s capital.
Get around: free buses in the city center.
Grab to everywhere else or in case the buses would require too many changes.
Must-see places in KL with kids:
Berjaya Times Square Theme Park
A theme park with rollercoasters in a SHOPPING MALL! Our absolute favorite attraction is Kuala Lumpur.
Aquaria KLCC
An enormous aquarium.
Petrosains Discovery Centre
Bigger kids will definitely enjoy this 7000 square meters science center.
Taman Negara 3 days
The oldest national park in Malaysia. We would recommend going with older kids or have hiking carriers with you. The Kuala Tahan village in the middle of the park offers accommodation and can be reached by car or by a long boat journey from Jerantut. It is good to travel to the village first by bus and then take a shorter boat ride down the stream.
Melakka 2 days
Another town on the west coast famous for food and history. The well-preserved center (UNESCO World Heritage) and the night market offer delicious food and attractions for tourists and locals.
Cameron Highlands 2 days
Tea plantations, strawberry farms, and cloud forests. Personally, Cameron Highlands is my favorite place in Malaysia since I’ve traveled and hitchhiked there solo a couple of years ago. The scenery is spectacular. You can hike (longer or shorter) and visit the plantation, depending on your interest. Which kid would say no to strawberries? The food is cheap and plenty as well. You can reach the place by bus from several locations. There are buses from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and even directly from Singapore.
Where to Stay in Malaysia with Kids
You can rent an Airbnb unit or stay in some of the better hotels. We loved the following places:
Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur City Centre – a simple shallow pool for kids, but never crowded
Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang – George Town
The Bayview Beach Resort – Batu Feringgi, Penang – lots of kids pools to choose from, many slides, and other water attractions
Bella Vista Waterfront Kuah Langkawi – Kuah, Langkawi – small pool for kids, but it was usually only for us
Get Around in Malaysia with a Family
To get around with family, Grab or taxis are the best way. Cheap flights between cities by AirAsia are an option. You can buy flight tickets for $10-20 even a few days ahead.
Car Rental
It is safe and easy to drive around Malaysia. For flexible sightseeing, rent a car for your family.
Flights
Our Penang – Kuala Lumpur flight costs only $15 per person – a day before the flight.
Buses
Intercity buses in Malaysia are comfortable and reliable. You can buy tickets online or on the spot at the bus stations. Cheap, comfortable, and fast way of traveling in Malaysia.
Taxi and Grab
We highly recommend using Grab (similar to Uber) and taxis.
In SEA, Grab is the more popular app for rides. The biggest difference to Uber is that you pay by cash to the driver determined by the app. We used it everywhere, and you can save a significant amount of money compared to regular taxis. It’s safe, and you will get a car really fast.
Travel Resources
There is nothing better than a relaxed holiday. To ensure your rest, make sure you reserve and book your accommodation and transportation in advance of your trip.
- Don’t forget to insure yourself during your travels: SafetyWing. Check out their policies HERE. It also covers several virus-related expenses.
- Look for the best prices on flight tickets, hotels, and car rentals: Expedia
- Car rental: SIXt
- Accommodation: Booking.com, Agoda or Hostelworld if you travel on a budget. Don’t forget that you can search for Apartments also on Booking.
- Activities: GetYourGuide
- Opinions on hotels and restaurants: TripAdvisor
- Was your flight canceled or delayed? Get up to 600€ back with the help of Compansair!
About the Author
Katalin
Katalin is a Lapland-based outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, road-tripping, and traveling with her family. She spends her free time far away from civilization in one of the national parks around the world, explores off-the-beaten-path places, or hops on a road trip with her kids in an RV.
Read more about her adventures and the blog.