How much does a trip to Malaysia cost?

A tailor-made Malaysia holiday with travoHolidays currently starts from US$1,558.80 per person for 7 nights on our Kuala Lumpur and Penang food trail, and from US$2,138.40 per person for 11 nights combining rainforest and islands. These prices are per person, based on two sharing, land only (international flights excluded), and they vary with travel dates and hotel choice. On top, budget for a small nightly tourism tax on hotel rooms, any park permits you need and your daily spending in Malaysian ringgit.

Our Malaysia package prices

The figures below are travoHolidays package prices, November 2026. Each is a starting price for the itinerary as designed; your specialist will quote the exact figure for your dates.

All prices are per person, two sharing, land only, and exclude international flights. They change with season, availability and the hotels you choose. You can also browse every itinerary on our Malaysia destination page.

Official fixed costs: taxes, levies and entry formalities

A handful of government charges apply to most visitors. These are the figures we could verify as of November 2026; rates can change, so confirm them before travel.

Visa and arrival card

Many nationalities can visit Malaysia visa-free; the UK Foreign Office, for example, says British tourists are normally granted 90 days on arrival. Rules depend on your passport, so check the Immigration Department of Malaysia before booking. Most foreign visitors must also submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days before arrival. The official MDAC portal does not charge a fee; copycat websites do, so use only the official MDAC site.

Tourism tax

Foreign guests pay a tourism tax of RM10 per room per night, collected by the hotel on behalf of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. When the tax was introduced, homestays, village accommodation and premises with fewer than five rooms were exempt. It is usually paid at check-out rather than included in package prices, so ask your specialist how it is handled for your hotels.

Departure levy

Under the Departure Levy Act 2019, passengers flying out of Malaysia pay RM8 (economy) or RM50 (other classes) to ASEAN destinations, and RM20 (economy) or RM150 (other classes) to destinations outside ASEAN. The levy is normally built into your air ticket, so you will not pay it at the airport.

Park and wildlife fees in Borneo

Sabah Parks lists Kinabalu Park entry for international adults at RM50, and the Mount Kinabalu climbing permit at RM400 per adult, with accommodation and conservation fees charged separately (rates effective from 1 January 2023). The Sabah Wildlife Department lists the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre entrance fee for foreign adults at RM30.

Cost components at a glance

What drives the price of a Malaysia trip

• Season: December holidays, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya push up west-coast hotel rates; the rainier inter-monsoon weeks are often quieter. See our month-by-month Malaysia weather guide.
• Borneo and the islands: adding Sabah means extra domestic flights, guides and lodges, while east-coast islands involve boat transfers.
• Hotel class: the jump from a comfortable city hotel to a luxury beach resort on Langkawi is usually the largest single change to a quote.
• Trip length: longer itineraries spread fixed costs such as transfers, but each extra region adds an internal flight.
• Private versus shared guiding: private guides and drivers add flexibility at a higher cost.

Ways to save without cutting the good bits

• Travel in the shoulder months: for the west coast, consider weeks just outside the peak December holidays; for the islands, aim for the start or end of their season.
• Keep the route compact: Kuala Lumpur, George Town and Langkawi can be linked by short flights or road, avoiding the cost of Borneo on a first trip.
• Mix hotel levels: a characterful heritage hotel in Penang and a higher-end resort for the beach nights often feels more special than mid-range throughout.
• Eat where Malaysians eat: hawker stalls and kopitiam cafes are a highlight in their own right, especially around Jalan Alor.
• Pay by card or e-wallet: Tourism Malaysia notes that major cards are widely accepted and e-wallets such as Touch 'n Go and GrabPay are common, which helps you avoid poor exchange rates on cash.

Money basics: the Malaysian ringgit

Malaysia's currency is the Malaysian ringgit (MYR), written locally as RM. Notes run from RM1 to RM100. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls and restaurants, though small stalls and rural areas may be cash only. If you carry cash or traveller's cheques worth US$10,000 or more, the UK Foreign Office says you must declare it on entry or exit.

Getting an accurate quote

The fastest way to a firm price is to share your dates, preferred hotel level and the regions you want to see. Our first-time Malaysia travel guide can help you decide on the route first. When you are ready, build your own Malaysia itinerary and a specialist will price it for your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. CTIM — Departure Levy Act 2019 and rate orders (effective 1 September 2019)
2. Ministry of Finance Malaysia — Dewan Negara passed five bills (departure levy rates)
3. The Edge Malaysia — Malaysians exempted from tourism tax, foreigners pay RM10 flat rate
4. Sabah Parks — Kinabalu Park fees
5. Sabah Wildlife Department — Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
6. Immigration Department of Malaysia — Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
7. Tourism Malaysia — Travel guide
8. GOV.UK — Malaysia travel advice: entry requirements