Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? 5 Pros & Cons
Is Kuala Lumpur worth visiting? Are you thinking of planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur and debating whether you should visit it?
This guide highlights 5 Pros and 5 Cons of Kuala Lumpur that will help you determine whether you should visit Kuala Lumpur!
Kuala Lumpur is currently one of the most visited cities in Southeast Asia every year, and it’s easy to see why with its diverse ethnicities, wide variety of cuisines, and modern infrastructure.
The fast-developing metropolitan city claims many conveniences, and there are many things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
But admittingly, it’s not for everyone; consider the city’s pros/cons and determine whether it’s worth visiting for you!
5 Pros for Kuala Lumpur
The Food: Kuala Lumpur is easily one of the best food cities in the world, and it’s not even a debate.
With its mix of ethnicities calling KL home for many generations, you’ll find top-tier Chinese, Indian, and Malay food everywhere. Arabic food has also become significant in the city, with shawarma shops everywhere.
Besides the local food, Kuala Lumpur has various cuisine types, including Japanese, Korean, American fast food and much more!
Hawker stalls are known in Kuala Lumpur as small stands serving street food and must be visited when in KL. Also, don’t forget to check out the iconic Jalan Alor Food Street!
Regarding food variety, Kuala Lumpur offers a wide choice of cuisine types. By the way, KL has many Michelin Star restaurants!
It’s Cheap: If you browse photos online of Kuala Lumpur and see how modern the city looks, you wouldn’t think it’s cheap because of this, but that’s not the case; Kuala Lumpur is very cheap to visit!
Many mid-range 3 and 4 star hotels in Kuala Lumpur will cost you around $40 US a night. Food costs are also very cheap in KL, you find countless meals around Kuala Lumpur for around $3 US, and I mean meals, not quick small bites!
Public transportation can cost you around only .20 to .50 cents US; yes, you read that right. Taxis/Grab taxis will always cost you more, but even those methods will only cost you around $5 – $12 US per trip.
The average cost of a seven-day vacation for one person to Kuala Lumpur is $455 US per traveler, $65/day. If you budget yourself, you can bring that down to as low as around $20-27 US a day.
Modern City: Kuala Lumpur is very well-developed and only growing yearly; the city’s public transportation is exceptional and ranks as one of the best in Asia, featuring three different methods.
For those who value good internet, the city is very well connected with high-speed internet.
There are modern malls everywhere in the city offering every brand you can think of, and the hotels in KL are world-class. You’ve got a wide variety from top tier 5-star hotels to mid-range apartment rentals and hostel options.
The city offers plenty of recreational options for individuals, from concert venues to theaters and more. Lastly, the city offers a wide range of banking services, and you can pay by card in most places.
Excellent for Shopping: Kuala Lumpur is a shopper’s paradise; you’ll find it all in the city from a wide variety of modern air-conditioned shopping malls featuring both luxury and mid-range popular brands, electronics, and more. Popular malls in the city are the Pavilion, KLCC Suria, and others.
If you’re looking for a bargain shopping experience, head to the famous Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, where you’ll find countless vendors selling shirts, souvenirs, electronics, and more.
The famous Central Market in Kuala Lumpur is another place worth checking out. It’s an old cultural heritage site renovated into a massive indoor market featuring all types of goods at affordable prices!
English is widely Spoken: The main language used in Malaysia is English, spoken by many nationalities, including Malay, Chinese, and Indian locals.
Other ethnic backgrounds in Malaysia also speak English and, if not fluently, at least some English usually.
Signs around the city are all in English, including public transportation information.
This makes visiting Kuala Lumpur quite convenient for many visitors who speak English. You won’t have to worry about learning new phrases in another language.
5 Cons for Kuala Lumpur
The Weather: It rains in Kuala Lumpur often, even when the city is supposed to be in the dry season.
Kuala Lumpur’s monsoon season is from October through April, with plenty of rainy days. You will experience some sun in the morning, but most days are cloudy and with spurts of rain throughout the day.
From May through September, Kuala Lumpur is considered to be in its dry season, with July and August supposably being the driest months in the city, but even then, you should expect 15 days of rain each month. That’s a lot of rain, considering it’s supposed to be the “dry season.”
If you speak to many locals, some will mention monsoon/dry seasons, but most will simply put it and say: “It’s always raining in Kuala Lumpur.”
The humidity in Kuala Lumpur is high, no matter the time of year you visit; add humidity to the city’s traffic/fumes, and you’ve got one humid place.
Lack of Nightlife: The nightlife in Kuala Lumpur sucks, there’s no other way to put it. Generally, the only charming quality of Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife is its many rooftop bars that offer stunning panoramic views of the city skyline.
But besides a chill rooftop bar, the city has no nightlife; its supposed “nightlife area” is located on Changkat Bukit Bintang Street and features many bars/restaurants to dine/drink at. Nightclub-wise, there are one or two small nightclubs, and even on weekend nights, they aren’t too lively.
Despite many eateries in the city being open till the early morning hours till 3-5 AM, there’s nothing to do at night in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife is boring, to say the least!
Alcohol is Expensive: To add to Kuala Lumpur’s depressing nightlife, alcohol is quite expensive in Kuala Lumpur, especially when comparing the prices to other cities in Southeast Asia.
The reason for the higher alcohol prices is due to Malaysia’s high alcohol tax; the country has the 2nd highest alcohol tax in the world.
Expect to pay around $2 to $5 US for a 500ml beer in Kuala Lumpur, depending on whether you buy it from; the cheapest place to buy beers is at 711/KK convenience stores; restaurants will always cost more.
Cocktails at many bars/restaurants cost around $8 to $15 US, and soju (Korean rice wine) costs around $8 US per bottle.
Air Pollution: The city’s rapid development has also resulted in some environmental challenges, such as air pollution and deforestation.
Air pollution in Kuala Lumpur is caused by the many vehicles on the road despite the great public transportation, industrial activities, and construction dust. During rush hour in Kuala Lumpur, you will notice days where the air is slightly discomforting.
The government has implemented measures to encourage residents to use more public transportation, but many locals drive into Kuala Lumpur for work daily.
During the dry season, Kuala Lumpur can sometimes experience haze caused by transboundary smoke from forest fires in neighboring countries.
It’s Just Boring: Simply put, Kuala Lumpur lacks luster, and most individuals will find it rather boring. This has been proven by the city’s lack of attraction from digital nomads.
Besides the main attractions in the city, mentioned below, and as modern malls, there honestly isn’t much to do in Kuala Lumpur. As mentioned before, the nightlife isn’t there, and the range of activities for adults is also lacking.
While you will find a small expat community in KL, you’d expect more, considering how built up the city is, but it’s just not the case.
Another must-mention is the social scene in KL; most cultures residing in the country aren’t anti-social per se, but they aren’t as social as most Western countries. This also means it’s not a good place for dating either; cultural differences are prevalent.
Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur
Full Day City Tour: If you want to see it all in KL, this is your tour! During this full-day 8 hour tour, you’ll visit Kuala Lumpur’s top attractions, including Petronas Twin Towers, stroll through the bustling streets of Chinatown (Petaling Street), and the Batu Caves.
Batu Caves: On this fun, private 4-hour tour to the Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur, you’ll get to stroll through the famous Hindu Shrines and experience the magical caves
Kuala Lumpur Instagram Tour: Capture the stunning vistas of Kuala Lumpur with the assistance of a knowledgeable guide on this full-day city tour.
You’ll visit some of the city’s most picturesque locations, such as the National Mosque, Batu Caves, and the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
Petronas Tower Visit: Experience Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic attraction, the Petronas Towers, without the hassle of waiting in line. With skip-the-line admission, you can save time by pre-booking your tickets, which will be conveniently delivered to your hotel reception.
KL Foodie Tour: For those looking to experience the cuisine in Kuala Lumpur and try many types of food, this is your tour. Immerse yourself in Malaysia’s vibrant street food culture with an evening tasting tour in Kuala Lumpur. The tour includes 15+ food tastings!
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
Budget Hostels in Kuala Lumpur
Chinatown Hostel by Mingle: The hostel offers both dormitory-style rooms and private rooms. Rooms are clean, well-maintained, and equipped with essential amenities such as comfortable beds, lockers, and air conditioning.
Hotel 1000 Miles: An affordable boutique hotel located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, near several restaurants and within walking distance to other popular areas in the city.
Mid Range Hotels in Kuala Lumpur
Hotel Capitol: A well-priced mid-range hotel near the Jalan Alor Food Street and only a few minutes walk from the Pavillion Mall
Verdant Hill Hotel: Located in the heart of the city, Verdant Hill Hotel is a few minutes walk away from the Jalan Night Market, plenty of restaurants, and the nightlife district in the area
Luxury Hotels in Kuala Lumpur
JW Marriott: Located in the heart of the city across the popular Pavillion Mall, this luxurious hotel offers spacious, stylishly furnished rooms equipped with modern amenities.
Pullman Kuala Lumpur: Luxurious modern hotel located right in the center of Bukit Bintang with direct access to the famous mall
Lanson Place: A luxurious 5 star condo-like hotel offering spacious modern rooms, many amenities, and excellent city views
Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur has two significant weather patterns throughout the year. Still, many locals suggest it rains throughout the year, and there isn’t a distinct “best time to visit Kuala Lumpur.”
Nonetheless, below, you’ll find the two periods in which the city experiences different weather.
However, it’s important to note that humidity levels are significantly higher in the monsoon season from October to April.
Dry Season: May to September
The dry season in Kuala Lumpur typically occurs from May to September. During this period, the city experiences less rainfall than other months. The weather is generally hot and humid, with occasional showers or thunderstorms.
Temperatures in Kuala Lumpur during the dry season months range from 28°C to 33°C (82°F to 91°F), making it warm throughout the day.
Many choose to visit Kuala Lumpur during the dry season to experience more predictable weather and to take advantage of the city for its outdoor activities with chances of less rainfall.
As mentioned earlier, even during the dry season, Kuala Lumpur can still experience sporadic rainfall throughout the day, so it is advisable to be prepared with an umbrella.
Monsoon/Rainy Season: October to April
The monsoon season in Kuala Lumpur brings in heavier rainfall, but days are unpredictable; some days experience short spurts of rainfall, while others experience rainfall throughout consistently.
The weather is generally cooler compared to the dry season in KL, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F). Despite that, it won’t feel cool whatsoever because of the very high humid levels in the city.
Some streets in the city can experience minor floods, but nothing too out of hand. It’s recommended to always walk around Kuala Lumpur with an umbrella. But don’t worry if you forget your umbrella; you’ll find many street sellers selling cheap clear umbrellas!
A major positive to Kuala Lumpur is the many things the city offers to do indoors, so even when it’s raining in Kuala Lumpur, you can keep yourself busy!
Visiting Kuala Lumpur during the monsoon season isn’t a bad idea. Unlike many places that experience significant weather differences, Kuala Lumpur’s weather is similar throughout the year despite the two weather periods.
Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? — Final Thoughts
So, is Kuala Lumpur worth visiting? Overall, Kuala Lumpur is worth visiting because of its unique characteristics.
The city has got to be one of the best food cities in the world, and the diverse ethnicities living amongst each other is nice to experience. Also, this is a big bonus because of how modern Kuala Lumpur is; the city offers conveniences all around.
That being said, considering the few cons for Kuala Lumpur mentioned above, it’s not for everyone.
I spent many weeks in Kuala Lumpur and enjoyed it. Overall, I would suggest it’s worth visiting, but I wouldn’t rank it at the top for cities to visit in Asia, that’s for sure!
How many days do you need in Kuala Lumpur?
Plan to spend at least 3 to 4+ days in Kuala Lumpur. This will give you enough time to experience many of the city’s main attractions and notable streets and try its many amazing foods!
Is Kuala Lumpur an expensive city?
No, Kuala Lumpur is not expensive to visit; you can spend $30 US a day or less if you budget yourself. That includes your hotel, food, and transportation.
In fact, Malaysia, in general, is one of the cheapest countries in the world to visit!
What is better Singapore or Kuala Lumpur?
Both cities are rather similar to one another, both offering similar attractions and things to do. Neither is significantly better than the other.
Singapore’s location along the water does give the city a slight charming edge, though Singapore is significantly more expensive to visit than Kuala Lumpur!
Why is Kuala Lumpur so popular?
Kuala Lumpur is a shopping and foodie haven, offering an exceptional variety for both categories. Its modern amenities and charming city skyline make it an impressive place to experience.
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