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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Malaysia tips

30 replies

TrulyMiss · 29/05/2025 22:16

We're heading to Malaysia next week with our 4.5 year old son. We travelled a lot pre-kid but this is our first long haul trip with him. Any tips for Malaysia with a small boy? Or just for travelling long haul generally?

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notenoughtogoround · 30/05/2025 04:58

We went to Borneo (Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan) in April with two children, primary school aged. It was brilliant, very safe, lots to do (animals/culture/pools!), almost everyone spoke English, and people were very friendly and welcoming to children. Malaysia is a big country so it will depend where you are going but we only had positive experiences!

Kucinghitam · 30/05/2025 06:00

Where are you going in Malaysia?

We've been going there almost every year since our twins were toddlers to visit my parents (I'm Malaysian, obvs), we are old hands at this, they're late teens now!

Main long haul tip for small kids is - all screen time restrictions are lifted! On long haul flights we let DC watch all the kids' shows and play all the games they wanted on the IFE until their eyes went square. The sheer novelty of being allowed such wonders kept them remarkably quiet for most of the flight.

Another niche tip for flying to Malaysia from the west - there's almost always turbulence across the Bay of Bengal, which takes around 2 hours to get across, often seatbelt restrictions will be on for big chunks of this. We still have a family 'policy' that everybody has to go to the loo, even if they think they don't need it, just before the plane reaches the Bay. <bitter experience>.

When you get there - as @notenoughtogoround says English is widely spoken to at least basic communication level, most Malaysians adore children and will make a fuss over them. There's loads of culture, activities, etc.

Child car seats are still not widely used and not routinely available in taxis/hire cars. When they were little DC carried their own Trunki car seat backpacks as hand luggage.

Do not drink the tap water anywhere, even in hotels. Always drink either bottled/packet/tin drinks, or take cooled boiled water. Every hotel/apartment I've ever stayed in has provided either free bottled water or a water dispenser. Similarly, especially for a small child, beware of ice in drinks (except in hotels where it's always been fine for us). It is less of a thing these days but several decades ago when DH first visited, he got awful stomach flu probably from ice - back then most local shops/stalls would have just frozen their own ice from tap water.

Always be aware of the equatorial sun and how intense it is, especially to young skin. You'll notice that Malaysians stay out of the sun, cover up or use an umbrella (!) to shade themselves. So especially by the beach or pool, make sure everybody is SPFed to the max, have a big parasol over your sun lounger, do not swim in unshaded areas during the brightest hours of the day. The beauty of the tropical heat is that you can go on the beach/in the pool from dawn to 10am, then from 5pm to midnight if you want, it will never be too cold.

Also re: beach, all the Malaysians will be on the beach in the evening, 5pm onwards. That's the best time because the sea breeze will have got properly going, the sun isn't as scorching, you can watch the sunset.

Mosquitoes are £&$# &£%@!! Most bite in the evening, which is annoying because that's when you want to be outside enjoying the slightly cooler temperatures. But the little whining £*&^$# can strike at any time. Slather yourself in repellent! Have after-bite soothing gel to dissuade scratching.

Malaysians don't have separate early teatime, or early bedtime for children. Even on a weeknight you'll see whole families out and about in shopping malls, night markets, just for a stroll because it's cooler. Kids in pyjamas sometimes! All eating dinner together. Just roll with it and forget home routines.

Most important - the food is A.MA.ZING. Don't miss out on trying all of it! Even the dodgiest looking hawker stall down a back alley will be amazing and safe to eat - just check it's freshly cooked to order. Malaysian food is often spicy, but with made-to-order things, they'll be happy to omit the chillies for children.

Forgottenmyphone · 30/05/2025 06:10

Without knowing your itinerary, it’s hard to help but there’s a good orangutan themed play area on the mezzanine level near gate c31 at KL airport.

Clearinguptheclutter · 30/05/2025 07:21

We had a great time in Penang a few years ago (pre kids mind)

the one thing that we laugh about is we got the train from KL to Penang and although that was cheap as chips (and we’d paid for 1st class) the air con was absolutely freezing! So if you plan to take trains take a jumper!

agoodfriendofthethree · 30/05/2025 08:14

I absolutely love Malaysia! In addition to the great advice you've had above, I would highly recommend downloading the Grab app. It's the SE Asian version of Uber, but better! It makes getting around so cheap, easy and safe, plus you can order great local food through it as well. It's my best friend whenever I'm in that part of the world!

OKLah · 30/05/2025 09:09

Would help to say where your staying, assuming you have booked accommodation etc. No point really of suggesting things to do if your not in the areas with ideas.

Assume your flying into KL, but then where?? Off to an Island/Borneo etc etc, what are your interests, what kind of food do you like and so on.

Who are you flying with?

I lived in Malaysia for a good few years.

Kucinghitam · 30/05/2025 09:15

OKLah · 30/05/2025 09:09

Would help to say where your staying, assuming you have booked accommodation etc. No point really of suggesting things to do if your not in the areas with ideas.

Assume your flying into KL, but then where?? Off to an Island/Borneo etc etc, what are your interests, what kind of food do you like and so on.

Who are you flying with?

I lived in Malaysia for a good few years.

I like your username Grin

beetr00 · 30/05/2025 09:20

@Kucinghitam

brilliant informative post; Kucinghitam · Today 06:00

OKLah · 30/05/2025 09:26

@Kucinghitam 😁I still say it at times! I changed my username so not to link with other posts.

Not long been back to Penang, oh how I miss Malaysia. Great advice above for the OP!

evtheria · 30/05/2025 09:36

So many great tips here already.

Pack a really good hoodie/sweatshirt. Malaysia is hot and humid, but the shopping malls are absolutely freezing. Of course, you may not plan to go to malls, but they have great food courts or pharmacies, etc. Each time we nipped into one my British DP couldn’t get over how cold the AC was on at!
If you’re doing nights in the jungle, or by the sea, the temperature drops/there can be a stiff breeze, so a decent layer is needed.

Make sure you have plenty of coins (10c, 20c) and packets of tissues. Most public toilets have an entry fee, either paid at the entrance or to an attendant sat within, and if they’re less modern/fancy they won’t have loo roll in the stalls.

Eat all the things, and drink all the drinks (so many great juices, proper iced teas, etc).

Kucinghitam · 30/05/2025 09:54

YY to Grab being super useful and the aircon on the trains being absolutely arctic!

Also thanks @evtheria I totally forgot about the toilet money and needing to carry your own emergency toilet tissue. Will also add that the less fancy toilet facilities often consist of squat toilets and can be very wet underfoot (if you have fancy thin-soled sandals it is ewwwww). Cheeky tip - either use the loos in posh shopping malls or in big-brand luxury hotels Wink

@OKLah I say it all the time and DC think it's hilarious. When they mimic my speech, they'll just say a normal sentence and add "lah" at the end like a full stop.

evtheria · 30/05/2025 10:11

@OKLahand @Kucinghitam(sorry, OP, derailing for a moment!)
When I started hearing more Liverpudlians go back to saying ‘yes, laaa’ I was confused and intrigued - was there a massive M’sian diaspora I hadn’t heard about? Cult hit Malaysian tv series or podcast that had made its way to the Mersey? DP clarified the la was actually like ‘lad’ and shattered my illusions, but hearing it still makes me smile.

OKLah · 30/05/2025 10:24

Oh, and OP for insect bites get yourself along to Guardian/Watsons (kind of like a Boots/Superdrug) and get some Mopiko cream a Japanese brand in the green/re/white boxes, great for taking redness and the sting out, if really bad put a lot on a plaster and cover. Also to save a bit of weight you can find a good selection of toiletries in both the mentioned above. I always stock up and give out to others as well who are travelling.

And if you after any electronics (just a random thought) there is a great place in Kl to get stuff like that.

Also the holy grail of isotonic/rehydration drinks ever is 100plus, its great when you need a boost and feeling a bit flat being out in the heat and sun. Find it everywhere.

Strangely I dont find the aircon in malls etc to cold, never ever wore a cover up other than for the sun, must just be me!

TrulyMiss · 31/05/2025 09:21

Brilliant tips! Thank you so much! Especially @Kucinghitam for all the detail (and the Bay of Bengal loo tip!)

We are flying into Georgetown/Penang and staying 4 nights, then Langkawi for a week and finally KL for 4 nights. Very excited to travel outside Europe again but a bit apprehensive at the same time!

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TrulyMiss · 31/05/2025 09:24

Should also have said I'm really looking forward to the food - cooking and restaurants are my hobbies so I've done quite a bit of research on where to eat! 😋

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Kucinghitam · 31/05/2025 17:23

TrulyMiss · 31/05/2025 09:21

Brilliant tips! Thank you so much! Especially @Kucinghitam for all the detail (and the Bay of Bengal loo tip!)

We are flying into Georgetown/Penang and staying 4 nights, then Langkawi for a week and finally KL for 4 nights. Very excited to travel outside Europe again but a bit apprehensive at the same time!

You are very welcome, feel free to ask for any further specifics and I'll try to come up with answers. I grew up in Penang and KL so know both places very well.

Edit: I especially love talking about Malaysian food Grin

By coincidence, your itinerary is almost the same as ours will be in July/August (except that we're staying much longer in KL at the end of our trip)!

TrulyMiss · 31/05/2025 20:45

@Kucinghitam Nice to know the itinerary makes sense! We're staying in the Eastern and Oriental in Georgetown and the Parkroyal Collection in KL (Bukit Bintang) - I'd be really grateful for any restaurant recommendations! We're Irish so not used to the heat at all 😉 and I expect my son will struggle a bit. For that reason I'm mostly looking at restaurants with air conditioning so he can get a break. Although hopefully we'll manage to try some hawker stalls in the evening! The other thing is that we enjoy a glass of wine on holidays and I know some of the restaurants have no alcohol.

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Kucinghitam · 01/06/2025 08:58

Alcohol is expensive all over Malaysia due to high duty, except for duty-free ports such as Langkawi WinkGrin We don't generally have a drinking culture, even amongst non-Muslims, nor do we tend to have wine with meals except high-end Western restaurants. But I think you can get a nice cold beer in most eateries and kopitiam run by Chinese people.

TippingTree · 01/06/2025 09:04

We’re not long back from Malaysia. We stayed in Penang and KL too. Loved Penang, we tended to do the pool first thing after breakfast, head somewhere for lunch then a chill in the room and back out to the pool for late afternoon. Then a beach walk before dinner. It was hot and I have two very fair skinned children!

In KL we did the aquarium on a rainy day, and the science museum to escape the heat. My kids (7 &11) loved the science museum and it was really interactive so might be good for you.

I also love glass of wine but mainly stuck to beer (or cocktails!) as the cost/choice wasn’t great.

Kucinghitam · 01/06/2025 09:11

The E&O is a lovely hotel, lots of colonial charm. The location is quite good, slightly away from the bustle of old central Georgetown and right on the seafront. There's no beach there but is a short walk to the colonial administrative area and the Esplanade.

The best food in Penang is the hawker food, outside in the heat 🥵 Two hawker areas I like in "central" Georgetown are New Lane and Kimberley Street, both are evening places. A bit further away but popular with tourists and locals alike is the Gurney Drive food court (many stalls here close on Mondays, plenty are still open of course but you'll get slightly less of a vast choice).

Penang is also famous for its Nyonya food. For casual daytime traditional snack food (kueh) and/or lunch, you must go to Moh Teng Pheow - you enter through the kitchen where you can see the staff preparing the little snacks, beyond that is the eating area. For dinner, there are several Nyonya restaurants serving the famous fusion Malay-Chinese cuisine, some have become annoyingly viral thanks to Michelin and Instagram, so you'll probably have to book a table. Try Auntie Gaik Lean's Old School Eatery on Bishop Street, or Ivy's on Kedah Road - both air-conditioned.

You've probably got a list of the essential sights and heritage museums in Georgetown so I won't repeat what you already know. Just to add that if the heat gets to you, the 'fun' 'museums' are a good air-conditioned respite for an hour or so - e.g. the upside down museum, the 3D museum. If you go to the clan jetties, everybody goes to Chew Jetty which is super-touristy and has shops and street-art; you should also try the other non-famous jetties which are way more authentic and quiet (remember families live there so be quiet and respectful).

You can get a Grab between places, or (for a vast fortune but worth it because it is fun) a trishaw within Georgetown itself.

Kucinghitam · 01/06/2025 10:37

KL - I've never been to Parkroyal Collection but the location is great for getting around, right next to the monorail station, also right next to some high-end malls. It's a crazy busy area for both pedestrians and cars though. There is a covered walkway (I think mostly air-con) all the way from Pavilion to the Petronas Twin Towers, about 2km.

Again you'll probably have a list of essential sights in KL so I won't clutter up my post, just ask if you have specifics.

If you go to Chinatown, don't bother with the main covered Petaling Street full of knock-off handbags. The only two things on interest on this main street are the soya milk/bean curd stall and the muah chee (peanut mocha-type things) stall both of which attract long queues of locals. The other side streets are where the interesting stuff is - street art, loads of excellent little cafes and restaurants, too many to mention. If you like clams and seafood, go to Lai Foong Lala Noodles on Jalan Sultan (DH is obsessed with the food here) - air-conditioned, order by QR code.

Little India is accessible at KL Sentral station. The shops, temples, flowers and lights are beautiful and fascinating. But traffic is awful and there are a lot of beggars. The thing to eat is banana leaf rice, it is a wonderful meal - I can't think which independent restaurants are air-conditioned around there, but if you are desperate to escape the heat go into NuSentral mall and find Banana Bistro, it's a chain which serves perfectly good banana leaf rice (we always eat here when travelling through KL Sentral).

Kampung Baru is where to go for great Malay cuisine - some things to try are nasi kerabu, nasi dagang and the national dish nasi lemak. The queues can get massive at the popular restaurants, so I don't have a preferred one, I just look for whichever can seat us in a reasonable time! Also not sure about which ones are air-conditioned.

TrulyMiss · 02/06/2025 13:36

Wow @Kucinghitam! Thank you so much for those tips - you're so kind to take the time!! Am even more excited now, only 3 more sleeps!

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Wanttobeanonhere07 · 02/06/2025 13:43

@TrulyMiss and all - this post is fab and I don’t want to hijack it from @TrulyMiss - but when you come back, please can you let me know how it was!
I’m a single mum thinking of taking my 2 children (teen and younger) - best places to go, will I feel safe, etc!
Best place to visit, to stay for location, etc.

TrulyMiss · 02/06/2025 15:28

Of course @Wanttobeanonhere07! That's no problem at all!

My parents have said the same - dad wants to go somewhere a bit different so delighted to have me as his guinea pig 😂

What I will say from my research and the places I've booked is that the accommodation is quite reasonable so you can stay somewhere nice for less than in other places. We're treating ourselves a bit as we've had a very rough year and it's definitely costing a bit less than I'd have thought!

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Wanttobeanonhere07 · 02/06/2025 15:53

TrulyMiss · 02/06/2025 15:28

Of course @Wanttobeanonhere07! That's no problem at all!

My parents have said the same - dad wants to go somewhere a bit different so delighted to have me as his guinea pig 😂

What I will say from my research and the places I've booked is that the accommodation is quite reasonable so you can stay somewhere nice for less than in other places. We're treating ourselves a bit as we've had a very rough year and it's definitely costing a bit less than I'd have thought!

Thanks so much!
Yes I saw that from my research - flights £££ but accommodation less so.
Have a fabulous time

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