Backpacking Malaysia
5 destinations for backpackers. Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
Cameron Highlands
Malaysia
The Cameron Highlands is Malaysia's cool-climate escape, sitting at 1,500m elevation in the Titiwangsa Mountains. Rolling tea plantations, misty hiking trails, and strawberry farms replace the tropical heat found elsewhere in the country. Tanah Rata is the main backpacker base — compact, budget-friendly, and the starting point for most trails. It is a welcome change of pace from the heat and humidity of coastal Southeast Asia.
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (KL) is a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures, offering world-class street food, iconic architecture, and some of the cheapest quality hostels in Asia. The Petronas Twin Towers dominate the skyline, while at street level, night markets, Hindu temples, and Chinese shophouses create a sensory overload. KL is also a major regional air hub, making it a natural starting or transit point for backpacking Southeast Asia.
Langkawi
Malaysia
Langkawi is a duty-free archipelago off Malaysia's northwest coast, best known for its beaches, mangrove forests, and the dramatic SkyBridge cable car. While it draws resort tourists, backpackers can take advantage of duty-free alcohol (cheap by Malaysian standards), affordable guesthouses, and island-hopping tours. Pantai Cenang is the main strip, with most hostels, restaurants, and nightlife concentrated there.
Penang
Malaysia
Penang is Malaysia's food capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Georgetown's colonial shophouses, vibrant street art, and legendary hawker stalls make it one of the best-value destinations in all of Asia. Backpackers come for the food — char kway teow, assam laksa, cendol, nasi kandar — and stay for the atmosphere: a walkable, art-filled city where every lane has a story and every corner has a cheap meal.
Perhentian Islands
Malaysia
The Perhentian Islands — Kecil (small) and Besar (big) — are two jungle-covered islands off Malaysia's northeast coast with crystal-clear water, vibrant coral reefs, and some of the cheapest diving in the world. Kecil is the backpacker island with budget chalets and beach bars, while Besar caters to families and mid-range travelers. The islands shut down entirely during monsoon season (November–February).