Tipping
Tipping isn’t expected nor required in Malaysia
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Welcome to Malaysia!
There’s something to suit every intrepid traveler making their way ‘round Malaysia. The cities are sparkling with liveliness, and beachy resorts dripping with relaxation. With adventure and leisure infused in one, anything can happen. Shop ‘til you drop, eat the sumptuous street food, and don’t forget to see an Orangutan up close.
ATM access
4/5 stars – The main tourist hubs will have ATMs but not all are 24/7. Of course, the further you venture away from busy areas, the less ATMs and card-accepting places there’ll be.
Phone and Internet access
Connection is excellent, free Wi-Fi available in cafes and hotels
Daily cost
With prices like this, your trip can be as cheap or luxurious as you like
Coffee: NZ$3.55 (regular espresso)
Water: NZ$0.55 (330mL bottle)
Beer: NZ$3.55 (local beer)
Food: NZ$2.10 (fish curry)
Taxi: NZ$27 (Airport – Kuala Lumpur)
Big Mac: NZ$2.70 (cheap Macca’s!)
Daily budget
Budget: Around NZ$90/day (2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks, and entry to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary)
Moderate: Around NZ$165/day (2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks and entry to Petronas Twin Towers)
Luxury: Around NZ$220/day (2x restaurant meals, supermarket snacks and Sunway Lagoon Park)
Safety rating
3.5/5 stars - Petty theft is targeted at tourists, so keep the bling at home and exercise caution when out and about. Maybe reconsider booking the coastal resorts in eastern Sabah though. Just in case
Travel Money Trivia
Finders keepers
The R50 polymer notes celebrating the 1988 Commonwealth Games are rare – keep it if you find one!
Fool’s gold
The gold coins are not made from gold at all, but copper, zinc and tin. Imposters!
Rough money
Ringgit means “jagged”, referring to the uneven edges of the Spanish dollars that preceded MYR.
Secure coinage
The latest series of coins feature a latent image of “50” on one side and “sen” the other for authenticity.
That’s not my name!
Some locals refer to Ringgit as dollars, so don’t assume they’re asking for a different type of currency.
Let's talk money
Your holiday to Malaysia won’t set you back too much (even if you’re living it up every night in 5-star resorts). But come prepared with your Currency Pass and plenty of ringgit-in-your-wallet for the street food and market shopping.
- Experience luxury at a low daily cost
- ATMs attached to banks are safer
- Declare any more than US$10,000
- You can buy almost anything at markets
- Alcohol is way cheaper than at home
- Rent a Vespa to see the sights!
- Most locals will speak English, so you’re less likely to get lost from directions
Must do
Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
Check out feeding time at the centre for orphaned orangutans to see these adorable primates up close.
Bukit Bintang
Test your endurance with a marathon shopping session in the fashion and entertainment district of Kuala Lumpur.
Batu Caves
Go wild exploring the incredible caves situated on the limestone hill.
Langkawi Sky Bridge
Take a leisurely walk to and soak in the scenery – on a bridge suspended approximately 100m above the ground. Now that’s a view.
Perhentian Islands
Where luxury meets excitement – take part in all the water activities including canoeing, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Get the best deal on your foreign exchange today & take off with more spending money. Order online 24/7 or visit one of our stores nationwide.
Travel Money NZ has sought to ensure that the information is true and correct at the time of publication. Prices, details and services are subject to change without notice, and Travel Money NZ accepts no responsibility or liability for any such changes, including any loss resulting from any action taken or reliance made by you on any information provided. Daily Cost: All prices are approximations. Your costs may differ depending on where you go, where you shop, and their individual factors. Daily Budget: Costs are estimated per person and do not include accommodation.