2019 travel costs for peninsular Malaysia

Back on my 2011 travels, I included a breakdown of travel costs for Malaysia. I thought it might be useful to update those costs for my 2019 trip, so here goes:

One caveat, my travel style has always been more flashpacker than backpacker, and is probably even more so, now I'm middle aged. I like AC. I hate share bathrooms.

Accommodation: one key thing to note is that the Malaysian government, in it's infinite wisdom, thought to themselves "We're already far less popular with tourists than neighbouring countries like Thailand and Indonesia, and seen as more expensive; why don't we make ourselves worse value for money?!" and added a 10RM per room, per night tourist tax. The touristy towns on the Western side also often add a 2RM per room per night local tourist tax (on top of the federal one).

Eastern side of the peninsula (Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Marang, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bahru): average costs per day = £29 (153RM). 

These areas are popular with domestic tourists, but don't see many Westerners, and that's a shame. The food is amazing, the people are friendly, and many of the towns are attractive and fun to explore.

Accom average £16.50 per night (87RM), including the tax.

• JB - 98RM (£18.50)
• Kuantan - 80RM (£15)
• Marang - 140RM (£26.50) way overpriced
• KT – 84RM (£16)
• KB – 73RM (£14)

Food and drink: average £5 per day (26RM) – a mix of meals at hawker centres and cheap restaurants, but no alcohol. Expect a meal of curry rice and iced tea, or fried fish (served with rice, fresh vegetables, and dip) in a small restaurant to cost around 8-10RM, and 4-6 RM for a typical hawker stall meal.

Western side of the peninsula (KL, Malacca, and Penang - which is technically an island, but large and has the feel of the mainland, not the islands): average costs per day = £39 (209RM). 

This is the touristy part of Malaysia, where most people go. 

Accom average £26 per night (136RM), including the tax.

• Penang - 170RM (£32). Penang has steadily become more and more popular over the past 10-15 years, and prices have risen accordingly. Now, the old shophouse guesthouses all call themselves "heritage hotels" and the city boasts many shiny new modern hotels with tiny rooms and pillow-top mattresses. The cheap-and-cheerful accommodation seems to be long-gone.
• KL - stayed a couple of nights in a cheap, backpacker oriented place (ensuite but windowless rooms) for 71RM (£13) and then a few nights in a midrange place for 135RM (£25.50)
• Malacca - 134RM (£25). It's another very popular place, and prices now reflect that.

Food and drink: average £7.20 per day (38RM) – these are all great eating cities, with tonnes of amazing and inexpensive food.

Island sites
(Tioman, Kapas, Lang Tengah, Langkawi): average costs per day £54.50 (288 RM)

Accom is more expensive on the islands, especially to get something offering flashpacker or midrange quality. 

Tioman seems to exist as a getaway for middle class KLers or Singaporeans, and charges accordingly. Beachfront resorts will charge typically £60 (300RM) for a pretty standard room. If you're willing to be off the beach, you might be able to find a place for half that.  

Kapas is small island, with a lot of backpacker accommodation, and a couple of mid-range options. If you don't mind a run-down A-frame with cold water bathroom and fan, or a newer room with shared bath, you'll be looking at £11-15 (60-80RM) a night. There's also camping for those on tighter budgets.

Lang Tengah only has a few places to stay, and they're all midrange and up. I paid £60 (300RM).

Langkawi is a large island with a wide range of accommodation, so you should be able to find something decent there for £23 (120-130RM).

Food and drink is also more tourist-focused, and slightly more expensive (but still pretty reasonable). Average £7 (37RM) per day. On most of the islands, expect to pay 10-15RM for a meal at a small standalone restaurant or cafe, and at least 2-3x that to eat in a resort or for Western food. Langkawi is the exception here, as they have hawker stalls and small restaurants charging mainland prices for local food, so you can eat very cheaply here. Although they also have some fantastic international restaurants, so you probably won't want to stick to cheap places!

All sites

Sightseeing is pretty cheap, as museum fees are generally fairly low, and all that wandering around is free. Average £0.75 (4RM) per day, not including any expensive day-trips or tours, like diving or snorkelling trips.

Transport is also affordable: add maybe £4 (20RM) for each intercity coach. Ferries may cost a bit more, depending on how popular and far the destination is. Kapas is close to the mainland, and only costs 15-20RM each way. Tioman is further out, but there is competition and high volumes, meaning prices are a very reasonable 35RM. Lang Tengah only sees small numbers, so the boatmen charge 60-80RM.

Between the ferries, the intercity coaches, and the local buses (and occasional taxi), I spent an average of £4 (20RM) per day on transport.