Malaysia travel guide for Indians 2026–27

Plan Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, Langkawi, Penang and Malacca: visa-free entry and arrival card for Indians, best time, food, how many nights and what our trips cost.

By the Agrima Holidays Team · Updated October 2026 · 6 min read

Why go

Malaysia mixes Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, and Indian travellers feel at home quickly. Tamil is spoken widely. Indian food, from banana leaf meals to roti canai, is everywhere. Prices are reasonable and the country is safe and easy.

In one trip you can see the Petronas Towers, climb the steps of Batu Caves, ride a cable car above the rainforest in Langkawi and eat your way through Penang.

Visa and arrival card

Indian citizens currently enter Malaysia visa-free for tourism, for up to 30 days. This exemption has been extended several times. Check the current rule on the Malaysian immigration site before booking.

Every visitor must fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, MDAC, online within three days before arrival. The card is free on the official site.

Carry your return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds. Your passport needs six months of validity. See our Malaysia visa page for the latest links.

When to go

Malaysia is warm and humid all year, between 25 and 33°C. Rain falls in short afternoon showers on most days.

The west coast, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi, is best from December to April. Langkawi is at its driest from November to April.

The east coast, the Perhentian and Redang islands, is best from March to October. The north-east monsoon closes many island resorts there from November to February.

Festivals:

• Thaipusam at Batu Caves, in January or February, when lakhs of devotees carry kavadis up the 272 steps

• Chinese New Year, in January or February

• Hari Raya Aidilfitri at the end of Ramadan

• Deepavali, a public holiday, with lights in Little India in Brickfields

Month by month

Average night low to day high, from long-term climate averages. Higher places run colder.

How many nights

• 3 nights: Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands
• 5 nights: Kuala Lumpur, Genting and Langkawi
• 6 nights: Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi
• 7 nights: Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang and Langkawi
• 7 nights: Singapore and Malaysia together

Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi and Penang is about an hour by air. Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is about an hour by air or 5 to 6 hours by road.

Getting there and around

Direct flights reach Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Tiruchirappalli and other cities, in about 4 to 6 hours. Some fly direct to Penang.

KLIA Ekspres trains link the airport to KL Sentral in 28 minutes. Inside the city, the LRT, MRT and monorail cover the main sights. Grab is cheap and reliable.

The ETS electric train runs from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, Butterworth for Penang, and further north.

Kuala Lumpur

The stops that appear most often in our Malaysia itineraries:

• Kuala Lumpur
• Langkawi
• Penang
• Genting Highlands

• Petronas Twin Towers, with the skybridge and observation deck on level 86. Book a time slot
• KLCC Park and the fountain show in the evening
• KL Tower, with a glass sky box
• Batu Caves, a limestone hill with a huge golden statue of Lord Murugan and 272 coloured steps up to the temple cave. Dress modestly
• Merdeka Square and the Sultan Abdul Samad building
• Central Market and Petaling Street in Chinatown
• Little India in Brickfields
• Bukit Bintang for shopping and food
• Putrajaya, the administrative capital, with the pink Putra Mosque and the lake
• Aquaria KLCC and Bird Park
• Thean Hou temple, a Chinese temple on a hill

Genting Highlands

Genting, about an hour from Kuala Lumpur, sits at around 1,800 m. The air is cool, sometimes misty.

The Awana Skyway cable car rises over the rainforest. At the top, the Resorts World complex has a casino, malls, restaurants and Genting SkyWorlds theme park. The Chin Swee Caves temple sits on the way up.

Genting works as a day trip or a one-night stay.

Langkawi

Langkawi is a group of islands off the north-west coast, and a duty-free zone.

• SkyCab cable car up Mount Machinchang, and the curved SkyBridge at the top
• Mangrove tour by boat through the Kilim Geoforest Park, with eagles and bat caves
• Island hopping to Pregnant Maiden lake, Beras Basah island and eagle feeding
• Pantai Cenang beach for sunset
• Underwater World aquarium
• Duty-free shopping in Kuah
• Parasailing and jet-ski rides

Penang and Malacca

George Town, in Penang, is a UNESCO site, with shophouses, clan houses, temples and street art. Hire a bicycle or a trishaw. See the Kek Lok Si temple, take the funicular up Penang Hill and spend an evening at a hawker centre.

Malacca, two hours south of Kuala Lumpur, was a trading port ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Walk Jonker Street, see the red Christ Church and the Stadthuys, and take the river cruise in the evening.

Cameron Highlands, a hill station with tea estates and strawberry farms, makes a two-night add-on.

Food for Indian travellers

Malaysia is one of the easiest countries abroad for Indian food. Mamak restaurants, run by Tamil Muslims, serve roti canai, teh tarik, nasi kandar and murtabak, many open round the clock. Banana leaf rice in Brickfields and Penang is a highlight. Vegetarian restaurants are common.

Malaysian dishes to try: nasi lemak, satay, char kway teow, laksa, cendol and durian, if you are brave.

Money and connectivity

The currency is the Malaysian ringgit. Exchange at money changers in malls, which give better rates than the airport. Cards and e-wallets work widely. Carry cash for street food.

Buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport.

Our Malaysia packages

Prices start from ₹22,500 per person on twin sharing, excluding flights. International prices use current exchange rates, and the final amount is confirmed at booking.

Practical tips

• Fill in the MDAC before you fly
• Dress modestly at mosques and temples. Robes are lent at major mosques
• Carry an umbrella for afternoon showers
• Plugs are the three-pin UK type. Carry an adapter
• Drugs carry harsh penalties
• Langkawi has duty-free alcohol and chocolates. Check Indian customs limits before you fly home

Ask us about combining Malaysia with Singapore or Thailand. Both connect easily by road or short flight.