5 Reasons Why You Need Portable WiFi on Road Trips
Road trip around Malaysia (3-month FREE visa on entry!)
Fancy going on a road trip on your travels, below are some tips of why you may need portable wifi on your road trip, we also cover how to find the best accommodation, including cheaper flights to the road trip destination of our choice Malaysia and the reasons for that decision, Which covers a road trip perfect for 2 days – 1-night trip. A road trip perfect for 3 days – 2 nights trip. Road trips perfect for 5 days – 4 nights trip
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10 best road trips for families in Malaysia
Malaysia is the ideal holiday travel destination as it’s visa friendly ( 3 months on entry FREE.) English is widely spoken, the weather, food, infrastructure, people, and prices are great.
Believe it or not, there’s no need to leave Malaysia to have that family road trip of a lifetime. Whether you’re planning for an easy long weekend getaway or a more adventurous drive, one of these exciting road trips in Malaysia will fit the bill.
Here’s a bonus: All of these road trips begin and end in cities with an airport, so no matter where you reside in Malaysia, you can easily hop on a flight to the start point, pick up a rental car, and then fly home from the endpoint.
Time to hit the pedals!
Road trip perfect for a 2 days 1 night trip in Malaysia
1. Johor Bahru to Malacca – best for city lovers
Johor Bahru, Malaysia Rent a car for your road trip from JB to Melaka
Total distance: 216km
Both great destinations in their own right, Johor Bahru and Malacca can be weaved into a road trip itinerary that’s as short as 2D1N – or as long as you wish.
As cliché as it sounds, Johor Bahru has something for everyone. Families with kids can spend hours in Legoland or Sanrio Hello Kitty Town or book an excursion through GetYourGuide; foodies can hit up highly-rated restaurants or the hipster cafes along Jalan Dhoby; the activities can have rounds of indoor laser tag or paintball; while those up for relaxation can sit back and enjoy a pedicure, facial and massage services. And if you’re up for some shopping, you’d be pleased by the selection of malls in Johor Bahru such as City Square, KSL, Angsana and Komtar.Cheap flights to Johor Bahru .Melaka, Malaysia.Find the best rates for your stay in Melaka
Malacca, on the other hand, is a food heaven with a collection of historical attractions. Soak in the atmosphere along Jonker Street in the heart of Chinatown, and pop into the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum for a dose of history. Continue your cultural immersion at St. Paul’s Church, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Christ Church, and take a cruise along Melaka River before you leave.
Tip: The fastest road from Johor Bahru to Malacca would be the North-South Expressway, but if you have more time, you can stretch out your road trip in Malaysia by going via Batu Pahat and Muar.Rent a car at Johor Bahru
Road trips perfect for a 3 days 2 nights trip in Malaysia
2. Kuala Lumpur to Malacca via Port Dickson – best for beaches & heritage
Total distance: 200km
If your family’s craving for some fun with the sand and sea, this road trip from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca via Port Dickson will be more than satisfying! Cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur. Port Dickson, Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Port Dickson
Less than an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Port Dickson is a world away from Malaysia’s capital city. You can easily find shallow beaches without any surf – perfect for swimming! Once you pry yourselves from the beaches, your family could also visit the Ostrich Farm, the Military Museum, or the Alive 3D Art Gallery.
Tip: There are plenty of accommodation options in Port Dickson, but a unique one would be the water chalet at Avillion Port Dickson.Melaka, Malaysia. Rent a car from KL for your trip to Melaka.
The next morning, take on the 80km drive to Malacca where another adventure awaits. Apart from the activities in Malacca outlined in the previous point, you could ride a trishaw around the city’s main attractions, escape a kid-friendly escape room at Melaka Thousand Tales of Adventures, or enter a real submarine in the Submarine Museum. The Upside Down House Gallery is also a family favourite!
3. Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands & Ipoh – best for a cool hilltop getaway
Total distance: 297km
Another road trip in Malaysia that can be completed during a short getaway, this journey from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh has a stopover in Cameron Highlands.Cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur.Cameron Highlands, MalaysiaRent a car from KL for your road trip
You’ll want to have an early start from Kuala Lumpur so your family will have time to pick fruits in strawberry farms, marvel at lavender gardens or walk through the surreal Mossy Forest in Cameron Highlands. Don’t forget to pause just to breathe in the crisp, cool air in the rolling tea plantations and perhaps drop by the souvenir shop in Boh Tea Plantation for a few boxes of black tea and jars of strawberry jam.Cameron Highlands hotels
Tip: As the roads leading to and from Cameron Highlands are twisting and winding, ensure that you’re well rested before the drive. Honk when turning at sharp bends to warn oncoming vehicles, and do not overtake unless you can see clearly up ahead.Ipoh, Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Ipoh
The next day, your drive from Cameron Highlands to Ipoh will take a short two hours. Once you’ve reached Ipoh, check out some of the city’s jewels such as Kok Lok Tong Cave Temple, the Birch Memorial Clock Tower and Kellie’s Castle. Up for some theme park fun? The Lost World of Tambun comprises a variety of areas such as a water park, an adventure park and an amusement park, and it even comes with natural hot springs!
4. Kuala Lumpur to Penang – best for hawker food and street art
Total distance: 359km Penang, Malaysia .Take a drive to Penang from KL
Penang is where Tourandtakein has a base, please contact us, we may be on the island to show you around. Famed for its hawker culture and street art, Penang Island is a road trip destination in itself. Its capital, George Town, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 2008, widely thanks to its multicultural heritage evident in the religious buildings, ethnic quarters, and everyday life. Some of the must-dos include visiting the Blue Mansion and hunting down beautiful graffiti paintings for an Instagram backdrop.Penang, Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Penang
Further out the heart of the island, enjoy water activities at Batu Ferringhi Beach, explore wetlands and lakes at Penang National Park, find some peace in Kek Lok Si Temple, and ride the tram up Penang Hill. While you’re on this island, take the opportunity to feast on Penang’s culinary delights such as assam laksa, char koay teow, Penang rojak and teochew chendol.
The fastest route to Penang, along the AH2, would take a good four hours, but should the highway be too monotonous for you, switch the scenery by taking the coastal road where you can stop by little towns like Sungei Besar and Sekinchan.Rent a car from KL
Tip: If you have even more time to spare, make a detour to Cameron Highlands and Ipoh as outlined in the previous point. You’d be completing two of the best road trips in Malaysia at one go!
Road trips perfect for a 5 days 4 nights trip in Malaysia
5. Penang to Kota Bharu – best for a mix of city and nature
Total distance: 344km Royal Belum State Park, Malaysia .Rent a car from Penang to visit this gorgeous destination
Following this road trip itinerary, you’ll spend a night or two in Penang before crossing the Penang Bridge, heading northeast and cruising into the East-West Highway 4. Break your trip for a night at Belum Rainforest Resort where you can embrace the wilderness in the Royal Belum State Park or join a boat trip to spot the elusive Rafflesia. You could also choose to do nothing apart from marvelling at the resplendent lake views from the infinity pool.Penang hotels Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Kota Bharu
The next day, brace for a three-hour drive to your final destination, Kota Bharu. The state capital of Kelantan, Kota Bharu oozes charm. Compare the city’s street art to that of Penang’s at Streetart Gallery, and then take a self-guided tour at Istana Jahar and Grand Palace. It’s also a must to see the local life at the Central Market, which is one of the main attractions in Kota Bharu.
Tip: Add a day to your trip and drive further out of the city and to the coast. While beaches may not be the first thing to mind when you think of Kota Bharu, the city is in close proximity to coastal gems like Irama Beach and Pantai Cahaya Bulan.Rent a car from Penang
6. Kota Bharu to Kuantan via Kuala Terengganu – best for beautiful mosques
Total distance: 397km
Take the chance to see three Malaysian states – Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang – and a bucketful of sea views along this road trip itinerary.Cheap flights to Kota Bharu Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Kuala Terengganu
Starting from Kota Bharu, it’s a three-hour journey via T3 to Kuala Terengganu. The royal capital of Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu is home to jaw-dropping mosques such as Masjid Kristal and Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, both of which have a gorgeous river backdrop. You’ll want to stop for a night to have a full tour of Pasar Payang, the colourful streets of Chinatown, and sites where you can learn about history, such as Kota Lama Duyong and the Islamic Civilisation Park.Kuantan,Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Kuantan
Kuantan may not be on the well-trodden tourist path, but it surely has its fair share of interesting attractions, from beaches and waterfalls to mosques and malls. Take a trip to the beach at Teluk Chempedak, get soaked at Sungai Pandan Waterfall, visit Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah, and have a round of shopping at East Coast Mall. You could go on a firefly watching tour along Kuantan River at night, and as dawn breaks, catch a breathtaking sunrise from Bukit Panorama. Oh, and foodies should definitely try the famous mango cheesecake at Kula Cakes!
Tip: If you’re up for a quirky stay, book a night in Time Capsule Retreat. This unique family-run accommodation is tucked in the middle of Sungai Lembing, some 40 minutes from the town centre of Kuantan.Rent a car from Kota Bharu
7. Bintulu to Miri – best for cave explorations
Total distance: 231km
A coastal town in Sarawak, Bintulu is where you can wind down amidst nature. Of course, there’s a smattering of malls and plenty of eateries, but really, much of Bintulu’s attractions are outside town. After visiting Kampung Jepak, a Melanau fishing village by the Kemena River, put that rental car to good use and drive to Similajau National Park where you can embark on hikes, or to Uma Belor Leo Dian Longhouse where you can stay with the Kayan people.Cheap flights to Bintulu
Some 150 kilometres away from Bintulu is Niah National Park, the site where human remains dating back 40,000 years were discovered. Other signs of ancient life here are iron-age cave paintings, as well as Palaeolithic and Neolithic burial sites. Visitors come to explore Niah Caves Complex which comprises the Traders’ Cave, the Great Cave and the Painted Cave.Bintulu car rental Miri, Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Miri
After your caves exploration, continue northeast to Miri. Along the Bintulu–Miri Road, make a left turn towards the coastal road (Q642) so you can stop by stunning beaches such as Tusan Beach. Some of the things to do in Miri include scaling Canada Hill, sipping cocktails at Miri Sky Bar and visiting the Petroleum Museum. You could also make a trip to Lambir Hills National Park and trek to waterfalls while keeping an eye out for gibbons and flying squirrels.
Tip: Can’t get enough of national parks? Add Gunung Mulu National Park, which is known for its karst formations and caves home to millions of bats into your itinerary. To get there, return your rental car at Miri and take a 30-minute flight to Mulu on Maswings, a rural air service provider.
8. Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan via Kundasang – best for a taste of Borneo
Total distance: 332km Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia . Find cheap flights to KK
Kota Kinabalu needs little introduction. Apart from being the gateway to the 4,095m-high Mount Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu is the hop-off point to the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park where you can go diving and snorkelling in pristine waters. Within the city itself, visit the Atkinson Clock Tower, snack on seafood at the Filipino Market, and check out the bars along the City Waterfront. Car rental from Kota Kinabalu
Once you’re ready, cruise along the roads for two hours to Kundasang, which is sometimes referred to as the New Zealand of Borneo. Sounds enticing? Stay overnight so you can take your time to explore Kinabalu Park, which sprawls on the base of Mount Kinabalu, and feed calves at the Desa Dairy Farm. Steeped in natural beauty, Kundasang is perfect for those needing much-needed rest and relaxation.
After a day or two in Kundasang, gear up for a four-hour drive towards Sandakan, located on the northeast coast of Borneo. Just 25km from your destination, make a detour from Route 22 to look at orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. This centre, which has been operating since 1964, rescues orphaned baby orangutans and allows them to live freely within the reserves. In Sandakan, head up the hilltop Pu Ji Shi Temple to get a bird’s eye view of the city and visit Agnes Keith House, a museum with colonial-era furnishings and antiques.Hotels near Kota Kinabalu
Tip: If you’re planning to climb Mount Kinabalu, prepare well in advance. Apart from its physical demands, this trek requires you to have a climbing permit, a mountain guide and climbing insurance. This can be arranged with local tour operators.
9. Sandakan to Tawau – best for caves, river cruises and city life
Total distance: 319km
Those with more vacation days can choose to continue their journey towards Tawau upon reaching Sandakan. Otherwise, fly straight to Sandakan if you’d like to opt for this route.Car rental from Sandakan, Malaysia. Find cheap flights to Sandakan
Following a sightseeing tour of the fantastic attractions in Sandakan, make a loop from Route 22 to Route 13, heading towards Gomantong Caves. This cave system inside Gomantong Hill is not for the faint-hearted; it’s home to an immense population of bats and roaches – yikes! It’s also an ancient source of swiftlet nests, the highly-valuable main component of bird’s nest soup. After the visit to the caves, stay a night in Bilit Rainforest Lodge, from which you can go on a cruise along the Kinabatangan River.Tawau, Malaysia. Find the best rates for your stay in Tawau
The next day, start the drive to Tawau early. The third-largest town in Sabah, after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, Tawau has many exciting things to do. Peruse through Malaysia’s largest indoor market, Tawau Market, where there are over 6,000 stalls selling all kinds of products including dried seafood. You could also step into the world of cocoa at Teck Guan Cocoa Museum, and buy some souvenirs at the Tawau Handicraft Market. Be sure to conclude your last evening in the city by catching the Sabah sunset at the Tawau Waterfront.Semporna, Malaysia. Drive to Semporna from Sandakan
Tip: Are you a diving enthusiast? If so, make a stop at Semporna. This region is home to over 1,000 dive sites, the best of which are concentrated in the triangle between the islands of Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai.
10. Kuching to Sibu – best for a glimpse into the culture of Sarawak
Total distance: 314km Kuching, Malaysia. Find cheap flights to Kuching
Kuching is undoubtedly one of Malaysia’s most charming towns with its cat statues, rows of beautiful shophouses and friendly population, so don’t be in a rush to leave. Once you’ve had your fill of local kueh lapis and Sarawak laksa and checked out the Cat Museum, drive out to the Damai Peninsula on the 1101 for a visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village where kids can learn to shoot a blowpipe, explore the typical houses of Sarawak’s ethnic minorities and watch beautifully choreographed performances of local dance and music.Kuching car rental. Sibu, MalaysiaFind the best rates for your stay in Sibu
After Kuching and Miri, Sibu is Sarawak’s third largest town. Get acquainted with the history of Sibu at the Sibu Heritage Centre, where entrance is free of charge. Browse through the vast number of stalls at Sibu Central Market while keeping a lookout for the famous Sibu olive, and see old medical equipment on display in the Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum. Your family could also escape to nature at one of Sibu’s parks, such as Bukit Lima Forest Park and Taman Jubli Bukit Aup.
The road from Kuching to Sibu involves ferry crossings at Batang Lupar and Pusa. When you reach Pusa, make a stop to hunt down the famous ikan terubok (Chinese herring) and gula apong (palm sugar). The riverside town of Sarikei is also worth a stopover for its succulent pineapples which can be bought in the farmer’s market near the town’s Pineapple Statue.
Feeling inspired to commence your road trip in Malaysia? Remember to start your search for a rental car on Skyscanner to find the best prices offered by various car rental companies. Once you’ve found the best deal, you can book with your company of choice. It’s that easy!
Originally published in April 2020 and updated in June 2020 Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability. Note: Many links above are with affiliates who pay us a small commission, this helping us to help you! We don’t add prices on. These are the same prices with or without affiliation. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Some easy Malay words to remember or just use Google Voice
Greetings and essentials
Terima kasih (te-ree-mah ka-seh) / Thank you
Thank your Uber driver, your waiter, and the man who’s flipping your roti canai. Malaysians are big on gratitude.
Ya (yah) / Tidak (tee-dak) – Yes / No
“Ya” and “tidak” will be your most-used phrases in Malaysia. Remember them well.
Tolong (toh-long) / Please
Cantik (chan-tek) / Beautiful
Selamat jalan (s’la-mat zha-lan) / Goodbye
Everyone knows “Bye,” but not many will part with the formal “Selamat jalan.” Here’s your chance to impress your Malaysian business colleagues on your way out.
Jom (zhom) / Let’s go
Berapa (be-raa-paa) / How much?
Always ask your vendor for the price before agreeing to purchase anything. It helps set a starting point for haggling, or even just a vague price point before you commit to the purchase.
Mahal (maa-hal) / Expensive
Use this word when you think the tacky ‘I love Malaysia’ T-shirt isn’t worth your vendor’s asking price. If it’s anything above RM80 ($20), it’s too mahal, really.
Belok kanan / Belok kiri (beh-lock kaa-naan / beh-lock kee-ree) – Turn right / Turn left
If you’ve asked for directions, keep your ears pricked for either phrase. You don’t want to end up at the bookstore if you’ve asked for the bathroom.
Jalan terus (zha-lan te-roos) / Go straight
“Jalan” means “walk” or “go,” and “terus” means “straight.” So if you hear this phrase, it means you have to keep your eyes and feet along the current path.
Perlahan sikit (per-laa-haan see-keet) / Slow down
If your Grab driver is pushing the speed limit, request they slow down with this phrase. And smile as if you haven’t just accused them of breaking the law.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Last Minute.com. They are my two favorite search engines because they search for websites and airlines around the globe, and again they haven’t let me down, that’s why we associate with them.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your apartment/homestay/guesthouse with AirBnB, we use these all the time and have never been let down, in fact as mentioned above, while in hospital in Italy, the company refunded us as we didn’t have chance to cancel our future booking until a fortnight later. with Booking.com as they have the largest inventory as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.If you dance pet sitting or housesitting try Trustedhousesitters. It’s a small cost to sign up to but again we’ve used these and saved hundreds over the years, inc as above meeting the famous Pug
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for several years now. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
