What it’s like to visit Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia right now

Malaysia has always been a popular destination for Australians, despite the surprisingly few direct flights between the two counties.

And with Malaysia reopened to tourism and Covid-era restrictions largely a thing of the past, it’s an easy and tempting getaway – and definitely worth a stopover if you’re en route to London with Malaysia Airlines.

So whether you’re seeking the buzz of KL, the beaches and golf resorts of Penang or the natural escapes of Langkawi, here’s what it’s like to visit Malaysia right now.

Getting there

Malaysia Airlines offers direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to Kuala Lumpur.

Enjoy Malaysia Airlines hospitality on board the airline's flights between Australia and KL, and beyond...

As a member of the Oneworld alliance, Malaysia Airlines business class travellers and top-tier frequent flyers – either in Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich program or with partners such as Qantas – can enjoy a visit to the Qantas lounges before their trip.

And of course, Malaysia Airlines has now reopened its flagship Business and Platinum lounges at Kuala Lumpur.

At the time of writing, most Malaysia Airlines flights between Australia and Kuala Lumpur are on an Airbus A330, which offers the same lie-flat business class as the Airbus A350.

(If you’re in economy, consider paying for the extra legroom in row 9 or 10 – especially row 9 – as these rows sit in their own private cabin and boast exceptional legroom.) 

On the ground

Pleasingly, almost all of the health restrictions imposed when Malaysia reopened its borders have been dropped – making travel almost as seamless as it was in 2019.

Pre-departure and on-arrival tests? Gone. ‘Covid cover’ in your travel insurance? Gone.

The last remnant of Malaysia’s pandemic protocols is that masks must still be worn on public transport and in closed environments such as shopping malls, although they remain popular in crowded outdoor areas.

(As such, you’ll need to keep your mask on during your Malaysia Airlines flight and in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.)

Travellers still need to download, activate and register the government’s MySejahtera smartphone app – introduced in 2020 to help manage all aspects of Covid health such as vaccination, testing and location check-ins – but this is also being wound back.

For example, as of August 1, visitors entering Malaysia are no longer required to fill in the app’s Traveller Card.

Where to stay in KL

The easiest way from KLIA to KL itself is the high-speed KLIA Ekspres train (RM100 return, or A$33), which runs every half-hour from the airport to the main KL Sentral station and takes just under 40 minutes.

The KLIA Ekspres whisks you from the airport to the city (and back).

Almost directly above KL Sentral are Hilton and Le Meridien hotels, with the St Regis one block away and connected to Sentral via a covered walkway to the Q Central office block (an easy walk if you’re travelling light with a roller bag, otherwise use the St Regis shuttle bus).

But the real heart of KL – at least for most visitors – lies 5km to the north-east, at Bukit Bintang.

KL’s premier shopping and entertainment district is packed with shopping malls and boutiques, bars and clubs (mostly clustered around Changkat Bukit Bintang street).

Bukit Bintang is KL's bustling downtown heart, and easily reached from most premium hotels in the city.

Only a handful of upscale hotels are actually within the boundaries of Bukit Bintang proper: among them the Dorsett, JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Westin and the recently-opened Parkroyal.

That said, many visitors to KL prefer to stay just outside the busy Bukit Bintang precinct but still be just minutes away on the Monorail or MRT, or a quick Grab ride outside peak hours: hotels best suited to this include the Grand Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, Pullman, Shangri-La and the W.

And Kuala Lumpur is bustlingly familiar, as any visit to the reliable ‘street eats’ drawcard of the Jalan Alor Night Market will attest.

You won't be starved for choice - or staved in any way – at the Jalan Alor night markets.

If you’re venturing back after a few years’ too many absence, by all mean refresh your memories with a visit to old favourites – which may well include the Pasar Seni and Petaling Street markets – but also check out the new wave of world-class coffee shops popping up across the city.

Visit the colourful Pasar Seni 'Central Market'.

Journey beyond KL

Of course, there’s much more to Malaysia than just Kuala Lumpur – especially if you’re seeking to immerse yourself in nature.

Kedah, in Malaysia's north, is host to the longest rainforest canopy walk in the world.

The country abounds sprawling recreational forests, waterfalls and caves – and of course the entire island of Langkawi is one of Malaysia's top holiday destinations. Visit Tourism Malaysia to spark some ideas.

Langkawi Island offers nature parks, scenic beaches and superb snorkelling and diving.

Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiary Firefly put the country’s hidden gems just one short flight away – and if you’re flying to another country via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines now offers a way to turn your KL layover into an exciting Malaysian stopover.

Bookings made by to 31 December 2022 can enjoy a complimentary ‘bonus side trip’ to any destination in Peninsular Malaysia – including Alor Setar, Langkawi, Kota Bharu and Penang – through to 31 March 2023.

It’s the ideal way to explore sandy white beaches, lush rainforests and Malaysia's unique blend of cultures before moving on to your next destination – or on your way back, before you reach home.