What is the best time to visit Malaysia?

The best time to visit Malaysia depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Clan Jetties of Penang. Check weather patterns for Asia before booking.

What currency does Malaysia use?

Malaysia uses the Malaysian ringgit (RM). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Malaysia?

Nasi Lemak is one of Malaysia's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Char Kway Teow and Penang Asam Laksa. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Malaysia visa-free?

167 countries can enter Malaysia without a visa, typically for up to 30 days. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Malaysia safe for tourists?

Malaysia is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Malaysia Visa Requirements

Do you need a visa for Malaysia? 167 passports enter visa-free, usually for up to 30 days. Find your passport below.

Malaysia visa requirements

167

Visa-free

eVisa / eTA

Visa required

Malaysia is one of the most accessible countries in the world for international visitors. Passport holders from 167 countries can enter without a visa, typically for stays of up to 30 days. 28 more can apply online for an eVisa before travelling. Only 2 passports require a full embassy application.

Countries that can visit Malaysia visa-free

167 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 30 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates90d

Americas

Africa

Oceania

Other

AD30d

Algeria90d

Antigua and Barbuda30d

Armenia30d

Azerbaijan30d

Bahamas30d

Bahrain90d

Barbados30d

Belarus30d

Belgium90d

Belize30d

Benin30d

Bolivia30d

Bosnia and Herzegovina90d

Botswana30d

Brunei30d

Bulgaria90d

Cape Verde30d

Chad30d

Comoros30d

Costa Rica30d

Cuba90d

Cyprus90d

DM30d

Dominican Republic30d

Ecuador30d

El Salvador30d

Estonia90d

Eswatini30d

Fiji30d

Gabon30d

Gambia30d

Grenada30d

Guatemala30d

Guinea30d

Guyana30d

Haiti30d

Honduras30d

Hong Kong30d

Iran14d

Iraq30d

Jamaica30d

Kazakhstan30d

Kenya30d

Kiribati30d

KN30d

Kosovo30d

Kuwait90d

Kyrgyzstan90d

Laos30d

Latvia90d

Lebanon90d

Lesotho30d

LI90d

Libya14d

Lithuania90d

Luxembourg90d

Macau30d

Madagascar30d

Malawi30d

Maldives90d

Malta90d

Mauritania30d

Mauritius30d

MC30d

MH30d

Micronesia30d

Mongolia30d

Myanmar14d

Namibia30d

Nicaragua30d

North Macedonia30d

NR30d

Palestine30d

Panama30d

Papua New Guinea30d

Paraguay30d

PW30d

Qatar90d

Russia30d

Saint Lucia30d

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines30d

Samoa30d

São Tomé and Príncipe30d

Senegal30d

Seychelles30d

Sierra Leone30d

Slovakia90d

Slovenia90d

SM90d

Solomon Islands30d

Somalia30d

South Sudan30d

Sudan90d

Suriname30d

Syria90d

Taiwan30d

Tajikistan30d

Timor-Leste30d

Togo30d

Tonga30d

Trinidad and Tobago30d

Tunisia90d

Turkmenistan90d

TV30d

Uganda30d

Ukraine30d

Uruguay90d

VA30d

Vanuatu30d

Venezuela30d

Yemen90d

Zambia30d

Zimbabwe30d

eVisa and eTA for Malaysia

28 countries can apply online before travelling. Processing typically takes 1–7 business days.

Asia

Americas

Africa

Other

Afghanistan

Angola

Bangladesh

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Djibouti

DR Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ghana

Guinea-Bissau

Ivory Coast

Liberia

Mali

Montenegro

Mozambique

Niger

Nigeria

Pakistan

Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Serbia

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Language

English, Malay

Currency

Malaysian ringgit (RM)

Population

34.2M

Timezone

UTC+08:00

Visa-free access

167 countries

Travelling to Malaysia

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. A federal constitutional monarchy, it consists of 13 states and three federal territories, separated by the South.

Malaysia is located in South-Eastern Asia, Asia. The capital is Kuala Lumpur, and the official languages are English and Malay. The local currency is the Malaysian ringgit (RM). With a population of 34.2M, Malaysia is a mid-sized country in Asia.

Top places to visit in Malaysia

Clan Jetties of Penang

Families here have lived on top of the ocean for seven generations, building a city on stilts to escape the taxes and laws of the dry land.

Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion

A penniless immigrant built thirty-eight rooms of indigo-stained perfection to prove he had become the most powerful man in the East.

Petronas Twin Towers

The world’s tallest twin structures reach 452 metres; their postmodern steel-and-glass facades are inspired by the eight-pointed Rub el Hizb star; the double-decker skybridge on the 41st floor offers a clinical view of the city’s concrete sprawl; arrive at dusk when the cold stainless steel reflects the violet sky before the towers ignite with 250;000 LED bulbs.

Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion

A 19th-century indigo-washed courtyard house built for the 'Rockefeller of the East' using traditional Hakka-Teochew architecture; the 38 rooms feature hand-cast iron balustrades from Glasgow and intricate Chini porcelain mosaics; visit during the 11 am guided tour to witness how the central atrium harnesses specific wind flows according to Feng Shui; the air is cool and smells of aged timber.

Mount Kinabalu

The granite crown of Borneo rises 4;095 metres above the Crocker Range; a massive batholith formed 10 million years ago that hosts 5;000 species of flora; reach the Low’s Peak plateau at 6 am to stand above a sea of clouds as the first light strikes the bare; striated rock; the air is thin; biting; and carries a faint scent of damp alpine moss.

Batu Caves

A 400-million-year-old limestone massif housing the world’s tallest statue of Lord Murugan at 42.7 metres; the 272 rainbow-hued steps lead to the Cathedral Cave where the ceiling rises 100 metres high; enter the main cavern at 10 am when shafts of sunlight penetrate the natural skylights; the scent of burning camphor and the screech of macaques echo off the damp; sun-bleached limestone.

See all 20 places in Malaysia →

What to eat in Malaysia

Explore all Malaysia dishes →

Before you go to Malaysia

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Malaysia immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

Currency: Malaysian ringgit

The local currency is RM. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

Language: English

English is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

Power & connectivity

Check Malaysia's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

Check your visa for Malaysia

Select your passport for an instant result.

Malaysia 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

Explore Malaysia

20 places, 6 dishes, and more.

More Asia travel guides

Popular destinations

FAQ · Malaysia

Malaysia — your questions

It depends on your passport. 167 countries can enter Malaysia visa-free. 28 can apply for an eVisa online. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.