We've seen travel and tour packages to Kuala Lumpur priced from PHP12,000 to PHP15,000 per person. Some may think these are well-priced but these packages do not include meals, travel taxes, mandatory tips, and surcharges. The total cost would easily come up by at least PHP3,000. So why would you want to book these packages when you can create your own itinerary for under PHP9,900 all in? Here's our guide to doing it.
Note: Exchange rate used is PHP13.30 for every MYR1.
Flights
Kuala Lumpur is accessible by direct flights from many Asian cities. From Manila, there are eight daily flights to Kuala Lumpur. These flights are operated by Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. As such, there are more flight options to get the lowest possible fare.
Aside from checking directly with the airlines, we also use the app Traveloka as a go-to site for flight deals. The site is useful when you want to search, compare, and book flights and hotels that fit your budget and schedule. With help from the site, we got our round trip Manila to Kuala Lumpur flight for PHP4,985.50 per person. To get similarly low fares, check out by visiting its website or downloading the app in your smart phone.
Airfare: PHP4,985.50 per person
Travel Tax: PHP1,620 per person
Accommodation
With more than 60,000 hotel rooms in the city, visitors to KL will have a wide range of accommodation options that fit any type of budget.
We stayed at the beautiful The Hulo Hotel + Gallery. The hotel is Malaysia's first boutique hotel that features the works of the country's foremost creative talents - from custom toys, sculptures, and paintings to furniture. The hotel also boasts a strategic location. It is within walking distance to KL's shopping and entertainment district, Bukit Bintang. It is approximately 450 meters to Berjaya Times Square or Imbi Station and 630 meters to Sung Wei Plaza.
When booking, we always compare rates from the hotel websites to booking sites like Agoda or Hotels.com. This way we are able check for the best deals. We booked a Standard Room for only PHP646.30 per room per night via Agoda as it offered the lowest price with additional discounts through BPI credit cards.
You can further reduce accommodation costs to less than PHP500 per night if you are on a tighter budget and are willing to stay in shared dormitories.
Accommodation Cost: PHP1,292.60 per room or PHP646.30 total per person
Food
Just like our other travels, we would usually go to somewhere mid range such as small restaurants and fast foods. Yes, we'd spend more than the cost of eating in humble street stalls but it still is affordable and offers uncompromising quality. The average amount we spent on food in KL was approximately MYR12 or PHP159.60 per meal.
If you believe that eating well doesn't mean you have to pay more, you should look for recommended cheap eats online. You'll be surprised to know there are meals in KL that would cost between MYR1.50 to MYR8.
Food Costs: MYR71.50 or PHP950.95 total per person
Transportation
There are four main ways to reach the city from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA/KLIA2) and vice versa.
For our arrival, we decided to take the airport bus service to lower down our expenses. We just proceeded to the transportation hub in KLIA2 to purchase our tickets and boarded our bus to KL Sentral. Once in KL Sentral, we took the monorail to Imbi Station in Bukit Bintang where our hotel was within walking distance. Cost for the trip was MYR15.10 or PHP200.83 per person.
While in KL, we only had to take the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus to go around the main attractions of the city except in one instance when we stayed in the Petronas Twin Towers beyond the operating hours of the bus. We booked a GrabCar from Petronas back to our hotel for only MYR2.50 or PHP33.25 per person.
For our departure, we took a GrabCar from the hotel to KL Sentral and the airport bus service to KLIA2. This was the only choice as we had to leave at 3:00AM for our 6:40AM flight to Siem Reap. The other transportation options within the city including KLIA Ekspres will only start operations around 5:00AM. Cost for the trip was MYR15.50 or PHP206.15
Transportation Costs: MYR33.1 or PHP440.23 total per person
Tours
For our tour in the city, we booked the KL Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour. This is a free and easy tour bus service that has 23 stops covering more than 70 of the city's attractions. This is definitely the easiest way for first timers, who usually don't know where to start, to visit the highlights of KL using a single mode of transportation. The tickets can be purchased in the bus, authorized agents/hotels, KL Hop-On Hop-Off Counters or the website. Buy through the website to enjoy discounted rate of MYR50 or PHP665 per person. The tickets are valid for 24 hours from the first time it was used. For more information, check out the website here.
The attractions of KL are a mix of free and ticketed attractions. Here are the attractions we visited with their corresponding fees per person:
You can also opt to visit more ticketed attractions such as the below with the current admission rates per person:
Tour Costs: MYR67 or PHP891.10 total per person
Pocket WiFi
A reliable WiFi connection is fast becoming a must when traveling. It's useful for checking flight status, booking rooms, finding popular places to eat, getting around with ride hailing services, navigating through Google maps, translating foreign languages, or updating social media and uploading amazing photos. Because of these reasons, pocket WiFi devices are now available for rent to travelers.
We rented a pocket WiFi device from Samurai WiFi for only MYR42.40 or PHP563.92 including GST for 600MB allocation. We picked up the device from KLIA2 and immediately used it to navigate our way to the city. Since we also had free internet in the hotel, we only managed to consume half of our allocation until we returned it. That's 300MB of unused data, enough to upload at least 40 more photos.
To book and read about Samurai WiFi, visit their website here.
Quick Breakdown of the Expenses
To sum it all up, here's how much each of us spent when we traveled to Kuala Lumpur.
Looking at the above breakdown, you can create your own KL itinerary without paying for overpriced packages. Hopefully this guide has helped you learn how to experience the city on a budget of less than PHP9,900.
Share this to your friends and start planning your trip to Malaysia's world city.
More KL posts:
1. Kuala Lumpur: A Travel Guide for First Timers
2. Hulo Hotel + Gallery: Waking Up Next to World-Class Art
3. City Sightseeing Onboard the KL Hop On Hop Off Bus
4. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Prehistory and the Malay Kingdoms Galleries (Part I)
5. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Colonial Era and Malaysia Today Galleries (Part II)
6. A Starlit Afternoon at Malaysia's Planetarium Negara
Have you visited KL? If you wanna share your experiences, please leave a comment or suggestion below. If you find this useful, please share on social media. Thanks.
 |
| The Sultan Abdul Samad Building as seen from the historical Merdeka Square in KL |
Flights
Kuala Lumpur is accessible by direct flights from many Asian cities. From Manila, there are eight daily flights to Kuala Lumpur. These flights are operated by Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. As such, there are more flight options to get the lowest possible fare.
Aside from checking directly with the airlines, we also use the app Traveloka as a go-to site for flight deals. The site is useful when you want to search, compare, and book flights and hotels that fit your budget and schedule. With help from the site, we got our round trip Manila to Kuala Lumpur flight for PHP4,985.50 per person. To get similarly low fares, check out by visiting its website or downloading the app in your smart phone.
Airfare: PHP4,985.50 per person
Travel Tax: PHP1,620 per person
Accommodation
With more than 60,000 hotel rooms in the city, visitors to KL will have a wide range of accommodation options that fit any type of budget.
We stayed at the beautiful The Hulo Hotel + Gallery. The hotel is Malaysia's first boutique hotel that features the works of the country's foremost creative talents - from custom toys, sculptures, and paintings to furniture. The hotel also boasts a strategic location. It is within walking distance to KL's shopping and entertainment district, Bukit Bintang. It is approximately 450 meters to Berjaya Times Square or Imbi Station and 630 meters to Sung Wei Plaza.
 |
| The lobby turned gallery of Hulo Hotel + Gallery |
 |
| We were roommates with Brody & Friends |
You can further reduce accommodation costs to less than PHP500 per night if you are on a tighter budget and are willing to stay in shared dormitories.
Accommodation Cost: PHP1,292.60 per room or PHP646.30 total per person
Food
Just like our other travels, we would usually go to somewhere mid range such as small restaurants and fast foods. Yes, we'd spend more than the cost of eating in humble street stalls but it still is affordable and offers uncompromising quality. The average amount we spent on food in KL was approximately MYR12 or PHP159.60 per meal.
 |
| The menu of Pat Kin Pat Sun Cafe in Berjaya Times Square |
Food Costs: MYR71.50 or PHP950.95 total per person
Transportation
There are four main ways to reach the city from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA/KLIA2) and vice versa.
- Train - The Ekspres Rail Link offers two train services to and from the airport. These are the KLIA Ekpres, a direct airport rail service, and the KLIA Transit, a commuter rail service with 3 additional stops. The KLIA Ekpres is the fastest way at 28 mins from KLIA and 33 mins from KLIA2. The KLIA Transit, on the other hand, takes about 35 mins from KLIA and 39 mins from KLIA2. Both are priced at MYR55 or PHP731.50 per way.
- Bus - The cheapest option between KL and the airport is via the airport bus service. There are several bus operators that depart on regular intervals from the airport or from KL Sentral. The bus service cost MYR12 or PHP159.60 per person. Travel time takes about 1 hour.
- Taxi - Airport taxis are available 24 hours and can be the most comfortable method as you'll be dropped off right in front of your hotel in the city. The airport taxis offer fixed price services ranging from MYR70-80 or PHP931-1,064 for budget taxis, MYR100-110 or PHP1,330-1,463 for premier taxis, and MYR200-220 or PHP2,660-2,926 for family taxis. Going back to the airport, however, will be via regular metered taxis. Similar to other major cities in Southeast Asia, taxis in KL are known for not using the meter and for charging exorbitant fares from tourists. Be cautious and ask to turn on the meter. Also, taking both the airport and regular metered taxis after midnight will cost an additional 50% fare surcharge.
- Grab - The ride hailing platform Grab is also available in KL. This is an option for a convenient, safe, and reliable door-to-door transportation from and to the airport. Taking GrabCar or GrabShare guarantee upfront fixed fares so they make good alternatives to taking taxis to the airport. Rates vary but usually range between MYR70-100 or PHP931-1,330 per way exclusive of toll fees.
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| KL Sentral, Southeast Asia's largest railway station, serving as a common hub for all the train lines in KL |
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| KLIA2 Transportation Hub |
 |
| KL's monorail line serving the city's bustling commercial core |
For our departure, we took a GrabCar from the hotel to KL Sentral and the airport bus service to KLIA2. This was the only choice as we had to leave at 3:00AM for our 6:40AM flight to Siem Reap. The other transportation options within the city including KLIA Ekspres will only start operations around 5:00AM. Cost for the trip was MYR15.50 or PHP206.15
Transportation Costs: MYR33.1 or PHP440.23 total per person
Tours
For our tour in the city, we booked the KL Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour. This is a free and easy tour bus service that has 23 stops covering more than 70 of the city's attractions. This is definitely the easiest way for first timers, who usually don't know where to start, to visit the highlights of KL using a single mode of transportation. The tickets can be purchased in the bus, authorized agents/hotels, KL Hop-On Hop-Off Counters or the website. Buy through the website to enjoy discounted rate of MYR50 or PHP665 per person. The tickets are valid for 24 hours from the first time it was used. For more information, check out the website here.
 |
| The KL Hop On Hop Off Double Decker Bus |
 |
| The bus ticket valid for 24 consecutive hours |
 |
| The brochure to guide you through the city's attractions |
- Perdana Botanical Garden: Free
- National Museum: MYR5 or PHP66.50
- National Palace: Free
- National Planetarium: MYR12 or PHP159.60
- National Mosque: Free
- Merdeka Square: Free
- Petronas Twin Tower (Outside): Free
- KLCC Park: Free
- KL Tower (Outside): Free
- Berjaya Times Square: Free
You can also opt to visit more ticketed attractions such as the below with the current admission rates per person:
- Petronas Twin Tower (Skybridge): MYR85 or PHP1,130.50
- KL Tower (Observation Deck + Sky Deck): MYR110 or PHP1,463
- KL Bird Park: MYR67 or PHP891.10
- Aquaria: MYR69 or PHP917.70
Tour Costs: MYR67 or PHP891.10 total per person
Pocket WiFi
A reliable WiFi connection is fast becoming a must when traveling. It's useful for checking flight status, booking rooms, finding popular places to eat, getting around with ride hailing services, navigating through Google maps, translating foreign languages, or updating social media and uploading amazing photos. Because of these reasons, pocket WiFi devices are now available for rent to travelers.
We rented a pocket WiFi device from Samurai WiFi for only MYR42.40 or PHP563.92 including GST for 600MB allocation. We picked up the device from KLIA2 and immediately used it to navigate our way to the city. Since we also had free internet in the hotel, we only managed to consume half of our allocation until we returned it. That's 300MB of unused data, enough to upload at least 40 more photos.
To book and read about Samurai WiFi, visit their website here.
 |
| The Samurai WiFi Kiosk is located inside Luggage Storage at the Arrivals Hall |
To sum it all up, here's how much each of us spent when we traveled to Kuala Lumpur.
Item
|
Cost in PHP
|
Two-Way Airfare
|
4,985.50
|
Travel Tax
|
1,620.00
|
Accommodation
|
646.30
|
Transportation
|
440.23
|
Tours
|
891.10
|
Food
|
950.95
|
Pocket WiFi
|
281.96
|
TOTAL
|
9,816.04
|
Looking at the above breakdown, you can create your own KL itinerary without paying for overpriced packages. Hopefully this guide has helped you learn how to experience the city on a budget of less than PHP9,900.
Share this to your friends and start planning your trip to Malaysia's world city.
More KL posts:
1. Kuala Lumpur: A Travel Guide for First Timers
2. Hulo Hotel + Gallery: Waking Up Next to World-Class Art
3. City Sightseeing Onboard the KL Hop On Hop Off Bus
4. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Prehistory and the Malay Kingdoms Galleries (Part I)
5. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Colonial Era and Malaysia Today Galleries (Part II)
6. A Starlit Afternoon at Malaysia's Planetarium Negara
Have you visited KL? If you wanna share your experiences, please leave a comment or suggestion below. If you find this useful, please share on social media. Thanks.
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