The Ultimate 2 Week Malaysia Itinerary with Kids
If you’re looking for help planning a 2 week Malaysia itinerary that blends cities, islands, wildlife, and incredible food, you’re in the right place.
And if you’re travelling with kids, you’ll want to explore the highlights while keeping travel time manageable and activities family-friendly.
As a family of five, we spent two weeks exploring Malaysia with our children (aged 12, 9 and 4), ticking off the must-see sights as well as discovering hidden gems, and staying in some amazing family-friendly accommodation along the way.
In this guide, we’ll share our step-by-step 2 week Malaysia itinerary, covering Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi. You’ll find practical details on how to travel between each destination, where to stay, what to do, and the insider tips that make a big difference.
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A glance at our 2 week Malaysia itinerary…
Our 2-week Malaysia itinerary is jam-packed with plenty of sightseeing, activities and just enough swim/beach time for the kids.
But, we definitely pack in a lot, so there’s not much spare time for anything else. If you want to allow more time for relaxing or to take things at a slower pace, you could easily stretch this into a 3-week Malaysia itinerary by adding an extra day or two in each place.
I came across loads of recommendations (many from travellers without kids) suggesting less time, but honestly, I think they must have missed out as we could have easily spent longer in each place.
If you have even more time, I’d suggest breaking up the train journey between Kuala Lumpur and Penang by stopping off for a night or two in Ipoh. The Cameron Highlands is also worth considering here as an additional day trip or overnight stay if time allows.
Help bring this itinerary to life by watching our Malaysia 2 week trip on Instagram stories.
- Days 1-4: Kuala Lumpur
- Accommodation – Lucentia KLCC View Infinity Pool
- Highlights – KLCC Park, Petronas Towers, KL Tower, Bukit Bintang, Jalan Alor Food Street, China Town, Batu Caves.
- Days 5-8: Penang
- Accommodation – Beacon Executive Suites
- Highlights – George Town, Clan Jetties, Penang Hill, The Habitat, Penang National Park, Ferringhi Beach.
- Days 9-12: Langkawi
- Accomodation – Sari Village Jungle Retreat
- Highlights – Pantai Tengah Beach, Island Hopping, Langkawi Sky Bridge, Seven Wells Waterfall, Kilim Geoforest Park, Eagle Square.
- Days 13-14: Kuala Lumpur
2 week Malaysia itinerary map
Why Malaysia is great for families
Our hearts always lead us back to Asia, and after visiting Thailand with our kids, we had high expectations for Malaysia. We weren’t disappointed! Like Thailand, Malaysia offers a vast, natural playground for kids and families to explore.
We absolutely love the sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife that immerses you in nature. But Malaysia also offers a tantalising array of cultural experiences. The locals are incredibly friendly, and our girls attracted lots of attention with their long blonde hair.
If food is a highlight of your travels, then Malaysia is the perfect destination. With its incredible variety of cuisines, it’s a paradise for food lovers. We indulged in Malaysian classics like Nasi Lemak (coconut rice, egg, anchovies and peanuts), Rendang Curry, Satay Chicken, and Laksa (spicy noodle soup). We also enjoyed Indian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, but if you’re craving some home comforts, there’s always European food available, so you can enjoy a good old burger or pizza if needed.
Aside from being incredibly affordable, which makes saying “yes” to the kids’ requests for treats much easier without breaking the budget, Malaysia is also a very safe destination for families.
Essential travel tips for this 2 week Malaysia itinerary
How to get around Malaysia
Travelling around Malaysia is generally very easy, and particularly for this itinerary, there are plenty of transport options available. We share step-by-step details of how we got around in each section of our itinerary, but here’s a quick summary of the main transport options, listed in order of how frequently we used them.
Top Tip – Apart from walking, our most used method of transport was Grab taxis because they were so cheap and convenient, especially for families.
Before you even fly out to Malaysia, make sure you download the Grab app onto your phone and set up payment method. See our whole section on “Best ways to travel around Malalysia” further down.
Booking accommodation and transport
Being a natural planner, I like to have as much as possible booked before we travel, whilst allowing a little room for flexibility where it makes sense.
We’d recommend booking your international flights at least four to six months in advance to secure the best prices and routes. For accommodation and domestic flights, aim to book at least a few weeks ahead, but ideally longer if you can to give yourself the best choice. Prices in Malaysia are very affordable, which means you can often stretch your budget to include a little extra luxury.
Top tip: If you want to know how to find the cheapest flights possible, then follow our step-by-step guide to booking cheap flights.
When it comes to trains, buses, and ferries, a few days in advance is usually enough. Whilst you can buy tickets on the day at the terminal, I wouldn’t recommend relying on this, especially with kids, as you don’t want to risk being disappointed if sold out.
For both international and domestic flights, we always use Skyscanner. We booked all four of our accommodations through Booking.com, which always offers competitive rates. For the trains, it’s best to book directly through KTMB website, and for buses and ferries we recommend using 12GoAsia or Lankawi Ferry Line.
Money and payment tips
When we travel, we try to pay by card wherever possible as it’s simple, requires no setup before you leave, and a good card will give you near-perfect exchange rates with no extra charges. We usually only carry a small amount of cash for those rare times when card isn’t accepted.
However, Malaysia surprised us. We expected it to be fairly modern in terms of card payments, but we found that many places, particularly street markets, hawker food stalls, and small shops only accept cash. Therefore, we’d recommend carrying a reasonable amount of Malaysian Ringgit for day-to-day spending.
In bigger shops, restaurants, and most tourist attractions, card payments are widely accepted, so it’s really a mix.
If you don’t already have a favourite travel card, we’d recommend the Halifax Clarity card, which gives excellent exchange rates and no extra fees. We also used our Lloyds Club card, which has recently removed charges for overseas use, and found that worked well too.
What to pack for Malaysia
As always, we packed way too many clothes for our two weeks in Malaysia! With Malaysia’s humid, tropical climate, you really don’t need a lot. Lightweight, breathable clothing is your best bet, and you’ll probably find yourself living in shorts and t-shirts most of the time.
You won’t really get cold, but it’s worth packing a long-sleeved top and lightweight trousers. These are especially handy for visiting temples, mosques, and religious sites such as the Batu Caves, where modest dress is required.
We didn’t bother preparing for downpours, when showers came we just found shelter, and if you do get wet, you’ll dry out quickly in the heat.
Top family tips:
💡 If you’re travelling from the UK, you don’t need to pack travel adaptors as Malaysia uses the same three-pin plugs.
💡 Long-sleeved swimwear and suncream is a must for kids, as the sun can be strong and don’t forget mosquito repellent.
Days 1-4: Kuala Lumpur
How to get to Kuala Lumpur
Once you land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), you have three main options to get into the city: bus, train, or taxi. Bus is the cheapest option, but for our family of five, a Grab taxi was by far the most convenient and cost-effective.
If you want to do the same as we did, then after passport control and baggage reclaim, head down two floors to Level 1 (Exit 1), where the most popular Grab pick up point is.
If you’re travelling from the UK, it’s unlikely that your mobile data plan will cover Malaysia, so you’ll need to pick up a local SIM. You can get these at the airport, but we waited until we got into the city, as they are slightly cheaper and readily available. In the meantime, we simply used the airport’s free Wi-Fi to book our Grab.
The app is very straightforward: once you enter your destination and confirm your pickup point, it shows the car options, prices, and estimated arrival time (usually just a few minutes). You’ll also see the car’s colour and registration number, so you know exactly what to look out for.
⚠️ Tip: At the airport, taxis are only allowed to stop briefly, so be ready and waiting when your car arrives.
Once picked up, the journey into Kuala Lumpur is smooth and simple, so after the long flight, sit back and relax before your adventure begins.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur with kids
Kuala Lumpur is certainly not short of accommodation, and for a central base within walking distance of many attractions, we’d recommend staying in one of four main areas: KL Sentral, KLCC, Bukit Bintang, or Chinatown.
What’s brilliant for families is that you can find the most amazing apartments, with incredible city views and stunning infinity pools at really affordable prices. Honestly, I’m not exaggerating when I say I researched to the nth degree, reading endless reviews, watching YouTube tours, and even comparing infinity pool lengths and views to make sure we chose the best place for us!
We ended up staying in a two-bedroom apartment at Lucentia Residence, and it was amazing. The apartment itself was spacious and modern, the infinity pool was huge, and the view from our balcony was hands down the best city view I’ve ever had! We could see the Petronas Towers, KL Tower, and Merdeka 118 all from our very own balcony.
I’d recommend this apartment in a heartbeat and wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again if we return to Kuala Lumpur.
What to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids
- 🏙 Petronas Towers – Tickets to visit the Skybridge and Observation Deck are available online or at the towers, but we chose not to do this. Instead, we enjoyed the views from our apartment balcony and admired the towers from the base, which is just as spectacular.
- 🌳 KLCC Park – A lovely family-friendly green space with walking and jogging paths, a fantastic playground, and the Petronas Towers as your backdrop. Don’t miss the Symphony Lake Water Show in the evenings – it’s magical. Free activity.
- 🌿 KL Forest Eco Park – Sadly, this was closed during our visit, but it’s a unique pocket of rainforest right in the city, complete with canopy walkways and nature trails. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance.
- 🦋 KL Butterfly Park – We didn’t manage to fit this in as it was lower on our priority list, but reviews describe it as a magical garden with thousands of butterflies fluttering freely around you. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance.
- 🐒 Batu Caves – We weren’t going to miss this one! With its 272 rainbow-coloured steps, we actually managed just fine (our 4-year-old practically ran up them!). At the top, you’ll find an impressive cave temple, while the cheeky monkeys provided endless entertainment for the kids. Free activity.
- 🐠 Aquaria KLCC – We didn’t get around to this one, but it’s a popular option for families and a great choice for a rainy day. Tickets can be purchased online here.
- 🌸 Perdana Botanical Gardens – We walked here (and got pretty sweaty on the way!), but it was worth it for the peaceful themed gardens. There’s also a huge playground for the kids, and we had fun spotting monitor lizards along the paths. Free activity.
- 🏮 Chinatown (Petaling Street) – A buzzing area full of temples, street food, and the famous Petaling Street market. We loved sampling the food and teaching the kids how to haggle for a few bargains. Free activity.
- 🛕 Thean Hou Temple – Stunning Chinese temple with vibrant architecture and sweeping views. Free activity.
- 🍜 Jalan Alor Food Street – Pure food heaven! We ate at one of the sit-down restaurants as well as grazing our way along the stalls, picking up a mix of tasty treats. This bustling night market serves up every kind of local dish you can imagine. Don’t forget to try the famous (and famously stinky) durian fruit – it’s a true Malaysian rite of passage. Free activity.
- 🎡 Berjaya Times Square – A perfect rainy-day option! Not only is it a massive shopping mall, but it’s also home to an indoor amusement park featuring the world’s first looping indoor rollercoaster. Free activity / theme park tickets can be purchased online here.
Best places to eat in Kuala Lumpur
- Breakfast – Prescott Hotel for fresh juices and breakfast croissants
- Lunch – Middle Lane Coffee for amazing coffee and brunch
- Dinner – Jalan Alor Food Street for sure!
Days 5-8: Penang
How to get to Penang from Kuala Lumpur
You can reach George Town, Penang from Kuala Lumpur by plane, bus, train, or taxi, but after weighing up all the options, we chose the train. It’s a comfortable and relaxed way to see the countryside with children, and since we were flying to Langkawi later in our itinerary, it avoided adding another flight.
Part 1 – Train from KL to Butterworth Station, Penang
We booked our train a couple of days in advance, which we would recommend—especially during peak travel times. When we booked, the train was about three-quarters full, and by the day we travelled, it was fully booked, so leaving it to the last minute isn’t ideal if you’re travelling as a family.
Tickets can be purchased at the station or through various websites, but we found the KTMB website. You can check train times and prices without logging in, but to book, you’ll need to create an account using passport details for each passenger. Payment via credit/debit card is simple and once booked, your tickets will be emailed to you as QR codes.
Our train departed from KL Sentral, so we took a short Grab taxi there. If it’s your first time at the station, we recommend arriving 30–40 minutes early. Once there, follow the signs to KTM and ask staff for directions to your platform. When the gate opens, simply scan your QR code on your phone to pass through and then take the escalators down to board your train.
The journey flew by! Between colouring, reading, and snacking (some of the tricks we use on long car journeys), we soon found ourselves approaching Butterworth Station in Penang, ready to continue our adventure.
Part 2 – From Butterworth to George Town
Once we arrived at Butterworth Station, we had the option to take the ferry to George Town. While the ferry is cheap and quick, for convenience we opted for a Grab taxi which takes you over the Penang Bridge. For our family of five, it only cost a few pounds more.
Taking a Grab also made sense because, once the ferry docks in George Town, we would have needed another taxi to reach our accommodation. Using Grab allowed us to go directly from the station to our apartment, saving time and making the journey much easier with kids and luggage.
Where to stay in Penang with kids
Penang is incredibly affordable when it comes to accommodation and the two main areas to consider are Batu Ferringhi and George Town.
Batu Ferringhi is perfect for family-friendly resorts with beach location and is more relaxed. George Town is great if you want to be close to the cultural centre, heritage sites, street art, and food. You’ll still find family-friendly apartments with pools, but you’ll also be within walking distance of the city’s main attractions.
As we love walking and being near the cultural centre, we chose to stay in George Town at the Beacon Executive Suites. After enjoying the luxury of our KL apartment, we wanted something similar. Beacon Executive Suites offered a spacious apartment with balcony and infinity pool with city skyline views, and even a rooftop playground which the kids absolutely loved.
What to do in Penang with kids
- ✨ Street Art in George Town – You can’t visit Penang without spotting its famous, quirky street murals. On Penang website has a fabulous Street Art Guide and the kids loved spotting them as we wandered through the streets. Free activity.
- 🚶 George Town Walking Tour – There are plenty of walking and rickshaw tours available, but we used the brilliant OnPenang website for their free self-guided tour. It gives clear step-by-step directions and was perfect with kids as we could explore at our own pace, taking breaks whenever we needed. Free activity.
- 🏯 Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion) – One of the stops if you do the self-guide tour above. We admired the iconic indigo-blue heritage building from the outside, but you can also visit inside by booking tickets online in advance or directly at the entrance counter.
- 🌉 Clan Jetties – These traditional wooden stilt villages are built over the water and are still home to local families. Walking along the narrow jetties gives a fascinating glimpse into community life – keep hold of little ones’ hands as there are no barriers along the edges. Free activity.
- 🌳 Penang Hill & The Habitat – The funicular ride up the hill is an adventure in itself. You can wander around and enjoy the sweeping views at the top, but the highlight for us was visiting The Habitat with its canopy walkways, themed gardens, and rainforest trails. The kids loved our afternoon here. We had a close encounter with a black giant squirrel and spotted leaf monkeys and other wildlife. Tickets can be booked online in advance or at the entrance on the day.
- 🏝 Penang National Park – One of our favourite days in Penang was hiking through the rainforest to Turtle Beach, then taking a boat ride back with a stop at Monkey Beach along the way. We followed the excellent step-by-step guide on the On Penang website, which was so helpful. There’s a National Park fee to pay at the park entrance, and boat rides can be arranged and paid for just before you go in.
- 🏖 Batu Ferringhi Beach – This lovely soft, sandy beach is the perfect place to relax. We loved visiting at sunset and enjoying a cocktail (or two) at Frandy Beach Bar while the kids played in the sea. There’s also a lively night market to explore and fire shows in the evening. Free activity.
- 🍜 Hawker Centres & Street Food – Penang is considered the food capital of Malaysia. We enjoyed sampling food from Kimberley Street, Chulia Street and Red Garden Food Paradise but there are plenty more to choose from. Free activity.
- 🎡 ESCAPE Theme Park – For families, this is a real adventure treat with everything from zip lines and water slides to obstacle courses and even a dry ski slope. We didn’t have time to fit this one in, and with our four-year-old it’s probably better suited to slightly older kids. Tickets can be purchased online.
- 🦋 Entopia Butterfly Farm – We didn’t manage to fit this into our itinerary, but it’s a brilliant option for wildlife lovers with thousands of butterflies and other insects. Tickets can be booked online or at the entrance.
Best places to eat in Penang
- Breakfast – Hutton Lane Roti Bakar for the best roti’s with lots of breakfast combinations
- Lunch – Hameed Pata Mee Sotong for affordably priced squid and noodles
- Dinner – Red Garden Food Paradise – you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Days 9-12: Langkawi
How to get to Langkawi from Penang
As Langkawi is an island, you have to get there by either flying or by sea. There used to be a ferry that went directly from Penang to Langkawi which would have been perfect, but unfortunately that service no longer operates.
So if ferry is your preference (and budget is a priority), you will need to either take a bus, private taxi/transfers or drive approximately 2–3 hours to Kuala Perlis, where you can then catch a 1hr 15 min ferry to Langkawi.
After weighing up our options and deciding that we didn’t want to lose too much time travelling, we chose to take the short flight. The flight itself is less than 30 minutes, but in reality it’s about four hours door-to-door, allowing for the 20–40 minute Grab ride to Penang Airport, check-in, security, and boarding.
Several airlines operate this route daily, including AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Firefly, so you’ll usually find good flexibility with timings. Flight prices are also very affordable and you can easily compare using Skyscanner.
Once we landed in Langkawi, we jumped in a Grab taxi for the 20-minute ride to our jungle retreat.
Where to stay in Langkawi with kids
Langkawi has a great mix of accommodation options for families. We’d highly recommend staying in one of the beachfront resorts in Pantai Cenang or Pantai Tengah, which are right next to each other. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, and family-friendly activities. If you prefer something quieter, there are also lots of jungle retreats tucked away across the island.
We actually found the best of both worlds at Sari Village Jungle Retreat, which is about a 20-minute walk or a short Grab ride from Pantai Tengah. This meant we were close to the beaches and restaurants, but still completely immersed in a rainforest setting full of wildlife. We stayed in an incredible traditional four-bedroom Malay house, with a huge balcony and stunning views through the jungle canopy and out to the sea.
It was perfect for us! Peaceful but alive with jungle sounds, and after busy days exploring, it was bliss to come back and relax by the pool. One of our highlights was sitting on the balcony watching beautiful leaf monkeys swinging through the trees right beside us.
What to do in Langkawi with kids
- 🚡 Langkawi SkyCab & SkyBridge – A must if you want stunning views across the island. The cable car ride itself is an incredible experience as you glide up over the rainforest. At the top, you’ll find the famous curved suspension SkyBridge and the amazing views! You can save a few ringgit by walking 5-10 mins down to the SkyBridge instead of paying for the SkyGlide (small funicular), but be prepared for steps. The Eagle’s Nest Glass Platform is an optional extra but we didn’t feel this was worth the extra cost. Aim to visit early in the morning or late afternoon and tickets can be booked online in advance or at the counter on the day.
- 💧 Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh) – If you’re visiting the SkyCab & SkyBridge, you should definitely pay a visit to the nearby waterfalls. There are lots of steps to reach the different tiers (so not one for pushchairs), but it’s well worth the climb. Head straight up to the fourth tier first, where you’ll find natural swimming pools and smooth rock slides. Don’t forget your swimmers – it’s lots of fun for the kids. On the way back down, stop at the third tier to admire the impressive main waterfall. Access to the waterfalls is via the eco park area and there is a small cash entry fee.
- 🏖 Pantai Cenang – the island’s most popular beach and a lovely 30-minute walk from Sari Village Jungle Retreat. Perfect for families with soft sand, calm waves, water sports, and plenty of places to eat nearby. Free activity.
- 🛶 Mangrove Tour at Kilim Geoforest Park – Another one of Langkawi’s must-do experiences for families. Most tours follow a similar route, taking you through the bat caves, eagle feeding areas, mangrove forests, and a floating fish farm. We almost ran out of time to fit this in, which meant our tour ended up being a little shorter, but the bonus was that we had the place to ourselves! It felt so exclusive, and the kids absolutely loved whizzing about on the speedboat between stops. A real highlight of our trip.
- 🌊 Island Hopping Tour – This was one of our absolute highlights in Langkawi. While there are plenty of island-hopping tours available, most follow a very similar route. We were lucky enough that the incredibly friendly owner at Sari Village Jungle Retreat arranged a private trip for us (something he does for all his guests). Having lived on the island nearly all his life, he acted as our guide, sharing fascinating stories about Langkawi’s history and geography. With his boat driver, he took us to a number of hidden islands, away from the usual tourist stops. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch on completely deserted beaches, swam in crystal-clear waters, spotted eagles, explored mangroves, and the kids had endless fun making friends with hermit crabs!
- 🛍 Langkawi Night Markets – The night markets open every evening at different locations around the island. You’ll find street food, souvenirs, and local treats, so it’s a great way to try affordable Malaysian dishes. Free activity.
- 🌿 Langkawi Wildlife Park – This is an interactive and covered zoo, so a great option for a rainy day or when you want to escape the sun. We didn’t get chance to go during our stay but there are lots of opportunities for kids to hand-feed the animals. Tickets can be purchased online.
- 🐢 Langkawi Underwater World – An indoor aquarium in Pantai Cenang with penguins, sharks, and a tunnel tank. We didn’t visit during our stay but it would be a good rainy-day option. Tickets can be purchased online.
Best places to eat in Langkawi
- Breakfast – We didn’t actually go out for breakfast during our stay because at Sari Village Jungle Retreat we were provided with an amazing selection of local dishes, served on our balcony each morning.
- Lunch – Fat Cupid for Malysian dishes and laid back, tropical garden setting.
- Dinner – Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant for the best fresh seafood and buzzing atmosphere.
Days 13-14: Return to Kuala Lumpur
How to get to Kuala Lumpur from Langkawi
If you’re following our two week Malaysia itinerary, you’ll probably need to head back to Kual Lumpur. As you’d expect, getting off the island means either flying or taking a ferry. If you choose the ferry, you’ll then need to connect with a bus and/or train to Kuala Lumpur. For us, this was much more hassle, time-consuming, and the small cost savings just weren’t worth it.
Instead, we chose the easiest and fastest option – flying back to Kuala Lumpur ready for our international flight home to the UK. Several airlines run regular direct flights from Langkawi to KL, taking around 1 hour, and prices are usually very affordable, especially if booked in advance.
We also made the decision to fly back the day before our return flight home, and we’d definitely recommend this for peace of mind. Our internal flight was actually delayed by a couple of hours, but because we’d built in that buffer, it didn’t cause any stress at all.
Where to stay near Kuala Lumpur International Airport
You can stay right next to the airport, but availability is limited and prices tend to be higher. A great alternative is to stay in the nearby neighborhood of Nilai, just a 20-minute Grab ride away.
We chose to base ourselves here the night before our flight in modern and spacious apartment with balcony – Residensi KLIA Tower. This was perfect for us as it was close enough to the airport for convenience, but with more affordable options.
What to do near Kuala Lumpur International Airport with kids
🛍 Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang – As this will just be a short visit, we’d highly recommend a trip to Mitsui Outlet Park, a shopping centre just 10 minutes from the airport. The best part is there’s a free shuttle bus to and from KL Airport, making it super convenient. To catch it, simply head down to Level 1 at the airport, exit and cross the road, then look out for the yellow Mitsui Outlet Park shuttle bus signs. The buses run regularly throughout the day.
We actually stopped here after landing from Langkawi and before heading to our accommodation. If you have luggage with you, there’s free luggage storage, which is a big bonus for families. Inside, you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and play areas to keep everyone entertained for a few hours.
If shopping isn’t your thing, then make sure your chosen accommodation has a swimming pool. Ours did, although we didn’t get time to use it before flying home!
Best places to eat near Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Our recommendation would either be to eat at the Mitsui Outlet Park or order food to your accommodation through the Grab app.
FAQs: Planning your Malaysia family trip
When is the best time of year to visit Malaysia?
In our opinion, there’s really no bad time to visit Malaysia. The weather is warm and humid all year-round, but being a tropical destination, you can expect the occasional short, sharp downpour. We visited during the last two weeks of August and had rain on two or three nights, plus a couple of days with light showers.
The rain didn’t impact our plans at all and if anything, it actually helped freshen up the hot, humid air for a while afterward.
If the rain is a concern, then the rainy season varies depending on which part of Malaysia you’re heading to, but for this two-week itinerary, January through to August is generally a great window. September to November tends to see more rainfall, though it’s still manageable if you’re flexible.
If you’re tied to school holidays, then the Easter or Summer break will be your best bet for good weather.
Do you need any vaccinations?
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry into Malaysia (unless you’re coming from a yellow fever risk country), but it’s worth making sure you up to date with routine vaccinations.
How do kids cope with long flights?
Surprisingly, our kids find long-haul flights easier than shorter ones. With in-flight entertainment and a steady supply of meals and snacks, they were completely occupied for the journey.
On our 13-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur, we barely heard a peep out of them as they happily worked their way through the films and food.
What’s the best way to deal with jet lag?
Our advise would be not to stress about it!
Malaysia is 7 hours ahead of the UK, but we never fully adjusted which actually worked in our favour. We found a “halfway house” routine that suited us perfectly.
Bedtime ended up being around midnight Malaysia time, which wasn’t a problem as we were often out late enjoying night markets or evening swims anyway. The kids then naturally woke around 9am – 10am, which was ideal since we didn’t have many early starts.
What age does this itinerary suit?
This 2 week Malaysia itinerary is really flexible and can work for all families. We travelled with our children aged 12, 9 and 4, and it suited all of them perfectly. The mix of activities from cultural sights and street food in Penang, to beach days and jungle adventures in Langkawi meant there was always something for everyone.
Older kids and teens will love the adventure side, while younger ones will be just as happy splashing in pools, playing on the beach, and spotting wildlife. If you’re travelling with toddlers, you might just want to slow the pace slightly. Extending this to a 3 week Malayisa itinerary by adding a couple of extra days in each place will allow for more downtime.
Are there mosquitoes in Malaysia?
Yes, there are mosquitoes in Malaysia, especially in the evenings, near water, and in jungle or rural areas. In the cities it wasn’t too bad, but in Langkawi (with its rainforest setting) we definitely noticed more.
We recommend packing a good child-friendly mosquito repellent and applying it before heading out in the late afternoon or evening.
Do you need car seats for kids?
This really depends on your preference and whether you’re hiring a car. We mostly used Grab taxis during our trip, and none of them offered car seats in fact, I don’t think they’re even available as an option.
In Langkawi, we hired a car but again were never offered car seats. We didn’t bother given our kids’ ages and the fact that Langkawi is a very quiet, easy island to drive on (they also drive on the same side of the road as the UK, which makes things simpler).
If you’re travelling with younger children or babies, you might want to consider bringing a car seat. Otherwise, most families we met did without.
Is Malaysia suitable for pushchairs?
Adventurous itineraries can sometimes be tricky with with pushchairs but there is always a way to make it work. This year was the first year we didn’t take a pushchair for our four-year-old and it definitely made things a lot easier.
Kuala Lumpur would be ok but you would have to stick to the pedestrian bridges and walkways. The city is full of busy multi-lane roads and walking from A to B can often mean long detours. Without a pushchair or stroller, you can do what we did and copy the locals by running across roads with a leap of faith. Pavements can also be uneven or blocked by motorbikes, making it harder to push a stroller smoothly.
In George Town (Penang), pushchairs are easier to use around the historic centre, though you’ll still encounter narrow pavements and the occasional broken surface.
In Langkawi, a stroller is much more manageable, especially around resorts, beaches, and shopping areas.
If you want our recommendation, take a look at our review of our favourite travel-friendly pushchair.
That said, a baby carrier is sometimes the easier and more practical option in Malaysia, particularly some of the attractions. We’d recommend bringing both if you’re travelling with a baby or toddler.
Best ways to travel around Malaysia
🚶♀️ Walking: In our opinion, the best way to explore a destination is on foot, so we walked as much as possible in every place we stayed. Walking in Malaysia is definitely doable, but it’s not quite as pedestrian-friendly as the UK. Pavements can be limited, so you’ll sometimes find yourself walking along the edge of busy roads.
Kuala Lumpur in particular, has lots of busy roads with only a few designated crossings. Learning from the locals, we quickly mastered the art of dodging traffic, but if you’re travelling with a pushchair or very young children, you might need to walk a bit further to find safe crossings.
🚗 Grab taxis: We used Grab taxis A LOT to get around in Malaysia. I was super impressed with how efficient the process is using the app and in many instances, it was more cost efficient for our family of five.
Download the Grab app before you travel, set it up for Malaysia, and add a travel card for payment (see our money tips further down). When you are ready to use the app, it will automatically pick up your location so all you need to do is enter your destination and then choose appropriate car size and price. Once booked, you’ll get an estimated arrival time (usually minutes) and a live map to track your driver. Once arrived at your destination, your card will automatically get charged the upfront price you chose at the begining – so simple!
✈️ Domestic flights: We always try to travel sustainably where possible, but for this itinerary we took a couple of internal flights where alternatives were limited. We share all the options in detail under each step of the itinerary, but domestic flights in Malaysia are very affordable and an efficient way to cover long distances. We flew with Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, and were impressed by how quick and easy the journeys were with flight times being very short. It’s best to book domestic flights a few weeks in advance and we religiously use Skyscanner for the best price – see our top hacks for finding the best flight prices on the platform.
🚆 Trains: Train travel in Malaysia is a great option for the main cities and towns along the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia, and offers a comfortable, reasonably priced and stress-free journey with kids. It’s a great way to see the Malaysian countryside and tickets are easy to book online a few days or more in advance through the You can reach Penang from Kuala Lumpur by plane, bus, train, or taxi, but after weighing up all the options, we chose the train. It’s a comfortable and relaxed way to see the countryside with children, and since we were flying to Langkawi later in our itinerary, it helped us avoid adding another flight.
🚘 Car hire: Hiring a car is a great option if you want flexibility, especially for exploring smaller towns or stopping off along the way for off-the-beaten-track adventures. If like us, you’re from the UK, driving in Malaysia should be easy as it’s left-hand traffic with the driver on the right-hand side. We’d avoid city centre driving, particularly in Kuala Lumpur which can be very hectic. Otherwise road conditions are generally good. It’s also a great option if your kids struggle with travel sickness – see our top tips for car travel with kids. If you want to pick a car up from the airport, we always pre-book through Discover Cars.
🚌 Bus: Buses are a super budget-friendly way to travel in Malaysia. They’re generally reliable and comfortable but a little a little slower than trains or flights. We will definitely consider buses for other parts of Malaysia but for this itinerary we chose to pay a little extra for faster and more comfortable journeys. It’s best to book bus tickets in advance and this can be done through 12GoAsia website.
⛴️ Ferry: Ferries are a scenic and fun way to travel in Malaysia, but be sure to check the latest schedules as we found some were no longer in operation. We originally considered taking the Penang to Langkawi ferry, but that service has now stopped. Instead, you can take a bus further north from Penang to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis and then catch a ferry across to Langkawi. Whilst we do prefer to travel by land where possible, we favoured the short domestic flight which worked out much faster and far more convenient for us. If you do want to check ferry routes and book tickets, we recommend using 12GoAsia.
Final thoughts on our 2 weeks in Malaysia…
Our 2 week Malaysia itinerary gave us the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and downtime as a family of five. From the buzzing streets of Kuala Lumpur, where the kids were mesmerised by the Petronas Towers lit up at night, to Penang’s colourful street art and food markets, and finally Langkawi’s beaches and wildlife – it was a trip none of us will forget.
If like us you’re planning for a Malaysia itinerary 14 days, then this works perfectly but can also be extended to a 3 week Malaysia itinerary and allow for a more relaxed pace. The route is family-friendly, easy to follow, and packed with highlights, while still leaving room for those spontaneous moments that make travel special. It works perfectly as a two week Malaysia itinerary but can be .
With so much to explore, you’ll quickly see why spending two weeks in Malaysia is just the beginning of what this incredible country has to offer. We’re already dreaming about going back!
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