Malaysia Travel Review - Peninsular Side

Hi everyone,

I already posted not long ago because I was planning to go to Kota Kinabalu, but there’s been a slight change of plans.

I’m still in Malaysia, but I’ll be staying on the peninsular side, so I need some tips/reviews.

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

- Arrive in Kuala Lumpur on August 16th and do some sightseeing. I saw that you can do a firefly and blue tears tour. Is it worth it? If so, how do you recommend getting there or which agency should I book with?

By the way, do you have any particular recommendations for things to do in Kuala Lumpur?

- Next, I’d like to visit Taman Negara for 2D/1N, but I’m not sure how to get there or which agency to book with to organize everything. Should I figure out how to get there first and then find a guide on the spot? We’d like to do the canopy walkway—is there anything else to do there? I know you used to be able to make your own blowpipe at the village—is that still a thing?

- After that, I’d like to head to the Perhentian Islands. How do we get there? Do I need to go back to Kuala Lumpur to take a bus, or can I leave from Taman Negara? Are there overnight buses? Or should we book the ferry?

I wanted to go there for diving—do you have any reviews or tips on that?

Do you also have any activity recommendations there? Like cooking classes, dance lessons, shows, or great snorkeling spots...

- Then we’d go to Kuala Terengganu. Do you know how to get there? How long do you recommend staying in the city? I think you can do rafting and the Cherating River—is it good, and do you have an agency in mind for that? I’m really not sure if it’s worth stopping in this city.

Is it interesting to visit Kapas Island? Or is it better to go straight from the Perhentian Islands to Tioman?

- Tioman: we really want to go for diving, but again, we’re not sure how to get there. And as always, if you have any activity recommendations, I’m all ears.

From there, I’m not sure yet if I’ll go to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, but I thought there were flights from Tioman to Kuala Lumpur, but I can’t find any.

That’s my itinerary.

If you have any hotel, activity, or even city/island recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks so much! :)

Maalya

We’ve just returned from Malaysia, absolutely enchanted and already nostalgic. Getting around Malaysia is super easy and really affordable (Malacca to KLCC in 3 hours by excellent bus: just 2.5 €! Can you beat that?). Two essential apps that are also very straightforward: Grab (Asia’s Uber): prices are fixed upfront. 12GO: for booking buses. Important note: once you’ve booked your trip, you’ll need to collect your ticket at the terminal (in KLCC, the terminal is TBS—it’s like an airport!). Tons of buses, routes, etc... And also: Rome2Rio to explore different transport options, journey times, and get a rough idea of prices (this app covers the whole world). Optionally, AsiaAirlines or others for booking flights in one click. Happy travels! PS: Before booking our trip in October, I’d read that the Christmas period was packed, especially by the sea (due to school holidays). That turned out to be false. Most of the hotels we chose weren’t full, and as usual, we could’ve booked on the spot when we arrived.

Hi Maalya KL wasn’t really my favorite in Malaysia. Check out Thean Hou Temple and the Petronas Towers at night. If you must, Batu Caves...

Thanks so much, this’ll really help! !

Hi there!

In KL: Batu Caves, dinner at Jalan Alor, the Petronas Towers of course—especially at night with the water fountain show—and the view from the top of Menara Tower (with its glass floors ;))

Diving in the Perhentians, you’ll have plenty of options. A must-do: The Pinnacle (Tokong Laut). Here’s a little video I made back then 🙂 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdBClmP-ljc

To get to the Perhentians, I took a flight from Penang and then a boat transfer organized by the hotel.

Have a great trip! 😉

Rome2Rio to know the different transport options

Definitely not. They only show options you can book through them, which is far from the same thing. Same with 12Go.

What route do you recommend I take?

What route do you recommend I take?

None at all. The best way to find complete info on road public transport is on the spot, step by step as you go. Ask around, and if needed, book only when necessary (and possible), the day before or two days before your next planned trip. Besides, the many questions you’re asking suggest you haven’t done any personal research before posting them—common courtesy would’ve been to start there (which might explain why forum members aren’t rushing to answer you...). I borrowed a *Routard* guide for Malaysia-Singapore 2024/2025: it took me less than an hour to find answers to most of your questions. The only ones still unclear are: - the whole blowpipe construction thing (??). - the route from Taman Negara to the Perhentian Islands, but a quick online search (not on a booking site!) shows you don’t need to go back through KL—you can transit via Jerantut or Kuala Lipis. - how to see the fireflies and the "blue tears," but digging a little deeper reveals they’re not actually in KL but a bit farther away.

* I would’ve preferred the LP guide, but they didn’t have it where I asked.

Hi there! In Kuala Lumpur, I’d definitely recommend checking out the fountain show at KLCC Park—it’s totally worth it.

As for Kapas Island, it’s absolutely stunning and super peaceful. You can stay overnight—there are several hotels and beachfront chalets—or visit for the day from the port of Marang (just remember to pay the tourist tax at the Marang port).

I’d also suggest heading to Redang Island.

Feel free to check out these two articles—they might come in handy:

https://www.voyagetranquille.com/decouvrir-la-malaisie/

https://www.voyagetranquille.com/visiter-kuala-lumpur/