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    <div class="crumb"><a href="../index.html">Home</a> / <a href="../blogs.html">Blog</a> / How to travel Malaysia on a budget</div>
    <h1>How to travel Malaysia on a budget</h1>
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      <span class="cat">Travel tips</span>
      <span>Planning</span>
      <span>6 min read</span>
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    <figure class="article-figure" role="img" aria-label="A colourful jetty over clear water at the Perhentian Islands" style="background-image:url(../images/perhentian-jetty.jpg)"></figure>

    <p class="lead">Malaysia is already an affordable place to travel, and with a little
    planning you can stretch your budget further. Here are some practical ways to keep costs
    down without missing out.</p>

    <h2>Getting around</h2>
    <p>Domestic flights between the peninsula and East Malaysia are often cheap if you book
    early, especially with budget airlines. For shorter distances, intercity buses are
    inexpensive and cover most of the country, and trains are a comfortable option on some
    routes. Within cities, trains and ride-hailing apps are usually affordable. Keeping your
    dates flexible and booking ahead almost always helps with fares.</p>

    <h2>Where to stay</h2>
    <p>Accommodation ranges widely. Guesthouses, hostels and budget hotels are easy to find and
    good value, particularly outside peak holiday periods. Staying a little outside the busiest
    tourist areas can lower the price while keeping you close to public transport. If you're
    travelling with others, a shared room or a small apartment can work out cheaper per person.</p>

    <h2>Eating for less</h2>
    <p>This is where Malaysia really helps your budget. Hawker centres, food courts and night
    markets serve filling meals at low prices, and the food is often the highlight of the trip
    anyway. Local coffee shops are cheaper than cafe chains, and tap water aside, a cold drink
    from a stall costs little. Eating where locals eat is both cheaper and usually tastier.</p>

    <h2>Timing your trip</h2>
    <p>Prices for flights and hotels rise around school holidays, major festivals and year-end.
    If your schedule is flexible, travelling just outside these periods can save a fair amount,
    and you'll deal with smaller crowds too. The trade-off in the wetter months is more rain,
    though showers often pass quickly.</p>

    <h2>Free and low-cost things to do</h2>
    <p>Plenty of the best experiences cost little or nothing:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>Beaches and coastal walks</li>
      <li>Public parks and gardens</li>
      <li>Temples, mosques and heritage streets (dress respectfully)</li>
      <li>Night markets, for the atmosphere as much as the food</li>
      <li>Easy hikes and viewpoints</li>
    </ul>

    <h2>A few small habits that add up</h2>
    <p>Carry a refillable water bottle, keep some small cash for stalls and transport, and
    compare prices before booking tours — some can be arranged more cheaply once you arrive.
    None of these are dramatic on their own, but together they let you travel longer and see
    more for the same money.</p>
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