Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a city where you'll find skyscrapers as well as old street markets. The city centre is home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, arguably the most stunning modern towers on the planet (in our humble opinion at least).
The Good
- ๐ Decent nightlife
- ๐คค Great food options
- ๐ Streetfood
- โ Coffee
- ๐ผ Plenty of places to work
- ๐ฆ Strong nomad community
- ๐ด Strong ex-pat community
- โ๏ธ Warm weather
- ๐ฎ Safe
- ๐ก Strong wifi coverage
- ๐ Fast wifi
- ๐ Good public transport
- ๐๏ธ Architecture
- ๐๏ธ Shopping
- ๐๏ธ Amazing hotels
The Bad
- ๐ฐ Relatively expensive
- ๐ Traffic
- ๐ฅต Very humid
- ๐ธ Very Touristy
- ๐คผ Crowded
Living costs
- Kuala Lumpur is the most expensive place (out of 5) to live in Malaysia
- The average salary in Kuala Lumpur is
- It's about 337% cheaper to live in Kuala Lumpur than it is New York
- You can expect to spend around $1,258.57 per month living here
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Living
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Leisure
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- Prices are estimates and should be used as a guide only. We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies in data.
- Prices adjusted to reflect exchange rates as of 25th Jul 2026
Safety
Generally safe for tourists and expats, but petty crime like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas.
Where to stay
1. KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre)
The city center is a great location with easy access to shopping, the Petronas Towers, and tons of food options. It's well-connected by public transport, but it is also extremely walkable (if you don't mind getting a little sweaty that is).
Where to eat
Jalan Alor
Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200Food street filled with local restaurants dishing up Thai, Indian and Malay food. Super cheap, super tasty and always jam packed. A must visit.
Nightlife
Healy Macs
12 Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250Who doesn't love a good Irish bar? Healys is a little pricey but has a good atmosphere and is right near the Petronas Towers.
Where to work
Transport
Train
KL boasts an extensive train network that includes both the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Monorail. The LRT connects various parts of the city and suburbs, while the Monorail serves key areas, especially in the city centre.
Major stations include KL Sentral, which is the main transport hub, providing connections to long-distance trains, buses, and even the Airport Express. Other notable stations are Bukit Bintang and Titiwangsa, both popular among tourists.
Bus
The bus network in Kuala Lumpur, operated by several companies, covers a wide area and is a cheap way to get about. The free GO KL City Bus service is brilliant, as it offers multiple routes covering key attractions in the city centre.
Touch 'n Go Card
For both bus and train travel, the Touch 'n Go card is a decent option. It allows for cashless travel and can be topped up at various locations.
Touch 'n Go CardTaxi
Taxis can be hailed on the street or booked via phone. Make sure the meter is used and you agree a fare, as some drivers may prefer negotiated flat rates.
Ride-Hailing Services
Ride hailing servcies such as Grab operate in Kuala Lumpur. You can order both cars and bikes, making it a cheap and flexible option for getting around the city.
Walking
For those exploring the city centre, walking can be a great option. Many attractions are within close proximity to each other, and pedestrian-friendly walkways make it easy to get about.
Ride hailing apps
The must have ride hailing apps to ensure you can get from A to B
Internet speed
As you'd expect the internet in KL is fantastic. Super fast speeds and good connectivity throughout the city
Time difference
๐คซ Pro tip
Be sure to visit Jalan Alor, otherwise known as 'food street'. It's packed with wall-to-wall authentic (and cheap) Thai, Chinese, Malay, and Indian food. You can find it just at the end of Changkat in Bukit BintangWhen to visit
Average temperatures
Who it suits
Places near Kuala Lumpur
Malacca
Colonial buildings, markets and great food
Ipoh
Street art, incredible food and coffee
Penang
Incredible food, traffic and adventure
Singapore
Singapore slings and the Marina Bay Sands
Langkawi
Mangroves, waterfalls and pristine beaches
Koh Lipe
Turquoise waters, bright corals and lazy days