How to spend two days in Kuala Lumpur

How to spend two days in Kuala Lumpur

If you’re travelling to Borneo, why not enjoy two nights in Malaysia’s beautiful garden city, Kuala Lumpur, on the way. Most flights from Europe connect through Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and if you arrive early morning, you can take in a lot in 48 hours, whilst acclimatising to the time-zone and tropical heat. Two days gives you plenty of time to explore a lively land of culinary concoctions, awesome architecture and pleasant people. You can continue your holiday by taking one of the regular flights from KLIA to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan for the rest of your adventure. Here’s how we love to spend 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur:

Day 1: Arrive and explore
Arrive early morning into KLIA. The airport is 60km from the city so the quickest way to connect is by rail, the super clean, efficient and comfortable KLIA Ekspres train to KL Sentral Station**. Buy your tickets on arrival (approx. RM100pp return) and arrive in KL Sentral in just 30 minutes. If you stay at the gorgeous colonial Majestic Hotel*, you can hop on the complimentary shuttle service and be at the hotel in just 10 minutes.

Feeling a little jet-lag woozy? Just relax by the pool until your room is ready for check-in and you’re ready to explore the city!

*Upgrade to the Club Package at the Majestic Hotel for £36 per person per night which includes guaranteed check in on arrival to your upgraded suite, complimentary soft drinks, 24 hour butler service, cocktail hour, access to club lounge, afternoon snacks, and complimentary laundry service.

** If you prefer, we can arrange a private car transfer from the airport. the choice is yours!

In the afternoon, take your adventure to new heights by visiting the KL Tower. Higher than the Skybridge of the famous Petronas Towers, enjoy spectacular 360-degree views over the city and, if you have a head for heights, venture out into one of the glass Sky boxes for an excellent photo opportunity! If you’re still feeling like getting high, you would still have time to visit KLCC Park and the tallest Twin Towers in the world. Indulge in some world class shopping at the Suria Centre or just relax in the park, taking in the inspirational views.

Dining and Nightlife

For evening entertainment, head up to Bukit Bintang, take a deep breath and dive head first into Jalan Alor, the fascinating food market. Sounds, smells, sights and tastes will assault your senses as you stroll up and down this street, where tourists and locals dine on fresh, cheap eats from 5pm.

Our suggestion is to walk to the end and back, and eye up which place looks busy with locals – this is always a good sign of great food. Don’t be too fussy, go with the flow and try something new. It’s guaranteed to be fresh and delicious!

After the chaos of Jalan Alor, stroll back down Jalan Bukit Bintang… how about a foot massage? For around RM30 (£6), you can relax in a comfy recliner and enjoy a blissful 30-minute foot rub, while you watch the hustle and bustle outside. The whole area buzzes until early in the morning with bars and nightclubs, or you might think you’ve already had the longest day ever, and decide it’s a good time to catch some zzzzzs before an early start next morning.

Day 2: Temples, Birds and Gastronomy
It’s best to start early for a visit to Batu Caves, a glorious Hindu Temple just north of the city. In August 2018, Batu underwent a joyful refurbishment, and the statues and 272 steps leading up to the cave were painted a rainbow of colours. The new look attracts thousands of daily visitors and the photo moments are plentiful. Enjoy the monkeys if you choose to walk the 272 steps to the caves, but please don’t touch, don’t feed and tuck away all phones, cameras, water bottles and belongings. These brave and feisty beggars will grab anything they can!

  

After a morning at Batu Caves, you can also visit the local Batik Centre to learn about the traditional Malaysian fabric painting technique and the Royal Selangor Factory. KL started as a tin mining community and the pewter is still made here today, each piece skilfully hand-crafted.

An afternoon is just long enough to explore the Perdana Botanical Gardens, KL Bird Park (the largest free flight aviary in SE Asia), the National Masque or Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Garden. Please enquire about a private tour that can help you visit all of these sights in the most efficient way possible.

At night, dining choices are endless. For tasty traditional Malaysian food, we recommend either Bijan Bar and Restaurant in Bukit Bintang or the family run Songket, just north of KLCC. KL has an emerging cocktail scene and you might like to try Mr Chow’s Chino Latino Bar or It might also be a good time to view the sparkling Petronas Towers, which some think look even more spectacular after dark. The best viewing spot has to be the Sky Bar at the top of Traders Hotel. Reasonable cocktails, a good DJ and funky lighting make this a glamorous spot for a view you won’t forget.

Day 3: Departure to more adventures
When it’s time to leave the city lights behind, head back to KL Sentral and hop on the KLIA Ekspres to be whisked back to KL Airport in just 30 minutes (check your airline to find if you need to disembark at KLIA2 or KLIA).

The above is just a guide with some personal recommendations from Odyssey World’s Asia specialist, Felicia. Odyssey World can create a complete 2-3 day package for you in KL, with guides and private vehicles or simply assist with your hotels, flights or transfers.

For the perfect introduction to Kuala Lumpur, Peninsular Malaysia  and Borneo, browse our website  or contact Felicia at felicia@odyssey-world.co.uk