Truly Asia, close to home
Kuala Lumpur’s skyline and food courts, the heritage streets of George Town, Langkawi’s beaches and the rainforests of Borneo — Malaysia packs real variety into one easy trip. Nonstop flights from Heathrow, English widely spoken and a warm, multicultural welcome make it a natural first taste of Southeast Asia.
Where to go
The Petronas Towers, Batu Caves and some of Asia’s best street food — the easy, nonstop start to any trip.
George Town’s heritage shophouses, street art and hawker food, with beaches at Batu Ferringhi.
Sandy bays, mangrove tours and the cable car above the rainforest — ideal for a relaxed beach finish.
Cool hills, tea plantations and strawberry farms, a refreshing break from the lowland heat.
Kuching and Kota Kinabalu for rainforest, orangutans and the slopes of Mount Kinabalu.
Culture and customs
Malaysia is a multicultural, majority Muslim country where Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions sit side by side, and respect for local customs is always appreciated.
Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees, especially in rural areas. You may be refused entry to mosques and government offices without covered shoulders and knees and closed shoes.
Carry your passport. By law you must carry ID, so keep your passport with you.
Respect Ramadan. During Ramadan, check opening hours for shops and restaurants and follow local dress codes while others are fasting.
Keep affection private. Public displays of affection can attract negative reactions, so keep them low-key.
Laws to know. Malaysia has a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, with severe penalties including the death sentence for trafficking. Foreign nationals must not take part in demonstrations or protests.
How far is Malaysia from you?
Distances are great-circle estimates and flying times are typical, not timetabled. Message us for live fares and routes.
Malaysia, month by month
Hover overTap a month for average day and night temperatures and rainy days.
Long-term averages from national weather services (Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur). Actual weather varies year to year.
Ready-made holidays, coming soon
We’re adding Malaysia packages you can browse and filter by trip type, length and budget. Until then, tell us what you’d like and we’ll send ideas and prices — usually the same day.
Tell us about your Malaysia trip
Holiday, flights only or just a hotel — send us the details and our team will come back with options and prices, usually the same day during opening hours.
- Flights issued by our own IATA-accredited team
- Internal flights, transfers and tours arranged
- Visa and passport help from our documents team
- One team to message before, during and after
Read the full official entry requirements
See the official GOV.UK entry requirements for Malaysia.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Updated automatically from GOV.UK travel advice.
Travelling to Malaysia — quick answers
Can’t see your question? Send us a message or WhatsApp us.
Do I need a visa for Malaysia with a British passport?
Not for tourism. British visitors are normally allowed to stay for 90 days on arrival; longer stays or other purposes need a visa from a Malaysian mission before travel. You must also submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before you travel — it is free, can be submitted up to 3 days before arrival, and airlines may ask for it at check-in. Use only the official Malaysian immigration website. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive.
How long is the flight from the UK to Malaysia?
Nonstop flights from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur take about 13 hours, with Malaysia Airlines and British Airways. Penang, Langkawi and Borneo are reached with a short connection, usually in Kuala Lumpur.
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
Malaysia is warm all year. The west coast — Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi — is usually best from December to March, with more rain around October and November. The east coast islands are at their best from about April to September, as the northeast monsoon brings heavy rain from November to March.
Are there any areas the UK government advises against?
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah, from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island. This does not apply to mainland Sabah or the rest of Malaysia. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and make sure your insurance covers your plans.
Can Travel Style book my whole Malaysia trip?
Yes. We’re IATA accredited, so we issue flights ourselves and can add hotels, internal flights, transfers and tours in one booking — with one team to message before, during and after your trip.
Please note: the information on this page is a general guide, checked when it was published. Entry rules, health advice, weather, seasons, flight routes and local conditions can change at any time and vary from person to person, so we can’t accept responsibility for changes or for decisions based on this page alone. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and official travel health advice before you travel. It is your responsibility to check the entry, health and travel requirements that apply to you before you travel. See our terms and conditions.