Kuala Lumpur
I was never going to go if I waited for someone to come with me.
Batu Caves
Things to do
Petronas towers (The highlight of Kuala Lumpur)
Batu caves
Thean hou temple
Petaling Street market
KL tower view point
Bukit Bintang - roam around, go shopping
Kuala Lumpur bird park
Budget
One of my favourite things about Malaysia is how affordable the country is. I usually fly from New York to Kuala Lumpur because the flights tend to be much cheaper and it is a great starting point to visit the rest of south east Asia, 2-3 days here are ideal and the flights from New York cost about $490 if you book off season. Flying around south east Asia from KUL costs anywhere from $25 to $120 depending on what country you decide to visit. Kuala Lumpur itself boasts a low cost of living making it ideal for travelers on any budget and the city is so modern and exciting you will certainly get the most out of your money.
Here was my budget for a 2-3 day stay in Kuala Lumpur:
Food - $50
Activities - $60
Accommodation- $45/night
Transportation- $55 (download the Grab app, its Uber for South East Asia. This helped me get around more efficiently and the rates are super cheap)
Devis Corner Banana Leaf Bangsar
Where to eat
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Kuala Lumpur is Devis Corner banana leaf bangsar (second floor) I go there every time i come go to Malaysia and I am never dissapointed, the food is a combination of Malay and Indian dishes all served on a banana leaf and eaten by hand. It is a great environment to meet and chat with locals while immersing yourself in a culturally different eating experience.
Grandmama’s Restaurant Bukit Bintang
Helipad heli lounge bar
Enak restaurant
Opium KL
Devis corner Banana leaf Bangsar
Fuego at Troika sky dining
Acme Bar & Coffee, Troika KL
Marinis on 57
Old china cafe
View from Expressionz building swimming pool
Where to Stay
I have visited Kuala Lumpur two different times and I stayed at airbnbs on both occasions, the airbnbs are quite spectacular in modern sky scraper buildings with infinity pools and state of the art amenities all for less than $45 a night. I definitely recommend staying close to the Petronas towers to ensure you get the best views and for accessibility around the city.
The two buildings I stayed at were Setia Sky towers and Expressionz building all booked through airbnb.
Use my airbnb code for $40 off your first trip
Dinner at Troika sky restaurant
not-so-Solo Travel
The thought of traveling alone initially seemed so daunting and quite honestly I was nervous to be in a completely new country on my own. The thought of not having anyone around to share your memories with, or take pictures with/for you puts most people off and I will admit that solo travel might not be everyone's cup of tea but it is a worthwhile experience. Once the initial fear wears off solo traveling is an empowering perspective building milestone. If the idea of solo travel ever peaked your interest my advice is, go for it!
I did so much research on the topic and asked many questions prior to my solo trip but nothing truly prepares you quite like being there and learning as you go. With solo travel you have the freedom to experiment and tailor trip for you, it is an opportunity to embrace being completely out of your comfort zone. I ended up making friends on my second day in Malaysia after randomly sparking up conversations with people I encountered in the local markets, this led me to meet three other solo travelers from Mauritius, Australia and Singapore. If you make the effort to engage with locals and gather the courage to get to know new people solo traveling doesn't feel so solo after all.