Top 7 Day Trip Destinations from Kuala Lumpur
What’s great about Kuala Lumpur is that even if you only have a day to spend in it, you’ll still get to enjoy a memorable trip. This is thanks to the nearby areas that serve as the perfect day trip destination from the city.
Join us here as we take a look at these destinations and what you can expect from each one. This way, you can make the most out of your time if you only have a day to spend in the country while staying relatively close to KL!
Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands is one of the best quick getaway destinations from Kuala Lumpur for several reasons. For starters, it was literally built to give people residing in KL a convenient vacation spot, and they were right, as the mountain resort is now a renowned destination.
The famous resort is flocked by tourists and locals alike because of its diverse offerings from theme parks to world-class hotels malls and more. It even features a plethora of shopping centres including an outlet where you can score great deals on designer brands!
Aside from these man-made structures, you can also enjoy the surrounding natural landscapes, consisting mostly of lush greeneries. Plus, because of its location being so high up, you can breathe in some of the crispest air in the country.
Best way to get there:
To get to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur, you can ride a bus from KL Sentral that goes to Genting Highlands. This bus departs every hour and the total trip will take around an hour and 15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can drop off at Awana Skyway if you want to take a more scenic approach to the resort. Here, you can enjoy a gondola ride that features massive windows on its floors and walls, giving you an unobstructed view of the mountain.
Putrajaya
Putrajaya is the go-to spot for people who want to witness beautiful architecture in Malaysia, and we can’t blame them! This place houses the impressive-looking buildings of the embassy as well as the homes of the government ministries.
Aside from that, it’s also in this city where you’ll find the magnificent Putra Mosque, which is situated in the middle of Putrajaya Lake. It’s a place of worship, but everyone is welcome to admire it outside times of prayer to admire it up close.
It’s also commonly known as the “Garden City”, and you’ll immediately get why once you see the areas dedicated to parks and botanical gardens. On top of that, it’s also here where you’ll find the biggest and first manmade lake in the country, the Putrajaya wetlands.
Best way to get there:
Getting to Putrajaya from KL is fairly easy, as you can simply ride the KLIA Transit train, which is fast and cheap at the same time. These trains will directly take you to Putrajaya Sentral Station and the overall travel time will be approximately 30 minutes.
Bukit Fraser
If you’re one to seek adventure during your time off, we recommend spending a day at Bukit Fraser, also known as Fraser’s Hill. Nestled on top of a mountain, this highland offers several opportunities for fun-filled activities such as hiking and trekking.
There are several hiking trails in this area such as the Bishop Trail and Pine Tree Trail. Some are a bit more challenging than others, but all of them are fun to try and conquer, especially with the diverse bird species you’ll come across during your hike.
On the other hand, if you fancy a more laid-back activity that doesn’t fall short of fun, you can get some swings in at Fraser’s Hill Golf Club. It’s one of the oldest courses in the country, but it’s fun to play in, especially with friends and family.
What we love about this place is its cold climate, which is perfect if you’re tired of the humid subtropical weather that’s ever-present in the country. Aside from this cooling temperature, its location also allows guests to enjoy beautiful natural views of the surrounding areas.
Best way to get there:
Unfortunately, you can’t ride public transport from KL to Fraser’s Hill since the two don’t have a direct connection. The best thing we can recommend is renting a car or hailing a ride through the Grab app.
The winding road on the way to the resort can be a bit too much for others, but it’s worth it once you arrive at the top.
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Selangor is a small coastal town in Selangor that offers tons of activities and sights. It’s about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, but you’ll feel like you’re a lot further because of how different it looks.
This humble town features an impressively diverse wildlife and the best part is that it lets you witness it first-hand. For instance, you can ride a boat at night and cruise through a river located in Firefly Park to spot these glowing insects living their best lives.
If that’s not entertaining enough wildlife for you, then we recommend checking out the Kuala Selangor Nature Park. Here, you’ll find various species of animals such as monkeys, birds, mudskippers and more, living their best lives in a mangrove ecosystem.
Among all its offerings, however, you can’t miss out on visiting the famous Sky Mirror. To get here, you must ride one of the jetties in Kuala Selangor that will directly take you to Sasaran Beach where this natural phenomenon can be found.
Best way to get there:
If you don’t own a car or if you can’t rent one, the best way to get to Kuala Selangor from Kuala Lumpur is by riding a bus. You’ll have to get on two different buses, in particular.
The first one is from Opposite Pasar Seni to Klang and from there, you’ll ride a bus heading to Kuala Selangor. This method will take around one hour and 47 minutes depending on the traffic.
Batu Caves
The Batu Caves can be found near the northern tip of KL, and it’s a great place to stop by even if you’re only in the city for a day. If you include this in your itinerary, you’re going to spend at least half of your day here–which isn’t a bad thing at all!
Several things are worth highlighting in this world-famous tourist attraction. For starters, you’ll find the gigantic golden statue of Lord Murugan sitting peacefully before you even reach the limestone caves.
Speaking of the caves themselves, the only way you can reach them is to climb the 272-step staircase, which is also a highlight in its own right. These steps will test your determination to reach the caves, but it’s worth it in the end, as you’ll see a breathtaking view of the city.
As for the caves themselves, they’re truly majestic and worth the climb as well. Here, you’ll find beautiful natural limestone formations as well as temples where devotees worship their gods and goddesses.
Best way to get there:
The best and easiest way to get to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur is by riding the KLM Komuter Train from the KL Sentral Station. The trip will only take approximately 25 minutes and will cost around RM2.30.
Port Dickson
If you want a more chill and laid-back getaway, you should spend a day at Port Dickson or as locals call it, PD. This nearby port town is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, delicious seafood and world-class resorts.
Among all the beaches you can find here, however, the Blue Lagoon has a strong case of being considered the best. Aside from featuring pure sand and beautiful cerulean waters, this beach also offers a plethora of water activities such as kayaking and snorkelling.
As for the resorts, they’re second to none as well. The ones you’ll find here are equipped with world-class amenities to ensure your safety and comfort, and the best part is that they’re located near the shore!
Aside from beaches and resorts, you’ll also find various tourist attractions that are worth visiting including museums, 3D art galleries, farms and more!
Best way to get there:
The most recommended way to get to Port Dickson from KL is by driving a car. You can also book a ride from the Grab app if you don’t have a car or you can’t rent a vehicle in Kuala Lumpur.
Both methods will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on the traffic.