| Kuala Lumpur (or KL for short) is an incredibly | | | | time can be spent enjoying your favorite |
| fascinating and diverse Asian city. However, | | | | destinations in Kuala Lumpur, giving you the best |
| without proper planning, your visit could be | | | | value for your time and money. |
| hampered by poor choices such as selecting the | | | | 6. Accommodation. Your hotel and room choices |
| wrong hotels or tours. Knowing a few things can | | | | will depend on your budget and preferred location. |
| go a long way towards making your stay in KL | | | | Most hotels located in the Kuala Lumpur city |
| pleasant and enjoyable. | | | | center are much more expensive compared to |
| Here are ten essential tips for planning your | | | | those located slightly away from the city. If you |
| vacation to Kuala Lumpur. | | | | plan to spend most of your day touring, a |
| | | | reputable budget hotel with clean rooms and a |
| 1. Plan your holiday early. Planning your trip at least | | | | safe will be a good option. |
| 3 months in advance will give you ample time to | | | | 7. Hidden costs. Get clarification from your hotel |
| prepare and search for the best deals and rates. | | | | and tour agent about any other charges applicable |
| 2. When to travel? Try to travel during the low | | | | to you, such as government taxes, service |
| season. During the low season, most hotels in | | | | charges, Internet connection fees and entrance |
| Kuala Lumpur will offer special discounts or room | | | | fees (most hotels in Kuala Lumpur charge fees |
| rates. You will also find it easier to move around | | | | for Internet access). You can also check with |
| the city or outside Kuala Lumpur because there | | | | your hotel if their service employees expect tips |
| will be fewer local tourists around. | | | | or gratuities. |
| 3. Book flights early. Low cost carriers and a few | | | | 8. Duration of stay. Longer stays will allow you to |
| premier airlines will offer cheaper flight tickets if | | | | visit more places, but will also cost more. If you |
| you make your bookings earlier. | | | | have five days or more to spend, you could take |
| 4. Book rooms online. Most hotels in Kuala Lumpur | | | | a few days to tour Kuala Lumpur, followed by a |
| offer discounts if you make your room bookings | | | | two or three-day tour to areas outside Kuala |
| online, especially if you do so through their online | | | | Lumpur such as Cameron Highlands and Malacca. |
| agents. Due to intense online competition, some | | | | Outside of the hustle and bustle of the city, you |
| agents are willing to lower their prices as long as | | | | can unwind and treat yourself to relaxing |
| they can increase their sales volume. | | | | massages, great local food and shopping |
| 5. Mode of transportation. An important factor | | | | excursions. |
| that could affect your travel experience is the | | | | 9. Currency exchange. It's a good idea to |
| mode of transportation that you choose. Using | | | | exchange only a small amount of Malaysian |
| public transportation such as buses or taxis will | | | | currency in your home country before arriving. |
| require a longer time to reach your destination. | | | | This is because you can get better exchange |
| You will also need to take the weather into | | | | rates in many places once you are in Malaysia. |
| consideration as Kuala Lumpur is typically very hot | | | | 10. Complimentary services. Ask your tour |
| and humid-with rain sometimes in the evening. In | | | | operator or hotel if they offer any complimentary |
| addition, some taxi drivers can be very choosy | | | | services such as shuttle services from the hotel |
| about the destination they are willing to drive to, | | | | to the main city, luggage storage or safety |
| and can be reluctant to use the meter (especially | | | | deposit boxes. |
| during peak hours). Hiring a knowledgeable private | | | | With proper planning and some smart strategies, |
| tour guide will shorten your travel time and | | | | you can save a few hundred dollars while ensuring |
| ensure the smoothest and most comfortable | | | | a fun and memorable trip to KL. |
| journey possible. With a private tour guide, more | | | | |