Planning a trip to Malaysia? After spending 3 months exploring the country, we’ve learned that packing smart is key to a smooth journey. From bustling cities to tranquil nature escapes, our packing guide has all the essentials you need to get ready for your adventure.

Suitcase or Backpack?

Malaysia isn’t always the easiest place to travel, so a backpack makes life a lot simpler. You’ll run into uneven paths, missing sidewalks, and the occasional jungle trail, and dragging a suitcase through that is no fun. Still, if you prefer a suitcase, it’s totally doable because taxi rides are affordable and transport connections are pretty decent. At the end of the day, it really comes down to how you like to travel.

We recommend packing light, the less you carry the easier it will be for you to hop on and off trains, use public transport, taxis, or walk on the streets.

We typically organize our clothes in packing cubes for quick access: one cube for bottoms, one for tops, one for outdoor clothing, and so on. We also pack our shoes in fabric reusable bags. It ultimately depends on your packing style.

READ | The Ultimate Woldtrip Packing List

BUY | Osprey Aether 55 (55L) / Tomtoc Carry-on Backpack

OUR PACKING ESSENTIALS

Our Daypack Items

We have listed the items in our daypack we rely on every day, regardless of the country. You can check it out on Amazon here.

For Malaysia, a helpful travel tip is to carry toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and liquid soap in a refillable bottle, as a few public restrooms lack these essentials. But most restaurants, malls and sightseeing attractions will have hand soap. The local hygiene standard typically involves using the famous bum gun or a bucket with a mug. Toilet paper isn’t always available, though it’s more common than in Indonesia or Thailand.

Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are also a must. We keep a travel-sized reusable bottle filled with sunscreen in our daypack for easy access throughout the day.

READ | Everyday Essentials: The Must-Have Items in our Daypack

OUR DAYPACKS | Fjällraven Abisko Hike Foldsack (25 L) / Vaude Unuk II Daypack (6-15L)

OUR DAYPACK MUST-HAVES

HYGIENE

HEALTH & SAFETY

BACKPACKS

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Clothing

Malaysia’s climate varies by region, so what you pack is key for planning the perfect trip. In hot and humid areas like Kuala Lumpur or Borneo lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen are ideal. Skip the synthetics as they trap heat and make you feel sticky fast. If you’re visiting during the monsoon season, a light rain jacket or poncho is a must.

If you’re heading into the Cameron Highlands, you’ll need layers even in summer. Temperatures can drop in the evenings, so pack a fleece or down jacket.

For footwear, sandals or slip-ons are perfect for Malaysia's warm climate. You'll be taking them on and off frequently to enter temples and homes. This is especially true when exploring historic cities like Melaka. But keep in mind that streets and paths can be rough or uneven. Flip-flops work for beaches or quick errands, but they offer little support. If you’ll be walking a lot or exploring mountainous terrain, go with comfortable sneakers or lightweight trekking shoes.

A beach towel is a great addition for covering knees or shoulders in temples or other cultural sites.

If you’re heading for beach destinations like Langkawi or Perhentian, don’t forget conservative swimwear. While modest dress is important in most public spaces, swimwear is perfectly acceptable at beaches and pools—especially when you're staying at resorts. We always use our favorite travel websites to find the best beachfront accommodation with great pools.

In the evenings, long-sleeved shirts and light pants keep you comfortable and help protect against mosquito bites.

CLOTHING PACKING LIST

Dressing Respectfully

Malaysia is a country with a rich mix of religions and cultures, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. Because of this diversity, dressing conservatively is the most respectful choice. When visiting temples, palaces, and other cultural or religious sites in Malaysia, it’s important to dress respectfully by covering your shoulders and knees, as you might not be allowed to enter without doing so.

Malaysian women typically wear clothing that covers the elbows and knees, avoiding anything too revealing. That said, it’s not unusual to see younger people in slightly shorter outfits, think dresses or shorts that fall above the knee, but not ultra-short styles. Keep in mind that showing cleavage is generally not the norm.

We encourage you to avoid wearing bikinis, going shirtless, or wearing see-through clothing when walking around or riding scooters. We think that it is best to bring a conservative swimsuit. In touristy areas, you may see other foreigners doing so, but it’s not part of Malaysian culture. We believe in showing respect to the places we visit. Malaysian women typically swim at the beach fully dressed often in a burkini, swimming clothes, saree, kurta, or regular clothes. Revealing clothing is uncommon, and if you want to avoid standing out or feeling out of place, it’s worth keeping this cultural norm in mind.

We’ve added all the items from our packing list to our Amazon storefront so you can easily find the products we love, use, and have personally tested during our travels.

To make things even easier, we also created a special section with modest clothing picks, for shopping or just outfit inspiration, based on what worked for us in Malaysia.

BUY | Find modest outfit ideas on our Amazon Storefront

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Toiletries

You’ll probably find most of your usual toiletries in Malaysia, so no need to overpack. Still, we recommend bringing sunscreen, mosquito repellent, solid shampoo or soap bars, and any personal skincare products you can’t go without.

We try to reduce our liquids and use solid products to make carry-on travel easier and refill our favorite products instead of buying new travel-sized ones each time. For more of our go-to travel toiletries and eco-friendly swaps, check our Amazon Storefront.

BUY | Our favorite travel toiletries on Amazon

TOILETRIES

soap
shampoo & conditioner
skin care
nail care
moisturizer
deodorant
razor
tissues / wet wipes
hair brush
contact lenses, glasses, contact lenses supplies

FEMALE

feminine hygiene products (menstrual cup & period underwear)
make up & make up brushes
make up remover
reusable make up remover pads

Menstruators Essentials for Malaysia

For menstrual cup users it is an easy country to handle your cup on the go. There is always either a bum gun making the cleaning easier. For long bus rides or anytime you might not have the chance to change easily, we recommend bringing period underwear. They’re comfortable, reliable, and perfect for travel days.

You will also be able to find disposable pads without any issue and sometimes tampons.

READ | Traveling on Your Period? Tips & Products to Stay Comfortable

BUY | Ingrid’s Favorites: Feminine Travel Hygiene on Amazon

TRAVEL MENSTRUAL ESSENTIALS

Electronics

You won’t need much, but a few key electronics make traveling in Malaysia a lot smoother. It's one of the common travel myths that you can easily find what you need abroad. Be sure to pack a power bank for long days out and good noise-canceling earphones for bus or plane rides. An absolute must-have is a universal travel adapter to fit into the Type G (same as UK) outlets in Malaysia. A handy trick is to choose one with multiple USB ports to charge all your devices at once. A lightweight travel fan can also come in handy in the tropical heat.

TRAVEL ELECTRONICS

Camera Gear

If you love taking photos as much as we do, Malaysia will keep your camera busy every single day. You’ll want to be ready for every kind of shot.

We always travel with our camera, drone, instax and phone setup, plus a few small accessories that make a huge difference. Think extra SD cards, waterproof cases, spare batteries, lens cloths, and a lightweight tripod for those sunrise and night shots.

If you’re curious about what’s in our camera bag or want ideas for upgrading your setup, check out our full post on our travel photography gear, we break down exactly what we use and why it works so well for travel days.

BUY | Camera & Photography Accesories we use on Amazon Storefront

OUR PHOTOGRAPHY ESSENTIALS

Sustainable Recommendations

We always carry our reusable water bottles on our travels, including Malaysia. We had water filters or water gallons for free to refill our bottles at all of our stays. This is just one of the simple sustainable food choices we make while traveling.

For groceries or beach trips we use a reusable bag, which is also super helpful if we need to lighten our luggage at the airport, allowing us to shift items into our carry-on. For hikes, sightseeing snacks or visits to street food markets, we recommend investing in collapsible food containers, along with reusable cutlery and metal straws.

READ | Eco-Friendly Travel: Sustainable Essentials for Your Packing List

BUY | Sustainable Travel Items That We Love on Amazon

TRAVEL SUSTAINABLE FAVORITES

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Laundry

We recommend packing light, as doing laundry in Malaysia is quick and easy. In most of our accommodations we had a washing machine free to use, otherwise, laundromats are widely available.

Don’t forget to pack a laundry mesh bag for both sustainability and protection of your delicates while traveling Malaysia.

READ | Travel Laundry Hacks: Stay Clean Without Overpacking

BUY | Our Favorite Travel Laundry Items from Amazon

OUR TRAVEL LAUNDRY SET UP

Flight Essentials

Long flights to and within Malaysia can feel much smoother with a few essentials by your side. We always pack in a small clear toiletry bag in our small carry-on backpack our comfort and entertainment must-haves. Things like a neck pillow, noise-canceling headphones, a refillable water bottle, and a power bank. These little items make all the difference during long travel days.

BUY | Flight Bag Favorite Products on Amazon

READ | Comfort Meets Minimalism: Essentials for Your Next Flight

Flight Bag Essentials

Safety

Malaysia is generally speaking a safe country to visit, but following these tips will help you to avoid getting in uncomfortable situations.

Keep your belongings close and secure, especially in busy areas.
Try not to show valuable items like expensive jewelry or electronics.
Dress modestly, especially in more traditional areas, to respect local culture.
Always use trusted transportation, and when taking a taxi, agree on the price first or use a ride-hailing app.
Stay aware of your surroundings.
Drink plenty of water, and avoid tap water.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and ask locals or other travelers for help.

READ | Learn more about how we prioritize safety while traveling in our dedicated section here.

BUY | Our travel safety gear on Amazon

eSIM | For a reliable connection during your Malaysia travels, a Saily eSIM helps you stay safe and connected without roaming issues.

TRAVEL SAFETY GEAR

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Health

Vaccinations

No specific vaccinations are required for entry into Malaysia unless you're traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever.

We advice you to consult with a healthcare provider before traveling.

Recommended Vaccinations for Malaysia

Routine Vaccinations: Make sure you’re up to date on the standard vaccinations, including:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
- Polio
- Influenza
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
Hepatitis A: The virus can be spread through contaminated food or water, and it’s advisable for travelers to get vaccinated before visiting Malaysia, particularly if you plan on visiting rural or less-developed areas.
Hepatitis B: It is recommended for travelers who may have exposure to blood or bodily fluids, such as those planning on staying long-term, seeking medical treatment, or engaging in high-risk activities.
Typhoid: If you plan to visit more rural areas or eat food from street vendors, the typhoid vaccine is recommended as it protects against foodborne bacteria that can cause infection.
Japanese Encephalitis: This is recommended for travelers who will be spending significant time outdoors in rural areas or near farms, particularly during the warmer months when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
Rabies: Rabies is a concern in Malaysia it’s recommended for travelers who may have close contact with stray dogs and monkeys.

Travel Insurance

Travel Health insurance is essential for any trip, covering unexpected medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and emergency treatments. It ensures you receive the care you need while protecting you from high medical costs. This is especially important when traveling to unfamiliar destinations or regions with limited healthcare access, where quality medical treatment may not be readily available. To help you find the best coverage for your trip, we’ve put together a guide: here’s what to look for.

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Payment Methods

Malaysia is generally a credit card-friendly country, especially in larger or modern restaurants and shops, where cards are accepted without additional transaction fees. That said, carrying cash is essential in many small eateries, local markets, and transport options don’t accept cards. Withdraw at Maybank or CIMB to avoid withdrawal fees. We can’t recommend the Wise debit card enough. We’ve been using it for all our travels. It lets you pay like a local, avoid crazy exchange fees, and withdraw cash at fair rates.

Bring some emergency money, in case you lose your credit card.

Digital payments via UPI and QR codes are extremely common among locals, but unfortunately, international travelers can’t register with a foreign credit card to use these systems.

READ | Save on ATM Fees and Exchange Rates: Debit Card for Travelers

WISE: OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL CARD!

We use Wise everywhere: fair rates, easy cash withdrawals, and no hidden fees.

GET | Apply for your Wise card here

Travel Documents

Keep your passport, travel insurance, and flight confirmations easily accessible, preferably both digital and printed. You’ll also need to fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within 3 days before entering the country. We always keep our important documents safely stored in a waterproof pouch and backed up online, just in case.

READ | Car Rentals Abroad: What You Really Need to Know