Planning a flying visit to Malaysia? Want to know the very BEST (and most convenient) places to visit in Malaysia in 3 days?Looking for an adaptable and easy 3 day Malaysia itinerary? We are a family of Malaysia travel experts and we have 21 great Malaysia itinerary options for you!

We have compiled an epic list of 21 different three day itineraries in Malaysia. We’ve even categorised them according to which airport you plan to fly in and out of.

Our hand-curated itineraries for 3 days in Malaysia cover everywhere from cosmopolitan cities to relaxing, tropical islands and ancient rainforests. You can definitely find a 3 day Malaysia itinerary to suit your own personal interests and needs in our list.

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Where to go in Malaysia for a short trip?

3 days isn’t much time to explore a country as diverse as Malaysia But is possible to create a 3 days Malaysia itinerary that gives you a taste of Malaysia’s vast selection of cuisines, festivals and traditions. There are plenty of places to go in Malaysia for a short trip.

Of course, vibrant Kuala Lumpur will spring to mind but really to experience Malaysia you need to get out of the cities. Explore the rainforests, the kampungs (villages) and island life. The Malaysia itineraries we’ve designed cover exactly where to go in Malaysia for a short trip.

Planning an itinerary for Malaysia

Malaysia is a country of two halves. West Malaysia on the Peninsular, home to Kuala Lumpur, sandwiched between Singapore and Thailand and Malaysian Borneo (East Malaysia) covering the top part of the island of Borneo. 

It is a lot more convenient for most visitors to plan a 3 day Malaysia itinerary on Peninsular Malaysia. The transport options are better and you can still discover pockets of rainforest.

To reach East Malaysia, in just 3 days, you will need to fly. Of course, you can fly from Kuala Lumpur but you can also catch direct flights to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching from the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and many other Asian hubs. 

What makes us Malaysia travel experts?

Ok so maybe we’re not ‘official experts’ per se but we have travelled independently a lot around Malaysia as backpackers and again, as a family. Right now, we are expats living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s largest city. 

We spend all the weekends that we can exploring Malaysia. With the colossal amount of public holidays annually in Malaysia, that means that we more often than not spend 3 days visiting new places in Malaysia. 

Have longer than 3 days to explore Malaysia? Lucky you! Check out our 2 week Malaysia itinerary that covers both West Malaysia and Sabah in just two weeks.

Are these itineraries suitable for families?

If you’ve seen our logo, you’ll know that World for a Girl is a family travel blog. So yes, all these itineraries are suitable for families.

All itineraries are suitable for adults travelling without kids!

However, depending on the travel durations you’re happy to do with young kids you may wish to stick to the itineraries centred in or near Kuala Lumpur.

Older kids and teenagers who don’t mind an extra flight will love meeting orangutans and sun bears in Borneo so we’ll show you how that is possible in just 3 days. 

Looking for some Malaysia family travel inspiration? Check out our epic post 50+ amazing things to do and see in Malaysia with kids

Which airport are you using in Malaysia? 

To choose the best and most convenient 3 day Malaysia itinerary first make sure you know which airport you are flying into.

Most international flights arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Budget airlines from Asia normally arrive into KLIA2 next door. Both of these airports are about 40 minutes drive from central Kuala Lumpur or 28 minutes by train into Sentral Station.

Most of our itineraries originate from Kuala Lumpur as this is the most common port of entry.

We’ve also included some 3 days in Malaysia itinerary options for visitors entering overland from Singapore, flying into Penang or Kota Kinabalu.

If you’re entering overland from Thailand then check out the Langkawi and Penang itineraries. Both islands can be reached by boat from Thailand. We also feature a Kota Bharu and Perhentian Islands itinerary which is ideal for travellers popping over the border from Thailand by land. 

21 options for the perfect 3 day Malaysia Itinerary including the best places to visit in Malaysia in 3 days

The first 11 itineraries are designed for travellers arriving and departing at KLIA. Most are very simple and require only short travel times. Many of the excursions can be organised through KL-based tour agencies.

3 day Malaysia Itineraries: Entering and Leaving KLIA

Option 1: Kuala Lumpur in 3 days

Let’s start with the simplest. Fly into KLIA, head straight to Kuala Lumpur and explore KL for the next 3 days. Will you get bored staying in Kuala Lumpur for 3 days? We’ve been here for almost 2 years and we’re are still discovering new things to do in Kuala Lumpur. 

If you are travelling with kids, babies or toddlers, check out our in-depth Kuala Lumpur family guides: KL with kids, The ultimate guide to KL with toddlers and exploring Batu Caves with toddlers.

Option 2: Kuala Lumpur in 2 days and 1 day in Melaka

This itinerary could be adapted so that rather than return to KL, you continue South to Johor Bahru and cross the border into Singapore.

Option 3: Kuala Lumpur in 2 days and 1 day in Bukit Fraser

A quick and easy itinerary for visitors who enjoy cities but also love hiking. Follow our 2 days in KL itinerary. On the way to Fraser’s Hill, you will drive close to Batu Caves in Gombak so you may wish to plan a stop here into your itinerary.

On the third day, hire a car or a driver and head out of the city to the popular Chiling Waterfall. After, a refreshing break and walk, head up the winding roads to the quirky colonial hill station of Fraser’s Hill. 

24 hours is plenty of time to explore this unusual ‘English village in the rainforest’ and go on one of the many great hikes. Check out our post on things to do in Fraser’s Hill for more details on individual hikes and accommodation options in Bukit Fraser.

Option 4: Kuala Lumpur in 2 days and 1 day in the rainforest

After an exciting 2 days in Kuala Lumpur, spend a day relaxing in the rainforest. We love FRIM ( the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia) just 20 minutes drive from North KL.

The forest here isn’t pristine. In fact, it has been planted solely for research purposes. But FRIM is a great place to hike, hire bikes and picnic. There is a small entry fee. The great thing about this itinerary is there is no need to leave your KL accommodation. FRIM is a short and easy day trip.

Option 5: Kuala Lumpur in 2 days and day trip to Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

Follow the Kuala Lumpur in 2 days itinerary. On the third day, head out of the city to mingle with these magnificent beasts.

Kuala Ganda Elephant Sanctuary is 1 hour and 45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur so it is quite a long day trip but if you love elephants – it’s worth it! You can travel by bus or private vehicle.

The sanctuary works hard to rehabilitate rescued elephants and visitors can even participate in bathing and feeding sessions.

Option 6: Kuala Lumpur in 2 days and 1 day in Port Dickson

If you are desperate to see the coast and not just a city then this could be the perfect 3 day Malaysia itinerary for you. However, keep reading as Port Dickson might be closest to KL but its beach is nothing on the stunning beaches up in Penang, Langkawi or over on the East Coast. 

Option 7: 3 day Malaysia Itinerary – Kuala Lumpur in 1 day, 1 day in Melaka and 1 day in Port Dickson

This is an itinerary for someone who loves to travel fast! With a maximum drive time of 2 hours in between locations, this packed itinerary is possible in just 3 days.

Spend 24 hours exploring Kuala Lumpur then hop on a bus (or rent a car) and drive to Melaka. Spend a day exploring the historic riverside city of Melaka and then spend a final in KL’s closest beach town, Port Dickson. Head straight back to KLIA from here instead of going back into central KL.

Option 8: Kuala Lumpur in 2 days and 1 day at Genting Highlands and Elephant Sanctuary

OK, so option number 8 is pretty full-on but we’ve done it so you can too. Warning! Genting Highlands isn’t a tranquil rural retreat. In fact, it’s the opposite. Genting has theme parks (yep, plural), a casino, shopping malls and a cable car. Combine a visit here with a visit to the Gandah Elephant Sanctuary to counter-balance the crazy capitalism of Genting with a taste of a more natural and traditional Malaysia!

If you hire a car or driver and leave early, you could always stay at your KL accommodation for all three nights. However, there is a lot going on in Genting Highlands at night.

Option 9: 1.5 days Kuala Lumpur and 1.5 days Penang

So we’re really picking up the pace here exploring the two most famous cities in Malaysia: KL and Georgetown. You can spend 1 full day and possibly one morning too exploring Kuala Lumpur and then hop on a short flight up to Penang. Penang is an island in the Northwest of Malaysia famous for its food, colonial heritage and street art. See our Penang guide for more information.

1 and half days in Penang should give you enough time to explore the main city Georgetown and spend a few hours either on Batu Ferringhi Beach or climbing Penang Hill by foot or cable car. Fly back from Penang straight to KLIA and transfer to your outgoing flight to save time.

If you’re looking to combine KL with colonial heritage and great food, Melaka (see options 2 and 7) might be a simpler, no-fly alternative than Georgetown.

Option 10: 1.5 days in KL and 1.5 in Langkawi on the beach!

If you really want to see a gorgeous, tropical beach in Malaysia, the muddy sand at Port Dickson really isn’t going to do it for you. The good news is that it is possible to fly to Langkawi cheaply and easily from KL.

Palau Langkawi is Malaysia’s main holiday island. To compete with the Thai Islands to the North, it is duty-free. Alcohol is a lot cheaper.

This is a great option if you’re heading to Thailand (just hop on a boat) but exhausting if you are going to take the 1-hour flight to and from KL on consecutive days. That said, Langkawi is a stunning island worth a ‘flying’ visit!

Option 11: 3 day Malaysia Itinerary: KL and Cameron Highlands

This itinerary gives you a great taste of Kuala Lumpur and a chance to explore the gorgeous Cameron Highlands. The highlands are the perfect place to grow tea. The area is home to numerous verdant tea plantations, colonial-style hotels and tearooms and strawberry farms. 

The reasons, this itinerary is so far down our list is the travel times. It takes around 4 hours to drive to the Highlands (each way). At the weekends, when a single road within the Camron Highlands grinds to a halt with the heavy weekend traffic, this itinerary would be near impossible in just 3 days.

3 day Malaysia Itinerary: Flying into Penang International Aiport

Option 12: 3 days in Penang

3 days is a great amount of time to explore this incredible island. You can spend time on the beach, exploring the rainforest and of course, sightseeing in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Georgetown. 

Here’s our in-depth guide on 3 days in Penang.

Option 13: 2 days in Penang and 1 day in Ipoh 

This 3 day Malaysia itinerary really crams in a lot! Spend 2 days on Penang Island. Ideally, one exploring Georgetown and one out in nature or on the beach. The next day, leave the islands and catch a 2-hour bus down to the wonderful city of Ipoh. Meander the streets looking out for colonial mansions, quirky cafes and lots of colourful street murals. 

Option 14: 2 days in Penang and 1 day in Langkawi

This Penang and Langkawi itinerary is only really doing to be worth a mere 3 days if you are flying or sailing onwards from Langkawi. Why? Because there are stunning beaches on Penang so why waste the additional travel time? 

If your plan is to sail on to Phuket or Koh Lanta, then after 2 days in Penang hop on a boat over to Langkawi (approx. 2 hours, 3 times a day) and spend your last day in Malaysia soaking up the rays on Pantai Centai on Palau Langkawi. 

3 day Malaysia Itinerary: Arriving from Thailand by land or sea

The following itineraries show just how easy it is to dip into Malaysia for a short 3 day trip from neighbouring Thailand.

You can take the boat to Langkawi in Malaysia from Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and Phuket in Thailand. You can catch buses or share taxis easily from Kota Bahru to the Thai border

Don’t miss our popular 10 day Southern Thailand Itinerary to help you create the perfect Malaysia-Thailand family holiday.

Option 15: Kota Bahru and the Perhentian Islands

See the Islamic side of Malaysia in the interesting city of Kota Bharu (close to the Thai border). There are two fantastic Royal museums Istana Jahar and Istana Batu as well as a wonderful bustling market. 

Don’t let your time in urban Kota Bharu eat into your days on the gorgeous tropical Perhentian Islands. These stunning islands of turquoise waters, sandy beaches and jungle interiors are the perfect places to chill (or dive).

Bear in mind that the islands are completely closed November to February during Monsoon season. 

Option 16: 3 days in Langkawi

Even if you’re not a beach bum there is plenty on Palau Langkawi to keep you occupied for a lot longer than 3 days. As well as beaches, there are mangrove cruises, the famous SkyBridge, theme parks (of course, it’s Malaysia!) and lots of tourist attractions and shopping.

If you’re travelling with kids, you’ll love our guide to things to do on Langkawi with toddlers and kids (including child-friendly beach bars!)

3 day East Malaysia Itinerary Options: 3 days Borneo itineraries 

Reaching East Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur is very simple with regular, budget flights. You can also fly directly in the main cities of Kuching and Kota Kinabalu (KK) from Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and even China.

Option 17: Easy Malaysian Borneo – 3 days in and around Kota Kinabalu

Fly into Kota Kinabalu and spend a day exploring the city and the excellent Sabah museum. Spend the second day, snorkelling and sunbathing at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park just a short boat ride from KK. The third day, head to Kinabalu National Park to see Mount Kinabulu and perhaps take a dip at Poring Hot Springs.

Option 18: Sarawak Itinerary 3 days in and around Kuching

Fly into Kuching, the main city in the state of Sarawak. Kuching is a pleasant town famous for cats and colonial-era buildings. Take a tour or hire a car and visit either Semenggoh Nature Reserve (to see orangutans)  or Bako National Park for hiking and wildlife-spotting. You could either spend one day doing each of these activities or you could choose your favourite two.

Option 19: Sabah Itinerary 3 days in and around Sandakan, Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River

This is probably my personal favourite itinerary! Why? Because it involves sun bears, orangutans, rainforest and proboscis monkeys! In fact, I’m currently planning another 3 day trip to do this exact itinerary. 

Spend half a day in Sandakan, grabbing a seafood lunch by the harbour and perhaps visiting the Agnes Keith Museum.

Then head to Sepilok by bus or private transfer. Stay in one of the lovely jungle lodges. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Rainforest Discovery Centre and the Sun Bear Centre are all within 5 minutes walk of each other. An amazing way to meet Borneo’s wildlife and contribute to their conservation efforts.

If you have extra time, there is a Proboscis Monkey rehabilitation centre about 30 minutes away. Do your research beforehand and plan to arrive at each centre in time for feeding and information sessions.

Groups of adults or families with older children feel comfortable squeezing in a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River through the dense rainforest. You may even spot pygmy elephants in the wild! (We once did!)

3 day Malaysia Itineraries: Arriving into Singapore 

There are many major airlines that fly directly to Singapore and not Kuala Lumpur so if you’re landing in Singapore but want a quick taste of life over the border option 21 is for you.

If you’re leaving Singapore to catch a flight from KLIA and fancy doing the journey overland, check out option 20.

Check out our useful post: Singapore with kids: Low cost and family-friendly.

Option 20: Johor Bahru – Melaka – Kuala Lumpur

A great A to B option if you’re heading from Singapore for a flight out of KLIA. Melaka is halfway between the two cities and the lovely small-town vibe will be just the ticket. If you have time, you could allocate a day to exploring Johor Bahru (the main attraction is Legoland).

However, Melaka also offers lots to do with children. Check out our post on the best things to do in Melaka with kids. You can easily spend two days in Melaka and go straight to KLIA. Alternatively, leave Melaka on the evening of the second day and head into KL for one day.

Option 21: Johor Bahru – Pulau Tioman – Melaka 

This final option is a great one if you are flying in and out of Singapore and want a simple loop to do in the South of Peninsular Malaysia. Cross the border from Singapore into Johor Bahru but as you haven’t much time don’t stop in JB. Instead head to Mersing and hop on a ferry to Palau Tioman. Enjoy a day and a half soaking up island life. Then head back to Mersing for the 3.5 hour journey across to Melaka. Spend your third day soaking up the cultural heritage in Melaka before heading back to Singapore via JB.

Note: this itinerary is not possible during the November- February monsoon season due to rough seas. 

So there you have it – 21 amazing options for a 3 day Malaysia itinerary.

If you read them all we hope that you’re feeling very inspired right now. We hope that we’ve shown how easy it is not to just spend three days in Kuala Lumpur (awesome though it is!) and you feel encouraged to get out and explore some other parts of Malaysia. There are so many other great places that you can visit in 3 days in Malaysia.

The only question left to ask is Which 3 day Malaysia itinerary are you going to do?

Travelling around Southeast Asia with kids? We have been living, holidaying and travelling in SE Asia for almost two amazing years now. Find out our best Asia with kids travel tips, discover the best family-friendly destinations in SE Asia and learn how NOT to make the (many) mistakes we’ve made by checking out our collection of in-depth family travel posts on Myanmar | Thailand | Malaysia | Singapore | Vietnam | Cambodia and more.

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