Malaysia

Is Kuala Lumpur Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know | 2023


With its bustling vibe, endless entertainment options, and fusion of traditional culture and modern architecture, Kuala Lumpur is one of the most exciting countries in Southeast Asia.

However, Kuala Lumpur is a big city and the culture in Malaysia is different from what you may be used to.Therefore, tourists’ concerns and doubts are justified. Is Kuala Lumpur safe??

Ready to travel? Don’t go without travel insurance.

I recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, an affordable travel insurance policy that offers automatic monthly payments that you can cancel at any time. I’ve been using it since 2019 and I can assure you it’s the perfect solution for nomads like you and me. Learn more by reading our SafetyWing review.

If you’re considering a trip or stopover in Kuala Lumpur, this article tells you everything you need to know about safety in the Malaysian capital.

key points

  • Kuala Lumpur is a safe destination for travellers.
  • It is now safe to travel to Kuala Lumpur.
  • Practice common sense and awareness when traveling in Kuala Lumpur.

Is Kuala Lumpur safe for tourists?

Kuala Lumpur is generally a safe place for tourists. It doesn’t have a higher crime risk than other cities in Southeast Asia, but as elsewhere, things like scams, theft and pickpockets are common.

Serious crimes such as violence and homicide are rare in Kuala Lumpur, so this is something tourists need not worry about.

As long as you exercise caution and common sense while traveling, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a safe and enjoyable vacation.

For example, making sure to lock your hotel doors and windows when you go out and not leaving your bags unattended can make your vacation hassle-free.

Is Kuala Lumpur safe to travel right now?

As of January 2023, Malaysia has fully reopened to international travelers. All Covid restrictions have been lifted so you don’t need to take a Covid test or show proof of vaccinations upon arrival and travel across the country.

Why is Kuala Lumpur “dangerous”?

Kuala Lumpur has no major dangers and is no less safe than any other large Southeast Asian city. It is also much safer than some other parts of Malaysia.

On the east coast of Saba, for example, there is a greater risk of crime targeting tourists, such as kidnapping for ransom by terrorists or criminal groups. However, there is no such threat in Kuala Lumpur.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


Planning your upcoming adventure? Travel by bus! (Very cheap!)




Safest area in Kuala Lumpur

There are many safe areas in Kuala Lumpur. Bukit Bintang is one of the most popular areas for tourists and expats as it is filled with entertainment and activities ranging from bars to restaurants to upscale shopping malls.

Additionally, there are many luxury hotels and modern high-rise buildings, most of which have 24/7 security and cameras. So staying here is a very safe bet, but also one of the most expensive.

Bukit Ceylon is another safe bet. It is a high-end residential area close to the city center but has more greenery than Bukit Bintang. For example, it adjoins the huge Forest Ecological Park, a lush tropical rainforest reserve.

Other safe areas in Kuala Lumpur are:

  • Mount Kira
  • Dr Tun Ismail’s Garden
  • country park
  • park city village

All of these communities have highly secure condominiums and gated communities that greatly reduce the rate of burglary and theft.

The cheapest areas of Kuala Lumpur to rent are sometimes the most dangerous as there are many poor areas. For example, Ampang and Cheras are two places you might want to avoid.

Things to Avoid in Kuala Lumpur

While Kuala Lumpur isn’t dangerous, there are some potential hazards you should be aware of so you can avoid them while traveling.
taxi scam

When it comes to taxis, I recommend avoiding hailing them on the street. Instead, it’s best to ask at your hotel or get a ride from the bus terminal.

Alternatively, I recommend downloading the Grab App and hailing a taxi from there. This way, you know the exchange rate in advance.

If you must hail a cab on the street, stick to the dial.

Taxi scams are common here, with drivers trying to get you to agree to a price before getting in, which is always much higher than the metered price. If this happens, walk away and try another taxi.

child seller

As in many Asian cities, it is not uncommon to see children selling things like flowers or souvenirs on the streets.

However, these kids aren’t just there to earn extra pocket money or help their families.

Instead, some scammers are using immigrant and refugee children in their schemes, training them to approach tourists. Many tourists are unaware of this scam and feel sorry for them so they buy from them.

However, you should know that this money will not go to children.

fake monk

This is another familiar scam in which tourists are caught. In some of the city’s most tourist attractions, such as Chinatown, Jalan Alor or Bukit Bintang, you might see men in saffron robes soliciting donations from tourists.

It is natural to assume that these are real monks who make their daily rounds. However, it is known to the locals that legitimate monks do not approach people to ask for donations, and they make regular donations of food and necessities.

So if someone who looks like a monk approaches you and asks you for money, politely say no and walk away.

Some have been known to give unexpected visitors a golden token and then ask for donations in exchange for it. So avoid accepting anything that strangers try to offer you.

driving in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has an excellent road system among Asian cities; thus, it is a safe place for the locals.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s a good transportation option for tourists.

Even if you follow your GPS, road signs can be confusing. Please also note that the minimum age to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur is 23 years.

You can rent a scooter/motorbike in KL, but I wouldn’t recommend this either.

Navigating around as a tourist can be difficult, which increases the risk of accidents.

other modes of transport

Kuala Lumpur has good public transport with three different rail systems – LRT, MRT and KTM. They can be difficult to grasp at first, but once you understand them, they can be a very effective way to get around.

Tickets are cheap and trains are on time.

However, if you are only in KL for a short time, I recommend using Grab or taking a taxi from your hotel. This is the easiest and most convenient way for tourists to travel.

Another way to travel short distances within the city is by using an electric scooter. Note, however, that you can only ride them on sidewalks or in areas without cars, as they are banned from major roads.

Kuala Lumpur Solo Traveler

Kuala Lumpur is perfectly safe for solo travelers. However, as elsewhere, it is better to go out at night with a group of travelers from your hotel than alone.

Kuala Lumpur has some great social hostels for solo travelers, such as POD, which has a great rooftop area.

Kuala Lumpur for women tourists

Kuala Lumpur is also safe for female travelers, including those traveling alone. But like anywhere else, you should avoid walking home alone at night and opt for Grab instead.

Also, try to stay in crowds and avoid taking elevators alone in public buildings.

Also, keep in mind that Malaysia is a Muslim country, so you will experience cultural differences compared to western countries.

For example, locals may look at you disapprovingly if you wear overly revealing clothing.

Overall, this is a very conservative country. While visitors are not expected to cover up (except for places of worship), it still needs to be kept in mind and considered when choosing attire.

Digital Nomads and Expats in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has a large expat community and is becoming increasingly popular with digital nomads, largely due to Malaysia’s recent introduction of a digital nomad visa.

Kuala Lumpur can be a fun city to spend a few months working remotely. The lifestyle is exciting and fast-paced, the internet is fast and stable, and there are many great places to work.

Kuala Lumpur is also popular with expats and digital nomads, as there are accommodation options to suit all budgets. It is possible to live here very cheaply, yet also enjoy a luxurious lifestyle with ease.

Here are some other things to be aware of when visiting Kuala Lumpur.

  • Mosquitoes – Mosquitoes can be a problem in Kuala Lumpur, as in all of Southeast Asia, and dengue fever is a real problem. Therefore, I recommend using mosquito spray outdoors around sunrise or sunset when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
  • Air Pollution – As a busy city, air pollution is a problem in Kuala Lumpur. If you have allergies or respiratory problems, avoid visiting between June and October, when the city is often clouded with haze. You may also want to keep a gas mask handy.
  • Street Food – Malaysian food is delicious, but since most of it is sold on street carts, there are some concerns about food hygiene. Use your instincts when choosing where to buy food, and be extra careful with meat, making sure it’s thoroughly cooked before you take a bite.
  • Drugs – Malaysia has very strict drug laws, and being caught with drugs can even be punished by death. So don’t risk it in Kuala Lumpur or anywhere else in the country and don’t talk to anyone trying to sell you drugs.

Kuala Lumpur Travel Insurance

Although Kuala Lumpur is generally safe, travel insurance is a must. Apart from the usual travel issues like lost luggage and flight delays, there are also some health concerns in Kuala Lumpur.

Common illnesses among tourists include food poisoning, bacterial diarrhea and dengue fever (caused by mosquito bites). If you have insurance, if you get sick while traveling, you won’t pay out of pocket.

We recommend SafetyWing for the most comprehensive and direct coverage of Kuala Lumpur.

Plus, you can enroll in SafetyWing from anywhere in the world and customize the plan to meet your needs.

Final Thoughts on Safety in Kuala Lumpur

So let’s recap, is Kuala Lumpur safe? The Malaysian capital has no major security concerns and is not dangerous.

However, you should still proceed with caution, use common sense, and be aware of the common scams that occur here.

If you do all of this, you are sure to enjoy an exciting and memorable trip to Kuala Lumpur!

Visiting Malaysia soon? Read one of the following guides:



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button