Malaysia has plenty of exciting places to explore with friends and family. Nothing beats an exciting road trip with your loved ones, having conversations and laughter, and eating your favorite snacks while listening to your favorite road trip tracks. 

When it comes to road trips in Malaysia, there are plenty of things to see and activities to do. From lush rainforests and serene beaches to beautiful temples and vibrant cities, Malaysia has many road trip destinations to be explored. Whether you love exploring its hidden gems, cultural landmarks, and nature, Malaysia has it all. 

Are you planning to go on a road trip to Malaysia? Here are some of Malaysia's best road trip destinations that will leave you wanting to explore more. So pack your bags, hit the road, and let the adventure begin!

 

1. Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Source: directasia

 

About a 4-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands is one of the top road trip destinations in Malaysia. This place offers a refreshing escape from the heat with cooler temperatures throughout the year. If you’re looking to escape the heat, Cameron Highlands is one of the best places to explore. 

There are plenty of attractions to visit such as the strawberry farms, lavender gardens, Cactus Valley, and more. The popular tourist attractions in Camerons would be the BOH tea plantations where you can walk through the tea plantations and take instaworthy pictures. After that, sip on some tea and have a slice of cake while overlooking the fields.

 

2. Penang Island, Penang

Source: tripsavvy

 

A road trip to Penang Island is a must if you enjoy exploring rich heritage, hidden gems, beautiful beaches, and remembering the best local street food. Penang is a small island, however there are many things to see and activities to do. From visiting enchanting temples and exploring Penang street art to hiking Penang Hill, Penang is one of the go-to places when you need an escape. One of the must-see cities in Penang is Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant street art. 

 

3. Langkawi Island, Kedah

Source: hotels

 

Langkawi Island is one of Malaysia’s popular islands known as the “Jewel of Kedah”. Whether you want to relax or looking for something adventurous to do, there’s something for everyone in Langkawi. 

Some of the things you can do are ride the SkyCab Cable Car, go for an ATV adventure, go kayaking, hike Telaga Tujuh, enjoy a sunset cruise, and more! The main attraction in Langkawi is the SkyCab Cable Car which takes you on a scenic journey overlooking the lush rainforest on one side and the stunning sea on the other. 

 

4. Malacca City, Malacca

Source: hotels

 

Malacca is undoubtedly one of the best road trip destinations in Malaysia. It’s only a 2-hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur, so just two days is enough to cover the hot spots in Malacca. Like Penang, Malacca is also famous for its rich culture and heritage, historic buildings, and, of course, the food. Food hunting in Malacca is a must if you’re there! 

One of the unique attractions in Malacca is Jonker Street which is located in the Chinatown area. It’s popular for shops that sell souvenirs, clothes, antiques and food. The night market comes to life in the evening and is open till midnight. The night market however opens only on Fridays to Sundays, so be sure to plan before going!

 

5. Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Pahang

Source:.pahangtourism

 

Located in Temerloh, Pahang, it’s an elephant sanctuary situated within the Krau Wildlife Reserve. It’s a safe place for elephants who are orphaned and injured, with the sanctuary providing them with care, protection, and a nurturing environment. This place has become a tourist spot with many people visiting where they can interact with those adorable elephants. For the best experience, get up close and personal by bathing and scrubbing the baby elephants!

 

6. Taman Negara, Pahang

Source: pahangtourism

 

If you’re feeling adventurous and would love to be surrounded by nature, a road trip to Taman Negara would be the perfect escape. Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests in the world. A 3-day trip is sufficient to explore this park as there are many things to see and fun activities to do with your loved ones. 

One of the main attractions at Taman Negara is the canopy walk as it’s the world’s longest canopy walk which is 530 meters long and 40 meters above the ground. Other than this, some of the activities you can try are climbing Gunung Tahan, visiting the Orang Asli tribe, exploring the caves, stargazing at night, night jungle walks, and more.

 

7. Ipoh, Perak

 

Ipoh, also known as a food haven, is a road trip destination in Malaysia you don’t want to miss. From indulging in some of the best food Ipoh has to offer and visiting vibrant temples to exploring Ipoh’s hidden gems such as Tasik Cermin, Ipoh has a wide variety of places to visit. 

As it’s only around two hours away from Kuala Lumpur city, this road trip would be an unforgettable one when planned well. While you’re there, don’t miss Concubine Lane as it’s one of the top spots in Ipoh to visit for both local and international tourists. It’s where you can find cafes, pop-up stores, boutique hotels, souvenir shops, and many more!

 

8. Fraser’s Hill, Pahang

Source: nst

 

Another popular road trip destination in Malaysia is Fraser’s Hill located in Pahang. Just like Cameron Highlands, this place also has cool temperatures so if you’re thinking of beating the heat, get on the road and take a nice drive to Fraser’s Hill! It’s one of the best places to go for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. 

Go on and explore Allen’s Water Lake where you can try paddle boating and fish feeding. Apart from that, you can try horse riding, visit the glasshouse, and dine in at Fraser’s finest traditional English restaurant called The Smokehouse offering hearty roasts, high tea, and more that are best enjoyed on the outdoor terrace.

 

9. Genting Highlands, Pahang

 

Source: hotels

 

A road trip to Genting Highlands from KL is a short one but still fun as it’s filled with windy roads and steep curves on the way to the top. While driving to the top, it will start to get chilly - which is the best part of the drive! 

You can either drive to the top or drive to Awana SkyCentral, leave your car there, and use the cable car up to Genting Highlands for an even better experience. One of the main highlights of Genting is the outdoor theme park - Genting Skyworlds, which is ideal for kids, families, and friends. Besides that, you can also check out Chin Swee Caves Temple and walk around SkyAvenue to shop at your favorite stores!

 

10. Cherating, Pahang

Source: clubmed

 

Up for a road trip to the beachside? Cherating is where you need to visit if you’d like to chill by the beach and have a relaxing weekend with your loved ones. Located in Pahang, Cherating has several beautiful villas and resorts to spend the weekend. 

Apart from chilling by the pool or the beach, you can also learn to surf at Cherating Beach. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned surfer, Cherating is the best place to surf for beginners due to its gentle waves. However, the best time to surf is during the monsoon season which is from October to March.

 

Tips for Planning a Road Trip in Malaysia

Planning a road trip in Malaysia can be exciting, be sure to check out these tips to make the most of your journey.

 

1. Research destinations

Find out and do a quick research on the destinations that you want to visit. Get to know the attractions, accommodations, and activities so you won’t be wasting your time figuring out what you want to do when you get there.

 

2. Plan your journey

Find out which route you want to take as there can be a few different routes. Also, you may want to consider making some stops in between for any must-see attractions along the way.

 

3. Pack your essentials

If you’re staying for a few nights, don’t forget to pack all your essentials. But if you’re going for a day trip, be sure to pack any necessities like food, extra clothes, insect repellent and a phone charger.

 

4. Budget wisely

Create a budget list for your road trip taking into account expenses for your trip such as petrol, accommodation, meals attractions as well as unexpected costs.

 

5. Stay flexible

While going on a road trip, be prepared to make changes whenever necessary. Weather changes, traffic, and other unforeseen circumstances may require you to adjust and make changes to your itinerary. It’s best to stay flexible and be open to new experiences!

 

Wrapping It Up

With the simplicity of renting a car in Malaysia with WAHDAH, your trusted rental car company, be prepared to go on an exciting and smooth journey to your road trip destination. Renting a car does not only make your travel experience better but also gives you the freedom to explore the beautiful places that Malaysia has to offer. 

 

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