Best Party Hostels
18 February 2026 · 7 min read
Kuala Lumpur, Penang street food, Langkawi beaches, and Cameron Highlands tea plantations. A 10-day Malaysia route with daily budgets and transport links.
Why Malaysia Deserves 10 Days
Malaysia sits between Thailand and Singapore on the Banana Pancake Trail but most backpackers rush through in 2-3 days, hitting only Kuala Lumpur. That is a mistake. The country packs tropical islands, colonial cities, highland tea plantations, and some of the best street food in Asia into a compact, well-connected package. English is widely spoken, transport is reliable, and costs sit between Thailand and Singapore.
This 10-day itinerary covers the peninsula's highlights at a comfortable pace. Budget $25-35/day for accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Dorm beds in KL and Penang run $6-10/night; Langkawi is $10-15. Street food meals cost $1-3. Internal flights on AirAsia connect the main stops for $20-40 if booked a week ahead.
Days 1-3: Kuala Lumpur
Arrive at KLIA and take the KLIA Ekspres train to KL Sentral (28 minutes, $13). Base yourself in Chinatown or Bukit Bintang for the best hostel options and walkable nightlife. Reggae Mansion and BackHome KL are well-rated party hostels with rooftop bars.
Day 1: Batu Caves (30 minutes by KTM train, free entry), then Jalan Alor night market for satay and char kuey teow. Day 2: Petronas Twin Towers skybridge (book tickets online in advance, $20), KLCC park, then Changkat Bukit Bintang bar street for the evening. Day 3: Merdeka Square and Central Market in the morning, Thean Hou Temple, then an evening at Heli Lounge Bar (the rooftop helipad bar with 360-degree city views).
KL's nightlife concentrates on Changkat Bukit Bintang (cocktail bars, live music) and TREC entertainment district (Zouk club, outdoor bars). Both are walkable from the main hostel areas. Budget $15-25 for a night out including drinks and food.
Days 4-6: Penang
Fly KL to Penang (1 hour, $20-30 on AirAsia) or take the overnight bus ($10, 5 hours). George Town's UNESCO heritage zone is one of Southeast Asia's most walkable cities. Iron wire street art, Chinese clan houses, and every variety of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Nyonya food within a few blocks.
Day 4: Explore George Town on foot. Armenian Street art installations, Khoo Kongsi clan house, Chew Jetty. Lunch at Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul (the queue is worth it). Evening: Love Lane bar street. Day 5: Penang Hill via funicular railway, Kek Lok Si Temple, then hawker dinner at Gurney Drive or New Lane. Day 6: Rent a scooter and ride the north coast to Batu Ferringhi beach. Evening: Transfer Night Market.
Penang's food scene is the real attraction. Budget $5-8/day eating exclusively at hawker centres and street stalls. Must-try: char kuey teow, asam laksa, nasi kandar, roti canai, cendol. Every food stall specialises in one dish, which is how you know it will be good.
Days 7-8: Langkawi
Ferry from Penang to Langkawi (2.5 hours, $15-20). Langkawi is Malaysia's duty-free island, which means cheap drinks. A large beer costs $2-3 at beach bars, roughly half the price of the mainland. The island is more resort than backpacker, but hostels exist in Pantai Cenang (the main beach strip).
Day 7: Langkawi Cable Car and SkyBridge for aerial views of the archipelago. Afternoon at Pantai Cenang beach. Sunset drinks at one of the beachfront bars. Day 8: Island hopping tour ($12-15, visits Pregnant Maiden Island, Dayang Bunting Lake, and a swim stop). Evening: Pantai Cenang night market for cheap seafood.
Langkawi is the place to recharge between city stops. Rent a scooter ($8/day) to explore Tanjung Rhu beach on the north coast and the mangrove river cruise. Two nights is enough to hit the highlights before heading to the next stop.
Days 9-10: Cameron Highlands
Fly Langkawi to KL ($25-35), then bus from KL to Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands (4 hours, $8). The temperature drops to 15-22C at 1,500 metres altitude. It feels like a different country after the coastal heat.
Day 9: BOH Tea Plantation tour (free, with a tea house overlooking endless rows of tea bushes). Mossy Forest boardwalk through cloud forest. Afternoon at the Brinchang night market for steamboat (Malaysian hot pot) and fresh strawberries. Day 10: Sunrise hike to Gunung Brinchang (the highest point accessible by road in the Cameron Highlands). Morning at the butterfly garden, then bus back to KL for your onward flight.
The Cameron Highlands is not a party destination. It is a palette cleanser: cool air, green hills, jungle walks, and English-style cream teas. After a week of tropical heat and nightlife, it is exactly the right way to end a Malaysia itinerary. Budget $20-25/day including accommodation and activities.
Budget Breakdown and Practical Tips
Total 10-day budget: $280-370 (excluding international flights). Accommodation: $70-120 (dorms $6-12/night). Food: $50-80 (street food and hawker centres). Transport: $80-100 (internal flights + buses + ferries). Activities: $50-70 (temples, cable car, tours). Drinks/nightlife: $30-50.
Malaysia uses the ringgit (MYR). ATMs are everywhere and charge no withdrawal fee with most international cards. Grab works in all cities for taxis and food delivery. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and by younger Malaysians. Tap water is not safe to drink; filtered water from hostels or $0.30 bottles from 7-Eleven.
The best time to visit peninsular Malaysia is March to October (drier months). December to February brings monsoon rains to the east coast but the west coast stays relatively dry. KL and Penang are year-round destinations. Book internal AirAsia flights 1-2 weeks ahead for the cheapest fares.
