Solo Travel KL & Penang: Tips for a Smooth First Trip
Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Adventure
Hey everyone! I've just returned from an amazing solo adventure to Kuala Lumpur and Penang and wanted to share some tips to help you navigate your first solo trip there with less worry. This guide covers everything from getting around to managing your money.
Getting Around: Your Travel Itinerary
I spent 2 nights in KL and 3 nights in Penang. For my flights, I flew Air Asia to KL and Malaysia Airlines from Penang back home. The return flight included a single layover, and my luggage was checked all the way to my final destination.
- Upon arriving at KLIA, I took a bus to the city. The ticket was around RM 30 (approximately 100k VND) and you can easily follow the signs to purchase tickets at the counter. The bus journey to KL Sentral took about an hour. From there, it's easy to catch a train or Grab to your hotel.
- To get to Penang, I flew Air Asia again (tickets were less than RM 150, under 500k VND). I travelled to the airport using a combination of train and bus. You can pay for train tickets with cash or a Visa card each time.
- Both getting to and from Penang airport were a breeze with the bus service. The fare is RM 2.7 and remember to have exact change as they don't give change. The bus heads to Komtar, from where you can grab a ride to your accommodation.
Money Matters: Cash and Cards
I used a combination of three methods for payments:
- Cash: I exchanged a small amount at the airport before I left and then exchanged more at a Vietnamese store in Malaysia. I exchanged about 2 million VND, which was just enough for my trip.
- E-wallets: I used ZaloPay, which is linked to Alipay, making payments super convenient. The fees were minimal. Most eateries and convenience stores accept this method, so I mainly used it for food and shopping.
- Debit Card: I registered a BIDV debit card before my trip. I primarily used this if ZaloPay wasn't an option or for purchasing train tickets.
Immigration Smooth Sailing
My experience with immigration was straightforward, with no questions asked. I even filled out the declaration form beforehand, but it wasn't closely examined. My advice is to dress modestly and simply. Having previously travelled solo to Thailand, my passport experience was quite standard.
Stay Connected: SIM Card
I purchased an eSIM through Trip.com. It was a 3GB per day plan for around RM 13 (130k VND), which was quite reasonable. The network performance was stable, and the instructions provided in the email were clear and easy to follow.
These were some of the things I was most concerned about when planning my trip. I hope this information is helpful for you too! Wishing you all a wonderful journey filled with beautiful memories, just like mine!
Cre: T293
