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Cheap flights to Malaysia to book in 2020

Know the best areas to fly into Malaysia from Australia and how to get to your accommodation.

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A country rich in history, charm and culinary experiences, you'll want to explore Malaysia far and wide. If you're unsure which airport is best for you to fly into, look no further than this simple guide that will help you decide your arrival airport and the top airlines to fly on to get you to Malaysia cheaply and quickly.

Travellers heading to Malaysia from Australia can get direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Today's available deals on flights to Malaysia

What's in this guide?

  1. How much are flights to Malaysia?
  2. When is the cheapest time to fly to Malaysia?
  3. How far in advance should I book flights to Malaysia?
  4. More frequently asked questions about flights to Malaysia

How much are flights to Malaysia?

If you are flying from Adelaide or the east coast of Australia to Kuala Lumpur, you can expect to pay no more than $600 for return flights. From Perth, anything under $300 for return flights is considered a good deal.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Malaysia?

For globetrotters departing from Perth, January is the cheapest time of year to fly. A visit to Malaysia in January is ideal for for travelling to islands like Penang and Langkawi. If you are basing yourself in Kuala Lumpur, expect a tropical, humid climate with a mix of sunshine and rain.

If you're flying from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide, get your hands on flights in May. This is the best time to visit the beaches in Malaysia because of the ideal temperatures that range between 23 and 33 degrees. If you plan to do day trips, this is a bonus. You're unlikely to compete with too many other tourists for places on the tour and the mild weather makes for a comfortable experience.

You're most likely to secure a good deal from Brisbane if you fly to Malaysia in August. The warm temperatures are most suitable for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

How far in advance should I book flights to Malaysia?

If you know your travel dates, it's best to book three to six weeks in advance.

More frequently asked questions about flights to Malaysia

How long does it take to fly to Malaysia?

The is how long you can expect to spend in the air when flying to Kuala Lumpur International Airport:

From Kuala Lumpur:

  • Sydney: 8 hours, 35 minutes direct
  • Melbourne: 8 hours, 15 minutes direct
  • Brisbane: 8 hours, 10 minutes direct
  • Perth: 5 hours, 35 minutes direct
  • Adelaide: 7 hours, 30 minutes direct

From Penang:

  • Sydney: 10 hours, 55 minutes with a stopover
  • Melbourne: 9 hours, 45 minutes with a stopover
  • Brisbane: 10 hours, 35 minutes with a stopover
  • Perth: 7 hours, 45 minutes with a stopover
  • Adelaide: 10 hours, 20 minutes with a stopover

Which airlines fly to Malaysia

You can get direct flights to Kuala Lumpur from major cities across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth with multiple airlines.

If you're flying from Cairns, Canberra or Darwin, you will have a layover along the way, likely in Singapore or Denpasar.

There are no direct flights from Australia to Penang. You're most likely flight route will involve a stopover in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur if you're flying from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Those flying from Melbourne and Perth will most likely be taking a detour to Kuala Lumpur before reaching Penang as the final destination.

  • Jetstar: Darwin and Melbourne
  • Malindo Air: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
  • Malaysia Airlines: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra. Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
  • AirAsia: Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
  • Virgin Australia: Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney

Where is the airport in Malaysia?

The most cost-effective way is to get a coach that travels between the airport and the city. The quickest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to the airport is to take the KLIA Express train that takes 28 minutes. You can book your ticket at the airport, but we recommend buying it in advance. The first train departs bright and early at 5:30am and the last service is at 12:30am. Another alternative is to catch a taxi to and from the airport, which is ideal when you have an early arrival or late departure. For taxi journeys from the airport, you can purchase a taxi ticket for a fixed price, so there's no need to anxiously check the meter throughout the car ride.
If you're travelling to Penang, take your pick of bus, taxi or car hire when making your way to and from the airport. The Rapid Penang Bus lines 401, 401A and 401E run between the airport, Komtar and the Jetty. Services run every 30 minutes. If you plan to travel to or from the airport in a taxi, be careful of taxi drivers who target tourists and charge inflated prices. Ask the hotel to help you order a taxi and negotiate an agreed price.

Do I need a visa to travel to Malaysia from Australia?

Australian citizens with at least six months' validity on their passports can get a visa for up to 90 days upon arrival in Malaysia.

Am I required to book an onward or return flights from Malaysia?

You should have proof showing evidence of a return flight or an onward flight to another destination when travelling to Malaysia as you may be asked for documents when passing through immigration.

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