A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Kuala Lumpur for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bandung or Kuala Lumpur? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bandung

Bandung is a cultural, scenic, and laidback city. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping. See Bandung travel costs.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a colorful, historic, and modern city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Kuala Lumpur is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Kuala Lumpur travel costs.

Bandung and Kuala Lumpur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kuala Lumpur. Although Bandung and Kuala Lumpur are both popular with visitors, Kuala Lumpur has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kuala Lumpur is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bandung is known for its hiking. Bandung is popular for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Kuala Lumpur is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. It is also home to The Petronas Twin Towers.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Bandung different from Kuala Lumpur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kuala Lumpur and Bandung. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

Kuala Lumpur is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Kuala Lumpur from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

Many visitors head to Bandung specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

Is the Food Better in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Bandung and Kuala Lumpur can be an enjoyable experience.

For foodies, Bandung is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Kuala Lumpur has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Kuala Lumpur has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

Bandung has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur Better for Hiking?

Bandung is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bandung. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

Shoppers can find a variety of amazing stores in both Bandung and Kuala Lumpur.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Bandung. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

The abundance of shops in Kuala Lumpur make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur More Beautiful?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Kuala Lumpur is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This city's beauty really comes from the welcoming and helpful personality of its residents, but the neighborhoods also have historic charm and character.

Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur Better for Families?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bandung and Kuala Lumpur make for a superb place to visit.

Bandung makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Couples visit Kuala Lumpur frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung and Kuala Lumpur are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Bandung is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Kuala Lumpur. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Bandung is popular with students. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kuala Lumpur is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors in Kuala Lumpur can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

You'll find some public transit in Bandung, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Is Bandung or Kuala Lumpur a more walkable city?

Bandung and Kuala Lumpur are superb when it comes to walkability.

Bandung is very walkable. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable city. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kuala Lumpur or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

In either Bandung or Kuala Lumpur, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Bandung because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bandung, and 1-5 days is enough time in Kuala Lumpur.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Bandung. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kuala Lumpur, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Bandung. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kuala Lumpur that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Bandung if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kuala Lumpur.

One day in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

In Bandung, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this laidback city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Because Kuala Lumpur is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

Bandung is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Because Kuala Lumpur is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kuala Lumpur has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bandung. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kuala Lumpur has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

Bandung is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kuala Lumpur. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Kuala Lumpur?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Kuala Lumpur, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.