A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Kuala Lumpur for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a relaxed, traditional, and quiet island. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a modern, welcoming, and friendly city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kuala Lumpur travel costs.

Saaremaa and Kuala Lumpur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kuala Lumpur is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches and small town charm. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. Also, Kuala Lumpur is famous for The Petronas Twin Towers. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Saaremaa different from Kuala Lumpur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kuala Lumpur has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kuala Lumpur is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saaremaa makes for a great culinary experience. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

Is Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur is great for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Kuala Lumpur for the nightlife scene. 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.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a good destination for its beaches. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa offers a nice beach destination. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Kuala Lumpur specifically to go shopping. 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.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of great scenery and beauty in both Saaremaa and Kuala Lumpur.

With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

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.

Is Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur Better for Families?

Kuala Lumpur is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kuala Lumpur. 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.

Saaremaa is a family-friendly place to visit. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

Is Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Kuala Lumpur are both great to visit as a couple.

Saaremaa is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Kuala Lumpur. 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.

Saaremaa is a good island to visit for backpackers. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

Is Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Kuala Lumpur is top-notch. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur is great for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable destination. 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.

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Kuala Lumpur or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

In either Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Saaremaa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 1-5 days is enough time in Kuala Lumpur.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Saaremaa. 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 Saaremaa. 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 Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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.

Kuala Lumpur is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. 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.

Kuala Lumpur is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kuala Lumpur, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kuala Lumpur, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Saaremaa is a popular place to visit. 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.

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, 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 Saaremaa and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa is in Europe and Kuala Lumpur is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa than you might in Kuala Lumpur.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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.

When is the best time to visit Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur?

Saaremaa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Kuala Lumpur. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Saaremaa is much colder than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Kuala Lumpur. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.

In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Kuala Lumpur. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Kuala Lumpur in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kuala Lumpur. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Kuala Lumpur. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Saaremaa