Malaysia Escape: Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands

Featured image: Azreey / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

City skyline on day one, cool mountain air on day two. Here’s a simple Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands weekend for Filipinos.

Kuala Lumpur is a short flight from Manila, and Filipinos don’t need a visa for a short stay. That makes it one of the easiest long weekends in Asia.

This plan gives you one day in the city, one day up in Genting Highlands, and a relaxed last morning. For the full list of visa-free trips, see our Visa-Free Countries for Filipinos: 8 Asian Getaways.

Photo: Taufik / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

1. Before You Go: Malaysia Entry Rules

ASEAN nationals, including Filipinos, don’t need a visa for stays under one month, per the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

• Arrival form: submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days before you land
• Passport: valid for at least 6 months
• Entry stamp: make sure your passport is stamped before you leave immigration, as the Philippine Embassy in Singapore reminds Filipinos

Quick tip: Screenshot your MDAC confirmation before the flight.

Photo: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

2. Getting from the Airport: KLIA Ekspres

The KLIA Ekspres is the fast train from KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to KL Sentral in the city.

The KLIA Ekspres ticket gives you a QR code you scan at the gate.

• Route: KLIA T1 or T2 to KL Sentral

Quick tip: Check the official KLIA Ekspres site for schedules before you fly.

Photo: Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

3. Day 1: PETRONAS Twin Towers

The PETRONAS Twin Towers are KL’s most famous sight. A ticket takes you up to the Skybridge and the observation deck on Level 86.

The PETRONAS Twin Towers ticket has standard and priority-access options.

• Entry: time-slotted and limited, per the official site
• Arrive: 15 minutes before your slot

Quick tip: Book a late-afternoon slot so you can stay around for the towers lit up at night.

Photo: IQRemix / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

4. Day 1 Evening: Food in the City

End the day with a food crawl. KL is known for its mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian food.

• Try: nasi lemak, satay and roti canai

Photo: *angys* / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

5. Day 2: Ride the Cable Car to Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands is a mountain resort near KL. The fun starts with the cable car ride up.

• Awana SkyWay gondola ticket: from Awana Station to SkyAvenue
• Genting Highlands cable car ticket: other cable car options

Quick tip: Bring a light jacket. It’s much cooler up there than in KL.

Photo: 凯乐 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

6. Day 2: Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park

Genting SkyWorlds is the big outdoor theme park at the top.

The Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park ticket is valid only on the date you pick.

• Book: at least one day ahead
• Entry: scan your voucher at the SkyAvenue Gateway entrance, then link it in the Genting SkyWorlds app

Quick tip: Set up the app before you go so you don’t waste time at the gate.

Photo: Masterstrock1 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

7. Day 3: Slow Morning, Then Fly Home

Have breakfast, grab souvenirs, and take the KLIA Ekspres back to the airport.

Photo: Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

8. Quick Summary of the Weekend

• Day 1: Arrive, PETRONAS Twin Towers, food crawl
• Day 2: Cable car to Genting, SkyWorlds Theme Park
• Day 3: Breakfast, souvenirs, fly home

A skyline, a cable car and a theme park in one weekend. With no visa needed and a quick online arrival card, KL and Genting are an easy first trip out of the country.

Read next: Visa-Free Countries for Filipinos: 8 Asian Getaways · Taiwan Visa-Free for Filipinos: Your Taipei Starter Plan · Your First Stamp: 6 Stress-Free Countries for Your First Trip Abroad