14 Day Singapore & Malaysia Itinerary

Planning a Singapore & Malaysia itinerary and have around two weeks to play with? The two neighbouring countries are easy to combine in one trip.

I’ve visited both countries multiple times over the years, and I love how much variety you can fit into one trip.

You can go from Singapore’s modern skyline and fantastic hawker centres to Malaysian heritage towns, bustling Kuala Lumpur and the incredible food of Penang.

There are similarities too. You’ll see Malay, Chinese and Indian influences throughout both countries, along with Peranakan culture and food – something I particularly enjoy exploring in this part of the world.

This 14-day Singapore and Malaysia itinerary starts with five days in Singapore before travelling north through Malacca and Kuala Lumpur and finishing in Penang.

It gives you a good taste of both countries without trying to squeeze in absolutely everything – and because you keep moving north, there’s no backtracking.

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Why Combine Singapore and Malaysia in One Trip?

Singapore and Malaysia are neighbours, so combining them makes a lot of sense, particularly if you’re travelling all the way from Australia.

They complement each other really well too.

Singapore gives you excellent public transport, big-name attractions, fantastic food and an easy introduction to Southeast Asia. Cross into Malaysia and things feel different almost immediately, while still having enough similarities to make travelling between the two relatively straightforward.

On this itinerary, you’ll experience modern cities, historic neighbourhoods, temples, street art, hawker centres, night markets and plenty of local food.

You’ll notice a difference in your budget too. Singapore can be expensive, particularly for accommodation and major attractions, while your money will generally go further in Malaysia.

Getting Between Singapore and Malaysia

You can cross the land border into Johor Bahru, take long-distance buses further into Malaysia, travel by train for parts of the journey or fly between the major cities.

For this itinerary, we’re travelling overland from Singapore and continuing north through Malacca and Kuala Lumpur before finishing in Penang.

14-Day Singapore & Malaysia Itinerary at a Glance

Here’s how I recommend dividing your two weeks. There’s plenty packed in, but I’ve deliberately avoided adding too many destinations.

Losing half a day every couple of days to checking out, travelling and checking in again is not my idea of a relaxing holiday!

Day	Destination	Highlights
1	Singapore	Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay & evening light shows
2	Singapore	Joo Chiat food tour & cultural neighbourhoods
3	Singapore	Sentosa Island
4	Singapore	Mandai Wildlife Reserve
5	Singapore	Museums, Raffles Hotel & time to explore
6	Singapore → Malacca	Travel to Malaysia, Malacca River & evening exploring
7	Malacca	Dutch Square, St Paul’s Hill, Peranakan heritage & river cruise
8	Malacca → Kuala Lumpur	Petronas Towers, KLCC & Jalan Alor
9	Kuala Lumpur	Batu Caves, Thean Hou Temple & city sights
10	Kuala Lumpur → Penang	George Town street art & hawker food
11	Penang	George Town heritage, Blue Mansion & Peranakan culture
12	Penang	Kek Lok Si, Penang Hill & The Habitat
13	Penang	Cooking class, Batu Ferringhi & night market
14	Penang	Final morning in George Town & departure

Route: Singapore → Malacca → Kuala Lumpur → Penang

This itinerary works particularly well if you can book an open-jaw flight, flying into Singapore and home from Penang.

If that doesn’t work with your flights, you can connect back through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

Days 1-5 – Exploring Singapore

Five days gives you a good introduction to Singapore without having to race from attraction to attraction.

Day 1 – Marina Bay & Gardens by the Bay

Start with some of Singapore’s most recognisable sights.

Head to Merlion Park, then walk around Marina Bay towards the Esplanade and Gardens by the Bay.

Allow a few hours if you want to visit the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, rather than simply wandering through the free outdoor gardens.

Stay around Marina Bay into the evening for Garden Rhapsody, the free light and music show at the Supertree Grove. Y

ou can also walk back towards Marina Bay Sands to see Spectra, the light and water show on the waterfront.

If you want to splurge, head up to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck for views across the city.

Tip: If you’re planning several paid attractions, compare individual ticket prices with the Singapore Pass before booking.

Day 2 – Singapore’s Cultural Neighbourhoods & Food

Start the day in Katong and Joo Chiat, an area known for its colourful shophouses, Peranakan heritage and, most importantly, its food.

I recently did a three-hour morning food tour here and loved it.

We tried a range of local foods while learning more about the neighbourhood and its Peranakan influences. It was a great way to try dishes I might not otherwise have ordered myself.

Afterwards, explore some of Singapore’s other cultural neighbourhoods.

Head to Kampong Glam, wander along Arab Street and Haji Lane, then continue to Little India. If you still have the energy, finish in Chinatown for dinner at one of the hawker centres.

Don’t feel you need to rush through all three. You have some flexibility on Day 5 to come back to anywhere you miss.

Day 3 – Sentosa Island

Spend today on Sentosa, but don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to do everything.

You could spend most of the day at Universal Studios Singapore, or choose from the Singapore Oceanarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark or the ridiculously fun Skyline Luge.

Or make it a slower day and spend some time around Siloso, Palawan or Tanjong Beach.

Stay into the evening for Wings of Time, the outdoor night show on Siloso Beach.

Day 4 – Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Today is for wildlife, but which park – or parks – you choose is entirely up to you.

The Mandai Wildlife Reserve includes Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild ASIA.

Trying to visit too many in one day is exhausting. Singapore Zoo is the classic choice for a first visit, while River Wonders is easy to combine with it because they’re next door to each other.

If you’re staying for Night Safari, remember you’re going to have a long day. Another option is to arrive later and combine an afternoon park with Night Safari.

I’ve visited all five parks, so take a look at my guide to choosing which Mandai Wildlife Park to visit before deciding which ones suit you.

If you choose more than one, compare the price with the Mandai multi-park pass.

Day 5 – Museums, a Singapore Sling & Whatever You’ve Missed

I deliberately wouldn’t pack your final Singapore day too tightly.

Use it to visit somewhere you missed, return to a neighbourhood you particularly liked or simply slow down.

If you enjoy museums, consider the National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Peranakan Museum or National Gallery Singapore.

You could also visit the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling. It’s not a cheap drink, but it’s one of those iconic Singapore experiences I wanted to do at least once – and I’m glad I did.

Another splurge option is afternoon tea at The Fullerton Hotel.

I probably wouldn’t do both unless you really want to. Choose your splurge, then spend the rest of the day doing whatever Singapore experience is still sitting on your list.

Tomorrow, it’s time for Malaysia.

Days 6-7 – Malacca

Day 6 – Singapore to Malacca

Today you’ll cross the border into Malaysia.

Buses travel from Singapore to Malacca (Melaka), making this a relatively easy overland journey. Allow plenty of time, though, because traffic and queues at the border can make the journey unpredictable.

Once you’ve checked in, head towards the historic centre and take a walk along the Malacca River.

You’ll almost certainly spot Malacca’s wonderfully over-the-top decorated trishaws too. We couldn’t resist taking a ride in one when we visited.

They’re colourful, covered in lights and decorations, and about as far from a normal sightseeing tour as you can get!

If you’re here on a weekend, spend the evening exploring Jonker Walk Night Market for street food and souvenirs.

Day 7 – Malacca Heritage & River Cruise

Start around Dutch Square, where you’ll find the distinctive red buildings of Christ Church and the Stadthuys.

Walk up St Paul’s Hill to the ruins of St Paul’s Church, then continue towards A Famosa, one of the remaining parts of the old Portuguese fort.

Visit the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum to learn more about Peranakan culture, then leave some time simply to wander around Jonker Street and the surrounding lanes.

In the evening, take a Malacca River Cruise. We did this when we visited and it’s one of the experiences I still remember from our time in Malacca.

Tomorrow you’ll continue north to Kuala Lumpur.

Days 8-9 – Kuala Lumpur

Day 8 – Malacca to Kuala Lumpur

Travel to Kuala Lumpur this morning. We took the bus and found it cheap and easy.

Once you’ve checked in, head towards KLCC for your first look at the Petronas Twin Towers.

If you want to go up the towers and walk across the Skybridge, book ahead rather than assuming tickets will be available when you arrive.

Otherwise, wander through KLCC Park, explore Suria KLCC or simply enjoy the towers from ground level.

In the evening, head to Jalan Alor for dinner.

I’ve eaten at a lot of street food areas around Asia, and Jalan Alor remains one of my favourites. Come hungry and try a few different things rather than sitting down for one big meal.

Day 9 – Batu Caves & Kuala Lumpur

Get an early start and head to Batu Caves before the heat and crowds build.

Climb the colourful staircase past the huge golden statue of Lord Murugan, then continue to Thean Hou Temple.

We found Grab particularly useful for putting these two attractions together. You can reach Batu Caves by train, but Grab can save valuable time when you only have two days in KL.

Spend the afternoon around Central Market, Chinatown and Petaling Street, adding Merdeka Square if you still have the time and energy.

For your final evening, head somewhere with a view.

SkyBar at Traders Hotel is my personal favourite because you get a fantastic view straight across to the Petronas Towers.

Another option is Heli Lounge Bar, where you can have a drink on a former helipad with 360-degree views across Kuala Lumpur. Go before sunset if you can – the views are the real reason to come here.

Days 10-14 – Penang

Penang is somewhere I have a real soft spot for. Simon’s family is from here, so we’ve visited multiple times over the years and have plenty of memories of huge family lunches where there was inevitably far too much food.

And really, food is a very good reason to come to Penang.

Day 10 – Kuala Lumpur to Penang

Travel to Penang as early as you reasonably can.

You can fly, but I’d also consider taking the train north to Butterworth and continuing across to Penang Island. Once you factor in airport transfers and waiting time, flying isn’t always as much of a time-saver as it first appears.

Once you’re settled in, explore George Town on foot.

Look out for the famous street art, including Ernest Zacharevic’s interactive murals, but don’t make the murals your only focus. Half the fun here is wandering the streets and seeing what you find.

And start eating!

Penang is somewhere I’d rather eat several small meals than three big ones. Hawker centres make that particularly easy because you can order a few different dishes to share.

For your first evening, Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is an easy introduction to Penang’s famous street food.

Note: A new hawker centre is being built at Gurney Bay, with the existing Gurney Drive hawkers expected to relocate there in 2027. Check the current location before you go, particularly if you’re travelling in 2027.

Day 11 – George Town Heritage

Spend today exploring UNESCO-listed George Town.

Visit the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion, then the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, particularly if you’ve enjoyed discovering Peranakan culture earlier in the trip.

You can also visit the Clan Jetties, wander through Little India and explore George Town’s temples, mosques and historic shophouses.

There’s no need to rush. Wandering around is part of the experience here – as are plenty of food stops.

Day 12 – Kek Lok Si, Penang Hill & The Habitat

Start early at Kek Lok Si Temple, one of Penang’s most impressive sights.

If you’re visiting around Chinese New Year, Kek Lok Si is decorated with thousands of lights. We’ve seen it illuminated at night and it’s quite a sight.

From here, continue to Penang Hill.

Take the funicular to the top for views across the island and mainland, then spend some time at The Habitat walking through rainforest within the UNESCO Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve.

Day 13 – Cooking Class & Batu Ferringhi

After all that eating, learn how to make some Malaysian food yourself.

Join a Penang cooking class, ideally one that includes a local market visit. It’s a chance to learn more about the ingredients you’ve been eating and pick up a few recipes to take home.

Spend the afternoon at Batu Ferringhi.

Walk along the beach, have a swim or simply find somewhere to sit with a drink and watch the sunset.

If the Batu Ferringhi Night Market is operating during your visit, have a wander after dark for souvenirs and, inevitably, more food.

Day 14 – One Last Morning in Penang

Keep your final morning flexible depending on your flight.

Go out for one last breakfast at a kopitiam, pick up any final souvenirs or simply have another wander through George Town.

And definitely eat one more thing before you leave. There’s always room for one last Penang meal.

Practical Tips for a 14-Day Singapore & Malaysia Trip

Flying In and Out

This itinerary works best if you can fly into Singapore and home from Penang, allowing you to keep travelling north rather than backtracking.

Use the multi-city option when searching for flights and compare the price with a standard return ticket.

An open-jaw ticket might cost a little more but save enough time and additional travel to make it worthwhile.

If flying home from Penang doesn’t work, you can easily connect back through Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

Getting Around Singapore and Malaysia

You really don’t need a car for this itinerary.

Singapore’s public transport is excellent. In Malaysia, use a combination of buses, trains and Grab.

For longer journeys, compare buses and trains rather than automatically flying. A one-hour flight can take much longer once airport transfers, check-in and waiting time are included.

You can book many Malaysian buses and trains through 12Go.

Crossing the Singapore-Malaysia Border

Allow plenty of time for the border crossing.

You’ll clear Singapore immigration and then Malaysian immigration, and queues can vary considerably.

If you’re taking the bus to Malacca, don’t make plans that rely on arriving at an exact time. Treat it as a travel day and anything you manage after arriving as a bonus.

Staying Connected

An eSIM that works in both Singapore and Malaysia means you won’t need to swap SIMs at the border.

I use Airalo, but whichever provider you choose, check that your plan covers both countries.

Weather in Singapore and Malaysia

Expect it to be hot and humid.

Rain is possible at any time of year, but often that means a heavy tropical downpour rather than an entire day of rain. I wouldn’t let a rainy forecast worry you too much.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Singapore and Malaysia?

There isn’t one perfect time for this itinerary.

Singapore can be visited year-round, and because this route stays on the west side of Peninsular Malaysia, it isn’t affected in quite the same way as Malaysia’s east-coast islands during the northeast monsoon.

I’d choose dates that suit you and be prepared for tropical rain.

One period to be aware of is Chinese New Year. It’s a fascinating time to visit, particularly in Singapore and Penang, but accommodation can be busier and some businesses may close or operate differently.

What to Pack for Two Weeks

Pack lightweight, breathable clothes, comfortable walking shoes or sandals, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and a small umbrella or rain jacket.

Bring something that covers your shoulders and knees for religious sites.

Singapore and Malaysia both use the Type G three-pin plug. I travel with a universal adaptor so I don’t have to think about which plug I’ll need in each country.

Saving Money Without Missing Out

Your money will generally go further in Malaysia than Singapore, but you don’t need to spend a fortune in either country.

In Singapore, eat at hawker centres and use the MRT. Some of my favourite experiences, including Garden Rhapsody, are free.

If you’re visiting several paid attractions, compare individual prices with an attraction pass.

That’s how I prefer to travel anyway: save money where it doesn’t matter to me, so I can spend it on the experiences that do.

Where to Stay in Singapore, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur & Penang

With only two weeks, location matters more to me than luxury. I’d rather stay somewhere convenient than save a few dollars but spend extra time travelling backwards and forwards every day.

Where to Stay in Singapore

For this itinerary, I’d look at Chinatown, Bugis/Bencoolen or Little India.

I particularly like Chinatown because it’s central, has plenty of food options and you can walk to areas such as Marina Bay. I recently stayed at Kada at Maxwell and loved the location. Some rooms are tiny, though, so I’d think twice about the smallest room for two people.

I’ve also stayed around Bugis/Bencoolen several times.

More recently I stayed at lyf Bugis Singapore, which has become one of my favourite options in this area, and Hotel Waterloo Singapore, a newer hotel with a rooftop pool. I was only at Hotel Waterloo for one night, but I’d happily stay again.

I’ve also stayed at Village Hotel Albert Court, between Little India and Bugis. It was a good, solid hotel. The location isn’t quite as convenient as some of my other choices, but it’s certainly not bad, particularly if the price is right.

Whichever you choose, check how far you’ll be walking to the nearest MRT station. That can make more difference than being close to any particular attraction.

Where to Stay in Malacca

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Melaka and were happy with our stay.

If I were choosing today, I’d also look closer to the historic centre. With only two nights, being within walking distance of Jonker Street and the Malacca River makes exploring easier.

For something with more character, 5 Heeren Museum Residence is right in the historic area.

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

For a short stay, I’d choose Bukit Bintang or KLCC.

Bukit Bintang puts you close to restaurants, shopping and Jalan Alor, while KLCC is convenient for the Petronas Towers.

I’ve stayed in both areas over the years.

I’ve also stayed at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur and loved its location directly opposite the Petronas Towers. It’s particularly handy if you plan to visit SkyBar – you only have to go upstairs!

For something more budget-friendly, look around the KLCC end of Bukit Bintang and stay close to an MRT or monorail station.

Where to Stay in Penang

For this itinerary, I’d base myself in George Town rather than Batu Ferringhi.

Most of your time will be spent exploring George Town’s food and heritage, so staying centrally means you can walk straight out and start exploring.

For something with character, Ren I Tang Heritage Inn is right in the historic centre and looks like a good option.

We’ve also stayed at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang near Batu Ferringhi and enjoyed our stay. I’d consider that area if beach time were the priority, but for this itinerary I’d choose George Town.

I’m heading back to Penang soon, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for some more accommodation options to recommend after that trip.

Have More Than 14 Days?

If you have more than two weeks, don’t automatically add another destination.

Sometimes the best option is simply to slow down.

Add More Time in Singapore

Singapore can easily fill another couple of days.

Take a day trip to Pulau Ubin for a much more rural side of Singapore, spend another day on Sentosa, visit another Mandai wildlife park or explore more neighbourhoods.

I’ve visited Singapore many times and still find new things to do every time I go back.

Add Langkawi

If you have another four or five days, Langkawi is an easy way to add some proper island time.

I’ve spent five days there and think that’s a good amount of time. As well as beaches, there are waterfalls, the cable car and SkyBridge, and some fantastic night markets.

My 5-day Langkawi itinerary will help you plan it, and don’t miss eating at the Langkawi night markets.

I’d probably fly to Langkawi rather than squeeze a long overland journey into an already busy itinerary.

Add the Perhentian Islands or Tioman Island

If beaches, snorkelling and diving are the priority, consider the Perhentian Islands or Tioman Island.

The Perhentians are particular favourites of ours and a great place to slow down.

However, these are seasonal destinations. The northeast monsoon affects Malaysia’s east coast, and resorts and boat services can be limited or shut down during the wetter months.

Check conditions and transport for your dates before adding either to your trip.

Or Just Stay Longer in Penang

And then there’s the easiest option: don’t go anywhere.

Add another couple of nights to Penang for more food, heritage, beach time or simply a day without an itinerary.

I certainly wouldn’t complain about having to eat Penang food for another couple of days.

Is Two Weeks Enough for Singapore and Malaysia?

Two weeks is never going to be enough to see everything Singapore and Malaysia have to offer – and I don’t think you should try.

This itinerary gives you five days in Singapore before travelling north through Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, with enough time in each place to do more than simply tick off the major sights.

What I particularly like about this route is the variety. You’ll see modern cities, historic neighbourhoods, different cultural influences and eat an incredible amount of good food along the way.

And because you’re travelling in one direction, you’re not wasting precious holiday time backtracking.

Use this itinerary as a starting point rather than a schedule you have to follow exactly. Swap things around, leave something out if it doesn’t interest you and make room for the things you discover once you arrive.

That’s usually where some of the best travel days come from.