Is KL better than Bangkok as a travel destination?

[Asianbloke]

There have always been constant comparisons drawn between Bangkok and KL. The general impression that I have received from visitors and the general media (& the images that ones sees around), is that KL is a lot better.

It's cleaner, a lot more organized (with no street vendors blocking the sidewalks), better infrastructure, better skyline, shopping?

Barring nightlife, I think KL scores above Bangkok on all accounts.

I guess the the general consensus will rule in my favour.

I would like to hear different opinions.

Edited March 28, 2014 by lokesh

[phuketrichard]

30 years in SE Asia, been to kl once for 3 days (2 years ago) never will go back,

its souless

its in the middle between Bangkok and Singpaore and i prefer both of these

[IMA_FARANG]

Like the old vaudeville joke.

(City name)?

Oh i went there once, but it was closed for the weekend.

Or like Johnny Cash once said about being arrested in Tupelo. Missasippi once.

for "walking on the grass" in a public park.

Tuppelo?

Well, I spent a week there one night.

[MichaelJackson]

Depends on individual taste and what you want or need to do.

Personally I thought KL was very boring.

[marcusd]

Kl is sterile. Souless, boring and absolutely no,fun. I,have a pretty staid, conservative friend in Chiang Mai who wanted to,retire there. He went five times last year for all the right reasons to explore experience and savour the delights.

He wanted to,buy a place to,own.

Now back,in Chiang Mai renting and has given,up on what he says is a boring place to be for anything more than a week.,

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[Bpuumike]

I have to agree with most of the above.

Hotels in KL are much more expensive than Bangkok.

There's not much in the way of shopping and the much advertised KLCC at the twin towers is worth seeing but otherwise expensive, generally upmarket, European designer shops.

Nothing much is walking distance from anywhere else either.

[Gonsalviz]

Sin taxes are outrageous for SE Asia. Hotels are way more expensive and not much better shape. Maybe the staff is slightly better but only 'cause Thais don't understand you. If they did they would bend over backward. Malaysians are fixed.

I lived there for 10 years. The experience left a bad tast in my mouth. Figuratively for the wise asses on this venue.

[OMGImInPattaya]

If choosing between the two cities for a first time Asian itinerary it's no contest..it's Bangkok all the way. There is much more in the way of interesting historical, religious, royal, and cultural sites in Bangkok than Kuala Lumpur. The local craft and fruit/flower markets in Bangkok are also interesting places ti visit which I've not hears of in KL (though they must have them). This is especially so for a Western visitor where the culture shock will be complete. In KL, other than the Muslim overlay, KL wouldn't be too out if place in most Western countries. For the most part, KL is an artificial city that was designated as a capitol city and business and now former government center after independence from Britain. There are a few interesting colonial era buildings and some Chinese and Indian temples and such but other wise it's pretty souless and boring, which is something one could never say of Bangkok.

The variety and quality of food, Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern are very good in KL and not very expensive. The range in quality and price for hotels is not as great as Bangkok, and the old broken down taxis are a joke. The traffic is marginally better but the public transit network in the central city area is not as extensive or convenient as Bangkok's sky train and subway system. The heat and pollution are about rhe same, but being somewhat elevated, the humidity can be less. I've been 3-4 times and would never go back unless forced to for some reason...an the last time was only for a visa run and other than going to the embassy I spent the whole 2 days in my hotel room as there's really not much to see or do in KL when you really get down to it, especially if one has been there for a few days before.

The international airport is clean and efficient (when not letting fake passport holders board planes) and the express train to the city center is nice. Both of these beat the Swampy Airport arrival/departure experience.

Edited March 28, 2014 by OMGImInPattaya

[CHRISTIANa9]

I got mugged in KL but never in Bangkok.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[gazmat]

Went there last year for a couple of days. The Petronas Towers are magnificent and there's some nice hills, the rest of the city is OK. The nightlife is dreadful, the general atmosphere quite boring and I had my camera snatched. Never been robbed anywhere else. No plans to go again any time soon.

[Noi657]

Been to KL once... I wouldn't be in any rush to go back! As another poster put "soulless"

[roamer]

Downtown KL, Chinatown used to have something going for it....25 years ago or more. Then the developers moved in and razed much of it to the ground. Soulless now.

" There have always been constant comparisons drawn between Bangkok and KL. The general impression that I have received from visitors and the general media (& the images that ones sees around), is that KL is a lot better."

​Who has been making these constant comparisons ? New one on me.

" I guess the the general consensus will rule in my favour."

Thanks for the best laugh this week on TV

[charliebru]

KL is moslem and booooring

[geriatrickid]

Back in the good old days, I preferred Malaysia over Thailand. Not now, despite, all of the positive qualities cited above holding true. I even prefer simple mee goreng to the finest of Thai dishes. I am one of those people who dislikes Bangkok. Too big, too crowded too dirty, too polluted. And yet, today I prefer Thailand. Bangkok is closer to the places I enjoy and is a nice place to visit for a couple days. From KL, wherever I go in Malaysia is not as appealing to me as the places I can go to from BKK.

True, most Thais are inept when it comes to understanding foreigners, but they make up for it with a smile, something one doesn't get too often in KL. Malaysia has its own political tensions and the cultural clash between Bumiputra, ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian is palpable and ready to go off at any time. I feel safer standing in between feuding PDRC and UDD factions. Bangkok, is like any other big city, just as KL is, but Bangkok has Thai people and despite all the faults I can see, being in Thailand reminds me of my childhood, and I had a pretty decent childhood.

[spidermike007]

30 years in SE Asia, been to kl once for 3 days (2 years ago) never will go back,

its souless

its in the middle between Bangkok and Singpaore and i prefer both of these

I have been several times, and KL is a terribly unimpressive city. The aquarium, and the botanical gardens are world class. But, other than that, not much to do, boring in general, and little action. People are cool but the food in BKK is better, as is the action, and it has a lot more soul and personality. If you like super clean cities without a real soul, KL is your kind of place.

[Bkungbank]

Kuala Lumpur is not safe crimes rates increase like rocket as government import many Indonesia workers, it does not control like Singapore,

It's not safe walking in dark streets with gold chain, police cannot do anything about it resident have to pay hire security in their resident, Thailand still the best and secure walking at night nobody care the gold chain on your neck,

If you try to walk like these in Manila, KL, Jakarta you will loved Bkk the most.

Edited March 29, 2014 by Bkungbank

[HUAHIN62]

Boring place, only good for buying electronics. Many Malaysians living in KL come to BKK for short breaks, because KL is so boring.

[rjw]

KL is a great place to leave.

Less polluted than Bangkok; faster to get around, if you're willing to deal with the piratical taxi-drivers; English is more readily understood. Cons? Everything else. Anyone stupid enough to think KL is a better place to live/stay than BKK deserves to move there.

[sunshine51]

30 years in SE Asia, been to kl once for 3 days (2 years ago) never will go back,

its souless

its in the middle between Bangkok and Singpaore and i prefer both of these

Actually KL was OK 25-30 years ago. Nowadays though...you're correct Richard...

Souless. What once gave KL its "soul" is now destroyed in favour of cement, glass,

steel & ripoff taxi drivers. The quality of grub has even slid down the mountainside

and currently resides somewhere between mediocre and too greasy to eat. Beer's

are still nice & cold, well mostly but not all over and they're bloody expensive every-

where...even in mom & pop shops. I'm currently in KL working the MH370 fiasco

and as another poster mentioned above...it will be nice to leave.On the other hand,

Penang is quite OK in my books...but KL ain't Penang & v.v.

[tsigane]

Bangkok is more exotic and unique. KL is more multicultural.

KL has a better variety & quality of international food. Bangkok has great Thai food.

KL is a bit more expensive and somewhat cleaner. Bangkok is cheaper & has better value hotels.

No language barrier in KL as almost everyone speaks English rather than Thai-glish.

Sightseeing & nightlife, no contest, Bangkok wins hands down.

I would say for most people, Bangkok is a better travel destination. But KL is enjoyable for what Bangkok isn't.

Right on the money description. I would just like to add great transportation for KL.

But BKK has that feeling of chaotic, smelly, overcrowded, third-world city feeling that offers more of an

"ethnic" experience for tourists. I've had friends who loved and friends who

couldn't wait to get out of BKK. So it depends on the person and what he's looking for.

[hanno]

In KL I don't like the shopping, don't like the town, don't like going out in the evenings. Arguably had some of the best Chinese and Japanese food there but it was in 5-star hotels and cost an arm and a leg.

[Wordworx]

Been there quite a few times, the last few only because I had to. Agree with most others, hotels way (way) less value than Thailand. You'll pay maybe US$60-70 for comparable Thai accommodations at $20-25. More English, less friendliness, more tension. Part of the latter is the official favoritism to the "Sons of the Earth", ethnic mainly Muslim Malay. Malay citizens of Chinese and Indian descent, for instance, cannot own land. They otherwise get crapped on, pretty good. Thus on occasion they break out the water canons to hose down the pissed off Indian-Malay guys.

In general I would describe the citizen vibe as more *uptight* than other parts of SE Asia. In a few cases, for no apparent reason, kind of hostile.

And, right, the sin tax in Malaysia is absurd. Beer is bad, booze is a joke. But you can hop to Langkawi. Entire island is duty free, pretty much, no sin tax.

I'm not seeing any comparing KL to BKK going on. Completely different cities.

[Mousehound]

I got mugged in KL but never in Bangkok.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Two of my workmates were mugged in KL - apparently in the middle of the day in the main city area. One is Malay. Both on hols and both women. Got there jewellery. Personally, I think KL is a place to avoid. Give me BKK with it's street energy and roadside stalls - I love it.

[Loles]

Is KL better than BKK ?

Are you crazy or muslim?

[Dellie]

Not sure it's fair to compare KL wich is a relatively small city (1.6 million) to Bangkok which is a major city (9 million official figure but in truth closer to 15 with alot the people still registered in their home province). For me Bangkok wins hands down in all areas but I might be a bit biased having lived there 11 years. I have only been to KL about 5 or 6 times and never by choice.

[mayas73]

having lived in bkk for years and now iivng in kl for a year, i would say most definately bangkok is far superior in many ways. kl is a stinking fetid rathole full of rapists,thieves and scumbags.one cannot walk along the street with their spouse without being harrassed by indian cockroaches.no woman is safe after dark or even during the day.kl has nothing to offer at all.families get mugged at night even with small children.i am currently looking to have my condo lease taken over and to get the hell out of kl. as a christian and a white man in kl i am looked down on as dirt, and as my fiance is malay the people here treat us rather poorly.as far as i am concerned i cannot wait to move back to thailand and leave that city to slide into the sea.

[Wordworx]

having lived in bkk for years and now iivng in kl for a year, i would say most definately bangkok is far superior in many ways. kl is a stinking fetid rathole full of rapists,thieves and scumbags.one cannot walk along the street with their spouse without being harrassed by indian cockroaches.no woman is safe after dark or even during the day.kl has nothing to offer at all.families get mugged at night even with small children.i am currently looking to have my condo lease taken over and to get the hell out of kl. as a christian and a white man in kl i am looked down on as dirt, and as my fiance is malay the people here treat us rather poorly.as far as i am concerned i cannot wait to move back to thailand and leave that city to slide into the sea.

**************************************

Yeah, but that Indian chow: mmmm-mmmm-good! You just gotta hit the places with the non-rapist waiters.

[Eric Loh]

Where will you go in KL besides Batu Cave, Twin Tower, Central Market, Chinatown. Just can't think of anymore attractions. Nearest beach is Port Dickson which is dirty and not very safe. Yes certainly boring even for me who stayed in KL for 10 years. Oh, the police are very corrupted too. Plus the airport is like 40 km away from the city is a negative.

[rmacee]

Been there on a number of occasions.. Seriously don't like the place.. A mix of Malaysians, Chinese and Indians. A right mix of unfriendly nationals..

Been Muslim the beer is expensive and the final mega annoyance is their ripoff / dishonest pricing..

You see prices like 25++ etc. Was in a bar and fancied a Guinness - saw a price 20rg but the bill was nearer 25 with taxes and service charge.. Ever Starbucks don't display final price... Awful place

[davejones23]

30 years in SE Asia, been to kl once for 3 days (2 years ago) never will go back,

its souless

its in the middle between Bangkok and Singpaore and i prefer both of these

I agree with this. I've been twice for a few days and can't think of anything good to say about it. I could never live there. Bangkok is much more interesting. I think shopping, nightlife, and everything else is much better in Bangkok, and so are the people.