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If you are visiting Malacca in 2026 we highly recommend taking a Malacca River cruise. This is a great way to see this beautiful historic City from a different angle. The Malacca River Cruise takes roughly 30 minutes and runs along the length of the historic Malacca City center. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know to organize a Malacca River Cruise. Prices, what to expect and top tips.
Looking for a place to stay? What is the best hotel in Malacca?
ALSO Don’t miss our guide to the strangest street food on the Jonker Street Market
Join our crazy adventures in Malacca
Find out what it is REALLY like to travel Malacca as a family (including the river cruise with kids!)
Do you need to arrange your Malacca River Cruise in advance?
You do not need to pre-book your Malacca River Cruise in advance. It is possible to arrange your river cruise on the same day. Just rock up at the jetty and wait for the next boat.
There is also a small ticket office located next to the Tam King Seng Bridge near the clock tower.
Top tip: If you book your boat trip through a tour operator or third party it will cost more because you will always end up paying an additional commission. So the cheapest and best way to book your boat trip is to buy your tickets directly at the ticket office.
How much does it cost to take a Malacca River cruise?
The prices for the river cruise are as follows:
Foreigners 12 years and above: RM23 (around £4 or $5)
Foreigners 2 – 11 years old: RM10 (around £2 or $2.50)
Malaysians 12 years and above: RM18
Malaysians 2 – 11 years old: RM6.50
On Monday – Thursday the reduced rate for adults applies: Foreign adults RM18 and Local adults RM13
For what you get these prices seem on the high side – especially for foreigners. Also the dual pricing system can be frustrating but is very common in Malaysia. Actually it is rare for foreigners to pay the same price as locals in Malaysia.
How do you organize an independent River Cruise in malacca?
The best way to organize an independent River Cruise in Malacca is to go to the river cruise Jetty and buy a ticket. You will be asked to wait until the next boat fills up. This normally takes up to around 30 to 45 minutes.
Is it worth taking a Malacca River cruise?
If you are only visiting Malacca once and wish to see this city from a different angle we do recommend taking a Malacca River cruise. However, in our opinion the river cruise is slightly on the pricey side for what you get.
The pace of the Malacca river cruise is pretty good. It is not too fast and not too slow. This is a particularly good activity for families with kids.
On the Malacca River Cruise you can see some interesting attractions around town. Keep your eye out for the following things:
- The Malacca water wheel
- Tam King Seng Bridge
- The Malacca Clock Tower
- The Cheng ho cultural museum
- The Dutch quarter
- The Malacca Old Town
Top tip: For a more immersive experience try to sit towards the front of the boat if possible. There is an area where you can sit at the bow (front) of the boat.
What is the best place to stay in malacca?
Travellers Diary Guest House
If you are looking for a clean, simple and cheap hotel in Malacca don’t miss the Travellers Diary Guest House. They have a range of rooms and can accommodate solo travellers, couples and families (the Family Room has a double bed and a single bed). Rooms range in price from around £10 – £20 depending on the room and occupancy. This lovely little hostel is located a few minutes walk from Jonker street (the main street in Malacca and a few minutes walk from the river). This hostel enjoys and excellent location in the Malacca old town. Nearby you can find, shops, cafes, restaurants and coffee shops.
The Majestic Malacca Hotel
We need to give a shout out to the Majestic Malacca Hotel. This is a small stunning boutique heritage hotel. The main disadvantage is that they only have double or twin rooms available (so cannot accommodate families or larger groups). Rooms cost around £100 per night. This hotel has beautiful classical colonial interiors. We are super impressed with the elegance and class of this property. This lovely hotel even has a swimming pool and spa – also the local food served at the restaurant is absolutely fantastic.
DoubleTree by Hilton Malacca
The DoubleTree by Hilton Malacca is a stylish 5 star hotel – and one of only a few big brand names in Malacca. So if you want the reliable decadence and luxury of the Hilton Brand this is a great choice for you. In true Hilton style there is a wide range of rooms and suites to choose from. Interiors are stylish and modern and this hotel is equipped with all of the facilities and amenities that you would hope for in a 5 star hotel. Rooms range in price from £60 – £250 per night here. This hotel is located on the sea front but is a little way from the Malacca old town.
