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Which country is best for family travel in 2026? Malaysia vs Thailand. If you’re planning a trip to southeast Asia you may be weighing up Malaysia and Thailand. In this article we will give you all the highs and lows of traveling in Thailand and Malaysia with kids.
Malaysia and Thailand both have lots of amazing things to do, incredible food and beautiful scenery. They are both very cheap and have lots to offer. However, when it comes to family travel with kids one of these countries comes out on top.
We have traveled both Thailand and Malaysia extensively with kids. In this article we will share our experience and advice for you to help you plan your trip.
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Malaysia vs Thailand: how do you choose which country is best for you?
Before reading about the specifics of traveling Malaysia vs Thailand with your family, we would recommend you to consider your goals, aspirations and travel style. The most important thing to think about before you travel is what you really want to do. Even if a country is a little bit more tricky to travel with kids we still think it’s more important to consider your overall goals.
If you are after beautiful beaches and crystal clear Waters you can find this in both Thailand and Malaysia. Both Thailand and Malaysia have their share of stunning tropical islands. If you are interested in wildlife both Thailand and Malaysia have an array of incredible wildlife too.
- If you are hoping for an elephant encounter Thailand is your best bet. Thailand has loads of elephant sanctuaries.
- If you are hoping to see Orangutans – then it’s going to need to be Malaysia (Sabah in particular)
- To see turtles – both Thailand and Malaysia are good – but Malaysia is probably best for meeting giant see turtles (especially the Perhentian islands and Redang island)
- If you are hoping to see the elusive whale sharks then try Koh Phangan in Thailand (especially around Sail Rock in March – April time)
- If you would like to visit tea plantations then try the Cameron Highlands (but beware they can get super busy during the Malaysian holidays)
What things can you do in Thailand?
Don’t miss our ultimate guide on THE BEST things to do in Thailand and our step by step Thailand itinerary
In brief, Thailand has many beautiful islands, lots of great viewpoints and opportunities to try snorkeling and diving. The marine national parks in the south are genuinely stunning. Thailand also has some very beautiful bigger cities with old towns. In the north of Thailand you can find jungles, waterfalls and adventure parks. Thailand also has lots of elephant sanctuaries and even an elephant hotel. Don’t miss the romantic Pai village with all of its amazing things to do. There are also some great family friendly activities around Thailand. Chiang Mai has loads of activities for kids. Near Chiang Mai you can find a great water park called the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon. There are also some smaller water parks in Bangkok.
What things can you do in Malaysia?
Don’t miss our ultimate guide on THE BEST things to do in Malaysia
In brief, Malaysia has amazing jungles, waterfalls and wildlife. In Penang you can go trekking in the national park, visit a turtle sanctuary, climb Penang Hill and visit the innovative Habitat Eco project. Also make sure to visit the historical Georgetown. Don’t miss the stunning Perhentian islands. Malaysia has some beautiful Highlands called the Cameron Highlands, a place where tea is grown – don’t miss the Boh Tea plantations. There’s also a very beautiful Mossy Forest on the hills. If you’re planning to travel in Sabah you can also see orangutans and climb Mount Kinabalu. Malaysia also has some great theme parks for kids. Such as, Legoland in the south. There is also an amazing adventure park in Penang called Escape. Oh yeah, and of course don’t miss all of the amazing things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia vs Thailand? Which country is better to travel with kids?
Overall, in our opinion we think Thailand is a better place for families to travel with kids. This is especially true if you are travelling on a budget. This is based on a number of different factors. But again, remember – if there are things you really want to do in Malaysia then don’t let us sway you.
1 Malaysia vs Thailand: Accommodation for families
In Thailand it is generally very easy to get family rooms (or at least ask your hotel to add a mattress or cot to a room for a very small additional charge). In contrast, Malaysia seems to charge a lot more for family rooms or adding an extra mattress to a room. Expect to pay around double the price in order to accommodate your family in Malaysia.
Agoda often has GREAT DEALS for family accommodation in Thailand and Malaysia
In our opinion, your money goes a lot further on accommodation in Thailand. Rooms in Malaysia tents are quite expensive for what you get. It is often common in Malaysia to find mold in cheaper rooms and you may have issues like bed bugs. Even when you feel like you’re paying quite a lot of money the rooms can be quite rough and basic in Malaysia. In contrast if you spends a reasonable amount of money in Thailand your money will go very far and you will be surprised what you can get for your money
Here is a guideline of prices for accommodation in Thailand and Malaysia
You will notice at the higher end there is not such a big difference in prices
| Accomodation in Malaysia | Accomodation in Thailand | |
| Cheap budget accommodation | RM60 for a very basic room (around £12 or $15) | 300 baht for a basic room (around £6 or $8) |
| Mid range accommodation | RM150 for a mid range room (around £30 or $40) | 600 baht for a mid range room (around £12 or $16) |
| Luxury accommodation | RM400+ expensive hotels (around £80 or $100) | 3000+ baht expensive hotels (around £60 or $80) |
Top tip: In Malaysia avoid hotels near mosques. The call to prayer is often very loud and starts early in the morning. Paying more for a room may not prevent this from waking you up.
2 Malaysia vs Thailand. Amenities for families
Overall the amenities in Malaysia vs Thailand for families with kids are pretty similar. In both countries you can find some toilets with baby changing facilities. However, this is not very common. In order to find baby changing facilities you need to look in larger malls, shopping centres and more expensive restaurants.
In Malaysia they often charge for toilets. Although this is a small nominal charge, it can be very frustrating if you are running to the toilet with kids. They do charge to use some toilets in Thailand, although this is less common than in Malaysia. Another thing to be aware of is that in both countries toilet paper may be missing in some toilets. On average, more toilets in Thailand seem to have toilet paper compared to Malaysia (where toilet paper is pretty rare!). Again we recommend traveling with tissues or wet wipes in both countries.
3 Malaysia vs Thailand. Travelling around with kids
Malaysia vs Thailand, which country is easier to get around with kids? Both Malaysia and Thailand have trains running around some parts of the country and also both countries have an extensive intercity bus service. In both countries you can find domestic flights between cities in different parts of the country.
In our opinion, Thailand is slightly easier for getting around with kids. Firstly, it is possible to get many sleeper trains running up and down the country in Thailand (which have lockable cabins). This adds a lot of security if you’re travelling with kids. If you’re travelling with younger kids we strongly recommend that you take a first-class sleeper cabin. The bed is actually fairly wide and it is possible to share a bed with a small child. In Malaysia you can get some very comfortable buses which are great for families with kids. Malaysia also has trains connecting some cities.
The transport system in Malaysia is more complicated and less integrated than the transport system in Thailand. Another thing that makes Malaysia challenging to travel with kids, is the long Journeys. The Malaysian long distance buses generally do not have toilets on the bus. So you normally have to wait an hour or two between stops. Having said that, many bus drivers will be kind enough to stop if you’re traveling Malaysia with kids. The most comfortable bus company in Malaysia is called aeroline. Aeroline buses tend to have large, comfortable, reclining seats. Aeroline buses in Malaysia often have toilets on board and also often serve snacks and refreshments.
For short local journeys both Thailand and Malaysia have taxis. Grab (the taxi app) operates in both Thailand and Malaysia. Thailand has a cheaper alternative called Bolt. Prices are generally pretty similar in both countries: It normally costs £1-2 ($1.30 – $2.60) for short local taxi journeys in both countries.
GRAB IN MALAYSIA – Everything you need to know about Grab in Malaysia
GRAB IN THAILAND – Everything you need to know about Grab in Thailand
Another challenge traveling Malaysia with kids is the public holidays. Malaysia is very culturally diverse and has lots of public holidays. This can have a big effect on public transport availability and traffic. Furthermore, food places may be closed during public holidays making it harder to find food.
Another big difference you will notice between Malaysia and Thailand. Thailand has lots of small tourism offices where you can book bus tickets, train tickets and local tours. These types of tour offices are much less common in Malaysia.
4 Malaysia vs Thailand. Finding stuff for kids.
If you’re travelling Malaysia and Thailand with a baby you will notice a big difference. Thailand has loads of small convenience stores all over the country. 7-Eleven is the most common chain of small convenience stores in Thailand.
7-Eleven stores tend to sell a lot of very useful products for babies. For example, in 7-Eleven stores you can find a range of packs of nappies. They sell convenient travel size packs of nappies. You can also find things like milk, formula and small packaged snacks.
In contrast, Malaysia has less convenience stores. Furthermore, small packs of nappies are very hard to find in Malaysia. If you need to buy nappies in Malaysia, the best solution is to go to a larger supermarket and generally you can only buy packs of 40 nappies or more. So if you are planning a short trip to Malaysia we recommend bringing your own nappies.
It is also worth being aware that basics like laundry and water are easier in Thailand (again better for budget travel). In Thailand you can find street side self service washing machines very commonly. Although these can be found in Malaysia, they are less common.
Furthermore, in Thailand there are also lots of small laundrettes around offering 24hour wash and dry services for around 40 baht per kilo (roughly £0.80 or $1). In Thailand there are also plenty of cheap, streetside water fillers to top up your water bottle.
Top tip: Sun cream is very expensive in Malaysia. If you are on a long term trip in southeast Asia, make sure you buy sun cream in advance!
5 Malaysia vs Thailand. Which country is cheaper?
Overall Thailand is a cheaper country than Malaysia for travel. We already mentioned that accommodation for families in Malaysia tends to be a little bit more expensive accommodation in Thailand for families. Overall, Malaysia is a more expensive country than Thailand. In both Malaysia and Thailand you can still find cheap street food around.
Budget street food prices in Malaysia and Thailand are comparable with dishes starting at around RM5 or 50baht (roughly £1 or $1.30) in both countries. .
However, Malaysia is generally more expensive for lots of other things. One frustration travelling in Malaysia is that many tourist attractions charge a lot more money for foreign visitors to enter (sometimes three or four times the price compared to local tickets). This dual pricing system can be a real frustration to travelers. If you do choose to travel Malaysia, try not to let this frustrate you and spoil your trip.
In contrast, many activities are free in Thailand and if you do have to pay for activities in Thailand you generally pay the same price as locals (with some exceptions around the country). If you’re traveling with young kids in Thailand or Malaysia the good news is that many activities are free of charge for kids. The exact age that kids start paying for activity depends more on the activity than the country.
The cost of long distance journeys around Thailand and Malaysia is similar. The cheapest way to get around these countries is to take long distance buses. But be aware this is not the most comfortable way to travel with kids. Long distance travel overland in both Thailand and Malaysia is excellent value for money.
6 Malaysia vs Thailand. Eating out with kids.
Which country is better to eat out with kids? Malaysia vs Thailand?
IN BRIEF: Thailand is better at catering to western backpackers and travellers (in most places you can find buddha bowls, Acai bowls, falafels, salads, wraps and sushi). Malaysia has had less foreign tourism and therefore has it’s own fusion of foods – reflecting the cultural diversity of the country (predominantly Malay, Chinese and Indian). You can still get international cuisine in Malaysia – just less common.
Both Malaysia and Thailand have an abundance of amazing quality street food. We have already mentioned that street food prices are comparable in Malaysia and Thailand. In Thailand many of the street food dishes are very spicy. Sometimes food arrives very spicy even if you ask for it without spice in Thailand.
Malaysia also has its fair share of spicy food, although on average the food is probably less spicy than Thailand. In Thailand it is very rare to find restaurants with baby chairs. Even some of the more expensive international restaurants still do not have baby chairs. In contrast, almost every cafe, restaurant and even street side stalls have baby chairs.
However, if you are eating out with kids in Malaysia it is rare for places to offer napkins or serviettes. If you’re eating out with kids in Malaysia we recommend bringing a pack of tissues or wet wipes. One advantage of Thailand for eating with kids is the number of convenience stores. In 7-Eleven you can often find a range of kid-friendly food including, biscuits, crackers, crisps and rice dishes like sushi. Many 7-Eleven stores in Thailand also sell sandwiches and even toasted cheese sandwiches!
Both Thailand and Malaysia have Western and international cuisine available. In both countries international cuisine is a lot more expensive than local food. You will find more international cuisine in tourist destinations and big cities. Brands like Mcdonalds, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks and more. Who doesn’t love their western comforts?
Oh and one more very important thing. If you are a coffee lover, it is worth being aware that coffee is much harder to find in Malaysia. So it is a bit more tricky to find that much needed caffeine hit. The best way to find coffee in Malaysia is to find a Chinese cafe or Hawker. Chinese Malaysians do love coffee but it is a little bit different to Western coffee. Malaysian coffee tends to be very strong and very dark. You can find some western-style coffee shops in towns and cities in Malaysia. Alcohol is also more difficult to find in Malaysia due to higher taxes and restrictions. So if you’re hoping to relax with a glass of beer or wine after the kids are in bed, Thailand may be your better bet.
Kid friendly dishes in Thailand
- Fried chicken (widely available around Thailand)
- Roti – Indian fried bread
- Bakeries (these can be slightly off but generally pretty tasty)
- Fresh fruit can be found in many places like markets and street side stalls
Kid friendly dishes in Malaysia
- Clay pot chicken rice
- Fried chicken (widely available around Malaysia)
- Chinese Chicken rice (roast chicken and rice) – not spicy at all
- Roti Chenai – Indian fried bread
- Bakeries (these can be slightly off but generally pretty tasty)
- Some places sell toast (Chinese coffee shops)
- Burgers are surprisingly common in Malaysia and vary in quality
- Apom (coconut pancakes made in curved pans)
- Waffles (normally made in malls and shopping centers and served with various spreads)
- Pau – Chinese steamed buns (often served with fillings like Kaya and custard)
- Naan breads and tandoori
- Fresh fruit can be found in some places like markets (although not as common as Thailand)
7 Thailand vs Malaysia. Climate and weather
Thailand and Malaysia are both tropical countries with a very hot humid climate. During the day time the temperature can often reach the high 30’s.
Both Thailand and Malaysia have a hot wet season and a hot dry season. It is possible to find cooler areas in both Thailand and Malaysia. In Thailand we recommend heading up to the north for a slightly cooler climate. In Malaysia we recommend heading to the Cameron Highlands for a slightly cooler climate.
The rainy and dry seasons in Malaysia and Thailand are increasingly difficult to predict with climate change. These seasons seem to be merged.
8 Malaysia vs Thailand. Language and culture
The culture in both Thailand and Malaysia is friendly and welcoming. You will be greeted with warm, kind smiles in both cultures. English is widely spoken in both Thailand and Malaysia. In both countries English may be less well spoken in rural areas. In Malaysia English is often used as a “common language” for people to communicate between different sub-cultures.
Malaysia vs Thailand: Which is better to travel with kids? Summary
Thailand has a much longer history of a foreign tourism than Malaysia. As a result tourism is much more integrated in Thailand. This makes it easier to travel around Thailand. Thailand is also cheaper to travel, especially at the lower budget end of travel.
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
| Accomodation | More expensive than Thailand and lower quality | Cheaper than Malaysia and higher quality |
| Food | Very cheap street food, international cuisine available. More kid friendly local dishes available. Baby chairs widespread. | Very cheap street food, international cuisine available. Local dishes are often very spicy. Baby chairs rare. |
| Transport | Well integrated transport system. Trains, long distance buses and domestic flights. Often no toilets on buses. | Well integrated transport system. Trains, long distance buses and domestic flights. |
| Budget | Slightly more expensive than Thailand but still reasonably cheap. Dual pricing system widespread. | Very cheap and slightly cheaper than Malaysia. |
| Shopping for kids stuff | More difficult to find kids stuff. Large packs of nappies can be found at supermarkets. | Loads of convenience stores. Lots of kids stuff available. Travel size packs of nappies available. |
| Amenities | Baby changing facilities are rare. Often charge for toilets – and they are often quite dirty. | Baby changing facilities are quite rare. Charge for toilets in some places. |
If you have specific travel goals and places you want to visit, let this be the main thing that guides your choice of Malaysia vs Thailand.
If you are open to either country, Thailand is a better country to travel with kids. This is especially true if you are traveling on a budget.
