The Batu Caves are one of the best things to see near Kuala Lumpur city in Malaysia.
These are big limestone hills with huge caves to explore via a set of rainbow stairs, and thereβs a 40 meter (140 foot) tall golden statue of a Hindu deity, Lord Murugan.
This guide will explain how you can get to the Batu Caves, and everything you need to know before you go!
Where To Stay
Batu Caves In Malaysia β What To Expect
After climbing the rainbow stairs (272 total), you can interact with some wild monkeys and look around in the caves.
There are a series of huge caves here with high ceilings and a couple of big openings that let in sunlight. Thereβs even a dark cave you can explore with a special tour.
Watch out for the monkeys. Donβt bring food or plastic bags, because the monkeys might go for these. Wearing mosquito repellent is a good idea too.
How Long To Stay
Most people will probably be done here in less than an hour. Itβs a neat place for sure, but thereβs not a whole lot to see inside.
The caves are cool, but Iβm sure they wouldβve looked better in their natural state, without the pavement, shops, and temples.
I wasnβt a fan of the rainbow colored Indian temples inside. Kind of tacky. The best view is on the outside when you first arrive (IMO).
The giant statue and rainbow stairs are very unique and photogenic.
Batu Caves Entrance Fee
FREE as of 2020.
Thereβs no entrance fee to visit the Batu Caves.
How To Get To Batu Caves From Kuala Lumpur
The Batu Caves are located just 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Itβs a 20 minute drive from the city center.
The easiest way to get there is to book a Grab taxi, which will cost about 20 MYR ($5 USD) from KL city.
The cheapest way to get there is to take the train from KL Sentral, which runs every half hour and costs only 2.5 MYR (less than one US Dollar).
If you would rather book a tour, GetYourGuide has private tours going to Batu Caves (more info on that below).
Best Batu Caves Tour
If youβre looking for a vetted tour company for visiting the Batu Caves in Malaysia, hereβs a top rated half day trip by GetYourGuide starting at 110 MYR ($27 USD) from Kuala Lumpur.
This tour includes 3.5 hours of sightseeing with free hotel pickup and dropoff, and the reviews are very positive.
Weβve used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and theyβre great! Highly recommended.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the 2-star Ahyu Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. It was $17 USD per night for a clean double room with cold A/C, TV, private bathroom, and very fast WiFi.
The location is fantastic. You can easily walk to the train station, convenience stores, fast food (McDonald's and KFC), Chinatown, KL Central Market, Merdeka Square, and more. Even the Petronas Towers were a short distance away!
Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.
