KL HOTELS

Budget Hotels in KL City

Kuala Lumpur offers a diverse range of affordable and budget-friendly accommodations for backpackers and budget travellers. With more than 50,000 rooms available, Kuala Lumpur City accommodates visitors across all price levels. Affordable and quality budget hotels can be found in nearly every city suburb, making Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia increasingly popular as one of the most visited cities in the world for solo travellers as well as budget-conscious couples.

How to choose a budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur?

Over the past few years, I have stayed in all the major areas of Kuala Lumpur. For visitors, staying in a central part of the city is ideal for easy access to most attractions and to save money on transportation. For backpackers and budget-conscious travellers, Bukit Bintang, Masjid India, and Chinatown are some of the popular spots to find budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur.

In this article, I have explored some budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur that I stayed at during my solo trip to the city. My preferences for choosing a hotel include:

User reviews on the online platform (usually Agoda.com or Booking.com)
Availability of parking
Breakfast options
Access to public transport – train station
Restaurants in the neighbourhood
Major attractions in the neighbourhood
Secure locker in the room
Room Size

If you are not driving in Kuala Lumpur, the light rail network is a very economical and efficient way to commute to some of the major tourist locations in the city. I normally rent a car from the airport and prefer to explore Kuala Lumpur by driving. Some areas like Genting Highlands, Putrajaya, Klang Valley etc are quite far from the Kuala Lumpur CBD. Driving is the most efficient way to save time.

The opinion expressed in this article is my own. The reviews are based on my personal experience of staying at these hotels during my various visits to Kuala Lumpur.

List of my hand-picked hotels in Central locations in KL:

1. Pacific Express Hotel Chinatown Kuala Lumpur

Agoda Rating: 7.8/10 Ozasiatraveller Rating: 4/5

Average daily rate: $30 per night

Benefits of staying at Pacific Central Market

Easy access to Central Market
Easy access to KL Central
Walking distance from Petaling Street
Walking distance from Restaurants, Shopping, ATMs and public Transport

The Pacific Express is an affordable hotel conveniently located opposite the central market, offering easy access to shopping areas such as Petaling Street and Little India. If you’re eager to explore the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Old City, this is an excellent location as you can effortlessly catch buses to any part of KL and the rest of Malaysia. Many of the city’s attractions are within walking distance, including KL Central Market, KL Central Park, and Merdeka Square.

This hotel is ideal for the traveller who wants to enjoy the hustle and bustle of downtown Kuala Lumpur and does not want to spend too much on transport and eating out. You will find hundreds of reasonably priced restaurants in this neighbourhood.

2. Citin Masjid Jamek a budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Agoda Rating: 7.2/10 Ozasiatraveller Rating 3.5/5

Location: Masjid India Area

Average Daily rate: $25 per night

Citin Masjid Jamek is a budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur, centrally situated with convenient access to numerous tourist attractions. I suggest this budget-friendly hotel for its cleanliness, convenient location, and reasonable daily rates. Citin Masjid Jamek offers basic accommodations with clean rooms and easy access to public transportation. The hotel lacks a swimming pool and parking facilities. It is located near Petaling Street, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Central Market, and other attractions in KL.

This cheap budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur is highly recommended for single and budget travellers.

Prescott Hotel, Bukit Bintang

Address: 77 Jalan Changkat Thambi Dolah, Off Jalan Pudu-Bukit Bintang 55100

During my stay at Furama Bukit Bintang, I checked out some affordable hotels in the Pudu and Bukit Bintang areas. Several budget and boutique hotels are nestled in the side streets near Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall and Low Yat Plaza.

Prescott Hotel was a wonderful discovery. This budget-friendly hotel is perfectly positioned at the junction of Bukit Bintang and Pudu District. It is located directly across from Furama Bukit Bintang and is within walking distance of Berjaya Times Square and other shopping destinations in Bukit Bintang.

The daily rate for a double room is under RM80, inclusive of breakfast. The rooms are tidy with minimal noise from the surrounding area.

CHECK THE LATEST RATES ONLINE WITH AGODA.COM

The rooms are furnished with basic amenities. The premises are well-maintained, and air conditioners, as well as water heaters, are installed. The breakfast is quite basic and available from 6 pm to 10 pm.

If you are planning to stay on a budget and want to explore the city, I highly recommend this hotel. Several inexpensive eateries are located around the corner, including Chinese, Malay, and Indian restaurants.

Mesui Hotel Bukit Bintang, a Boutique Budget Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

I explored this budget boutique hotel in Kuala Lumpur during my stay at Park Royal Serviced Apartments in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City. Mesui Hotel is a small but very well-maintained property located within walking distance from ParkRoyal Serviced Apartments.

I have stayed at this property over five times and enjoyed the friendliness of the staff, great service, as well as the comfort of living in a clean room with easy access to Changkat, Jalan Alor, and all the shopping areas in Bukit Bintang.

Here are pictures from my recent stay at Mesui Hotel in Bukit Bintang.

The best reason for staying at Mesui is its proximity to Changkat (popular for nightclubs and bars), Jalan Alor, Jalan Ramlee and Pavilion Mall.

I highly recommend this property to budget-conscious single travellers or families who want to stay at a central location in Bukit Bintang.

Booking online with Agoda can fetch a price as low as RM 100 per night.

Revo Packers (Bukit Bintang) – Backpackers Hostel in Bukit Bintang

Address: 258, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, Pudu, 55100 Kuala

A newly established budget hostel, located across from Furama Hotel at Changkat Thambi Dollah, offers budget bunks at a very reasonable cost. The premises are well-maintained, offering basic amenities including wide-open sitting spaces, free Wi-Fi, shared dorms, and separate rooms for under 80RM.

This is a great choice if you need a budget hotel for a short stay or an extended stay at a very low price. The area has many affordable Chinese restaurants and Nasi Kandar cafes nearby. The neighbourhood of Pudu adjacent to the property is home to many cheap eat-outs.

The nearest train station is Jalan Imbi. Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall and Low Yat Electronic Mall are within walking distance from Revo Packers.

I highly recommend this location for budget-conscious travellers and those seeking a budget-friendly yet high-quality hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Capsule Transit Airport Hotel – KLIA2

If you’re running short on time between flights and looking for the cheapest accommodation in KLIA2, consider staying at the Capsule Transit Airport hotel, which offers 4-, 6-, or 8-hour time slots to book a single or double capsule. This hotel is ideal for layover between flights or catching some rest if you have flights in the evening. It’s best to arrive at the airport earlier, taking into account traffic and potential delays on the road.

The premises are well-maintained and the pods are furnished with clean crisp sheets, lamps and fundamental amenities. You are welcome to use the shared toilet and seating area. Locker storage space is also available for rental.

I have stayed at this budget accommodation for over five times in the last three years and have saved time and money.

Travelodge City Center (Chinatown)

Address: 7, Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur

Travelodge has emerged as the top choice for a week-long stay in Kuala Lumpur in July 2024. Ideally located directly opposite the Central Market and Kasturi Walk, the hotel provides easy access to bus terminals and the Masjid India Light Rail Station. With Chinatown and Petaling Street just a short walk away, this spot is ideal for exploring the city’s historic areas on foot.

The standard rates start at RM 130+ for a deluxe room. Booking online can help you find better deals. I regularly use Agoda to take advantage of cashback offers and read authentic reviews. My VIP status entitles me to an additional 15% discount on top of the regular room rates.

The facility provides parking at the nearby property for RM 10 per night. The reception area offers coffee and refreshments, as well as a space for studying or using your laptop. The rooms are clean and well-maintained. If you’re looking for an affordable stay in a very central location in town, I highly recommend this property. Nearby attractions include:

1. Chinatown and cafes on Jalan Petaling

2. Kasturi Walk and the Central Market

3. Merdeka Square

4. Masjid India and many restaurants in the vicinity

Avenue J Hotel in the Central Market Area

During my visit to Kuala Lumpur in July 2024, I came across another fascinating hotel. Its location is perfect, situated right behind the central market, providing convenient access to the most popular attractions in the historic part of Kuala Lumpur.

There are numerous delightful eateries, cafes, bars, and restaurants situated along Kasturi Walk, Masjid India, Jalan Petaling, and Brickfields, all of which are easily accessible on foot. The hotel is impeccably maintained, featuring clean rooms equipped with all essential amenities.

Merdeka Square was just around the corner, and the Abdus Samad Building was visible from my room. The area around Masjid India has undergone significant restoration, boasting beautiful walkways adorned with murals.

You can get the walk-in price of RM 100 for a deluxe room with shower, tv and air-con. The rooms are immaculate, and I believe this is the cheapest hotel I have stayed in for RM100 in Kuala Lumpur, offering such nice facilities.

There is also an underground car park for RM 10 (extra) per night. The only caveat was that breakfast was too basic. I suggest having your breakfast in one of the many cafes very close to the hotel.