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When to go · Malaysia

Malaysia in January

Mixed month. West coast fine; east-coast islands closed; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year may fall here (check).

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Medium
Malaysia
Prices
Medium
Malaysia

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Malaysia

West coast fine; east-coast islands closed; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year may fall here (check).

Is another month better than January?

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

  • West coast · Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang, Ipohfine

    Hot and humid all year (31–34 °C (88–93 °F)); afternoon storms, heaviest Apr and Oct–Nov; haze from Sumatra fires possible Jun–Sep.

  • Langkawi and the north-west · Langkawi, Kedah, Perlisbest weather

    Distinct dry season Dec–Apr; the wettest months are Aug–Oct.

  • East coast · Perhentian, Redang, Tioman, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganustorm or typhoon risk

    Northeast monsoon Nov–Feb closes most island resorts and boats; Mar–Oct is the beach season.

  • Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) · Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sandakan, Mount Kinabalurainy

    Wettest Nov–Feb (Kuching floods in some years); Sabah drier Mar–Sep; Kinabalu cold at the summit.

  • Highlands · Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hillfine

    15–25 °C (59–77 °F); rain most afternoons.

  • East Coast: East Coast (Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang) · Peninsular Malaysia's South China Sea coastrainy

    Northeast monsoon November–February shuts most island resorts and cuts boat links; April–October is the season, with June–August busiest. Inland Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill) is cooler and less affected.

  • Johor: Johor Bahru and west coast · JB, Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muarrainy

    Hot and humid all year, roughly 31–33 °C (88–91 °F) by day — check; afternoon storms are common. November–January is the wettest stretch — check.

  • Johor: East coast (Desaru, Mersing, Pengerang) · Desaru, Mersing, Pengerangrainy

    Northeast monsoon can bring rough seas and ferry cancellations from about November to February — check before booking.

  • Sabah: West coast (Kota Kinabalu) · Coastal strip and islandsrainy

    Rain is heaviest Nov–Jan; the driest stretch is roughly Mar–May.

  • Cool at night year-round; summit attempts are often cancelled by rain or wind.

  • Sabah: East coast (Sandakan, Semporna) · Sulu and Celebes seasrainy

    Diving season is broadly Mar–Oct; some resorts close in the wetter months.

  • Sarawak: Coast and Kuching · Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Mirirainy

    Equatorial: hot and humid all year, rain in most months. November to February is typically the wettest stretch, with rougher sea crossings; the rest of the year is mixed.

  • Sarawak: Interior highlands · Kelabit Highlands, Bario, Mulurainy

    Cooler at altitude; small-aircraft flights and river levels are weather-dependent, so build in a spare day.

  • West Coast: Straits coast (Penang, Perak, Selangor, Melaka) · George Town, Ipoh, Melaka, Port Klangrainy

    Equatorial: 30–33 °C (86–91 °F) most days, rain in short heavy bursts. September–November is the wettest stretch on this coast.

  • Kuala Lumpur32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Air Itam32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 11 rain days
  • Alor Gajah31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days
  • Alor Setar32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 5 rain days
  • Arau32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ayer Hitam31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days
  • Ayer Keroh30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days
  • Bagan Lalang32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days
  • Balik Pulau32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bandar Baru Bangi33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Batu Ferringhi32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Batu Pahat31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Bayan Lepas32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Beaufort32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Belaga32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Bintangor30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 20 rain days
  • Bintulu30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days
  • Bukit Gambir31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Bukit Kayu Hitam32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bukit Merah32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Bukit Mertajam32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bukit Tinggi28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 11 rain days
  • Butterworth32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days
  • Cameron Highlands22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 16 rain days
  • Cherating30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Dabong32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Desaru30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Fraser's Hill24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 14 rain days
  • Gemas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Genting Highlands22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 14 rain days
  • Gua Musang32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Igan32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Ipoh32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Iskandar Puteri31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Janda Baik30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 15 rain days
  • Jasin31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days
  • Jementah31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Jerantut32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Johor Bahru31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Johor Lama31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days
  • Kajang32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kampar32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kangar32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kapalai30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Kapas Island32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Kapit33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kemaman30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Klang32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kluang31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Kota Bharu29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kota Tinggi30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kuala Besut32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kuala Kangsar32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kuala Kedah33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kuala Krai30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days
  • Kuala Kubu Bharu32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kuala Lipis32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kuala Perlis32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Kuala Selangor32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kuala Tembeling30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Kuala Terengganu32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kuantan29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days
  • Kudat31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kukup31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Kulai31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kulim32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kundasang19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days
  • Labis31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days
  • Lahad Datu31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days
  • Lang Tengah32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Langkawi32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 4 rain days
  • Lawas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Layang Layang29 °C (84 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 15 rain days
  • Limbang32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lumut31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days
  • Lunas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mabul32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mantin32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Marang29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 17 rain days
  • Mataking29 °C (84 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days
  • Merang29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Mersing30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Miri30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 18 rain days
  • Muar31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days
  • Mukah32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Nibong Tebal32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days
  • Nilai31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days
  • Padang Besar32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Pangkor31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Parit Jawa31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Parit Raja31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days
  • Pasir Gudang31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Pasir Salak32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pekan Nanas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Pekan33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pengerang31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days
  • Petaling Jaya32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pom Pom Island29 °C (84 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Pontian Kechil32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Poring Hot Spring32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days
  • Port Dickson32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Port Klang32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Puchong32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pulau Banggi32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Pulau Ketam33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Ranau28 °C (82 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Rantau Panjang32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Raub32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days
  • Rawa32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Redang29 °C (84 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Sandakan30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 18 rain days
  • Santubong32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Sarikei30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Seberang Jaya32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Seberang Takir30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 16 rain days
  • Segamat32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Semenyih32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Semporna30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 17 rain days
  • Senai32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Sepilok30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 18 rain days
  • Seremban32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Shah Alam32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sibu Island30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sibu30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 20 rain days
  • Simpang Ampat32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days
  • Simpang Renggam32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Simunjan32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sipadan31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Subang Jaya32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sungai Pelek32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Taiping32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tampin31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tangkak32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days
  • Tanjung Resang30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tawau30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Teluk Intan32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Temerloh32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tenggol29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Tenom32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tioman30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Wang Kelian32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days
  • Yong Peng32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Thaipusam

    Jan–Feb (Tamil calendar — check)

    Huge pilgrimage to Batu Caves; roads near KL closed at night.

  • Chinese New Year big impact

    Jan–Feb (lunar — check)

    Two public days, many Chinese businesses shut for a week; Penang and KL busy.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Malaysia
Medium
Prices · Malaysia
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Malaysia, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Mixed

    Feb: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Medium

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: Medium

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 2

    Feb: 3

January: West coast fine; east-coast islands closed; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year may fall here (check).

February: Drier on the west coast and Langkawi; Chinese New Year crowds (lunar, check).

Malaysia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
  • A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Langkawi and the north-west

    Best weather of the year (Langkawi, Kedah, Perlis)

  • Kuala Lumpur

    Drier; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year crowds some years.

  • Air Itam

    Best months: Dec–Mar (drier); any month works if you start early

  • Alor Setar

    Best months: Dec–Feb (drier, less haze)

  • Arau

    Best months: Dec–Feb (dry, cooler)

  • Batu Ferringhi

    Best months: Dec–Mar (drier); Apr–Sep is hotter with afternoon storms

  • Bukit Gambir

    Best months: All year; avoid heavy rain Nov–Jan

  • Bukit Kayu Hitam

    Best months: Dec–Feb (dry, cooler)

  • Bukit Mertajam

    Best months: Nov–Feb

  • Butterworth

    Best months: Dec–Mar, and any dry window; the town is a transit point, so weather matters less than on the island

  • Cherating

    Best months: Nov–Feb (surf) and Jul–Sep (kite)

  • Dabong

    Best months: Nov–Feb (dry season, check)

Better another month

  • East coast

    Northeast monsoon Nov–Feb closes most island resorts and boats; Mar–Oct is the beach season.