LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Money & costs
Though one of the more expensive countries in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is still cheap by world standards and caters well to all budgets. Singapore and Brunei are a bit pricier, but there are still bargains to be had if you look carefully.
You can easily find a spartan double room in an old hotel for as little as US$5, but if you want to spend US$100 or more a night that's no problem either. Though still plentiful, the older cheap hotels are diminishing in number, but new travellers guesthouses are springing up in the tourist centres and offer dormitory beds for around US$2.50, as well as cheap rooms. The mid-range is well catered for and hotel rooms with air-con and attached bathroom start at around US$12.
Food is quite cheap. There's a good variety in the cities and you can usually get away with between US$1 and US$2 for a simple meal. A full meal at a food centre with a couple of drinks and dessert will come closer to US$3. At the other end of the scale, fancy hotels and restaurants in the main cities offer international cuisine at international prices.
Alcoholic drinks are usually quite expensive, particularly in Singapore, the conservative areas of the east coast or on islands. Beer costs about US$2 a can, almost double in isolated areas. Spirits are even more expensive - about 50% more than beer. With no alcohol available in Brunei at least you'll save money there.
Transportation is generally a real bargain. There are plenty of reasonably priced taxis for local travel. Drivers are fairly honest and prices are either fixed or there are meters. For long-distance journeys, Malaysia has excellent buses, trains and long-distance taxis, all at very reasonable prices, and even flying need not be too costly.
Besides the travel essentials of food, accommodation and transport you'll find nonessentials and luxuries are moderately priced, even downright cheap.
HOW MUCH?
Mid-range hotel double: RM80/S$100/B$100
Cup of coffee: RM2/S$4/B$4
Bowl of laksa: RM5/S$4/B$4
Restaurant meal: RM6/S$16/B$20
Newspaper: RM1/S$1.20/B$0.80
Litre of petrol: RM1.10/S$1.20/B$0.53
Litre of bottled water: RM1/S$1.50/B$1
Beer - large bottle of Tiger: RM10/S$8
Souvenir T-shirt: RM15/S$15/B$20
Street snack - satay stick: RM0.50/S$0.40/B$1
Lonely Planet recommends World Nomads Travel insurance
