I've just got a flight from DXB to AKL early next year. One of the options is to go with Malaysian airlines via KUL.

I was looking at doing a stopover. Judging from some trip reports here, KL is only worth 2-3 days. Hence I was thinking of the below to fill out 4-5 days:

Day 1: Arrive at 7:35am at KUL. See city sights.

Day 2: Do half-day tour in KL, and more city sights.

Day 3: Fly to Jakarta and do some sight seeing.

Day 4: Do tour around Jakarta and more sights.

Day 5: Fly back to KUL, and then take evening flight to AKL.

I also have a 8 hour transit in KUL on the way back to DXB. Is it worth heading into the city during this time?

Any thoughts and feedback would be most appreciated.

KUL is pleasant enough and you can stay busy with sights like the Menara or National Museum or Masjid Jamek mosque or Batu Caves. The city also caters very well to shopping (Petaling St., Suria KLCC, all the places around Bukit Bintang and Jln. Imbi), and there are a number of good food places in the Bukit Bintang area (a night on Jln. Alor is good). It can get really hot & humid at times, though.

You can get to Singapore via 24-seat VIP bus in 5-6 hours, or by train. Buses are amazingly cheap and comfortable.

It's also the Air Asia hub, though if I wanted to jump off somewhere on a cheap flight I wouldn't pick CGK. Have been to CGK twice and it has a few places of interest, but it's big and chaotic and doesn't have the rail transit like KUL.

With JOG you could do a quick hit on Borobudur and batik shopping on the Malioboro. There's also KCH, which is compact, has some charm and has several national parks around it. Brunei is also compact and a unique and different kind of place.

I agree with the suggestion to visit Singapore. You could fly one way to save time and travel by bus in one direction and stop in Melacca enroute. With just five days, I'd spend more time in Singapore than KL. If Melacca and Singapore appeals to you, there are buses that travel from Melacca directly to KUL airport.

Another option is Siem Reap, Cambodia. Flights from KL aren't expensive, but MH flights aren't daily and you'd need to check if the flight schedule works with your travel dates. I would spend more time in SR than KL, hotels in SR are very cheap and hiring a private tuk tuk driver for a day isn't expensive either.

I wouldn't recommend carting off to Indonesia or any other country. I think one reasonable option to Melaka-Singapore has already been given. Another is to head north to Penang, which I think would be my preference.

Return journey, 8 hours' stopover, I think I probably wouldn't go into town. If you are the type that doesn't sleep well on flights, might consider booking a block of hours at the KLIA Transit Hotel and getting rest and a shower. Or just see how you feel, see what the weather is, and make it up as you go. If you have lounge access in KLIA, that would help pass the time if you elect not to leave.

If you insist on going to Jakarta, let me know if you have any specific questions. However, since you mentioned early next year, that's generally considered its rainy season (it depends, but say October-March).

You might want to check out Penang and/or Malacca, both in (West) Malaysia, and both with transit options from KL (perhaps from KUL too).

Thanks, guys.

I've been to Singapore several times, so wanted to go to see some place new. I did Siem reap in 2011, Brunei maybe an option though.

I'm not too worried about the hassles of Jakarta (my other trips this year include Afghanistan & Botswana).

It will be the first week of March, so I hope the rain isn't too bad(?). I guess I can cope anyway:.

Jakarta's a great choice. Reward yourself by getting to know somewhere most visitors seem to write off immediately.

But on the other hand Malaysia has plenty to offer - Penang, Sarawak and lots more. Then there's Cambodian and vietnam: Air Asia has really opened up the region.

But you've only got a few days - so chose wisely!

If you're set on Jakarta, then amend your day-by-day slightly so you are in KUL day before your AKL flight leaves. As in:
Day 1--arrive KUL and rest of day/overnight at KL.
Day 2--fly to CGK and rest of day Jakarta
Day 3--Jakarta
Day 4--fly back to KUL. Jakarta/KL split depends on flight timing. Overnight KL.
Day 5--KL until time to go to KUL for onward

I don't think you need that much time in KL and there's no problem with splitting up the sightseeing some before, some after Jakarta.

He was going to use a couple of those days for KL, so he doesn't actually have "a few days." Just because others blare klaxons at the notion of visiting Jakarta doesn't mean the OP will.

Logistically speaking however, as much as I don't wish to promote Malaysia, Penang or Malacca could be worth the trip.

It always worries me when my (to me) perfectly clear message gets misunderstood.

We are probably batting on the same wicket. I am offended that JKT inevitably gets bad press, and I would love to OP to try the place. Yet I recognise Malaysia and the wider region have more easily-loved places to visit.

The OP has 5 days. Two or three for KL, so two or three for elsewhere. For me, two or three is a few, and for that reason I suggested the OP select his destination carefully.

I'm curious about the defensiveness RE: Jakarta. I didn't even realize it got bad press, at least not more than any other SE Asian capital. I found Jakarta surprisingly fine and easily holding my interest for 2-3 days. Friendly people and the supposed nightmare of traffic, chaos, etc. didn't materialize--or maybe I'm so used to Asian cities that I'm immune to it. My recommendation to not spend this brief time ex-KUL heading to Jakarta was based on logistics, not dislike. It just seems to make more logistical sense to spend the extra time in Malaysia and put Jakarta on a trip with more of Indonesia/Java at a future date.

KLIA and LCCT airports are about midway between KL and Melaka. The shuttle bus to KL Sentral usually takes about 90 minutes, shuttle to Melaka takes 2 hrs. This makes Melaka a nice place to spend a couple days as an extended layover.

I had a stopover in Jakarta. I was glad to leave there the next day.