Day trips from KL for families

July 15, 2020

Sometimes you just need a little break from the city. It’s always nice to get out of the city for a change… Travel sensibly and stay safe!

Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands is just under an hour away and high enough for the air to be pleasantly cool. While the complex itself is anything but relaxing (shopping, casinos, indoor theme park) the cable car alone is worth the trip, and the Chinese temple is a beautiful spot to stretch your legs. The outlets at the bottom of the cable car may appeal to some. Read more on Genting Highlands with kids!
Driving time: 1 hour

Waterfalls

There are many waterfalls within an easy drive from KL, but one of the coolest are without doubt the Chiling Falls – also one of our absolute day trips from KL! Read more about Chiling Falls. Only open on weekends and sometimes closes down during the rainy season so check before heading out! Pack a picnic, enough drinks, be ready to get wet and enjoy a sporty day!
Driving time: 1,5 hours

Fishing with kids near KL

Some kids are fishing fanatics, and if you thought there is nowhere to take them in our beloved urban KL, you are wrong! There are quite a few places, and we have tried a few of them – read the full list here!
Driving time: about 1hr

fishing in behrang with kids - Happy Go KL

Sekinchan

Instagram-worthy paddy fields (seasonal!), seafood and kite-flying on the beach. This small town has turned into a popular weekend destination for day-tripping city folks and is not really a sleepy village anymore, but a fun quick trip anyhow. More on a day trip to Sekinchan !
Driving time: 1 hour

Farm in the City

Not a farm but more like a zoo, Farm in the City is a good half-day trip for the kids. Unlike in the zoo, they can pet and feed many of the animals. They opened on 12 July again. Read more here!
Driving time: 30-45 minutes

Bukit Tinggi

Another respite from the heat in KL, Bukit Tinggi can be done in a morning, or you can visit all the attractions and make it a whole day out. Our favourite is the low-key botanical gardens and the Japanese garden, but Colmar Tropical is the main attraction here with the Alpine village and restaurants. Read more on our day trip to Bukit Tinggi here!
Driving time: 1 hour

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

The Elephant Sanctuary is obviously nothing like the famous, ethically run elephant parks in Thailand, but if you haven’t got the chance to travel far, it’s a good day out. There is a deer park next door. Read more here!
Driving time: 2 hours

Fraser’s Hill

Fraser’s Hill has short, child-friendly walks and a few small attractions – enough for a short trip. The drive is a bit long and windy for a day-trip, so you could spend a night here too. Find out what we did in Fraser’s hill with kids.
Driving time: 2 hours

Melaka

Melaka has quite a few things to do, so if you are only going for a day you need to prioritise. Walk around the old town, take a rikshaw tour, eat chicken and rice and pop into a museum – and you’ve got a fun day out. If the traffic is bad, you’ll end up spending a bit more time on the road so can always stay overnight – have a look here for our favourite hotels in Melaka. Read this post on what to do in Melaka!
Driving time: 2 hours

Port Dickson

Many choose to spend a night in one of the resorts, but Port Dickson can be enjoyed on a day trip from KL, too. And there is more to this little town than the beaches, like some family-friendly trails and the rather interesting Port Dickson Army museum.
Driving time: 1,5 hours

FRIM

The canopy walkway is now closed, but you can still go and enjoy the biking, trails and the waterfall and have a lovely day out in the greenery at FRIM.
Driving time: 30 minutes

Ipoh

There are kid-friendly things to do in Ipoh and just outside the town. One day may not be enough if you want to fit in a visit to the Lost World of Tambun! Read more on what to do in Ipoh with kids here!
Driving time: 2 hours

Sunway Lagoon

A day in Sunway Lagoon water and theme park counts as a day-trip, right? Click here for our review on the park.
Driving time: 30-45 minutes

Fireflies in Kuala Selangor

Kuala Selangor is a popular destination for day-trips from KL, or rather and evening trip. The usual itinerary goes: Bukit Melawati, seafood dinner and a trip on the river to see the fireflies. Read more about what we did here.
Driving time: 45 minutes

Sky Mirror

Sky Mirror is a sandbar off the mouth of Kuala Selangor which appears twice a month. From the jetty at Kuala Selangor a fast boat takes you on a 30 minute journey down the river to Sky Mirror, where you can get these amazing photos. Read our trip report from Sky Mirror here.

Rafting and caving in Gopeng

Who knew there is white water rafting near KL? We tried some out in Gopeng, and while we stayed overnight both caving and rafting would work as day trips from KL. More about our experience here.
Driving time: 2 hours

gopeng white water rafting with kids - Happy Go KL

Sepang coast

If you just fancy a drive with a few stops along the way, then consider driving down to the nearest seashore around Sepang. Along the way you can stop for a break at the beach of Pantai Kelanang (not good for swimming though), Kuan Wellness park to learn about bird’s nest production and in Tanjung Sepat for seafood and a few pieces of cool street art. Read more here.

There are a few more day trips on our day trip to-do list – at least Pulau Ketam – stay tuned for more ideas. If your favourite day trip is not on the list, please drop a comment below.

Tip: please do check with all places above about current SOPs before heading over!

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Lattemama

Kirsi aka Lattemama left behind the cooler Nordic climates six years ago, and her two kids have grown to think of KL as home and regularly end their sentences with “lah”. She loves a good coffee and a book but after juggling work and taxi duties often ends up with a glass of wine and a sitcom instead. She appreciates the generous public holidays of Malaysia and loves to use them for exploring the region with the family.