applynow

Shopping in Malaysia

Find Programs
(Bachelor's, Master's & PhD)

Shopping opportunities in Malaysia

The shopping experience in Malaysia is certainly a memorable, exciting and rewarding one which all international students should look forward to. Being a huge tourist destination, Malaysia offers the best of both worlds with domestic and international good readily available throughout the country’s major cities.

Shopping places in Malaysia are so diverse and limitless ranging from street markets, speciality shops and your local neighbourhood stores to the mega clothing line factories and super shopping malls in the CBD.

Students would also be glad to know that most open markets or downtown shops allow students to bargain and get away with better deals, while in more upmarket and posh shopping areas student discounts (on showing your student card) are also quite prevalent.

Some of the best-ranked cities to shop in Malaysia, offering a wide range of goods and services are:

  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Penang
  • Langkawi and Labuan islands

Being a former British colony, English as the medium of communication also plays in students’ favour, allowing them to buy what they want with the most minimal language barrier. When shopping in Malaysia both credit and debit cards are accepted while banks and ATm’s are a regular feature throughout cities making access to money easy and convenient.

The in the Malaysian Ringgit is the main currency exchange however other international currencies such as the pound and dollar are usually accepted. In terms of prices of various commodities and services here’s an estimation of what to expect and look forward to:

Food

  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) CBD (€3.82)
  • Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar (€3.10)
  • 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast (€1.55)
  • 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk     (€1.55)
  • 12 eggs, large (€1.62)
  • 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes (€0.97)
  • 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese (€4.43)
  • 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples (€1.98)
  • 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes (€0.92)
  • 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket (€2.31)
  • 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality (€13)
  • 2 liters of Coca-Cola (€0.91)
  • Bread for 2 people for 1 day (€0.67)

Housing            

  • Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area RM3,037, (€640)
  • Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area, RM1,785,  (€377)
  • Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat     RM221  (€47)
  • Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area RM2,393  ,  (€505)
  • Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area RM1,405, (€296)
  • Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio,  RM172  (€36)
  • Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)  ,  RM126  (€26)
  • 40” flat screen TV, RM1,715, (€362)
  • Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands)     RM451  (€95)
  • Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) ,RM18,  (€3.73)
  • Hourly rate for cleaning help       RM26    (€5.57)

Clothes

  • 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) (€62)
  • 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) (€31)
  • 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) (€59)
  • 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes (€60)

Transportation

  • 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas (€0.46)
  • Monthly ticket public transport (€30)
  • Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) (€4.93)

Personal Care   

  • Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) (€3.34)
  • 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses)    (€4.16)
  • Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes)              (€14)
  • 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) (€3.90)
  • Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) (€1.96)
  • Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) (€3.24)
  • 4 rolls of toilet paper (€1.14)
  • Tube of toothpaste (€1.16)
  • Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city  (€8)

Entertainment

  •  Basic dinner out for two in neighbourhood pub (€16)
  • 2 tickets to the movies (€7)
  • 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) (€35)
  • Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetizers, main course, wine and dessert  (€29)
  • 1 cocktail drink in downtown club (€6)
  • Cappuccino in expat area of the city (€3.24)
  • 1 beer in neighborhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) (€4.24)
  • iPad Wi-Fi 128GB (€411)
  • 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) (€0.06)
  • 1 month of gym membership CBD(€37)

 

How RocApply Works