Planning a visit to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place!
In this article I have included everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit to Batu Caves. Including where it is, how to get there and key info like opening times, prices and dress code.
With its rainbow staircase and huge golden statue, Batu Caves is one of the most recognisable sights in Malaysia. No trip to Kuala Lumpur would be complete without visiting this iconic Hindu temple.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and discover everything you need to know about this famous Malaysian temple!
Table of Contents
Essentials to book before you read on!
Best Batu Caves & Kuala Lumpur tours
Kuala Lumpur street food tour with 15+ tastings
Batu Caves & Thean Hou Temple Cultural Tour
KL Tower Fast Track Admission Ticket
Best hotels in Kuala Lumpur
Budget: Chinatown Hostel by Mingle
Mid-range: ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Luxury: Ascott Star KLCC
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What are Batu Caves
Batu Caves, Malaysia is a must-visit day trip if you’re staying in Kuala Lumpur.
Set among dramatic karst landscape, the cave complex is home to a number of Hindu shrines and is overlooked by an enormous statue of Murugan, a Hindu god of war.
An important Malaysian national treasure, the Batu Caves draw visitors from far and wide. Almost 300 colourful steps lead up to the cave entrance which doubles as a popular hangout for gangs of macaques.
Once inside the dark entrance to the caves, visitors are greeted by a cavernous dark space hung with jutting stalactites and dotted with several Hindu shrines.
Where is Batu Caves
Batu Caves is located just outside the city. You can see the exact position in the map below.
How to get to Batu Caves
Getting to the Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur is as simple as a quick trip on public transport. Located just over 15 kilometres from the city, there are a few different ways you can get there from the centre of the capital.
By taxi
Taking a taxi is a straightforward way to get to the caves. The journey usually takes between 20 to 35 minutes depending on the traffic and costs around 30 MYR (approximately 6 EUR).
By public transport
The KTM Seremban Line from KL Sentral runs directly to Batu Caves. Taking around 40 minutes, departures leave regularly every hour throughout the day. Tickets cost around 5 MYR (around 1 EUR).
With a tour
Although Batu Caves are well connected by public transport, there’s also the option of joining one of the tours that take groups of travellers to the caves.
Along with picking you up from your accommodation, a tour will also usually include a well-informed guide that will tell you more about this unique temple, and stops at other must-see sights in Kuala Lumpur.
For example this KL temples tour takes you to Batu Caves, but also to Thean Hou Temple and some other must-see spots on any Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
Click here to book your Batu Caves & Thean Hou Temple tour in KL!
Best time to visit the Batu Caves
Visiting the Batu Caves is a really popular day trip from KL for locals and visitors alike. That means that the caves can get busy with crowds of temple-goers, particularly on weekends or national holidays.
If you want to avoid visiting alongside large crowds it’s a good idea to time your visit earlier in the day, arriving for the opening time will mean you’ll miss the peak crowds of the middle of the day.
Plus, in the morning the monkeys are a lot more chill! I’ve heard they tend to get more annoying with tourists with the heat later in the day.
The caves are open to visitors year-round, but the rainy season brings heavy downpours and can make a day trip less fun, especially with all of those stairs to climb!
What is there to do at Batu Caves
Batu Caves are the perfect antidote to life in the busy Malaysian capital.
Spending a few hours there offers up the chance to snap plenty of pictures of the natural karst landscape, take in views from the stairs, meet the local macaque monkeys and be amazed by the interiors of the caves themselves.
Start by being amazed by the 43-metre (140 ft) high golden statue guarding the entrance to the cave.
Then it’s time to climb the steep stairs that head upwards to the mouth of the cave. Along the way, you can meet the monkeys that are usually cheekily trying to get snacks off passers-by.
Inside the caves, there’s the enormous main Temple Cave which is decorated with a collection of Hindu altars and shrines. Further in, the Dark Cave lets the natural landscape of the caves take centre stage.
And then there’s the Ramayana Cave which depicts scenes from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
How long do you need at the Batu Caves?
The main sights of the cave complex can be seen in a couple of hours, but if you want to get a deeper insight into the caves, or see more of the nearby landscape, there’s also the option to join a group tour for a longer day out.
Batu Caves Malaysia dress code
Batu Caves are a Hindu place of worship, which means that when you visit you should make sure to dress appropriately. Both men and women should opt for more modest clothing that covers their knees and shoulders.
Batu Caves opening hours & entrance fees
The Batu Caves, KL are open every day from 6AM to 9PM, and are free for visitors to enter.
Best Batu Caves tour package
Visit the Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur on this half-day tour which also includes a visit to other interesting sights.
After getting picked up from your accommodation, the tour includes a visit to a large pewter factor which is well-known for high-quality craftsmanship.
Then it’s on to a batik factory to learn about the creative process before heading to Batu Caves for a tour of the temples. The day ends with a drive past local small villages on the way back to the city.
Click here to book a half-day tour to Batu Caves in KL, Malaysia!
Private KL City Tour with Petronas Twin Towers & Batu Caves
Opt for this Batu Caves tour package to spend the day ticking off some of the area’s main sights.
The day begins with a driver picking you up from your accommodation and whisking you to the Petronas Twin Towers to take in the views from the Observation Deck and Skybridge.
The day then continues with a number of stops around the city including Merdeka Square (Independence Square), the Istana Negara (King’s Palace) and the colourful Central Market.
Finally, you’ll then be driven to Batu Caves to explore the cave complex.
Click here to see prices & availability for a private Batu Caves & KL city centre tour!
Batu Caves Cultural Temple Tour
If you want to discover more about the culture of the capital, this is the tour for you. The journey starts with a 30-minute drive out to Batu Caves where you can spend time discovering the numerous shrines inside.
The guide will explain the history and the religious significance of the cave. After, it’s time to head to Thean Hou Temple which boasts an impressive 6-tiered pagoda temple atop Robson Heights.
Back in the capital, you will then have the chance to tour the foodie hot spots around Chinatown and round up the day with a visit to the National Mosque of Malaysia.
Click here to book your Batu Caves & Thean Hou Temple tour in KL!
This Batu Caves day trip makes visiting the caves an easy half-day adventure. Starting with getting picked up from your hotel, the tour includes the chance to see the city’s historic sights and gleaming modern architecture.
On the way to Batu Caves, you’ll stop at the Petronas Twin Towers and the shining central business district called the Golden Triangle, along with impressive architecture around Independence Square.
Check out prices & availability for your Batu Caves & City Tour in Kuala Lumpur here!
Where to stay to visit Batu Caves
Given its position outside the city, I don’t recommend staying close to Batu Caves. It’s better to stay central in KL, and then from there travel to Batu Caves for the day to visit them. Here are some great options for every budget.
Budget – Chinatown Hostel by Mingle: Located among the sights and sounds of KL’s Chinatown, this cool hostel is the place to base yourself on a budget.
Click here to book your stay at Chinatown Hostel by Mingle in Kuala Lumpur!
Mid-range – ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre: This branch of the international chain Ibis is located right in the middle of KL. It’s modern and polished, with comfortable rooms equipped with all the amenities you’ll need.
Click here to see prices & availability at ibis KLCC!
Luxury – Ascott Star KLCC: Treat yourself to an incredible stay at this high-end gem. Rooms come in a range of sizes and include private kitchenettes so you can make yourself at home.
Don’t miss out, click here to book your stay at Ascott Star KLCC!
Final thoughts on visiting Batu Caves
There you have it, the ultimate guide to visiting Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Have you visited this beautiful Hindu temple before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
There is no denying that Batu Caves is one of the most impressive sights in Malaysia. We saw also the temples of Georgetown and Ipoh, but Batu Caves is way more striking.
Personally I enjoy natural sights like the tea plantations in Cameron Highlands or the waterfalls in Langkawi more, but the combination of cultural heritage with the unique limestone rock formations of the caves, makes Batu Caves unique also for nature lovers.
I hope you found my Batu Caves guide useful. If you still have any questions about visiting Batu Caves, just let me know in the comments below!
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