Kuala Krai Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Kuala Krai is a convenient on the Jungle Railway in Malaysia. It is a relaxed town with a good food scene, a mini zoo as well as a number of parks and other attractions. Kuala Krai is in the Muslim heartland of Malaysia, which can be seen in its beautiful mosques, conservative values as well as limited availability of alcohol. Set on the Kelantan River, this town is surrounded by nature. Prior to the 20^th century this whole area was a tropical rain forest. Kuala Krai is an inland town that is well connected to other parts of Malaysia by rail and also by road. Find out more in this Kuala Krai destination guide.

What is Kuala Krai Malaysia famous for?

Kuala Krai’s main attraction is the Kuala Krai Mini Zoo. This local zoo re-opened in 2022 after a 17 year hiatus. The zoo is home to over 50 species of animals, including elephants, hornbills and camels. Kuala Krai’s other notable feature is its train station on the Malaysian jungle railway. The town has experienced several major floods over its history, with the biggest flood to date occurring in 2013.

Why you should visit Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai is a nice place to break up your trip when travelling along the Jungle Railway in the north eastern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The town has a number of family-friendly attractions including the mini zoo as well as some scenic parks. Kuala Krai also has a good range of eateries available including fast food options as well as local restaurants and street food. Be sure to try the ABC Lava D’Tasik Krai Cafe while you’re there – it’s huge and very satisfying! Your sweet tooth will be in for a treat in Kuala Krai, with coconut shakes and Malaysian desserts being particularly enjoyable.

Kuala Krai Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Kuala Krai Malaysia

• City name in other scripts – كوالا كراي (Jawi), 瓜拉吉赖 (Chinese), கோலா கிராய் (Tamil)
• Language – Malay. Kelantan Malay is a dialect of Malay spoken in Kuala Krai. There are 10 dialects of Malay used throughout thought the country, with Standard Malay being the unifying language. English is becoming more widely spoken in the country. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English. Mandarin Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Tamil, other Indian languages as well as Creole are spoken by the various ethnic groups that live in Malaysia.
• Currency – Malaysian ringgit (MYR). This has been the official currency of Malaysia since 1967. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 19,500 (2000)
• Area – 726.9 km² (281 sq mi)
• District – Kuala Krai
• State – Kelantan
• Emergency number – 999
• Police number – 999

Utilities in Kuala Krai Malaysia

• Electricity – Malaysia uses Type G power plugs. The country operates on a 240v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are reasonably common in Malaysia.
• Water – the tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Whilst tap water is usually treated, pipes may be old. Therefore most locals boil their water or use a water filter just to be safe.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets as well as Asian style squat toilets are common in Malaysia. Toilets generally come equipped with a spray hose (sometimes referred to as a Muslim shower). The spray hose is like a European bidet and is used for cleaning personal areas as an alternative to toilet paper. All of the accommodation we stayed in throughout the country was equipped with the western style sit-down flushing toilets with spray hoses. Toilet paper is also usually provided. Don’t flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. The use of bathroom slippers is customary and is provided in accommodation and sometimes also in public bathrooms. Public bathrooms often offer both sit-down and squat style toilets. Public toilets are common in Malaysia. The charge is usually around 30-50 sens.
• Telephone country code: +60

Where is Kuala Krai Malaysia?

Kuala Krai is in the Kuala Krai district in the middle of the state of Kelantan Malaysia. This town is on the Kelantan River, which then branches off into Galas River and the Lebir River. Kuala Krai is also on Malaysia’s Jungle Railway (also known as KTM Intercity Eastern Sector). Furthermore, the town is close to the road Federal Route 8, which conntects Kota Bharu with Kuala Lumpur. The town is at the northern end of Peninsular Malaysia, one hour drive from the border with Thailand.

The closest towns to Kuala Krai are Jerteh, Dabong and Kota Bharu. Kuala Krai is 1 hour by car from Jerteh, 1.25 hours by car from Dabong and 1.5 hours by car from Kota Bharu.

How to get to Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai destination guide: Arriving by land

Kuala Krai Malaysia intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Kuala Krai Malaysia are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Train
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Kuala Krai from within Malaysia

If you are driving to Kuala Krai from within Malaysia, here are the travel times and distances:

• Dabong, Kelantan – 1 hour 19 minutes (81km, 50miles) without tolls
• Kota Bharu, Kelatan – 1 hour 23 minutes (75km, 46miles) without tolls
• Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu – 2 hours 52 minutes (166km, 103miles) without tolls
• Kuantan, Pahang – 4 hours 34 minutes (360km, 224miles) with tolls or 5 hours 20 minutes (352km, 219miles) without tolls
• George Town, Penang – 5 hours 15 minutes (334km, 208miles) with tolls or 5 hours 30 minutes (340km, 211miles) without tolls
• Kuala Lumpur – 4 hours 56 minutes (370km, 230miles) with tolls or 5 hours 46 minutes (375km, 233miles) without tolls
• Malacca, Malacca – 7 hours 2 minutes (467km, 290miles) with tolls or 7 hours 32 minutes (467km, 290miles) without tolls
• Johor Bahru, Johor – 6 hours 47 minutes (512km, 318miles) with tolls or 7 hours 39 minutes (508km, 316miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai is a station on the Malaysian Jungle Railway. This line runs from Tumpat (near Kota Bharu) to Gemas.

Intercity buses to Kuala Krai Malaysia

A common way to get around Malaysia is by using intercity buses. These are budget friendly and the network is extensive. Intercity bus companies in Malaysia include KKKL Express as well as S&S International.

Popular bus destinations from Kuala Krai include:

• Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – travel time 6 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 35 ringgit one way.
• Kota Bharu Malaysia – travel time 1 hour 20 minutes. Tickets start from 6 ringgit one way.
• Gombak Malaysia – travel time 8 hours 44 minutes. Tickets start from 44 ringgit one way.

Kuala Krai destination guide: Arriving by air

The closest airport to Kuala Krai is Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (Airport code KBR). This airport is 82km (51 miles) away.

Other nearby airports include:

• Narathiwat Airport, Thailand (Airport code NAW). This airport is 159km (99 miles) away.
• Sultan Mahmud Airport (Airport code TGG). This airport is 161km (100 miles) away.
• Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (Airport code AOR). This airport is 365km (227 miles) away.

The national airline of Malaysia is Malaysia Airlines.

Kuala Krai destination guide: Arriving by boat

There are river cruises between Kuala Krai and Dabong. The journey takes 2 hours. The boat from Kuala Krai to Dabong leaves at 10am and the boat from Dabong to Kuala Krai leaves at 3:15pm. Please note that there are no boats on Fridays.

Kuala Krai destination guide: How to get around Kuala Krai Malaysia

Walking in Kuala Krai Malaysia

By far the easiest and cheapest way to get around Kuala Krai is to walk. Most of the main attractions in the town are within easy walking distance.

Local buses in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Local buses service Kuala Krai.

Trams in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai does not have a tram system.

Local trains in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai does not have a local train line.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai does not have an underground train line.

Vehicle hire in Kuala Krai Malaysia

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Malaysia. This includes:

• Electric scooters
• Bicycles
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Boats

In Malaysia they drive on the left side of the road.

Taxis in Malaysia

Taxis are common in Malaysia. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. However taxi drivers in Malaysia do not have the best reputation, which is why alternative services like Grab are very popular.

In general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle.
• Airport surcharge – this is an additional fixed fee for travelling to an airport.
• Price per kilometre – the rate is double between midnight and 6am.
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.
• Surcharge for more than 2 adult passengers – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Surcharge for using the luggage compartment – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Surcharge for booking by phone – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Road toll charges

Check that the meter gets switched on at the start of your journey at the right rate. We also recommend bringing enough change in cash as drivers generally only accept cash and may not have change.

Alternatively, if booking in advance the fare may be a fixed price that is agreed on before the trip. Some taxis also operate on a pre-paid coupon system where the coupon is purchased from a counter at the airport.

It is not necessary or expected to tip taxi drivers in Malaysia.

Ride-share services in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Grab is the main app based ride-hailing service in Malaysia. Other ride-share services in Malaysia include MyCar, MULA, DACSEE, EzCar, inDriver as well as the women only service Riding Pink. Uber no longers operates in Malaysia after Grab acquired all of its Southeast Asia assets. Lyft services only Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia via its Grab partnership.

Kuala Krai destination guide: Is Kuala Krai Malaysia worth visiting?

Kuala Krai is a relaxed town with some nice parks, some great food options and a mini-zoo. Being on Malaysia’s jungle railway, it’s a good place to stop on your journey. However we wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit Kuala Krai.

Kuala Krai destination guide: How long to spend in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai is a quiet town with strong traditional Muslim influences and a family-friendly atmosphere. Malaysia is a country filled with delicious food options, and Kuala Krai is no exception. We enjoyed finding the best local food in the town and also went to a fast food restaurant while we were here. Kuala Krai is perfect for a short stop over on your way to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. We recommend stopping for a couple of hours or perhaps overnight.

Kuala Krai destination guide: What to do in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai is a scenic Malaysian town with a number of interesting activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Kuala Krai destination guide: Free things to do in Kuala Krai Malaysia

There are enough free activities in Kuala Krai Malaysia to keep you entertained for a few hours:

• Laman Tamu, Taman Tasik Krai
• Tangga Krai
• Masjid Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra
• Persimpangan Krai Central Park

Kuala Krai destination guide: Paid activities in Kuala Krai Malaysia

A number of attractions in Kuala Krai Malaysia charge an entry fee:

• Kuala Krai Mini Zoo – entry fee is 30 ringgit for foreign adults (as at 2022).

Weather in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai has a tropical climate with hot temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. May is the hottest month in Kuala Krai with an average temperature range of 23°C to 31°C (74°F to 88°F), while January is the coldest month with an average temperature range of 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 81°F). There are two monsoon seasons in Malaysia which affect different parts of the country at different times. Kuala Krai is affected by the Northeast Monsoon from November to early March, which is typically the rainiest monsoon season. Conversely, the Southwest Monsoon from June to September does not impact Kuala Krai. The intermonsoonal period between the two monsoons is from March through June and is the hottest and most uncomfortable weather of the year.

Best time to visit Kuala Krai Malaysia

The best time of year to visit Kuala Krai is from late December to March when the weather is the most favourable.

Internet and mobile phones in Malaysia

Major internet and phone companies in Malaysia – Celcom, Digi, Hotlink (Maxis), U Mobile, UniFi Mobile, Tune Talk, Yes, XOX Mobile / ONEXOX, redONE, Yoodo, Telekom Malaysia and Time dotCom.

5G has been in Malaysia since December 2021. 2G will not be be switched off in Malaysia. 3G is was switched off in March 2022.

Malaysia is ranked 61^st fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 38^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 90mbps and upload is 51mbps (as at October 2022).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in a numbers of places throughout Malaysia. These include phone stores, in shopping malls, at bus stations as well as at airports. Some form of ID, such as a passport, is required in order to purchase a SIM card in Malaysia.

How much to budget for Kuala Krai Malaysia?

Is Kuala Krai Malaysia expensive?

If you are looking for a low-cost and authentic destination in Malaysia, Kuala Krai might be the perfect choice for you. You can savor the delicious local food, discover the natural wonders nearby, and stay in affordable accommodation. Kuala Krai is also a stop on the scenic jungle railway, which makes it easy and cheap to reach. The town has an authentic atmosphere, so don’t expect any luxury hotels or backpacker hostels here.

Kuala Krai destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Kuala Krai Malaysia

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 150 ringgit per day for a couple will get you hostel accommodation, meals from bakeries and markets, local transport and free or cheap activities such as visiting shopping centres and markets
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 ringgit per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, local transport, restaurant meals and a few paid activities
• Luxury spend – Kuala Krai is not a luxury destination

Kuala Krai destination guide: Accommodation in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Kuala Krai, Malaysia, offers a limited selection of accommodation options. This is a small town, so you won’t find any luxury hotels or dorms here. The accommodation available is generally fairly basic but comfortable. Airbnb operates in Malaysia, and there are a number of Airbnb properties in Kuala Krai. Wifi is not always provided for Airbnb properties in Malaysia, so we recommend checking if it is included in the listing. One thing to keep in mind with hotels in Malaysia is that smoking in hotel rooms is often permitted.

Where to stay in Kuala Krai Malaysia

We recommend the following accommodation in Kuala Krai Malaysia:

• Best hotel in Kuala Krai Malaysia – we stayed at Hotel Mikraj during our time in Kuala Krai. It’s a basic hotel, but it’s in a good location and the staff are nice. Additionally, the prices are quite reasonable. There aren’t too many accommodation options in Kuala Krai and we believe this the best option.

How much is accommodation in Kuala Krai Malaysia?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – there is no dorm accommodation in Kuala Krai. The cheapest accommodation is 43 ringgit for a private room.
• Mid-range accommodation – 75-130 ringgit for a private room.
• Luxury accommodation – there is no luxury accommodation in Kuala Krai.
• Rental property – 185-520 ringgit a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home.

Tourist tax on accommodation in Malaysia

From 1 January 2023 there is a tourist tax of 10 ringgit per accommodation per night in Malaysia. This tax is collected by the property. Permanent residents and Malaysian nationals are exempt from the tax. Furthermore the tourist tax does not apply to homestays and kampung stays registered with the Ministry of Tourism.

Kuala Krai destination guide: Food in Kuala Krai Malaysia

Being right near the border with Thailand, Thai food is very popular in Kuala Krai. The area is also home to a number of regional dishes.

How much does food cost in Kuala Krai Malaysia?

Our price guide for your food budget in Kuala Krai Malaysia is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 30-60 ringgit for a main dish
• Night market or hawker market food – 5-15 ringgit for a dish
• Ais kachang – 4-6 ringgit
• Coffee – 1.50-2.50 ringgit

Regional dishes in Kuala Krai Malaysia

• Nasi tumpang
• Nasi kerabu
• Ayam percik Kelantan
• Nasi kak wok
• Khao Jam
• Laksam
• Nasi Ulam
• Maggi ketam
• Teh madu float

Cheap Eats in Kuala Krai Malaysia

• Bakeries are a great place to get cheap and delicious food.
• Hawker centres in Malaysia are ubiquitous and have excellent budget friendly food. The variety of stalls available means that you have a good range of options to choose from.
• Night markets in Malaysia are another of our go to places for affordable and tasty food. There’s also usually stalls selling items like clothes, toys and shoes in addition to the food stalls.
• Street food is also a very common cheap eat option in Malaysia. You can often find street food around transport hubs as well as scattered in various places around the city.

Kuala Krai Malaysia culture

Weekends in Kelantan Malaysia

Which days are weekdays and weekend days vary in Malaysia depending on the state you’re in. In the state of Kelantan weekdays are Sunday to Thursday and weekends are Friday and Saturday. Keep this in mind as weekends can affect prices and availability (particularly for accommodation). Additionally weekends may impact opening hours as well as how crowded attractions are.

Kelantan public holidays

Malaysia has one of the highest number of public holidays in the world. In total, there are between 18 and 20 public holidays observed in each state. This includes national holidays as well as state based holidays. Public holidays for the state of Kelantan are as follows:

• Chinese New Year’s Day – 1^st day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Chinese New Year Holiday – 2^nd day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Nuzul Al-Quran Day – 17^th day of Ramadan
• Labour Day – 1 May
• Wesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) – May or June, date varies
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri – the last day of Ramadan, date varies
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday – day after the last day of Ramadan, date varies
• Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday (King’s Birthday) – 1^st Monday in June
• Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice) – date varies
• Hari Raya Haji Holiday (Feast of the Sacrifice) – date varies
• Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) – date varies
• Merdeka Day (National Day, Independence Day) – 31 August
• Malaysia Day – 16 September
• Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) – 12^th day of the 3^rd month of the Islamic calendar
• Deepavali – date varies, October or November
• Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday – 11 November
• Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday Holiday – 12 November
• Christmas Day – 25 December

National symbols of Malaysia

• Malaysia flag – 14 alternating red and white stripes with a blue canton with a yellow crescent and 14 pointed star. The Malaysian flag is called the Stripes of Glory.
• Malaysia coat of arms – two tigers supporting a shield with a yellow crescent and a 14 pointed star on top and a yellow banner with words that translate to “Unity is strength” written in both romanised Malay and Jawi at the bottom.
• National flower – hibiscus
• National bird – rhinoceros hornbill
• Malaysia national animal – the Malayan tiger

Malaysia pastimes

• National dish – nasi lemak
• Popular drinks – teh tarik, Ipoh white coffee, milo ais, sirup bandang
• National sport – sepak takraw
• Religion – 64% Islam, 19% Buddhist, 9% Christian, 6% Hindu (as at 2020)

Famous people from Kuala Krai Malaysia

• Famous people born in Kuala Krai Malaysia – Vice-Chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim, writer T. Wignesan, Queen Tengku Budriah, designer Zang Toi.
• Sports stars from Kuala Krai Malaysia – cyclist Loh Sea Keong.

Is Kuala Krai Malaysia Safe?

Malaysia travel guide: Safety in Malaysia

We have spent around 4 months travelling extensively through Malaysia over two separate trips. In our experience the country is extremely safe. Malaysia ranks 18^th safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2022). As with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatching particularly at crowded tourist attractions. In particular, when eating out don’t leave your bag, phone or wallet on the table or next to you where someone can quickly grab it and run away. Instead keep your belongings physically attached to you at all times. Make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Malaysia

Other general safety considerations for travel in Malaysia:

• Drinking water – tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Tap water is usually treated, but pipes may be old. Therefore most locals boil their water or use a water filter.
• Mosquitoes – mosquito borne illnesses are a significant risk in Malaysia, particularly dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Malaysia is in the pre-elimination phase of malaria. While malaria is a greater risk in Malaysian Borneo, there have also been cases on the Malaysian peninsula. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
• Altitude sickness – Malaysia has areas of high altitude and therefore altitude sickness risk. If you visit high altitude areas in Malaysia, allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience signs of altitude sickness, including headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk in Malaysia. While road conditions in Malaysia are generally very good, traffic is often very heavy. Furthermore drivers in Malaysia tend to speed up rather than slowing down for amber lights. We also found that roads in Malaysia are not typically built with pedestrians in mind, and footpaths often stop unexpectedly in busy areas.
• Water safety – take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Malaysia experiences both regional and local earthquake activity. In an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall. If inside, get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.
• Dogs – rabies from rabid dog bites is a risk in Malaysia. For more on dog safety while travelling, check out this video.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

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