Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, filled with some of the richest cuisines and most vibrant cultures in Southeast Asia. Whether you are there to indulge in the bustling heart of Kuala Lumpur or relax in breathtaking beaches and rainforests, you are bound to fall in love with this exotic wonderland. Incredible food, friendly locals and a culture like no other, Malaysia is a must for any wanderlust traveller.
MYR
Asia
The money
The official currency of Malaysia is the ringgit and is abbreviated to the currency code RM or MYR. Each ringgit is divided into 100 sen and is issued by the Bank Negara Malaysia.Translated from Malay, ringgit is the - now obsolete - term for ‘jagged’; named as such due to the serrated edges of silver Spanish dollar coins used during the Portuguese colonial era. The ringgit was introduced in 1993 to replace the Malaysian dollar, which was used from 1967. The most commonly used bills for Malaysian ringgit are the 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 notes.
- Currency
- Malaysian Ringgit
- Code
- MYR
- Symbol
- RM
- One Australian dollar
- 2.7762 MYR
Bank notes
- RM 1
- RM 5
- RM 10
- RM 20
- RM 50
- RM 100
Coins
- 5 sen
- 10 sen
- 20 sen
- 50 sen
We supply notes only. Coins are listed so you know what the change in your pocket is worth.
What things cost in Malaysia
The left column is what the guide records locally. The right column is that same figure through today’s rate — the arithmetic we would do for you at the counter, done here instead.
| Everyday price | Ringgit | Australian dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range restaurant | 60 | A$21.61 |
| Bottle of water | 1.3 | A$0.47 |
| Tourist T-shirt | 30 | A$10.81 |
Converted at 1 AUD = 2.7762 MYR, our online rate as at 19 Sep 2026, 08:28. Local prices are a guide to what you will pay, not a quote.
Before you go
- Avoid tourist traps and eat locally. Sometimes the most dodgy looking restaurants turn out to be the best places to eat. Malaysian cuisine is most authentic when it is eaten from local street vendors who cook the food right in front of you. Although there are plenty of luxurious hotels which offer a vast selection of dishes, the best way to indulge in true Malaysian cuisine is to buy locally; not only is it cheaper, but the taste will be all the more genuine.
- Avoid tap water. Drinking tap water in Malaysia is not recommended. Although the water is cleaner than some of its neighbours, it is safest to drink from bottled water when possible. A great method is to buy a large jug of water (up to 5 litres from a supermarket or convenience store) and fill up your water bottle regularly whenever you go out!
- Bring a jacket for when you go inside restaurants or shopping malls. Although the weather can be immensely hot in Malaysia, most buildings are very well air conditioned. As a result, shopping malls can feel like Antarctica when compared to the weather outside. Bring a jacket with you when you plan to go shopping or eat in an upscale restaurant to avoid freezing!
- Dress appropriately for where you go. Bring a lot of loose fitting clothes to help you survive the humidity. In saying that, Malaysia is still a conservative nation with a wide range of religious groups and values where over revealing clothes can be seen as particularly disrespectful. This is especially true if visiting any religious sites! Hence it is highly recommended that you take a scarf or sarong with you whenever you plan to go to a place of worship to cover up bare skin when needed.
- Consider downloading the app Grab for taxis. Similar to Uber, Grab is a car transportation app that is extremely popular in Southeast Asia. It is convenient and cheap to use and has slowly become a more popular transportation service than conventional taxis. Although a walk is always good for your health, Grab makes getting to certain destinations faster and also offers greater independence than public transport!
Malaysia, photographed
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Petronas Twin Towers — view full size
Petronas Twin Towers -
Batu Caves — view full size
Batu Caves -
Menara Kuala Lumpur — view full size
Menara Kuala Lumpur -
Resorts World Genting — view full size
Resorts World Genting -
Dataran Merdeka — view full size
Dataran Merdeka
Order your MYR before you fly
Order online at today’s rate and collect it at the Ringwood counter, or have it delivered. The rate on this page is the rate we transact at.