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Travel Treat Together is a travel blog for working professionals who want to see the world without quitting their jobs. Explore destination guides, itineraries and stories from across Asia and beyond.
A whole entertainment city on a mountain, an hour from KL. How to get there, the cable car, what to do, what to eat and what it costs.
Hey everyone! Welcome back! š
So, in my last post, I talked about the incredible festivals in Malaysia and how my May 2016 trip to Kuala Lumpur completely changed the way I see this country. Well, today I’m continuing that same Malaysia story ā but this time, we’re heading UP. Way up. Into the clouds, actually.
I’m talking about Genting Highlands.
If you’ve never heard of it, let me give you the quick version: imagine a massive entertainment city sitting on top of a mountain, about 6,000 feet above sea level, just one hour from Kuala Lumpur. Theme parks, a casino, hotels, shopping malls, cool misty weather, and a cable car ride that will make your stomach drop (in the best way possible).
Sounds crazy, right? That’s exactly what I thought when my hotel receptionist in KL first suggested it. I said, “Wait, there’s a whole city on top of a mountain?” And she just laughed and said, “You have to see it to believe it.”
So I went. And honestly? It was one of the most fun day trips I’ve ever taken in Southeast Asia.
Today, I’m going to break down everything you need to know about planning a Genting Highlands day trip ā how to get there, what to do, what to eat, what to skip, and all the little tips I wish someone had told me before I went.
Let’s go! š ā°ļø
Genting Highlands (home of Resorts World Genting) is a hill resort in the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border of Pahang and Selangor. It sits at about 1,800 metres (6,000 feet) above sea level, which means the weather up there is completely different from the hot, humid chaos of KL.
Think cool breezes, misty clouds rolling through the buildings, and temperatures that can drop to around 15Ā°C at night. In Malaysia! Where it’s normally 33Ā°C everywhere! It feels surreal.
The resort was started by Lim Goh Tong in the 1960s ā and the story behind it is actually fascinating. He had this wild dream of building a resort on top of a mountain in the middle of the jungle. Everyone told him he was crazy. He did it anyway. Today, it’s one of the biggest entertainment complexes in Asia.
And the best part? You can experience a lot of this in a single day trip from KL.
This is the question I get asked the most, so let me break it down clearly. Genting Highlands is about 50ā60 km from Kuala Lumpur, and there are three main ways to get there.
This is what I did, and I’d recommend it to most travelers.
If you’re traveling in a group of 3ā4 people, this can actually be quite economical.
If you’re comfortable on steep, winding mountain roads, you can rent a car and drive up yourself.
For solo travelers or couples on a budget ā bus + cable car. It’s cheap, easy, and the cable car ride is an experience in itself. For families or groups ā Grab is the most stress-free option.
Okay, I need to talk about this separately because the Awana SkyWay deserves its own spotlight.
This isn’t just transportation. It’s an attraction.
The cable car takes you from Awana Station at the base all the way up to SkyAvenue Station at the top. The ride covers about 2.8 km and takes roughly 10ā15 minutes.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Operating hours | Early morning to late night (hours can change on weekends and holidays) |
| Standard gondola | Around RM 10 one way |
| Glass-floor gondola | A little more than standard |
| Duration | 10ā15 minutes |
| Best time to ride | Morning (clearer views, less fog) |
My personal tip: Go early in the morning. By afternoon, fog often rolls in and you might not see much from the cable car. I went around 9 AM and the views were crystal clear. By 3 PM, everything was white mist.
Alright, this is the fun part. Here’s what you can actually do up there during your Genting Highlands day trip.
The newest and biggest attraction at Genting. Genting SkyWorlds opened in 2022 and has rides and zones themed on popular films.
SkyWorlds opened long after my 2016 trip, so check the latest rides and prices on the official website before you go.
If you don’t want to deal with the weather or you’re traveling with younger kids, Skytropolis is a colourful indoor theme park inside First World Plaza.
Malaysia’s only legal casino, and it’s a big deal. The casino floor is massive, with slot machines and table games.
A giant lifestyle mall right at the top of the mountain ā think shopping mall crossed with an entertainment complex.
A cute little farm a short drive from the main resort area where you can pick your own strawberries.
Remember the cable car stop? This Taoist temple is built into the side of the mountain and has wide views of the jungle and valleys.
You won’t go hungry up here. Genting has a surprising number of food options, from cheap food courts to fancy restaurants.
– Food courts at SkyAvenue and First World Plaza: Huge variety ā Malay, Chinese, Indian, Western, Japanese. A plate of nasi lemak or chicken rice is the cheapest way to eat up here. – Burger & Lobster: Yes, the London chain has an outlet at Genting. Their lobster burgers are insane. Pricey, but worth it as a treat.
– Hotel restaurants: The resort hotels have sit-down restaurants for a nicer dinner. – Korean BBQ: There are a few spots around SkyAvenue if you’re craving grilled meat.
Eat at a food court for lunch to save money, then treat yourself to a nicer dinner. And definitely grab a hot chocolate or teh tarik from one of the cafĆ©s ā sipping a warm drink while looking out at the misty mountains is a vibe.
This is where most first-time visitors mess up, so listen carefully!
Genting Highlands is COLD compared to the rest of Malaysia.
| Time of day | Temperature | Feels like |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 18ā22Ā°C | Cool and fresh |
| Afternoon | 20ā25Ā°C | Pleasant |
| Evening / night | 14ā18Ā°C | Chilly! |
You’re going from 33Ā°C in KL to around 18Ā°C at the top. Your body will notice.
– ā Light jacket or hoodie (absolute must!) – ā Long pants or jeans – ā Closed shoes (sneakers are perfect) – ā Light scarf if you get cold easily – ā Don’t wear shorts and flip-flops ā you’ll freeze, and the casino won’t let you in anyway.
My mistake: I showed up in a t-shirt and shorts because it was blazing hot in KL that morning. By noon at Genting, I was shivering and had to buy an overpriced hoodie from a souvenir shop. Learn from my stupidity. š
Here’s a realistic Genting Highlands day trip itinerary based on my experience:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Leave KL (bus or Grab) |
| 8:15 AM | Arrive at Awana Bus Terminal |
| 8:30 AM | Board the Awana SkyWay cable car |
| 8:45 AM | Stop at Chin Swee Caves Temple ā explore for 45 mins |
| 9:45 AM | Continue up by cable car |
| 10:00 AM | Arrive at SkyAvenue ā breakfast or coffee |
| 11:00 AM | Genting SkyWorlds or Skytropolis |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at a food court |
| 2:00 PM | Explore SkyAvenue |
| 3:30 PM | Casino walk-through (21+, bring ID) |
| 4:30 PM | Strawberry farm (if time permits) |
| 5:30 PM | Early dinner |
| 6:30 PM | Cable car back down to Awana |
| 7:00 PM | Bus back to KL |
| 8:15 PM | Arrive in KL |
This gives you a full day without feeling rushed. If you want more time at the theme park, skip the casino or the strawberry farm.
Here’s a rough estimate per person for a budget-friendly Genting Highlands day trip:
| Item | Estimated cost (RM) |
|---|---|
| Bus (round trip) | RM 25ā30 |
| Cable car (round trip, standard) | Around RM 20 |
| Theme park (SkyWorlds) | RM 110ā170 |
| Lunch | RM 20ā30 |
| Dinner | RM 40ā80 |
| Strawberry farm | RM 15ā20 |
| Drinks and snacks | RM 20ā30 |
| Total | RM 250ā370 |
If you skip the theme park and just explore the mall, temple and casino, you can do it for under RM 100. Genting can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. These are rough numbers ā check current prices before you go.
After my own experience and hearing from fellow travelers, here are the tips I wish I’d known before going.
– Go on a weekday if possible. Weekends and public holidays are PACKED, and the cable car queue can be very long. – Bring your passport or ID. You’ll need it for the casino. – Book theme park tickets online. You’ll usually save money and skip the ticket queue. – Start early. The earlier you leave KL, the more time you’ll have at the top. – Carry a power bank. Your phone will die from all the photos and videos. – Use the restroom at Awana before the cable car. Queues at the top can be long.
– Don’t underestimate the cold. I already told you my t-shirt story. Don’t be like me. – Don’t leave it to the last cable car down. It gets crowded in peak season. Don’t risk being stranded. – Don’t expect Las Vegas. The casino is impressive for Southeast Asia, but it’s more about the atmosphere than high-roller glamour. – Don’t skip Chin Swee Temple. The theme park and casino are the big draws, but the temple is the hidden gem of Genting. – Don’t buy all your food near the casino. Prices are higher. The food courts are much better value.
You know, when I first planned my Malaysia trip back in May 2016, Genting Highlands wasn’t even on my list. I was all about the Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, and the street food on Jalan Alor. If that receptionist hadn’t brought it up, I might have missed it completely.
So I went. And I’m so glad I did.
There’s something almost surreal about standing on top of a mountain in the middle of a tropical country, surrounded by clouds, eating hot noodles, and watching a roller coaster loop through the mist. It doesn’t feel real. It feels like a dream.
Genting Highlands is not your typical hill station. It’s loud, it’s flashy, it’s a little over the top ā and that’s exactly what makes it so much fun. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a foodie, a culture lover, or just someone who wants to escape the KL heat for a day, Genting has something for you.
And the best part? It’s so close to KL that you can easily do it as a day trip and be back in the city for dinner.
So if you’re spending a few days in Kuala Lumpur, do yourself a favour ā carve out one day for Genting. You won’t regret it. ā°ļø
Absolutely! It’s only about 1ā1.5 hours from KL, which makes it one of the easiest day trips from Kuala Lumpur. Most people leave in the morning and return by evening.
100% yes! The theme parks, cable car, Chin Swee Temple, strawberry farm, shopping and food are all great. The casino is just one small part of the experience.
Weekday mornings are best. You’ll avoid the big weekend crowds and usually get clearer views before the afternoon fog rolls in. Genting gets rain and mist all year, so pack a jacket whatever the month.
Very safe. Skytropolis and SkyWorlds are both family-friendly. Just keep an eye on little ones near the cable car platforms.
Daytime temperatures are usually 18ā25Ā°C, but evenings can drop to around 14ā16Ā°C. Always bring a jacket!
The bus and cable car can often be bought on the day, but booking theme park tickets online saves money and time. During public holidays and Chinese New Year, book everything early.
Yes! Genting is open all year. During Hari Raya and Chinese New Year it gets extra festive, with decorations and special events. Just expect bigger crowds.
If you’re afraid of heights, it might feel a little nerve-wracking at first. But the gondolas are enclosed and stable, and the views will make you forget your fear within 30 seconds. Promise!
Enjoyed this guide? Share it with your travel squad! Have you been to Genting Highlands? Tell me your experience in the comments below. šā°ļø
We’re three friends who met in Malaysia and turned our love for travel and food into Travel Treat Together. Full-time professionals who never quit our jobs ā just found a way to make every trip count.
Travel Treat Together is a travel blog for working professionals who want to see the world without quitting their jobs. Explore destination guides, itineraries and stories from across Asia and beyond.
