If you are visiting Kuala Lumpur then a day trip to Batu Caves is a must. You cannot visit Kuala Lumpur without visiting KLCC, Chinatown or indeed the Batu Caves Murugan temple which feature Batu Caves giant that is Lord Muruga. Among many things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Below I will take you through a Batu Caves itinerary, covering Batu Caves temple opening hours, the all-important Batu Caves dress code and what to wear when you visit, Batu caves entrance fee and how to get to Batu Caves. As well another question I have been asked a few times when I posted this on my Instagram – How many steps to Batu Caves! And of course with many Batu Caves pictures to help you visualise this beautiful and historical temple in Kuala Lumpur
Also See
- Where To Stay In Kuala Lumpur
- Tips On Langkawi Car Rentals
- Kuala Lumpur’s Best Kept Secret – Heli Pad Lounge Bar
- Top Experiences Not To Miss In Paris
CONTENTS
- 1 Batu Caves Giant – Batu Caves Day Trip From Central Kuala Lumpur
- 2 Batu Caves Statue & How Many Steps To Batu Caves
- 3 Where Are The Batu Caves? – Batu Caves Address
- 4 How To Go To Batu Caves – Getting There
- 5 Batu Caves Opening Hours & Closing Time
- 6 Batu Cave Entrance Fee
- 7 Batu Caves Dress Code | What To Wear When Visiting Batu Caves
- 8 Batu Caves Tours
- 9 Batu Cave Tours From KL
- 10 Where to Stay In Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves Giant – Batu Caves Day Trip From Central Kuala Lumpur
The Batu Caves are an iconic tourist attraction in Selangor, about 13km from Kuala Lumpur’s city center. The Batu Caves are spectacular caves that feature temples and Hindu Shrines in caves that are over 400 million years old. As you approach the site you are greeted by Lord Murugan Statue – the Batu Caves giant, the tallest statue of a Hindu deity in Malaysia. This is not to be missed on any Malaysian itinerary, whether doing a few days, a week, or even a 2 week Malaysian itinerary.
It’s also the second tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the world. This thing is huge, so I would love to see just how big the biggest one is. The tallest of the Hindu deities is the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue in Nepal. This is an easy and unmissable day trip from Kuala Lumpur as is a day trip to the Genting Highlands which are about an hour from Kuala Lumpur.
Batu Caves Statue & How Many Steps To Batu Caves
Having gone passed the statue Lord Murugan Statue, you are greated with steep steps to the Batu Cave. At this point in the Malaysian sun, you will be asking yourself just how many steps to the Batu Caves are there? There was no life as far as I could tell. There are 272 steps to get to you up to the limestone outcrop that harbours the 400 million old caves. On the way up you will pass crazy monkeys that will snatch your fruit, sweets, water, ice-cream or anything attractive that you lightly hold without too much care. Look away and it’s gone! Especially look out for your phones.
Once inside the caves, you will be greeted with paintings, scenes of Hindu Gods and at the very top in the last of the caves, it is actually open at the top, which brings in floods of light and at certain times the ray of light into the cave is just beautiful. It’s a great place to visit. If you are visiting the caves, you won’t need too much time here as there isn’t much more to see than the caves and shrines inside. It can also get hot and humid so make sure you bring plenty of water because if the heat doesn’t make you thirsty, the steep stairs will have you huffing and puffing so bring a bottle of water. There are a few shops just outside the Batu Caves, also if you need change.
When being black turns you into an instant celebrity….the joys of traveling while black.
Where Are The Batu Caves? – Batu Caves Address
- Batu Caves, Sri Subramanian Temple, KL, Malaysia. The temple is 13km north of Kuala Lumpur. Having the address to hand is helpful when trying to get a taxi or Uber from central KL. The drive from Batu Caves to Petronas Towers or the other way around is roughly about 30 minutes if I remember correctly. We stayed at Mandarin Hotel which is at the base of the Petronas Towers just to give you an idea of distance, so you can easily squeeze in a half day or morning Batu Caves day trip from Kuala Lumpur and still get back with plenty of the day to explore the city as we did.
How To Go To Batu Caves – Getting There
Getting to Batu Caves is pretty straight forward. You can easily get to The Batu Caves by Uber or Taxi. We took a taxi from while we were staying at Mandarin Oriental Hotel where we were staying. It’s right next to the malls and the twin towers. I reviewed our stay at Mandarin Oriental here.
The journey from KLCC takes about 30 minutes to get to Batu Caves. You can also take the KTM Komuter train to Batu Caves from KL Sentral as well as the option of taking the monorail from KL Sentral to Titiwangsa station and from there take a bus to Batu Caves. If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur, the train is easy, cheap, very fast and drops you off right at the entrance. We opted for Uber as it was hot and we wanted a little aircon for the journey.
Batu Caves Statue From The Back
Batu Caves Opening Hours & Closing Time
- The Batu Caves opening hours are from 6 am to 9 pm.
Batu Cave Entrance Fee
Entrance to the Batu Caves is free although there is a fee to vist the Art Gallery Cave and the Dark Cave nearby.
Batu Caves Dress Code | What To Wear When Visiting Batu Caves
Batu Cave dress code is somewhat strict and they have people right at the entrance to check in much the same way Grand Palace in Bangkok will not let you in if your clothes are too short or too revealing. This is a religious site and one that you are expected to wear suitable clothing for. Turning up in barely-there shorts will mean that you will be called out to either rent a sarong type of material to cover up. So to avoid embarrassment, wear something that at least comes to the knees or pack a spare maxi skirt or trousers.
Malaysia can be hot but note that it is somewhat religious so respect the culture when visiting places such as religious sites. I was actually surprised at the number of tourist in shorts that had their butt cheeks out in the open as if they were at the beach when they are actually visiting a temple. I wouldn’t dare go into a church like that in London much less turn up like that in another religious site when traveling. Bear in mind that this is not just a tourist site, it still very much a place of worship and attracts thousands of worshipers to the cave temples, even more so during annual Hindu festivals such as Thaipusam.
Batu Caves Tours
There are plenty of Batu Caves Tours from Kuala Lumpur. Most of them will collect you from the airport to tour the Batu Caves which will include Batu Caves climbing of 272 steps to get to the temps at the top. I didn’t notice any lifts to for anyone with issues climbing steps check with your tour guide if there is a left. Once you climb the initial 272 Batu Cave stairs that are still another couple of stairs to get to the second temple inside the caves. If you are up for a little adventure you can also do rock climbing at the Batu Caves.
The Batu Caves consist of three big caves, the majority of tours will allow you to explore that in addition to taking the time to take in the world’s tallest Lord Murugan Statue with the height of 42.7m. If you do the tour in January and February you will also get to experience the annual festivals which bring thousands of Indians to pay homage to Lord Muruga. Depending on the tour you take, some of these will include a stop at the Betek Gallery((Malaysian Fabric and Handy Crafts) or restaurants but you also have stand-alone tours of the Batu Caves which is perfect if you only have a short time in the city. Click here to compare tour prices.
Batu Cave Tours From KL
Where to Stay In Kuala Lumpur
There are plenty of places to stay in Kuala Lumpur catering to various budgets:
- For budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur: Explorer’s Guesthouse will only cost you £26 for 3 nights. Travel Hub Highstreet is only about £23 for 3 nights in Kuala Lumpur and Zen Home Tarragon Residence is about £70 for 3 nights, and for nicely priced apartments with great views look into Kuala Lumpur Experience 3. For more Click here to compare prices on budget hotels.
- Mid-range hotels in Kuala Lumpur: Hotel Twenty 8B will only set you back about £80 for 3 days, Melange Boutique Hotel is only £53 for 3 nights, Avenue J Hotel, Central Market is around £60 for 3 nights and Prescott Hotel Kuala Lumpur Medan Tuanku comes in at £70 for 2 nights. For more Click here to compare prices on mid-range hotels.
- Luxury Hotels in Kuala Lumpur: For Luxury stay in KL check out Titiwangsa Suite Residence II, Hotel Stripes Autograph Collection, Troika KLCC Luxurious Hotel Suite, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur and Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur which all offer amazing views, services and relaxing stays in Kuala Lumpur.You can also read out our stay at Mandarin Hotel linked above. For more Click here to compare prices on luxury hotels.
- Hotels and apartments with amazing Views in Kuala Lumpur: Check out Saba Suites at Platinum KLCC, Pine Luxury Residence, Greystone Haus at D’ Majestic Place, and Platinum Suites KL City. For more Click here to compare prices on apartment hotels.
More on Malaysia:
- Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
- Christmas in Kuala Lumpur
- Culinary Tour in Kuala Lumpur’s China Town
- Top Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur
We are visiting Kuala Lumpur in December and I have been looking at both the weather and things to see and do in Malaysia when I stumbled on your post. Batu Caves itinerary for half a day is definitely on my list. Thanks for the Batu Caves dress code too because my clothing is not exactly conservative so don’t want to get into trouble
Yep, what to wear to Batu Caves is just as important a consideration as looking at how to get to the Batu Caves. I am glad you managed to find my blog. Enjoy your trip to Malaysia and of course, visiting the Batu Caves giant! 😀
I have been trying to figure out the Batu Caves entrance fee costs, as I just assumed there would be a cost to visiting the Batu Caves temple. Thanks for the tips.
Batu Caves day trip from KL makes for an interesting itinerary for things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Yeap, all free so you only have to factor in costs to go to Batu Caves and back.
Having had the Batu Caves tour on our Malaysian itinerary I was dreading the how many steps to Batu Caves I would have to climb. Looking at your Batu Caves steps pictures my mind is at ease as there seems to be flat area to rest up a bit.
Yep, I was a little apprehensive of Batu Caves steps when I first saw them. But whatever fitness level you just take care in that heat and come prepared with some water too and just paces yourself.
Your pictures of Batu Caves Murugan temple are just so beautiful!! Beautifully captured. Well done.
Thank you!
We are embarking on an Asian tour and wanted to include a couple of stops in Malaysia. I was looking at your post on Langkawi car rental tips when I stumpled on a link to this post. Looking at Batu Caves opening hours, I am so glad they open late as we wanted to combine a Batu Caves day trip with our explorations of KLCC in the morning and head over to Batu Caves in the evening. Would you say that is the best time to visit the Batu Caves?
Hi Brian, that sounds like a great plan, you can easily see the city and then take the train or a taxi to Batu Caves. Mornings or late afternoon are best so if you are going to Batu Caves in the evenin then you will be fine, also because the weather will also be cool. You will also miss the mid-afternoon crowds too.
Amazing pictures of the Batu Caves Bee. Just beautiful!
Thank you!
We have a short layover in Kuala Lumpur and were wondering how easy it would be to visit the Batu Caves from KL airport.
Hi Kaleb, you can but it dependents on how much time you have. Note that the journey from KL airport to Batu Caves is approx 50mins each way so bear that in mind. You really only need about 1.5 hours so easy doable on a layover.
We are plannng on visiting Batu Caves in KL next year, just wanted to say that I love your pictures! Makes me excited to plan our trip.
Thank you so much and enjoy your trip.
Thanks for all of this information, I’m looking forward to visiting KL in March and this is high on my list. What time of day did you go to the caves? I’m going to aim for 6am with the intention of beating the crowds.