[Malaysia Family Trip for 5] Overall Schedule and Wishlist for the 2025 Year-End and New Year Holidays
Hello! I'm Kanako, a mother of three daughters.
In my previous article, I shared how our "Year-End and New Year Malaysia Trip" came to be. In this article, I will share our family's "overall travel schedule," the "realistic breakdown of travel expenses (flights and hotels)," and "my thoughts on the flights and hotels."
Our Family's Malaysia Stay Schedule
First, here is the overall itinerary. It turned out to be a packed 9-day, 7-night trip featuring a resort, a high-rise apartment, and the Ritz-Carlton.
12/25 (Thu): Depart from Narita! Narita → Bangkok → Penang (Thai Airways). Since we arrive late at night, we'll stay for one night at an Airbnb near the airport.
12/26 (Fri) - 27 (Sat): Enjoying Penang Staying for two nights at the dream resort, "Shangri-La Rasa Sayang."
12/28 (Sun): Move to Kuala Lumpur (KL) Enjoy the Shangri-La in the morning / Take a domestic flight in the afternoon from Penang Airport → Subang Airport → KL city. In KL, we will stay at an Airbnb in a high-rise apartment.
12/29 (Mon): Free sightseeing in KL city Strolling through the Blue Mosque, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Chinatown, and more.
12/30 (Tue): Active Day Heading to the massive theme park, "Sunway Lagoon"!
12/31 (Wed) - 1/1 (Thu): A luxurious New Year's Eve Staying at the "Ritz-Carlton" in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
1/1 (Thu) Night - 1/2 (Fri) Morning: Return home 22:50 Depart Kuala Lumpur → 6:40 the next morning Arrive at Narita (JAL)
Booking flights: Does shifting by just one day make a huge difference!?
Since flight reservations become available one year in advance, I was feeling restless from the end of December 2024. However, when trying to purchase a round trip, I couldn't complete the payment until it was "one year before the return date (2026/1/1)," so I ended up purchasing them at the beginning of January 2025.
Initially, I was thinking of "departing on 12/26 (Fri)" but... it was so expensive...
Since many people start their year-end and New Year holidays from 12/27 (Sat), people tend to concentrate on taking paid leave on the 26th to depart. Everyone thinks the same thing, don't they? I remember it being nearly 700,000 yen round-trip if we departed on the 26th.
So, I tried moving the departure one day earlier to "12/25 (Thu)," and the price dropped a little. So, I took the plunge and decided to take time off work starting from the 25th.
By the way, I also checked flight tickets for the Obon season. I remember those were in the 400,000 yen range. The year-end and New Year holidays are definitely more expensive than Obon...!
Flights and hotels: I thought about a 1 million yen budget, but what was the result?
Initially, I thought about "1 million yen including local stay expenses," but
realizing "Oh, that's impossible," I reset my goal to "1 million yen for flights + hotel costs."
Flights (Outbound: Thai Airways): 290,000 yen
Flights (Return: JAL): 360,000 yen
Domestic flight (Penang → Subang): 30,000 yen *A mishap will occur here later...!
Shangri-La (Rasa Wing): 270,000 yen (2 Junior Suites)
Airbnb for Day 1 (Penang): Approx. 6,000 to 10,000 yen
Airbnb in KL City (High-rise condo): 50,000 yen
Ritz-Carlton: 0 yen due to points stay
Total: Approx. 1 million to 1.01 million yen
The result is slightly over budget.
Reflections. Regarding travel and hotels
I will write down my thoughts based on actual experience. I hope this will be helpful for future trips or for someone else.
1. Regarding flights
I also had the feeling, 'Since it's a late-night flight on the way back, was it a waste to choose a Japanese airline like JAL?'
Staying in Malaysia for 7 days
it is always hot and not winter
I heard Christmas trees and Christmas songs every day, so it didn't feel like the end of the year
(The NEW YEAR event did feel like the start of the year)
At such a time, being able to experience the atmosphere of a 'Japanese New Year' from the moment I boarded, and being able to reaffirm my identity as a Japanese person, was a priceless experience.
By the way, for our family, because we have children and it is an overseas trip, LCCs (low-cost carriers) were not an option from the start.
Considering the amount of luggage and peace of mind, I think it was the right choice.
If I were to reconsider, it would be the 'departure time.' On the last day, I had too much time on my hands during the day.
If there is a flight departing in the afternoon or evening that is a bit cheaper, it is worth considering.
2. Travel from Penang Island to Kuala Lumpur
At first, I considered the train (ETS), but the reservation start date was late (1 month before?), and I didn't want to be nervous until the last minute, and the hurdle for traveling with children was high, so I chose a domestic flight.
In terms of price, 30,000 yen for 5 people was satisfying, thinking 'well, this is about right,' but this is where the biggest incident of this trip occurred.
(I thought if something was going to happen, it would be here. Details later!)
If I go to Penang again next time...
What should I do? Maybe take a domestic flight again and arrive at the airport early.
3. Regarding each accommodation
・Shangri-La Rasa Sayang (Penang Island)
Considering that quality and service, I am satisfied!
It was the best stay. I want to go again!
・Apartment near the airport on Day 1 (Airbnb) It was a great decision. Due to a flight delay, we arrived in Penang around 23:00. It would have been a waste to stay at the luxurious Shangri-La from then, so just sleeping at an apartment 10 minutes from the airport was a great decision.
(Actually, I had initially booked a different apartment, but half a year later, I received a very 'overseas-style' message saying, 'Construction is starting, so please cancel!' lol)
・High-rise condo in KL city (Airbnb) It was on a high floor, around the 43rd, and we were supposed to see the Twin Towers from the room! ...but it was right next to the towers, so they didn't look like 'twins' (lol).
I booked it expecting early morning runs and walks in KLCC Park, but although it was within walking distance, it was awkwardly far, and the location was mediocre. Furthermore, during our stay, we encountered a malfunction twice where only the elevator going up stopped working, forcing us to wait for 30 minutes.
Next time, I will stay in a place a little further away, assuming basic Grab travel, or at a hotel or apartment next to KLCC Park.
・Last stay: Ritz-Carlton It is famous as the 'cheapest Ritz in the world' to stay at. I wasn't keen on changing accommodation because moving is a hassle, but I stayed because of my husband's wish and the appeal of a free stay with points.
As expected, the luxury and the wonderful hospitality of the staff were great! The shopping mall 'Pavilion' was also within walking distance, and the location was the best.
However, about 80% of the guests were Japanese and the local feel was diluted, which is a matter of preference. It is not for children, so I would like to come here next time when it is just the two of us.
List of 'things I want to do' in Malaysia
This is my wishlist that I wrote down with excitement before the trip.
・For the whole family to spend time together with smiles and joy!
Buy groceries at a local supermarket and live like a local
Go for a walk or run in KLCC Park
Eat authentic Nasi Kandar (rice with various toppings)
Visit the Blue Mosque and the Pink Mosque
Visit the sacred Batu Caves
Have a blast at Sunway Lagoon (water park)
Eat delicious noodle dishes (the flat noodle kind)
I wonder how many of these long-awaited items on our list we will actually be able to fulfill?
Well then, next time we will finally start the 'Departure Edition'! Stay tuned.