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Kuala Lumpur in November

Heavy daily rain and occasional flash floods in the city. Deepavali often falls now.

TradeoffsHighs near 90F (32C), the wettest month
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala LumpurPhoto: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

November is a month of real tradeoffs in Kuala Lumpur. Heavy daily rain and occasional flash floods in the city. Deepavali often falls now.

Weather
Highs near 90F (32C), the wettest month
Crowds
2 of 5
Prices
2 of 5

What November is like in Kuala Lumpur

November is the wettest month. Highs are near 90F (32C), heavy daily rain is common, and occasional flash floods hit parts of the city. Crowds and prices are low. Deepavali often falls this month, bringing festive lights and markets to Brickfields.

It suits travelers who are happy with a food, mall, and museum trip. Families and anyone with outdoor-heavy plans should pick February, June, or July instead. If you come, plan every outdoor outing for the morning and keep afternoons indoors. The upside is quiet sights and some of the lowest hotel rates of the year.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Kuala Lumpur this month.

01

Deepavali in Brickfields

When the festival of lights falls in November, Little India glows with lamps and sweet stalls.

02

Low prices

Hotels are among the cheapest of the year.

03

Covered food courts

Food courts in malls and markets let you eat well without getting soaked.

What to pack for November

  • A sturdy umbrella
  • Waterproof sandals
  • Quick-dry clothes
  • A waterproof phone pouch

Our timing tip

Use the train and covered walkways between malls and the towers instead of taxis during downpours, when roads can flood and traffic stalls.

Book Kuala Lumpur for November.

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What's on in November

Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates

Evening Ramadan bazaars are a food highlight. At Hari Raya, many residents return to their hometowns and some businesses close for a few days.

Deepavali

October or November, varies by year

The festival of lights, celebrated in Little India at Brickfields with lamps, sweets, and markets.

Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Full guide
01

Petronas Twin Towers

Timed tickets for the skybridge and observation deck sell out; book ahead and go early in the day for clearer views.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

02

Batu Caves

Climb the 272 colorful steps to the temple cave early, before the heat and the tour groups. Dress modestly.

Tickets and tours →

03

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

One of the best collections of Islamic art in the world, and a cool refuge on a stormy afternoon.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

04

Jalan Alor and Chinatown

Street food and night markets come alive after dark, when the heat drops and the rain usually clears.

Tickets and tours →

05

Thean Hou Temple

A six-tiered Chinese temple on a hill, spectacular with lanterns at Chinese New Year.

Tickets and tours →

06

KL Bird Park

A huge walk-through aviary in the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Best in the morning.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

  • Do outdoor sights like Batu Caves and the Petronas skybridge early in the morning, before both the heat and the afternoon storms.
  • Visit Batu Caves on a weekday outside Thaipusam, unless the festival is exactly why you are there.
  • Plan indoor time (museums, malls, food courts) for mid to late afternoon, when thunderstorms are most likely.
  • Midyear, Gulf and regional school holidays fill the Bukit Bintang malls. Weekday mornings are calmest.

Know before you go

  • During the first days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, many Malay-run restaurants and small businesses close and highways jam as residents head home. Malls and major sights stay open.
  • During Ramadan, restaurants remain open for non-Muslims in most areas, and the evening bazaars are a highlight. Be discreet eating in public in Malay neighborhoods during the day.
  • Chinese New Year closes many Chinese-run shops and restaurants for several days, especially in Chinatown.
  • Haze from regional fires can reduce visibility and air quality, typically between August and October in affected years.

Kuala Lumpur in November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Kuala Lumpur?

November is a month of real tradeoffs in Kuala Lumpur. Heavy daily rain and occasional flash floods in the city. Deepavali often falls now.

What is the weather like in Kuala Lumpur in November?

Highs near 90F (32C), the wettest month.

Is Kuala Lumpur crowded in November?

November is one of the quieter months in Kuala Lumpur; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Kuala Lumpur in November?

Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri (shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates); Deepavali (october or november, varies by year).

Keep planning Kuala Lumpur.

The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.

  1. 01Kuala Lumpur in OctoberThe month before: Highs near 91F (33C), wetter, strong afternoon stormsQuiet value
  2. 02Kuala Lumpur in DecemberThe month after: Highs near 89F (32C), rain gradually easingGood
  3. 03Kuala Lumpur in JanuaryThe next best month: Highs near 90F (32C), relatively dry, occasional stormsBest

Also at their best in November

Everywhere in November

Where else is good in November?

Tell us when you can go and what kind of trip you want. We rank every place we cover for that exact month.

What kind of trip? Pick any.

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