KUALA LUMPUR, PHUKET, AND SINGAPORE BACKPACKING TRAVEL GUIDE: 9 DAYS 8 NIGHTS (DIY ITINERARY + BUDGET)

Backpacking across Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, and Singapore in just 9 days might sound like a whirlwind, but it’s absolutely doable! Each destination offers a unique blend of culture, history, and adventure. Kuala Lumpur boasts stunning cityscapes and rich heritage, Phuket is Thailand’s island paradise, and Singapore impresses with its ultra-modern attractions and vibrant street life. Here’s our detailed DIY itinerary, complete with tips and budget recommendations.

We planned this itinerary to balance sightseeing, food exploration, and relaxation. The trip starts in Kuala Lumpur with cultural landmarks and city strolls, followed by beach and island adventures in Phuket, and ends with a jam-packed Singapore visit before returning to KL for our flight home.

We took an evening flight from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, arriving at KLIA early in the morning.

Points of Interest

🚩KL Tower

🚩Petronas Twin Towers

🚩Suria KLCC

After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to KL Tower early to skip the crowds. We decided to have lunch at  Suria KLCC and ended the night at the Petronas Twin Towers for some sightseeing and photos. 

Points of Interest

🚩Batu Caves

🚩Petaling Walking Street

🚩Masjid Jamek

🚩Merdeka Square

🚩KL City Gallery

🚩River of Life

We started the day with breakfast at our hotel before heading to the Batu Caves, a must-visit Hindu temple with towering limestone formations. After exploring the caves, we went to Petaling Walking Street for lunch and to enjoy the local street food. We then enjoyed some traditional Roti and Teh Tarik at Mansion Tea Stall before continuing our city tour. We visited Masjid Jamek, Merdeka Square, KL City Gallery, and the River of Life before ending the day with dinner at The Sphere.

🚩Bangla Night Market

After breakfast, we prepared for check-out and had lunch at a food court in front of our hotel. Our flight to Phuket was scheduled for 4 PM. Upon arrival, we checked in at our hotel, had dinner, and relaxed with a swim at the rooftop bar.

Points of Interest

🚩Ko Phi Phi Lee

🚩Maya Bay

🚩Viking Cave

🚩Phi Phi Don

🚩Monkey Beach

🚩Koh Khai Nok

🚩Bangla Night Market

We woke up early for breakfast before our full-day island-hopping tour around Phi Phi Islands. The trip included stops at Monkey Beach and Khai Islands via a speed catamaran. We enjoyed a buffet lunch, went snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and took a traditional long-tail boat ride. We ended the night with dinner at Bangla Night Market, where we sampled local Thai food.

Points of Interest

🚩Ma Doo Bua Cafe

🚩Phuket Old Town

🚩The Big Buddha

🚩Bangla Night Market

We started the morning with a swim and breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon, we hired a private car for a 6-hour city tour, making stops at Ma Doo Bua Cafe for some scenic photos, Phuket Old Town for its vibrant colonial-style buildings, and The Big Buddha for breathtaking views. We wrapped up our last night in Phuket with dinner at Bangla Night Market.

Points of Interest

🚩Jewel 

After breakfast, we made our way to the airport for our 11 AM flight to Singapore. Upon arrival, we explored Jewel Changi's Rain Vortex before heading to our hotel for check-in. We then had an early dinner near Bugis Street.

Points of Interest

🚩Heap Seng Leong

🚩Raffles Place

🚩Merlion Park

🚩CapitaSpring

🚩Orchard Road

🚩Chinatown

🚩Maramman Temple

🚩Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

🚩Maxwell Food Center

🚩Gardens by the Bay

🚩Marina Bay Sands

We started the day with breakfast at Heap Seng Leong before taking a morning stroll through Raffles Place, Merlion Park, and CapitaSpring. From there, we headed to Orchard Road for some window shopping. Afterward, we explored Chinatown, stopping by Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple before enjoying a delicious meal at Maxwell Food Centre, where we tried the famous Tian Tian Chicken Rice. In the afternoon, we visited Gardens by the Bay, exploring the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest before watching the Supertree Sunset Night Show. We had dinner at Hawker Chan before heading to Marina Bay Sands for the Spectra Light Show.

Points of Interest

🚩Zam Zam Restaurant

🚩Arab Street, Haji Lane, Sultan Mosque

🚩Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle

🚩Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa

🚩Art Science Museum

🚩Suntec City

Our breakfast for the day was at Zam Zam Restaurant, where we tried their famous roti and murtabak. We then spent the morning exploring Arab Street, Haji Lane, and the Sultan Mosque, enjoying the artistic vibes of the area. For lunch, we had Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, another Michelin-starred hawker dish. The afternoon was spent in Sentosa and Art Science Museum. We wrapped up the day with a movie at Suntec City before heading back to our hotel.

🚩Bukit Bintang

We booked a bus from Singapore back to Kuala Lumpur since our flight home was from KL. We arrived in the city around 3 PM and used the remaining time for last-minute shopping along Bukit Bintang before resting for our our flight back to Manila.

A. Accommodations

↠ KL: Stay near Bukit Bintang for easy access to shopping and food.

↠ Phuket: Beachfront stays in Patong or Karon for a relaxed vibe.

↠ Singapore: Bugis or Chinatown for affordable yet central options.

B. Tours

↠ Book tours in advance via Klook to secure discounts.

↠ Opt for package tours for islands to save costs on transfers.

C. Internet & Communication

↠ KL: Buy a SIM card or use Airalo eSIM.

↠ Phuket: SIM cards are available at the airport.

↠ Singapore: Get a tourist SIM or use free public Wi-Fi spots.

D. Transfers & Transportation

↠ KL: Use Grab, MRT, and monorail.

↠ Phuket: Tuk-tuks and rental scooters are common.

↠ Singapore: EZ-Link or NETS card for MRT/buses.

E. PH Travel Tax

↠ PHP 1,620 per person (pay at the airport before departure).

F. Getting Around

↠ KL: Walkable city center, plus affordable taxis.

↠ Phuket: Rent a motorbike or book private transfers.

↠ Singapore: Efficient MRT and buses, avoid taxis due to high costs.

G. What to Eat

↠ KL: Nasi Lemak, Char Kway Teow, Hokkien Mee.

↠ Phuket: Tom Yum Goong, Mango Sticky Rice, Pad Thai.

↠ Singapore: Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, Satay.

H. General Tips

↠ Bring a universal adapter for charging devices.

↠ Plan your budget in advance and track expenses.

↠ Always check visa requirements before traveling.

↠ Keep cash handy for street food and transport.

This DIY backpacking trip across Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, and Singapore was packed with adventure, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences! If you’re planning a similar trip, we hope this guide helps you make the most of your trip!