Ipoh was one of those places that quietly surprised us. Tucked between Penang and Kuala Lumpur, this laid-back Malaysian city moves at a slower pace, with leafy streets, colonial architecture, and some of the best food we ate and coffee we drank in the country. It felt easy from the moment we arrived, walkable, calm, and incredibly family-friendly without trying too hard.
In total, we spent $3,198.68 over five weeks, averaging $91.39 per day for our family of four. Here’s how that breaks down. All amounts are listed in U.S. dollars.
Accommodation – $1,540.84 or $44.02 per night.
We stayed in a high-rise condo just outside Ipoh’s city center, and it ended up being a really comfortable setup for our family. The building had a pool at the top with views over the city and a playground built into the condo complex, which made downtime with kids easy on days we didn’t feel like heading out. While it wasn’t right in the middle of town, that never felt like an issue with Grab rides were cheap and quick, and we could get anywhere we wanted to go in about 10 minutes.
One of the biggest perks was how livable the area around our condo felt. There were plenty of small convenience shops and local food spots within walking distance, so we didn’t need to plan every meal or outing. It struck a really nice balance between having space to relax and still being close enough to everything Ipoh has to offer, especially when traveling with kids.
Eating Out – $253.46
- Platf9rm Coffee – A fun coffee stop in downtown Ipoh on Concubine Street, themed around Harry Potter. It’s a quirky spot that the kids enjoyed just as much as we did.
Total: $9.89 - Nasi Kandar Pelita – An excellent Malaysian-Indian restaurant within walking distance of our accommodation that we ended up eating at four times. Affordable, flavorful, and an easy family favorite.
Total: $43.48 - Sin Yoon Loon White Coffee – One of the original white coffee spots in Ipoh and a true no-frills classic near downtown. The white coffee here was very sweet, but worth trying for the experience.
Total: $3.85 - De Cafe – A cozy downtown coffee spot that doubles as a hostel, serving breakfast and good coffee. The staff were incredibly friendly, and you can even measure your height on one of the walls,our girls proudly marked theirs. [Read more about coffee spots in Ipoh here]
Total: $16.33 - Chang Jiang White Coffee – Another classic Ipoh coffee and breakfast stop serving white coffee. Simple, traditional, and consistently good.
Total: $12.94 - Magical Beans– We found this spot through social media and were pleasantly surprised. Good coffee, decent meals, and solid kid-friendly menu options.
Total: $8.82 - Coffee Camp 612 – A creatively designed café with a camping theme throughout the interior. They even had a small tent inside where the kids could play, which made it an easy win for our family..
Total: $13.29 - Aro Restaurant – We kept asking cab drivers and locals where to find the best Indian food in Ipoh, and this name came up again and again. With Malaysia’s large Indian population, expectations were high, and this place absolutely delivered.
Total: $15.78 - Miker Pizza – We grabbed pizza for a poolside picnic back at our accommodation when the kids were craving something familiar. One of the more well-known pizza spots in Ipoh.
Total: $14.85 - Tealive – Picked up tea and coffee while wandering around the mall. Quick, easy, and reliable.
Total: $7.24 - Brenda Cafe – A more Western-style breakfast spot, which made it slightly pricier than some of the others we visited. Still very tasty and a nice change of pace.
Total: $21.74 - Salmah Kopitiam – Famous for their dramatic, overflowing coffees and teas, so of course we had to try them. They also serve a solid local breakfast.
Total: $9.89 - Yu Long Ge – An authentic Chinese restaurant within walking distance of our accommodation. Simple, local, and easy for a casual family meal.
Total: $10.51 - Ice Cream – We stumbled upon an ice cream shop while walking around town that even had games for the kids to play. A fun and unexpected stop.
Total: $7.11 - Canning Dim Sum – One of the most popular restaurants in Ipoh, and for good reason. Plates of freshly made dim sum kept coming around for us to choose from, dangerous in the best way.
Total: $34.06 - Helmet Cafe – Located a bit outside the city toward the Sunway area, this café is filled with motorcycle helmets as part of its interior design. Tasty pastries and good coffee made it worth the trip.
Total: $14.71 - OldTown White Coffee – We couldn’t leave Ipoh without trying the original OldTown White Coffee, the iconic chain that helped put white coffee on the map.
Total: $8.97
Groceries – $626.37
Our groceries came from one of the major supermarkets in town located at the major mall. They had international and local foods. Ipoh did not have a traditional outdoor market that we prefer, but this store had everything we needed. We also went to a local convenience store across the street for simple items.. On average, we spent $17.90 per day on groceries and snacks for our family of four. Here’s how it broke down:
- Jaya Grocer – One of the larger supermarket chains across Malaysia.
Total: $596.49 - KK Supermart – A small neighborhood convenience store.
Total: $29.88
Transportation – $98.17
I have purposely omitted the price of our flight to Penang as people will be flying or traveling in from all parts of the world. When flying, we use Daily Drop Pro to help us search for redemption bookings from points we have earned from our favorite credit card!
Our main mode of getting around was Grab, which made traveling around Ipoh simple and stress-free. It is cheap, and reliable. It is Southeast Asia’s version of Uber. We did get to Ipoh by taking the train from Butterworth to Ipoh.
- Grab – Our main mode of transportation for its ease, convenience and cheapness. Many rides through out the 5 weeks.
Total: $39.69 - Train – We were in Penang before Ipoh. We took the train from Butterworth to Ipoh.
Total: $58.48
Tourist Attractions – $224.86
Tourist attractions in Ipoh were a mix of easy outings and a few bigger day trips, and overall, they were surprisingly affordable for families. Most of these experiences felt low-pressure and flexible, which made sightseeing in Ipoh feel manageable instead of exhausting.
Lost World of Tambun – A full-day outing that combines a water park, theme park rides, and a small zoo, all set against Ipoh’s dramatic limestone karsts. It’s a big, energetic day but well worth it if your kids need to burn off energy. [Read more about the theme park here]
Total: $100.59
Mirror lake – We took a short boat ride through a tunnel to reach Mirror Lake 2, then paid the entrance fee to explore Mirror Lake 1 on foot. It was peaceful, scenic, and a nice contrast to busier attractions. [Read more about mirror lake here]
Total: $27.97
Cameron Highlands Tour – We booked this day trip through an exchange with Get Your Guide, which included a private driver to take us from Ipoh to the Cameron Highlands and back. We covered the driver’s tip, entrance fees, and food separately, but having transportation handled made the day feel stress-free. [Read more here]
Total: $51.38
Taman Eko Rimba and Kledang Saiong – Beautiful, well-maintained nature preserves just outside Ipoh, complete with shaded trails and a flowing natural stream where you can swim. A perfect low-cost way to slow down and cool off with kids.
Total: $2.37
Kellie’s Castle – An unfinished castle with a fascinating backstory, abandoned after William Kellie died of pneumonia before its completion. It’s fun to explore, a little eerie, and surprisingly engaging for curious kids. [Read more here]
Total: $10.97
Kong Fook Ngam Temple –A stunning Buddhist temple built directly into a limestone cave. One of the caretakers kindly gave us an informal tour, and we left a small tip in appreciation. [Read more about the cave temples in Ipoh here]
Total: $2.37
Tinitin Town – A large indoor playground that was perfect for breaking up the sightseeing rhythm for the kids. We paid for entrance fees and grabbed food while we were there, making it an easy half-day reset.
Total: $28.74
Miscellaneous – $44.53
Not everything fits neatly into food, lodging, or transportation. These are the little extras that come up when traveling as a family.
Fair Park Pharmacy – We got sunscreen, toothpaste and other miscellaneous items.
Total: $16.57
Airalo – Our go-to eSIM for staying connected while traveling.
Total: $13.00
Haircut – Dad needed 2 haircuts as we were there for 5 weeks.
Total: $12.59
Colored Pencils – The girls needed a new round of colored pencils.
Total: $2.37
Healthcare- $225.12
Our travel insurance is SafetyWing Nomad Insurance updated twice while in Ipoh- $225.12
Total: $3,198.68
What we learned:
Transportation
Getting around Ipoh was incredibly easy thanks to Grab. We used it constantly, and rides within most parts of the city were usually $2 or less, which still blows my mind when traveling with kids. Cars arrived quickly, drivers were friendly, and we never once felt stressed about logistics. For families, this alone makes Ipoh a very manageable place to explore.
Coffee Culture
Ipoh surprised us with just how good its coffee scene is. Between the city’s famous white coffee and the number of thoughtfully designed cafés, it easily ranks as one of the best coffee destinations we’ve experienced in the region. Whether you want a classic no-frills kopitiam or a modern café with space for kids, Ipoh delivers. It became part of our daily rhythm and something we genuinely looked forward to each morning.
