Ferries to Langkawi

Langkawi Ferries and Jetties

You can reach Langkawi Island by ferry from mainland Malaysia (Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis), as well as from Thailand — from Satun town and Koh Lipe Island. Ferries are the second most popular way after flying. They are comfortable but sensitive to weather: during the monsoon (September–October), trips may be delayed or canceled. Keep this in mind when planning.

Langkawi has two passenger ports. Here are their features:

Kuah Jetty (Main Port)

Kuah Jetty is the main international port, located in the island's capital, Kuah Town (jetty on the map). Almost all ferries arrive here: from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, Satun, and during the high season, also from Koh Lipe. The terminal is modern: passport control, cafes, duty-free shops, ATMs (work with UnionPay cards), exchange offices. You can also rent a car or motorcycle here.

How to get to your hotel: There is no public transport on the island, only taxis. The cheapest is to use Grab (the Uber equivalent) — a trip to Cenang or Tengah beaches will cost about 20–25 ringgit (5.04 USD). Official taxis at the port exit are more expensive (about 40 ringgit). You can also rent a bike or car right away — rental counters are inside the terminal building.

Telaga Harbour

Telaga Harbour is located on the west coast, near Pantai Kok beach (Telaga Harbour on the map). Ferries only from the Thai island of Koh Lipe arrive here (mainly in the high season). This is also an international port with passport control, but the infrastructure is more modest: there are cafes and taxis, but no vehicle rental counters. Getting to Cenang/Tengah beaches by Grab costs about 20 ringgit (5.04 USD).

Ferries from Mainland Malaysia

Ferries from the towns of Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis are the main option for travelers reaching Langkawi by land transport from Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, or northern Malaysia. If you are traveling by car, you need the ferry from Kuala Perlis — they have ro-ro ferries.

• Kuala Kedah – Langkawi

  Ferries depart daily from the pier in Kuala Kedah town. Convenient for those traveling by train (to Alor Setar station) or bus. From the train station to the port, you can take a taxi (about 25 ringgit) or a city bus (1.5 ringgit).

  Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes. Ferries run from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM approximately every 1–1.5 hours.

  Kuala Kedah – Langkawi ferry fares

  	Adult	Child (3-11 years)
  One way	45 ringgit (11.33 USD)	32 ringgit (8.06 USD)

  Tickets can be bought at the port ticket offices before departure; advance booking is not required.

• Kuala Perlis – Langkawi

  Kuala Perlis port is closer to the island, so the ferry takes only 1 hour 15 minutes and is cheaper. Both passenger and ro-ro ferries operate from here, carrying cars, motorcycles, and even buses. From Arau train station to the port, a taxi costs about 14 ringgit.

  Ferries run from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM with a frequency of 30–60 minutes.

  Kuala Perlis – Langkawi ferry fares

  	Adult	Child	Motorcycle	Car
  One way	35 ringgit (8.82 USD)	25 ringgit (6.3 USD)	from 45 ringgit (11.33 USD)	from 130 ringgit (32.74 USD)

  Cargo ferry rates and booking – www.langkawiroro.com

Penang–Langkawi Ferry (SUSPENDED)

For more details on alternatives, read our guide How to Get to Langkawi from Penang.

Satun (Thailand) – Langkawi Ferry

Satun town in southern Thailand is the main gateway from Thailand to Malaysia by sea. Ferries depart from Tammalang Pier (12 km from Satun center) and arrive at Kuah Jetty in Langkawi. This is an international route, so you need to go through passport control when leaving Thailand and entering Malaysia, and fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) in advance.

Schedule for 2026: daily, one trip.

• Departure from Satun: 11:30
• Departure from Langkawi: 08:30

Travel time: 1.5 hours.

Where to buy tickets: At the port ticket offices before departure or online (recommended during high season). Russian cards work on Trip.com and 12go.asia (with cash payment at 7-Eleven).

How to get to Satun port:

• Hotel transfer (Phuket, Krabi, Lanta): sold at travel agencies in the resorts — the bus takes you directly to the pier.
• Public transport: songthaews run from Satun bus station to the port (60 baht per person).
• By rented car/bike: there is a paid parking lot at the port (convenient if you plan to return).

Koh Lipe (Thailand) – Langkawi Ferry

The route from Koh Lipe Island to Langkawi is very popular among those combining a vacation in Thailand and Malaysia. Ferries run daily during the high season (October to May). Departure is from the floating piers on Pattaya Beach (Pattaya Beach Pier or Bundhaya Pier), arrival is at Telaga Harbour or Kuah Jetty depending on the operator. Boarding on Koh Lipe is done via long-tail boats: first, you are taken to the ferry waiting offshore.

Schedule (Thai time):

• Departure from Koh Lipe: 10:30, 14:30, and 16:30
• Departure from Langkawi (Malaysian time): 09:30 and 14:30

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes – 2 hours (depends on vessel and weather).

Where to buy tickets: Online on Trip.com (Russian cards) or 12go.asia (pay at 7-Eleven), as well as at travel agencies on the island.

Boarding specifics: Right after passport control at the pier, your passports will be taken — they will be returned on board before arrival. Don't worry, this is normal. Just make sure you get your own document back.

Visa Formalities and Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

Citizens of Russia and most CIS countries can enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days. However, since 2024, filling out the electronic MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card) has become mandatory. It is free and must be done online 3 days before the trip on the official immigration service website.

You will need: passport details, your hotel address in Langkawi, and your return ticket (they may ask for it when boarding the ferry). After filling it out, a confirmation is sent to your email — save it (screenshot or printout). Without MDAC, you may not be allowed on the ferry or could be turned away at the border.

Detailed instructions on filling it out and other entry nuances are in the article All About Visas and Entry to Malaysia.

Useful Tips

• Currency: There is an exchange office at Satun port with a good baht-to-ringgit rate. In Langkawi at Kuah Jetty, the rate is slightly worse — it's better to exchange a small amount just for a taxi, and do the main exchange in Kuah Town or on Cenang Beach.
• Transport in Langkawi: There is no public transport. Use Grab (cheaper than official taxis) or rent a bike/car right at the port. For rentals, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). More details: Renting a Motorbike in Malaysia and What License You Need.
• Weather: During the low season (September–October), trips may be canceled due to high waves. Allow extra time if you have a flight connection after the ferry.
• Documents: When boarding international trips, always have printed tickets and MDAC confirmation with you. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
• Duty Free: Langkawi is a duty-free zone, but prices at the port's duty-free shops are often higher than in stores on Cenang Beach. Compare.