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MalaysiaWhat to Choose for a Vacation: Langkawi or Penang
We've already covered the islands of Penang and Langkawi in great detail on the pages of Our Planet. Both islands are among the most popular resorts in Malaysia, primarily due to their accessibility. And so the question of which of the two islands to choose for a vacation arises for most tourists planning a trip to Malaysia. If you don't have time to read detailed information about each island to make a decision, we offer you a brief overview and comparison of these resorts...read more...
Which Beach to Choose on Langkawi: Pantai Cenang or Pantai Tengah
Langkawi doesn't have that many developed tourist areas and beaches, or rather there are just two: Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah. Only here you'll find plenty of budget-friendly hotels, and you can rent a house or room for a long period. Only here is there any kind of evening activity, and places to hang out or go in the evening outside your hotel grounds. That's why most tourists, especially those on a tighter budget, face the question of which of these beaches to choose for their vacation. We'll try to help you with this...read more...
Which Beach to Choose on Langkawi: Pantai Cenang or Tanjung Rhu
Langkawi has two fundamentally different types of beaches: a lively tourist center with developed infrastructure and secluded spots with crystal-clear water. The first option is Pantai Cenang, the second is Tanjung Rhu. Our comparison will help you figure out which one is right for you...read more...
Langkawi Airport
Langkawi is home to Langkawi International Airport. It is the main gateway for tourists to the island. Although you can also reach Langkawi by ferry from Penang, two jetties on the mainland, and from Satun and Ko Lipe in Thailand, most tourists prefer to arrive on the island by plane. Moreover, this is also true for budget travelers who prefer to move with minimal costs. For example, a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi can cost as little as $20, which is comparable to traveling by bus+ferry...read more...
Ferries and Jetties of Langkawi
You can reach Langkawi Island by ferry from the Malaysian mainland from the towns of Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis, from Penang Island, and also from Thailand from the town of Satun on the mainland and from Ko Lipe Island. The ferry fare is reasonable (see the prices for different routes below), but it's almost the same as flying. For example, the Penang-Langkawi ferry costs 60 ringgit, while a flight with budget airline AirAsia, if booked in advance, costs 65 ringgit. During bad weather or strong waves, ferry services are canceled, and sometimes they even return after departure, so keep this in mind when planning time-sensitive itineraries. Fortunately, cancellations are not frequent, mainly occurring during the low season in September and October...read more...
How and by What to Get to Langkawi from Penang and Back
The islands of Penang and Langkawi are separated by just over 100 kilometers. You can get from one island to the other by plane, ferry, or bus. The optimal ways are by plane or bus, while traveling by bus is not the best option either in terms of time or money. The thing is, Langkawi is not connected to the mainland by a bridge, so to take a bus, you first need to take a ferry, and then get on the bus. In terms of time, this will take almost a full day, and in terms of cost, you'll hardly save anything compared to a plane or ferry. Therefore, we will only discuss in detail how to get from Penang to Langkawi or back by plane and ferry...read more...
Waterfalls of Langkawi
There are very few waterfalls on Langkawi, and only three are popular. Besides these, there are a few small waterfalls located in remote and difficult-to-reach parts of the island by transport, but they are not interesting as independent attractions, and they are worth visiting only as part of trekking or other excursion routes combined with other interesting places. Here is a list and brief description of the three most interesting and beautiful waterfalls on Langkawi worth visiting as an independent attraction...read more...
Temples of Langkawi
There are practically no outstanding temples or mosques with rich history or striking architecture on Langkawi. There are just a couple of small Buddhist and Hindu temples, several mosques, including the largest central mosque on the island, Al-Hana, but there are no places worth a special trip just to admire temple architecture. Here is a list and brief description of the most interesting religious buildings on the island:...read more...
The Legend of Mahsuri and the Curse of Langkawi Island
On Langkawi Island, there is a very beautiful and sad legend about a beautiful girl named Mahsuri. This story took place in the 19th century, and locals believe that Mahsuri was a real person, and there are even descendants of her family. Some versions of the legend speak of Princess Mahsuri, but in fact, that's not true, and she was a simple girl, the daughter of parents from Phuket Island in Siam (today Thailand). She was the most beautiful girl on the island and was married to a warrior named Wan Darus, the brother of the village head of Padang Matsirat, the then capital of the island...read more...
How to Get to Langkawi from Thailand
You can get to Langkawi Island in Malaysia by several routes, but the most popular among tourists is via the town of Satun in southern Thailand. Satun has a port from where international ferries depart for Langkawi. These are comfortable speedboats that cover the distance to the island in one and a half hours at a very reasonable cost. The cabin has air conditioning and a TV...read more...
How and by What to Get from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi
The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and the country's most popular tourist island, Langkawi, are separated by just over 400 kilometers in a straight line. This is the most popular route to the island, as most international flights to Malaysia, including from Russia and the CIS, arrive in Kuala Lumpur, and from there tourists travel to Langkawi by plane, train, or bus. The most practical way is by air, as it takes only one hour in time and competes in cost with traveling by bus or train. Moreover, to get there immediately after arriving at Kuala Lumpur airport, you would first have to get to the city center, from where you can take a bus or train. After that, you would still have to take a ferry to Langkawi. Read more about all the ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi below...read more...
Seasons and Weather on Langkawi, When is the Best Time to Go
Langkawi Island in Malaysia is considered a year-round resort. You can indeed vacation here all year round, although there are high, shoulder, and low seasons, which are shaped by winds and rains, but not by temperature, which is always high. So, here are the seasons and weather on Langkawi and when is the best time to go on vacation to the island...read more...