Faces of
Malaysia
Cherating

Cherating is the only real backpacker hub at the east coast of the peninsula on the mainland. Offering plenty of affordable chalets and a relaxed atmosphere, it is good place to stop for a night or two on the way up or down the east coast. The beach itself is not that spectacular and misses the palm directly at the beach. But it has a good vibe and few things you can do like taking a tour or renting a kayak up the river into the mangroves. There is also an active surfer scene when the waves are right. Cherating is located about 30km or 1h by local bus north of Kuantan.

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the state capital of the state of Johor and the second largest metropolitan area in Malaysia. Most tourists don't stop here and just pass through the city on their way to or out of Singapore. JB is a major local transportation hub however. Since it is just across the causeway from Singapore, some travellers use it as a hub to visit Singapore from here (lower accommodation prices) or to board the train, bus or airplane.

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Backpacking Malaysia
Factory in Cameron Highlands

How to get to and away from Langkawi

Langkawi is a large island in the northwest of Peninsular Malaysia just south of the Thai border and about 30km from the mainland. It has ferry connections to Satun and Koh Lipe in Thailand as well as to Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis and Penang in Malaysia. Read on for more details

The main ferry terminal (inclusive of customs for processing Thai visa for trips to Koh Lipe) on Langkawi is in Kuah, the main town of the island.

 

Kuala Perlis

Kuala Perlis is the one of two main departure points (besides Kuala Kedah) to Langkawi. It is the the closest port to Langkawi. You will also arrive here if you take a want to travel to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur by bus (and ferry).

book ferry ticket online:
Kuala Perlis - Langkawi
Langkawi - Kuala Perlis

ferry price: RM18 (child RM13)
travel time: 75min
provider: Langkawi Ferry Service

depature times:
from Langkawi: 7.30am, 8.45am, 10am, 11.30am,. 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
contact: 604-966 1125 / 604-966 1126
from Kuala Perlis: from 7am to 7pm (running approx. every 60min)
contact: 604-985 1899 / 604-9852539 / 604-985 2690

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Perlis
Buses from KL to Kuala Perlis leave from Puduraya (Pudu Sentral) Bus Terminal and Duta Bus Terminal. There are several companies running buses to Kuala Perlis.
depature times (from Puduraya):  8am, 9am, 9.15am, 9.30am, 10am, 12.45pm,  4pm and night buses at 9.15pm, 10.30pm, 11pm, 11.15pm,  11.30pm
depature times (from Duta):  9.30am, 10.15am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm, 1.30pm, 6.30pm, 9pm, 9.30pm, 10pm,  11pm, 11.15pm, 11.45pm, 11.59pm
travel time: 6h - 8h
providers: Plusliner, Maraliner, Transnasional, Konsortium, Cosmic Express, Etika Express

buy bus ticket online:
Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Perlis
Kuala Perlis - Kuala Lumpur


 

Kuala Kedah

Kuala Kedah is a port town near to Alor Setar, the capital of the state of Kedah.

book ferry ticket online:
Kuala Kedah - Langkawi
Langkawi - Kuala Kedah

ferry price: RM23 (child RM17)
travel time: 105min
provider: Langkawi Ferry Service
depature times: from 7am to 7pm
contact: 
Kuala Perlis : 604-985 1899 / 604-9852539 / 604-985 2690
Langkawi : 604-966 1125 / 604-966 1126

 

Penang

book ferry ticket online:
Penang - Langkawi
Langkawi - Penang

ferry price: RM60
travel time: 2h45min
departure times:
from Langkawi: 2.30pm (via Pulau Payar), 5.15pm
from Penang: 8.15am (via Pulau Payar), 8.30am

 

Koh Lipe (Thailand)

Koh Lipe is a beautiful small island in Thailand just outside the Tarutao National Park.

ferry price: RM120
travel time: 1h
departure times:
from Langkawi:  9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 4.30pm (from Telaga Harbor: 9.30am, 2.3pm)
from Koh Lipe: 10.30am, 3.30pm, 4.30pm

 

Satun (Thailand)

Satun is a port town on the Andaman coast in southern Thailand and a gateway to other Islands in the the area and Hat Yai.

ferry price: RM30 / Bath 300 (child RM23)
travel time: 1h15min
provider: Langkawi Ferry Service, Southern Ferry Services, Satun Ferry
departure times:
from Langkawi: 9am - 5.15pm
from Satun: 9.45am - 5pm
contact:
Langkawi : 604-9661125/9661126
Satun : (6674) 725 294

 

Flight to Langkawi

Langkawi also as an airport located at the west of the island and has regular connections to Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
airlines: Air Asia, Firefly, Malaysian Airlines, Berjaya Air