Tours to Malaysia are very popular among tourists today. To look at the unusual nature, walk between local sights and at the same time not waste your finances too much - what could be better? But when it comes to a specific exotic place - the island of Langkawi, not all travelers can tell which way is the most optimal and simple. Let's try together to determine the best way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi Island.
Air travel
As you know, there are no direct flights from Russia or other countries to the island of Langkawi. Therefore, initially it is worth accepting that the trip will run through the capital of Malaysia.
It is up to everyone to decide which company to choose from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi for a flight, but most tourists who have repeatedly traveled a long way to this exotic place agree that there is no better deal than the offer of the budget company AirAsia.
This option is suitable for those who have chosen a direct course to the island and do not plan to stay in Kuala Lumpur, and if, at the same time, look for great deals on tickets, ordering them in advance before the trip, then the total cost of the trip will pleasantly surprise you. For example, you can get to the island from the capital of Malaysia for only 1000 rubles.
This way of traveling is captivating with its speed. If you make a simple comparison with the "earthly" route, it turns out that you will be able to save at least a day. Experienced travelers know that the best fares can be purchased on dedicated airline websites.
You just need to go to the carrier's website and enter the initial data, flight time, or just look at the great deals and discounts that are systematically advertised on the sites. Thus, you will significantly reduce both travel time and your expenses.
If you have chosen this method of travel, then it will be useful for you to know that there is a significant distance between the terminals of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It will have to be overcome by buses that run every 20 minutes. The distance between the terminal where international flights arrive and the terminal for domestic flights of LCCT is more than 20 km, which is not possible to travel on our own.
Accordingly, when planning the time for the flight and ordering tickets, you should not forget about the reserve interval that you will have to spend in the queue for baggage claim and moving to another terminal, as well as going through all the necessary formal procedures at the border. Do not neglect the time that may be needed in case of a flight delay. As practice shows, three hours between the arrival of the flight to Malaysia and the departure to the island is quite enough to go through all the formal procedures.
And finally, to find the bus much easier, you should follow the signs "LCCT shuttle transfer", which will lead you to the public transport stop, where you can easily get to the terminal you need. Everything is very simple and straightforward, so you won't be able to get lost.
For those who decide to stay in the capital of Malaysia, there is an alternative way to get to the cherished island by air. In addition to the already mentioned terminal at the international airport, you can fly to Langkawi from another airport - Subang. Budget planes fly here every day, so everyone can choose a suitable flight and time.
Finally, it should be noted that flights to the islands of Malaysia are very popular. Many tourists prefer to overpay a little for the trip, getting in return a comfortable seat in the aircraft cabin and reducing the flight time.
Train + ferry to Langkawi
If you prefer traveling on solid ground, there is one caveat to be aware of: travel is unlikely to be more economical, but there are exceptions to every rule. For example, moving by train or regular bus will be a little, but still cheaper than air travel. Since the way to the island only partially runs by land, some distance will have to be covered with the help of watercraft.
One of the most popular routes is the one that runs overland to the ferry crossing. Further, tourists get on a plying ferry and overcome part of the way along the water surface.
Immediately, we note that ferries to Langkawi run from the cities of Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis, therefore they will be the purpose of the first part of the trip. But there is one drawback: there is no direct railway connection with these cities, so each tourist will have to change trains.
The closest stations where you will need to get off the train are Alor Setar (Kedah) and Arau. And the most popular trains are those that run at night. After all, you do not have to spend the day traveling, and at night you can have a good rest. The cost of such a trip will be from 24 to 100 ringits, depending on the level of comfort that you choose. To make it clearer, 1 ringit approximately corresponds to 10 rubles.
As soon as you arrive at one of the aforementioned stations, you should immediately look for the next bus to the ferry crossing. This segment of the journey will cost you a modest 1.5 ringit. Although there is an alternative, faster way to travel. This is a taxi. But to call it budget (a trip from the station to the ferry will cost 18 ringit) clearly cannot be called.
Bus + ferry to Langkawi
But the easiest way to travel overland is by bus. There are two advantages of such a trip at once:
- buses will take you directly to the crossing point, and you do not have to change trains and spend extra money on the way
- from the bus stop to the ferry boarding point just a few minutes walk
Buses leave for the ferry every hour, and the cost of the trip rarely exceeds 40 ringit. It is recommended to book a ticket a day or two before departure.
To Langkawi by water
But this is not the only way to get to the exotic island. There is another popular way. Since Langkawi is an island in the Andaman Sea, sea travel is considered one of the most popular ways to get to its shores. And a boat or ferry is ready to help with this. We have already mentioned the ferry a little earlier, but still it is worth talking about this method in more detail.
The final destination for the sea trip is a city on an island called Kua. It is from here that the easiest way to get to the island is by water. Several boats and ferries run here every day, starting at 8 am. The latter leaves at approximately 18.30. Getting on the boat or ferry is quite simple - they run every hour.
Lankawi Ferry Services
Now let's talk about the most popular water transport operators. The first and one of the most popular among tourists is Lankawi Ferry Services. It is the largest company with almost the largest mini-fleet in the entire country. Small, but very high-speed ferries are ready to take on board up to 200 passengers at a time. Moreover, the most comfortable conditions have been created for tourists: air conditioning, a small but cozy dining room and even a place to watch a video.
Bahagia express
The services of the Bahagia Express company are considered to be no less popular. You can get on the ferry of this carrier both in the morning and in the afternoon. Fast, modern ferries depart from Weld Quay and take passengers to Kua Pier in Langkawi. The average cost of the trip is up to 35 ringit, and the travel time is 2.5 hours. You can board the company's boat in Georgetown at 8.30 am and 3.45 am. But you can leave the island only after lunch - at 14.40 or 17.30.
Telaga Terminal
And another operator, whose ferries and boats are always at the service of tourists, is Telaga Terminal. But these ferries run between Langkawi and the Thai island of Ko Lipe.
It is worth booking tickets for boats and ferries in advance. This will help you get the best seats, avoid the crush at the peak of the tourist season, and even, perhaps, you will be able to get a small, but still such a pleasant discount. And a ticket booked in advance in an unfamiliar country gives you confidence.
Good luck with your travels and a great holiday on an exotic piece of land called Langkawi.
Interesting facts about Malaysia in our article.