The Sharpay Evans of Malaysian Islands, Langkawi is the most popular tropical getaway in the country. Made up of 99 islands, the archipelago is home to lush jungles, turquoise waters, and beautiful karst formations.
The origin of its name is believed to be derived from the words helang, eagle in Malay, and kawi, which denotes a reddish-brown color. This is a nod to the eagles that are native to the area – and so is the giant eagle statue on the main island.
Whether you’re a backpacker on a budget, a digital nomad seeking a new paradise to call home, or a luxury traveler, Langkawi has something for everyone.
How to Get to Langkawi
First things first, here’s how you can reach this island paradise:
✈️ By Air: the most convenient and fastest way to reach Langkawi is by catching a flight directly to the island. Langkawi International Airport (LGK) is well-connected to many major cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Penang. Daily flights are operated by airlines like AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines, and if you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur, the flight takes only about an hour.
Hot tip: We highly recommend booking your transportation online through 12Go Asia or Bookaway – our go-to platforms in SEA.
⛴️ By Ferry: ferry services to Langkawi are available from Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis in Malaysia and Satun and Koh Lipe in Thailand. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your departure point. To reach the piers in Malaysia you can take a bus from Kuala Lumpur, which takes around 5 hours.
Book your ferry to Langkawi here >
Best Time to Visit Langkawi
The best time to visit Langkawi is from November to April, with January to March being the months with the best weather: sunny and warm, perfect for outdoor activities.
The temperatures typically range between 30 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day, and the sea is calm and clear, perfect for water sports. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices.
Also read: Tioman Island: How to Get to & Best Things to Do
How Long to Stay
It depends on what you want to experience, but we’d say anywhere between 3 to 5 days is enough to experience most of Langkawi! You will have time to explore the main attractions, relax on the beaches, and go on the best island tours.
Also read: Top ESSENTIAL Apps for Travel in Southeast Asia
Getting Around Langkawi
Langkawi is almost as big as Phuket Island in Thailand! With the addition that there’s no public transport here, so to get around your only options are:
🚕 Using Grab: the best taxi app in Malaysia, we used it all the time to get around Langkawi and found it quite inexpensive. If you opt to get a normal taxi, make sure to agree on a fare beforehand as they’re typically unmetered.
🚗 Renting a Car or Scooter: this is a popular choice and it gives you plenty of flexibility to explore the island. Rentals are reasonably priced and widely available. A car should start at around 35 euros/day and a scooter 9 euros/day.
Also read: Perhentian Islands – The ULTIMATE Travel Guide
Things to Do in Langkawi
There’s so much to do in Langkawi! Here are some of them, but if you want more detailed information on costs and other less-known activities, read our What to Do in Langkawi – 15 Bucket List Activities post!
☁️ Sky Cab and Sky Bridge: probably the island’s most famous attractions! The cable car takes you on a stunning ride up Mount Machincang, where the longest curved suspension bridge in the world awaits you.
Note: for foreigners, the Sky Cab ticket costs around RM 85 per person (~17 euros). Once up there, you need to buy separate tickets for the Sky Bridge, which costs RM 6 (~1.50 euros) per person.
⛵ Island Hopping: the islands in this archipelago are so beautiful you don’t want to miss out on an island hopping tour! One usual stop on these tours is Pulai Dayang Bunting, famous for housing a huge freshwater lake known as the Pregnant Maiden’s Lake.
🌿 Kilim Geoforest Park: you can visit this UNESCO-listed Geopark by joining a Mangrove tour. During these tours, you can usually spot various wildlife such as eagles, monkeys, and occasionally otters and monitor lizards.
🐚 Beach Hopping: Pantai Cenang might be the most popular beach, but Tanjung Rhu, Datai Bay, Pantai Tengah, and Pantai Kok should also be on your list! They offer a much more serene experience than Cenang, which is usually filled with banana boats and jet skis.
🤿 Diving: Langkawi has some good diving spots around the main island. Pulau Payar Marine Park is the most popular one and consists of four smaller islands accessible via tour boats from Kuah jetty. Visibility here is definitely not as good as what you find in the nearby Koh Lipe or the more distant Perhentian Islands, but there’s plenty to see!
Also read: Pangkor Island Travel Guide – Malaysia’s Best-Kept Secret Island
Where to Stay in Langkawi
Some popular areas to stay in Langkawi include Pantai Cenang for its lively beach scene, Kuah for shopping and convenience, and the more secluded Datai Bay for luxury and tranquility. Pantai Cenang is generally the most recommended as it has everything you need, from a wide range of activities to restaurants and convenient amenities. Here are our top accommodation choices in Langkawi:
Langkawi offers a great range of luxury resorts. If you’re looking for a honeymoon escape, some other great options besides the one above are The Danna Langkawi, The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, and The St. Regis Langkawi.
On the Mid-Range, we recommend Rebak Island Resort. We have personally stayed there (review here) and despite being located on a separate island, they have hourly boats to and from so you can enjoy a peaceful stay on a private island but still explore all of Langkawi on day trips.
Tanjung Rhu Resort is somewhere in the middle here, between a mid-range to a luxury stay (review here). The place is being renovated and the view from here is one of the best on the island!
Langkawi on a Budget
Exploring Langkawi on a budget is quite feasible. Pantai Cenang has plenty of affordable accommodations available and street food and local markets offer delicious, budget-friendly dining options. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect for a budget stay:
🏠 Accommodation: budget private rooms start at around €10-15 a night and you can find some pretty good options in the €20 range.
🍔 Food: local food is generally cheap, ranging between €2-5, averaging €3 per dish. Western dishes generally start at the €6 mark.
🚗 Transport: since there’s no public transport around here, the cheapest options are either renting a scooter for €9 or using the same amount or a little bit more for taxis daily. Other than that, you should consider the ferry to Langkawi which costs €10 each way.
🎟️ Activities: you can visit Langkawi without paying for any tours and just enjoy the beautiful beaches and other inland free attractions. But, we’d recommend doing at least a few paid activities here as they’re worth it! Island hopping (€10) is a great one and more on the budget side, and inland you should not skip Sky Cab and Sky Bridge (€20).
Note: We visited Langkawi Island on a budget for two weeks in October 2022 and managed to stay at a budget of around €25 per person per day including activities.
Tips for Visiting Langkawi
- Book accommodation in advance: Especially during peak season! We recommend using Agoda when in SEA as they have the best deals.
- Money: There are plenty of ATMs around the island. Some places do not accept cards, so it is good to always have cash with you.
Hot tip: the one travel card we use and swear by for international travel is Wise. With minimal fees for withdrawals, Wise also offers some of the best conversion rates for travel.
- Pack Essentials: bring your own sunscreen and insect repellent! Buying those on the island can be quite expensive.
What’s Next?
Pay a visit to Koh Lipe in Thailand, located only 30 minutes away from Langkawi. Or head South to Pangkor Island, near Kuala Lumpur. On the other side of the country, the Perhentian Islands and Tioman Island are also great options to keep on traveling!
Also read: From Langkawi to Tioman: 7 Must-Visit Malaysian Islands
