Langkawi Island is located just off the coast of North Western Malaysia, about 30 km from Kuala Perlis and 51 km from Kuala Kedah and close to Thailand. Sanctuary of some of the most ancient rainforests in the world, they are teeming with exotic flora and fauna. Langkawi Island itself is the largest among the archipelago, measuring about 478.5 sq km, is the only one with any real settlement. It fringed by lovely beaches scattered along its coast. The island is still very much a rural landscape with villages and paddy fields. You can get to Langkawi by road or rail followed by ferry, or fly to Pulau Langkawi. By road, get to the nearest jetty in Kedah, Perlis or Penang; or Satun, south Thailand.

By Road and Ferry

Travellers to Langkawi island can travel by passenger ferry from Penang island, Kuala Kedah (Kedah) or Kuala Perlis (Perlis). At Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis, ferries are available half hourly to hourly (or two hourly) interval depending on the terminal and time of day. There are more ferries departing from in the morning. If you intend to travel from Penang, you have to book early.

If you travel by the North-South expressway (toll highway), exit the expressway at Alor Setar to go to Kuala Kedah. If you are on the trunk road from Padang Besar or Kangar (Perlis), go to Kuala Perlis. Trunk roads in Kedah also lead you to these ferry terminals. There is also a highway that links you directly from Changlun to Kuala Perlis. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah takes about six hours while Kuala Perlis is another hour away.

You can also travel by ferry from Satun, Thailand. Penang Island is linked by ferry and road to the North-South expressway (from Johor to the Malaysia-Thailand border). Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis are also linked to the expressway by trunk roads. There are special overnight parking facilities in Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis near the terminal (not in Penang).

Express ferries provide regular services daily to Langkawi from both Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. From Penang to Langkawi the ferry takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. The island is also a stopover for Star Cruises, one of the largest luxury cruise lines in the world. The ferries operate four routes to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, Penang and Satun in Thailand around the clock.

By Air

Malaysian Airlines (MAS) and Air Asia operate daily flights to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur. International travelers from certain places such as Osaka, Taipei and London can connect with MAS flights directly from their country or other airlines, depending on their availability in that particular region. Air Asia is the airborne version of a cheap local minibus, so you can’t go wrong if you’re looking for a good deal without the frills. Visitors from Singapore can use Silk Air which also flies directly to Langkawi daily.

MAS
Local: 1300 88 3000
International: +60 (0)3 7846 3000

Air Asia
Local: 1300 88 99 33
International: +60 03 7884 9000

Silk Air
+65 (0)6 223 8888

By Rail

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or Malayan Railway provides economical and comfortable rail services from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Star in Kedah and Arau in Perlis (north of Kedah). From these points, take a taxi or bus Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis for your ferry to Langkawi.