Langkawi is known for its stunning white sand beaches and nightlife. While Malaysia is generally not known for its backpacker nightlife (unlike Thailand and Bali), Langkawi is the exception. Given they are a duty-free zone, alcohol is relatively cheap, so Langkawi is the place to let loose in Malaysia. Besides the nightlife, Langkawi has many attractions, from waterfalls to mangroves to Cenang Beach. It is a trendy destination for vacationers and backpackers, so it feels very touristic and commercial in many spots.
How Many Days to Spend in Langkawi
Langkawi is a chilled-out beach town in Malaysia, so how many days you spend here depends on whether you want to relax after your previous travels. If you’re just interested in sightseeing, you could tick off all the main sights in 2 full days (not including travel days to and from Langkawi). Spending extra days in Langkawi would allow you time to chill on the beach or have hungover days after enjoying the nightlife. Four full days are the perfect amount of time to explore Langkawi leisurely and have plenty of time to relax.
How to get to Langkawi
Given the geographical proximity, most travellers will come to Langkawi from Penang and vice versa. However, flying from Kuala Lumpur or Phuket to Thailand is not uncommon. If you prefer not to fly, a few ferries run between Langkawi and Kuala Perlis, a minor port city in mainland Malaysia. However, the ferries from Kuala Perlis and the buses to Kuala Perlis run infrequently, so you have to plan for a long travel day and allow time to transfer between the ferry and the bus.
How to get to Langkawi from Penang
Given how geographically close Langkawi and Penang are, you would think getting between the two locations would be simple. Unfortunately, the ferry between the islands no longer operates since the pandemic. You can get pretty cheap flights with Air Asia, and I got a flight with 20kg of checked baggage for 100 RM Malaysian Ringgit ($22 USD).
The alternative way to get to Langkawi from Penang is to get the morning bus from Penang to Kuala Perlis. The bus from Penang to Kuala Perlis takes around 3 hours and can be booked online on the Red Bus Site. From the bus terminal in Kuala Perlis, you’ll need to walk 5 minutes to the ferry port. Cuti Cuti Langkawi Ferry is the company that operates the ferry that takes around an hour and 15 minutes. You can book this at the terminal or online. If you book online, you allow extra time to transfer, or in case the ferry is running late, which it often is.
How to get to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur
There are two options to get to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur: flying or by bus and ferry. The easiest and fastest way to get there is by flying direct with Air Asia. The flight time is only 1 hour and 10 minutes, and you can find fares for as low as 45 MYR Malaysian Ringgit ($10 USD), not including checked baggage.
If you prefer not to fly or the flights are too expensive for your travel dates, the alternative option involves a long travel day. You can get a night bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Perlis, which departs at 1:30 am and arrives at 8:45 am. You need to walk 5 minutes from the bus terminal to the ferry port. The ferry with Cuti Cuti Langkawi departs at 10:30 am, and you will arrive in Langkawi by midday. The total price for the bus and ferry will be around 70 MYR Malaysian Ringgit ($16 USD), but it won’t be a comfortable ferry journey.
How to get to Langkawi from Phuket
There used to be a ferry that operated between Phuket and Langkawi, but unfortunately, post-covid, this ferry is no longer running. The easiest and quickest way to get to Langkawi from Phuket is by flying with Air Asia, and flights have a stopover in either Penang or Kuala Lumpur. Expect to pay 374 MYR Malaysian Ringgit ($84 USD) for the 4.5-hour flight.
How to get around Langkawi
Langkawi has no public transport, so most people will get around on foot or by Grab/ Taxi. If you feel confident driving a scooter, there are also places to rent scooters to explore the island.
Getting around Langkawi on foot
If you stay in Cenang Beach, most restaurants, bars, cafes and street food will be walkable from your accommodation. If you want to visit Kilim Geopark Forest, most tour companies offer complimentary pickup and drop off in Cenang Area. There are sidewalks around Cenang Area, and it feels very safe to walk alone, even at night, as a solo female traveller.
Getting around Langkawi by Taxi/ Grab
To visit sights like Pantai Kok, Cable Car and Skybridge and Telaga Tujuh Water, you must hire a Grab or Taxi to get there. These attractions are certainly not walkable from Cenang Beach Area. The Cable Car, Skybridge and Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls are in the same region, so you can easily combine these in one day. Pantai Kok could also be combined with these attractions, but it would be a long day.
Getting around Langkawi by scooter
If you feel comfortable driving a scooter and have an international driver’s license, you can rent scooters around Cenang Beach Area. This is the most affordable way to explore Langkawi and gives you the greatest freedom. There are no Grab Scooters in Langkawi if you are uncomfortable driving a scooter, but Grab cars are available.
Where to stay in Langkawi
Given how famous Langkawi is as a tourist destination, there are plenty of hostels and backpacker guesthouses where you can stay. Most are around the Cenang Beach area or within walking distance of that region. You can book all accommodation here.
Bed Attitude Hostel
Bed Attitude Hostel is one of the best social hostels in South East Asia; I recommend it for solo travellers wanting to make friends. They infamously have a 32-bed dormitory, which sounds like nightmare fuel, but it’s not that bad. The people staying there tend to be pretty respectful of noise, and the beds are pretty solid pod beds, so you can’t feel your neighbours rolling over in bed. They have a great common area where people tend to chat and have drinks most nights. Bed Attitude also run tours and activities, which are perfect for making friends. They are just a short walk from One Love Club if you’re looking to party.
Tubotel
One of the best affordable flashpacker hostels I’ve stayed in! They have little pod-style private rooms looking over the bay and with a view of the planes flying in and out of Langkawi airport. They also have a bar and restaurant on-site, so you can have dinner enjoying the view. One negative of Tubotel is that the location is far from Cenang Beach and other landmarks. The only thing it is close to is the airport, so ideal if you have an early morning flight out.
Rembulan Hostel
If you’re looking for a more low-key alternative to Bed Attitude with less of a party vibe, try Rembulan Hostel. They are popular with surfers and digital nomads, so they are generally pretty quiet of a night. The location is a slightly longer walk from Cenang Beach but still reasonably close. The dorms are basic but comfortable and they have a small common area.
What to do in Langkawi
Langkawi has a bit of everything: beautiful beaches, waterfalls, panoramic island views, mangroves and nightlife. You could fill up your days exploring the island, but it’s also a great place to relax and recharge your social battery.
Kilim Geoforest Park day trip
A must-do activity in Langkawi! Includes eagle watching, exploring a Bat Cave, Crocodile Cave, swimming at Dangli Island and visiting a Fish Farm. One of the best parts of the tour is just cruising through the mangroves and learning about the different animals and ecosystems. The tours cost around 90 RM Malaysian Ringgit per person ($20 USD). This includes pickup and drop off in Cenang, lunch and all entry fees. It is important to note that the eagle-watching activity and the Fish Farm are not very ethical regarding their treatment of animals. If this does not align with your values, I recommend sitting out these two stops. Unfortunately, there were no tours on offer that did exclude these activities, but you can sit them out.
Sky Bridge and Cable Car
Another famous Langkawi attraction is the 15-minute Cable Car and Skybridge in the island’s centre. The Cable Car provides panoramic views of the island and is a great experience if you’re not scared of heights. The Skybridge is 125 metres long and 660 metres above sea level, meaning you will see great views. The only way to reach Skybridge is via Cable Car. If there is too much wind or rain, the Skybridge and Cable Car may close for safety reasons, so check the weather forecast in advance. The Sky Bridge and Cable Car cost 80 RM Malaysian Ringgit ($18 USD). This does not include the price of getting a Grab from Cenang to the Cable Car entry. There are several other attractions at the entrance to the Cable Car, such as a 3D Art Museum, Oriental Village and other attractions.
Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls
Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, known as the Seven Well Waterfall, is a beautiful waterfall just a short drive from the Cable Car entry. Highly recommend swimming in both the waterfall’s bottom and top sections. To get to the bottom area, it is around a 10-minute walk uphill from the car park but on a well-maintained path. The top spot is about a 10-minute walk uphill from the bottom section and is a bit steep. Quite a few monkeys around are pretty aggressive, so don’t bring any snacks, and make sure you keep your belongings nearby. The toilets are also a bit grim, so try to use the bathrooms at the Cable Car Entry or your hostel before you get here.
Cenang Beach
The main beach in Langkawi is constantly buzzing with tourists and things to do. There are a lot of street vendors selling different watersports like parasailing, banana boat rides and jet skis. It’s not the best beach to relax on, and it is so busy with vendors approaching you to sell you stuff. It is a great spot to enjoy the sunset from one of the beach bars and restaurants. Some nights locals put on fire shows along the beach and then ask for donations/ tips.
Pantai Kok Beach
If you’re looking for a lovely, secluded beach in Langkawi to chill out on, then Pantai Kok is for you—super clear, blue water and white sand beaches with barely any people around. There’s one small local restaurant in the car park; otherwise, it is empty. There is a section of beach loungers exclusive for guests from the nearby resort, but there is still plenty of beach to enjoy.
Where to eat in Langkawi
There are great places to eat in Langkawi, particularly around Cenang Beach. There are all kinds of cuisines as well as delicious Malay food. Highly recommend the roving Night Market when you can get to it.
Bella’s
Are you looking for a local breakfast option? Bella’s is a popular little breakfast spot on a corner just down from Cenang Beach. They do Roti Canai and basic Western breakfast options like an egg on toast and fruit, granola and yoghurt.
Red Tomato
A bit of a bougie Western breakfast option, just next to Bed Attitude Hostel. They tend to be pretty busy around brunch hours, so getting your food can take a while.
Indiana Cafe and Yoga
One of the best smoothie bowls in Malaysia! Indiana Cafe and Yoga is located next to Rembulan Hostel and serves vegan breakfast, brunch, and lunch. They often have live music and a cosy, hippy vibe.
Bobis
My favourite local restaurant for Malay food! The food is delicious, and the drinks are strong and reasonably priced. They have a relaxed vibe, particularly the outdoor seating. It’s a little bit of a walk away from the Cenang Beach area, but well worth the food.
Langkawi Night Markets
Like Penang, Langkawi has a roving night market that changes location depending on the night of the week. The food is mostly the same in quality and variety no matter what night of the week you attend the markets. The market locations are well spread across the island so some markets may be less accessible than others. The night markets open between 5:30 pm and 10 pm.
The current schedule for the night markets in Langkawi is below:
- Monday: Ula Melaka Market, which is a 20-minute taxi ride from Cenang Beach Area into the centre of the island
- Tuesday: Kedawang Market, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from Cenang Beach Area, in the direction of the airport
- Wednesday and Saturday: Kuah Market, which is a 30-minute taxi ride from Cenang Beach Area, in the direction of the ferry port
- Thursday: Bohor Temoyang Market, which is a 25-minute taxi ride from Cenang Beach Area, in the direction of the ferry port
- Friday: Air Hangat Market, which is a 30-minute taxi ride from Cenang Beach Area, in the direction of the ferry port
- Sunday: Padang Matsirat Market, which is a 5-minute taxi ride from Cenang Beach Area, just past the airport
My French Factory
The best dessert place in Langkawi! My French Factory does both savoury and dessert crepes and does them so well! They also do amazing nutella milkshakes and hot chocolates. A great spot just along the main street of Cenang Beach to get your chocolate fix.
Nightlife in Langkawi
Langkawi is the best spot in Malaysia for nightlife, in my opinion! The fact that it’s a duty-free zone means you can affordably purchase alcohol, making it a great backpacker party island. Every night of the week, backpackers will be partying and drinking games at Bed Attitude Hostel.
One Love
One Love is a fun bar/club tucked away down the alleyway behind Bed Attitude Hostel. It’s very Neon in decor, but it has fun music and great vibes. The best time to head here is around 11 pm as it will be busy.
Tulak Cafe and Bar
When One Love closes at 2 am, everyone is keen on kicking on heads to Tu Luc for afters. They have reasonably priced drinks, music and even bar food. The walk from One Love to Tulak is around 15 minutes, or you can jump in a Grab.
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