Is Langkawi right for your holiday?

Langkawi is a large, well-connected Kedah island with its own airport and ferry links, which makes it one of the easier islands to reach. It suits couples, families and friends who want a choice of beach resorts and day trips. It suits you less if you want a tiny island with one resort, because Langkawi needs a decision about where to base yourself.

Our guide to choosing a Malaysian island places it beside the others, and the cost calculator lets you test the sums.

Who is Langkawi a better fit for?

Langkawi is a better fit if you want flexibility: a flight or ferry, a resort or hotel, and a day trip or two. Families can choose a stay with a family room.

Couples can choose a quiet bay. Groups can mix beach time with a day on the water.

Another island is a better fit if you want a small, remote feel. We have not researched the island’s areas in depth, so ask every stay about its beach and its distance from the airport and the jetty.

How do you get to Langkawi?

By air, Langkawi airport has domestic flights to Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, plus some to Subang, on AirAsia, Batik Air, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines ^[1]. Check the schedule for your date, because routes change.

By sea, Langkawi Ferry Line is the main passenger operator from Kuala Perlis, and Dragon Star Shipping also sails there ^[2]. It also sails to Kuala Kedah about ten times a day, according to one timetable ^[3].

Both timetables are low confidence, so check with the operator. Our guide on Langkawi airport to Kuah Jetty covers the last leg.

Which resorts have we checked?

We checked two with official detail.

• Berjaya Langkawi Resort is a beachfront five-star resort at Burau Bay in a rainforest setting ^[4]. Its page does not state a full-board package, boat transfer or kids facilities ^[6].
• The Datai Langkawi has 121 rooms, suites and villas set in rainforest at Datai Bay ^[5].

Other names circulate online, but we have not confirmed their details. Ask for room types, meal plans and transfers in writing.

What can you do from Langkawi?

Pulau Payar Marine Park is a day trip from Kuah Jetty, by catamaran in about an hour or speedboat in about 30 minutes ^[7]. Read our page on Pulau Payar for the questions to ask. Koh Lipe in Thailand is another link from Langkawi, and our page on Koh Lipe via Langkawi explains it.

When is the season?

Research did not find season dates for Langkawi. Sea conditions can stop a day trip on any day, so ask what happens to a boat booking if the weather turns. For stays, ask whether any part of the year changes opening, facilities or transfers.

What should you ask before you book?

• Which beach or bay, and how far from the airport and Kuah Jetty?
• Is the airport transfer in the price?
• Which meals are included?
• What room types suit my group, and what is the child policy?
• Are day trips and boat fees included or separate?
• What is the cancellation rule?