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Step back in time and immerse yourself in the sleepy charm that Langkawi island has to offer. A long, fascinating car drive away or a simple plane flight away, it lets you step outside of the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Getting There
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By air
Why fly? If you don't fancy the idea of cramming a car load of hyper-active kids into your MPV/SUV for a nine hour journey that almost covers the entire lengthy of peninsula Malaysia, or your holiday time is limited, then catching a jet is a wise choice.
Silk Airlines fly from Changi airport direct to Langkawi on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun, (Tel: 6223 8888) while Malaysia Airlines fly from Changi to Langkawi on Tues, Fri and Sun (Tel: 6336 6777). Air Asia flies to Langkawi seven days a week from KL International airport, via Senai airport in Johor (Tel: 6733 9933).
Why fly? If you don't fancy the idea of cramming a car load of hyper-active kids into your MPV/SUV for a nine hour journey that almost covers the entire lengthy of peninsula Malaysia, or your holiday time is limited, then catching a jet is a wise choice.
Silk Airlines fly from Changi airport direct to Langkawi on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun, (Tel: 6223 8888) while Malaysia Airlines fly from Changi to Langkawi on Tues, Fri and Sun (Tel: 6336 6777). Air Asia flies to Langkawi seven days a week from KL International airport, via Senai airport in Johor (Tel: 6733 9933).
By road
Why drive? As a motoring organisation, the AA is always here to further the cause of enjoyable road trips. If you've already travelled on a popular AutoVentureTM with the AA then you will be familiar with pacing yourself for a long drive (9 to 10 hours in this case) and, importantly, not to rush yourself. Roughly three-quarters of our way up to Kuala Kedah port - which takes you and your car across to Langkawi - we decided to stay overnight in the rustic town of Taiping (Legend Inn is a reasonably priced, clean establishment there, tel: (02) 05 806 0000). It split up the long journey and left us refreshed for the remaining two hour leg the next day.
It's a very direct, but lengthy route taking up some 785 km one way, from the Tuas checkpoint in Singapore up the North South Highway (E2 and E1). Bypass KL by turning-off at Nilai and head towards Cyberjaya and Shah Alam on the E6 before rejoining the North South Highway (now the E1) by heading towards Sungai Buloh and Rawang. Leave from Singapore early in the morning, and traffic-willing, you can now flick on your cruise-control (if your car has one) and pass such signposts as Tanjung Malim, Slim River, Bidor, Gopeng, Kuala Kengsar and Changkat Jering on that long lazy stretch towards Taiping. You can choose anywhere as a stopover, but we recommend that no matter how early you leave in the morning, you rest somewhere for the night before reaching the port of Kuala Kedah. From Taiping, heading north again on the E1 towards Bukit Merah, Bandar Baruh, Bukit Tambun and Sungai Petani Selatan, before your penultimate town, Alor Star (also signposted as Alor Setar). You are now just a stone throw away from the bustling and delightfully dilapidated port town of Kuala Kedar.
We put our car, a Chevrolet Oprtra 5, on a separate car ferry with Dama Padu Enterprise ( (02) 04 7626 666 / (02) 04 7626 699). The car ferry operators all charge around RM180 (S$90) for a return car ferry journey for a car up to 1.6-litres in capacity. For anything over this the cost shoots up to around RM220 (S$110) one way, so budget this in for larger capacities. It is wise to check that there is room aboard for your vehicle at least 48 hours before you embark. Remember to bring your car's registration documents with you, including the chassis number. You cannot get on the same ferry as your car. Passenger ferries cost a further RM15 one-way and it takes about one-and-a-half hours to reach Langkawi island. (Contact Langkawi Ferry Services on (02) 04 966 9439 / 6316 / 6272 or Email: resvlfs@tm.net.com. Website: www.langkawi-ferry.com).
It takes an additional 24 hours for your car to reach the car terminal at Langkawi, so you will need to take a taxi from your chosen Langkawi resort the morning after you arrive there to pick it up. Is it worth all the effort of ferrying your car over in the first place? From The Highway's experience, we would say a resounding 'yes', given the great driving roads on this charming and Arcadian island. It offers freedom to explore when you want and will give you a better feeling for your own car on fairly empty roads, so different to Singapore's heavily regulated and traffic-heavy system.
Why drive? As a motoring organisation, the AA is always here to further the cause of enjoyable road trips. If you've already travelled on a popular AutoVentureTM with the AA then you will be familiar with pacing yourself for a long drive (9 to 10 hours in this case) and, importantly, not to rush yourself. Roughly three-quarters of our way up to Kuala Kedah port - which takes you and your car across to Langkawi - we decided to stay overnight in the rustic town of Taiping (Legend Inn is a reasonably priced, clean establishment there, tel: (02) 05 806 0000). It split up the long journey and left us refreshed for the remaining two hour leg the next day.
It's a very direct, but lengthy route taking up some 785 km one way, from the Tuas checkpoint in Singapore up the North South Highway (E2 and E1). Bypass KL by turning-off at Nilai and head towards Cyberjaya and Shah Alam on the E6 before rejoining the North South Highway (now the E1) by heading towards Sungai Buloh and Rawang. Leave from Singapore early in the morning, and traffic-willing, you can now flick on your cruise-control (if your car has one) and pass such signposts as Tanjung Malim, Slim River, Bidor, Gopeng, Kuala Kengsar and Changkat Jering on that long lazy stretch towards Taiping. You can choose anywhere as a stopover, but we recommend that no matter how early you leave in the morning, you rest somewhere for the night before reaching the port of Kuala Kedah. From Taiping, heading north again on the E1 towards Bukit Merah, Bandar Baruh, Bukit Tambun and Sungai Petani Selatan, before your penultimate town, Alor Star (also signposted as Alor Setar). You are now just a stone throw away from the bustling and delightfully dilapidated port town of Kuala Kedar.
We put our car, a Chevrolet Oprtra 5, on a separate car ferry with Dama Padu Enterprise ( (02) 04 7626 666 / (02) 04 7626 699). The car ferry operators all charge around RM180 (S$90) for a return car ferry journey for a car up to 1.6-litres in capacity. For anything over this the cost shoots up to around RM220 (S$110) one way, so budget this in for larger capacities. It is wise to check that there is room aboard for your vehicle at least 48 hours before you embark. Remember to bring your car's registration documents with you, including the chassis number. You cannot get on the same ferry as your car. Passenger ferries cost a further RM15 one-way and it takes about one-and-a-half hours to reach Langkawi island. (Contact Langkawi Ferry Services on (02) 04 966 9439 / 6316 / 6272 or Email: resvlfs@tm.net.com. Website: www.langkawi-ferry.com).
It takes an additional 24 hours for your car to reach the car terminal at Langkawi, so you will need to take a taxi from your chosen Langkawi resort the morning after you arrive there to pick it up. Is it worth all the effort of ferrying your car over in the first place? From The Highway's experience, we would say a resounding 'yes', given the great driving roads on this charming and Arcadian island. It offers freedom to explore when you want and will give you a better feeling for your own car on fairly empty roads, so different to Singapore's heavily regulated and traffic-heavy system.
Where To Stay
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Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort
You will be spoilt for choice for good resort accommodation in Langkawi -see our shortlist below. In this instance The Highway chose the Berjaya resort which consists of 500 independent chalets and suites situated either on the beachfront area or set further back in lush, natural rain-forest. We stayed in a Superior Chalet by the sea (RM450 per night) that comes with a Queen Size bed and offers a relaxing view of the Malacca Straits at sunset. There is a cool veranda to sit out at night and watch the sun go down. Many of the waterfront chalets are all linked by wooden walkways and have a very similar architecture to the wooden structures on Pangkor Laut island that The Highway had travelled to on a previous Car Go. Rates go up for the Premier Suites on Land (RM800 per night) while those who really want to sample the highlife can experience the ultimate in luxury with the Junior Suite on Water (RM 1,500 per night) or the Premier Suite on Water (RM 2,000 per night). Meals can be ordered directly to your room or you can call for a 24 hour shuttle bus service that takes you from your room to the main Berjaya reception area. From here there are four different restaurants to eat at, including the 24 hour Dayang café.
Berjaya's comprehensive spa centre offers a wide range of traditional massage services to take the ache and strains out of weary bodies and has two centres for both male and female. It makes for a relaxing stay amid the green jungle backdrop. For those who really can't leave work alone, there's also a dedicated business centre, linking you to the rest of the world.
Type of Room - Published Rack Rates
Superior Chalet - RM 450 per room per night
Deluxe Chalet- RM 580 per room per night
For reservations & informatiom, please call:
Berjaya Hotels & Resorts Singapore Sales Office
Tel: 6227 3688
Fax: 6225 4966
Email: rsvn@berjaya.com.sg
Website: www.berjayaresorts.com
Selection of other hotels in Langkawi
Mutiara Burau Bay Beach Resort
Tel: (02) 04 959 1061; Fax: (02) 04 959 1172; Email: adminbb@mutiarahotels.com; Website: www.mutiarahotels.com
Sheraton Perdana Resort
Tel: (02) 04 966 2020; Fax: (02) 04 966 6414; Email: sheratonperdana@sheraton.com
Tanjung Rhu Resort
Tel: (02) 04 959 1033; Fax: (02) 04 959 1899; Email: resort@tanjungrhu.com.my
The Datai
Tel: (02) 04 959 2500; Fax: (02) 04 959 2600; Email: datai@ghmhotels.com; Website: www.ghmhotels.com
The Andaman
Tel: (02) 04 959 1088; Fax: (02) 04 959 1168; Email: reservations@theandaman.com
Superior Chalet - RM 450 per room per night
Deluxe Chalet- RM 580 per room per night
For reservations & informatiom, please call:
Berjaya Hotels & Resorts Singapore Sales Office
Tel: 6227 3688
Fax: 6225 4966
Email: rsvn@berjaya.com.sg
Website: www.berjayaresorts.com
Selection of other hotels in Langkawi
Mutiara Burau Bay Beach Resort
Tel: (02) 04 959 1061; Fax: (02) 04 959 1172; Email: adminbb@mutiarahotels.com; Website: www.mutiarahotels.com
Sheraton Perdana Resort
Tel: (02) 04 966 2020; Fax: (02) 04 966 6414; Email: sheratonperdana@sheraton.com
Tanjung Rhu Resort
Tel: (02) 04 959 1033; Fax: (02) 04 959 1899; Email: resort@tanjungrhu.com.my
The Datai
Tel: (02) 04 959 2500; Fax: (02) 04 959 2600; Email: datai@ghmhotels.com; Website: www.ghmhotels.com
The Andaman
Tel: (02) 04 959 1088; Fax: (02) 04 959 1168; Email: reservations@theandaman.com