[Kkumar]

If one can summarise your travelogue in one word then that will be "VOW". As usual an excellent travelogue with beautiful photographs. Thank you for sharing and keep on munching miles.

[goandude]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

This is sort of a grey area. If you see Malaysian car rental websites and their requirements, they mention IDP (in addition to the home country's DL) as a requirement.

However, in practice, it is not required if you have your home country license in English. Anyways, IDP is now merely a certified English translation of your domestic driving license.

Hope that answers your question.

Hey Dr AD, Amazing write up and pics. Since we are going to Langkawi in March for our anniversary I have a few questions to ask.

1. The Skycab, skywalk, skybridge- where did you buy the tickets from? I see them available on Klook. How does one travel between these attractions? walkable or need a vehicle?

2. Where did you buy the dinner cruise/ 4 island tour/ mangrove tour tickets from? Is it something like Phuket/Krabi where numerous roadside vendors sell these excursions.

3. What was the cost of the car rental? did they keep your passport or something as security deposit? Is it feasible to hire a scooter or motorcycle?

4. Did you buy a sim card there?

Thanks in advance.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by NPV

Awesome travelogue with photographs that are drool worthy wallpaper stuff, thanks for sharing DrAD!

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Another amazing travelogue Dr.

Originally Posted by justwheels

Thanks Dr. AD for the wonderful travelogue and a photologue. In all honesty, when I see one coming from you, I can safely use the same line every time. Its a pleasure to read through your write ups always.

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

Lovely Travelogue. Brought back memories of Langkawi - Penang - Kuala Lumpur trip i did last September.

Originally Posted by Kkumar

If one can summarise your travelogue in one word then that will be "VOW".

Originally Posted by goandude

Hey Dr AD, Amazing write up and pics.

Thank you very much all of you for your kind words!

Originally Posted by goandude

1. The Skycab, skywalk, skybridge- where did you buy the tickets from? I see them available on Klook.

I bought these tickets online on their official website: https://panoramalangkawi.com/

They have various combo tickets. You can choose the combo you like. I bought "Express Entry" by adding RM 50 to each ticket. That is totally worth it. That avoids the lines everywhere (there were big lines everywhere - this place is very popular and full of tourist crowds) and saves a lot of time. So I would recommend adding this option on top of whatever combo ticket you choose.

How does one travel between these attractions? walkable or need a vehicle?

You have to drive to the main parking lot, and from their take the Sykcab (Cable car aka Gondola). Skywalk is on the middle station on this ride, and then Skybridge is a small hike down from the last station. By the way, this last hike is a bit steep (via a flight of stairs build into the hill) and going up and down from the last Cable Car station to actual Skybridge requires at least basic fitness level. They also have an option called "Skyglide" for this last step. But we enjoyed walking up and down the stairs!

In summary, leave your vehicle in the parking lot and all these attractions are via cable car and small hikes up and down, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and restroom facilities available all across this complex.

2. Where did you buy the dinner cruise/ 4 island tour/ mangrove tour tickets from? Is it something like Phuket/Krabi where numerous roadside vendors sell these excursions.

I booked all my cruise tickets here: https://www.langkawitour.com/
These are available on Klook too, and there are many other tour operators too. I think in the end all are the same. Yes, there are plenty of roadside vendors too who sell these tickets where I saw people even negotiating and getting cheaper rates. In the end all these various ticket agencies give the same tickets. So choose whatever is convenient for you, online in advance or just on the spot tickets from these roadside vendors.

3. What was the cost of the car rental? did they keep your passport or something as security deposit? Is it feasible to hire a scooter or motorcycle?

Roughly about ₹1800 per day for unlimited distance (not that you can drive much there anyways). Fuel costs extra. Had to return the car on full fuel. No, they do not keep passport (I would never leave my passport with anyone while abroad - no way!). They took a security deposit of RM 200 which they insisted be in cash, and returned the same in cash to me in after returning the car.

Yes plenty of scooter rentals are available, although I did not check the details.

4. Did you buy a sim card there?

Nope. I just used Airtel International Roaming pack on my existing SIM and that works very well. In all my (occasional) international travels in last 10 years, from USA to Japan to other APAC countries, I have never taken a local SIM. Airtel International Roaming pack worked the best for me everywhere.

[goandude]

Thanks for the extremely detailed and useful answer to all my questions. Team-BHP rocks
I think that you had travelled at the peak holiday/ tourist season so the crowds were omnipresent.

[vijayols]

Is the ocean good for snorkelling?

[DSK0909]

A very well planned holiday Dr. AD
Amazing clicks especially the sunrise.

I regret not visiting Langkawi even though I was in KL for quite some time. It goes onto my bucket list.

[nxshar2]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

Thanks everyone for liking the pictures and for sharing your experiences! Agree with all of you that it is a nice place for vacation. Yes, Penang is also a very nice place. I have been there earlier and had a great time there too.

Thanks for the great travelogue, any particular scenic routes etc you would recommend? Just for driving around, need not necessarily go anywhere

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by nxshar2

Thanks for the great travelogue, any particular scenic routes etc you would recommend? Just for driving around, need not necessarily go anywhere

There are not too many roads in Langkawi, and most roads are quite short. But yes, those short roads are quite scenic!

For example, this stretch is very scenic (has good sea views too), and I drove back and forth here a few times: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8e8SQix4rZzhfrUA6

But again this is just 4.3km long! This is a mere 5 minutes drive, although scenic.

Then the highway 167 is very scenic too. This goes through a scenic forest patch. Here is one scenic stretch on this highway: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SCDHVhs3JbwJbPv37

This is about 10km long scenic drive, quite long by Langkawi standards!

Another scenic drive would to be a hillview point knows as Gunung Raya (https://maps.app.goo.gl/SpRGiEVnJX6ZHzbT8). This is a nice hill drive that is quite scenic.

In general most roads (except for the small urban/city patches) in Langkawi are quite scenic, but the above are a few specific routes that I think are quire nice!

Hope this helps.

[mathuranuj]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

While we did visit the tourist places mentioned above, one of the most memorable experiences from this vacation was just enjoying the views from our resort itself. Our room had a fantastic sea view from our balcony. And the resort had an infinity pool right outside our room, offering even nicer views.

Thanks a lot for this good information. It would be helpful if you can put an approx budget for 2 and the contacts for car rental company.

[ramnath_77]

As usual a fantastic travelogue with crisp writing and stunning pictures from you Dr. AD

Based on your experience, i will definitely keep this in the must visit places for future.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by mathuranuj

It would be helpful if you can put an approx budget for 2 and the contacts for car rental company.

Budget is a very personal, individual and variable thing. I do not think it will be possible to give a generic answer. Moreover, the flight and hotel rates are dynamic, and it will vary based on when you book. Also for hotels, there are economy hotels and there are super luxury hotels. Entire range is available in Langkawi and the budget will depend on what you choose.

I did not use any special deal or special contact anywhere. I booked my flights and hotels on MakeMyTrip. A quick search on MakeMyTrip will give you an accurate answer about how much this trip would cost during your intended travel dates.

For car rental, again I do not have any specific contacts. I just did a Google search, and out of the top 2 or 3 links that came up, I booked the car online on Klook because I found a reasonable deal there for my needs. (Klook is a popular online travel company in Langkawi).

Originally Posted by ramnath_77

As usual a fantastic travelogue with crisp writing and stunning pictures from you Dr. AD

Based on your experience, i will definitely keep this in the must visit places for future.

Thanks a lot @ramnath_77. Glad you liked the pictures. For a wildlife enthusiast like you, the Kilim Geoforest Park is a great place and there are many wildlife species for photography too.

[AltoLXI]

Fantastic travelogue and amazing photography !!

A few years back, we did travel to Singapore skipping Malaysia - the reason being we were told Malaysia's traffic is bad and we would get the Bengaluru feel. After going through your travelogue, the wanderlust has rekindled ! I was planning Kazakhstan during summer but now I feel Langkawi may be a better option.

I know Indians do not need a visa, however, apart from return tickets and hotel bookings, what documents are expected to be produced at both immigrations? What were the immigration formalities?

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

Fantastic travelogue and amazing photography !!

Thanks a lot.

I know Indians do not need a visa, however, apart from return tickets and hotel bookings, what documents are expected to be produced at both immigrations? What were the immigration formalities?

Immigration in Langkawi is very simple. You don't really need any documents at all (nobody asked us for hotel bookings or return tickets).

You need to fill up an online Arrival Card within three days of your arrival in Malaysia (Google it and you will find the link). That is all. You do not need any other documents.

Langkawi is a small airport and for international flights directly arriving in Langkawi, the immigration officers know almost everyone is just a tourist. They did not ask even a single question. They just scanned our passports and we walked in.

[rahulk2510]

I think its best to opt for car rental from the airport right at the exit gate. We recently did a 3N trip to Langkawi and rented car from airport to take away the hassle of hailing a cab. Got a basic sedan (Perodua Bezza) for a total for 220MYR. Petrol is super cheap around 2MYR for 95 Octane.

[nxshar2]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

Hope this helps.

It did indeed, as you said most roads were quite scenic. Funny how on way to gunung raya, trees on both side are so dense that you have to go to the top to see any valley views!