Malaysia | Fez Files

Malaysia - 04 Nights - From Bustling Kuala Lumpur to the Serenity of Nature in Langkawi

During the month of August, we wanted to visit our families back in Hyderabad, India. While being there, and not wanting to spend our entire trip just in India, we decided to take a detour to Malaysia. A quick getaway for 04 nights. 01 Night in Kuala Lumpur and 03 Nights in Langkawi. Incredibly short, but considering our limited time frame, we opted for such. In Kuala Lumpur, we decided to stay close to Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) which had both the Petronas towers, as well as Menara Kuala Lumpur within walking distance. Even the Central Market was nearby. Langkawi is a very tiny island, so we could see major attractions easily.

Since we were visiting Hyderabad at the time, our origin was Hyderabad. Flights were selected accordingly, we went with Air Asia, which had a decent combination of price and value. Excursions were booked beforehand as we often do for our other travels, and our stay was short and simple.

We decided to book our tour packages for Langkawi mangrove tour beforehand, and purchase tickets to various attractions as well. We used tripadvisor.com and klook.com to get decent rates for private tours.

Overall, we had a great experience with the holiday itself, not so much with the flights.

Helpful Links

Curated Google Maps List: Explore our custom Google Maps itinerary, pinpointing all the must-visit spots in both Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. From landmarks to hidden gems, this list is a personal compilation of our trip highlights: Google Maps Itinerary.
Malaysia Visa Information: Everything you need to know about visa requirements for Malaysia. Remember to cross-check current updates, especially regarding visa-free travel for Indian citizens
Hotels
- Kuala Lumpur: Stay at the centrally located Holiday Inn Express KLCC, perfect for walking access to major landmarks. Agoda Link.
- Langkawi: Unwind at the charming Lot 33 Boutique Hotel, offering spacious rooms and a lively ambiance. Agoda Link.
Flights: We chose Air Asia for both international and domestic travel. Affordable and reliable, though delays are a possibility: https://www.airasia.com/en/gb
Trip Advisor Mangrove Tour: Sharing Half Day Kilim Geoforest Park Mangrove Boat Tour
Taxi / Uber - Air Asia app for Android. Similar should be available for iOS on the app store.
Also used Grab App for Android. Compare both Air Asia and Grab to get competitive rates.
We opted to get a local sim in Malaysia (hotlink), but if you want, you can go for an e-sim package. When required, I opt for BNESIM. Use code G2GS9T2A and enjoy a €5 discount on all BNESIM products! https://apps.bnesim.com/?esim_app=1

Getting There

Air Asia had direct flights to Kuala Lumpur from Hyderabad, and domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi. Overall, it was a cheap budget flight, so we decided to stick with it, comfort levels were decent and luckily, we managed to get 03 seats to ourselves on 2 out of 4 flights.

The cheap price came with the cost of flight delays, 3 out of our 4 flights through the trip were delayed by at least an hour, but not more than two. So, we convinced ourselves that it was OK since the flights were so cheap. I would not recommend Air Asia if you wanted to get to your destination on time, but it did make up for the delays by being cheap.

To enter Malaysia, we had to apply for an e-visa at the time, but recently it was announced that Indian citizens can travel to Malaysia visa – free till 31st Dec 2023. Please cross verify this information as usual and do your own research.

Malaysia’s go – to app for Uber rides and food deliveries is GRAB. The Air Asia app has a taxi feature as well which works in the same way. Make sure to get both and look for promo codes to save on rides.

The Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) is generally weaker than the UAE Dirham (AED) and slightly stronger than the Indian Rupee (INR). This makes Malaysia a relatively affordable destination for travelers from both the UAE and India.

We opted for a local sim card after landing in Malaysia, as our roaming package was worse value.

Accommodation

As usual, during our planning we check out major attractions and find value for money, convenience of location and how walkable the area is, if there are a high number of attractions in the area, we pitch our tent there.

Holiday Inn express came out as decent value for money and great location wise, being in the heart of KLCC. Technically we stayed 01 night in Kuala Lumpur, but since we arrived early in the morning, we booked 02 nights so that we could check in early and have breakfast on the same morning and go to bed.

As for Langkawi, we opted to splurge a little and went with Lot 33 Boutique Hotel, a fantastic hotel with a live band at nights, amazingly spacious rooms with a large Jacuzzi. Cheaper rooms are available of course, albeit slightly smaller and without a Jacuzzi. Location was not an issue as Langkawi is a small island and getting from one place to another is straightforward with Grab app or Air Asia taxi feature.

A lot of folks also rent scooters. If that’s your thing there are plenty of places available once you arrive at Langkawi to rent a scooter.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kuala Lumpur

Our adventure began in the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur. Arriving early in the morning, we checked into the Holiday Inn Express KLCC and indulged in a hearty breakfast before catching up on some much-needed rest. Later in the day, we ventured to the Central Market, soaking in the local culture and shopping for unique souvenirs. The bustling atmosphere of the market gave us a wonderful first taste of Malaysia. For dinner, we kept it simple with a quick bite at McDonald’s before heading back to the hotel to relax.

Day 2: Exploring Kuala Lumpur & Journey to Langkawi

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we set out to explore the iconic landmarks near KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center). Visiting the towering Petronas Towers and the breathtaking Menara Kuala Lumpur was an awe-inspiring experience. A leisurely stroll through the serene KLCC Park rounded off the morning. By early afternoon, we made our way to the airport for a domestic flight to Langkawi. Upon arriving on the island, we embraced its tropical vibe and enjoyed a quiet evening with a light self-prepared dinner, recharging for the adventures ahead.

Day 3: Exploring Langkawi's Natural Wonders

Our first full day in Langkawi began with breakfast at the hotel, fueling us for a day of adventure. The highlights included the breathtaking Langkawi Cable Car ride, the mesmerizing Skybridge, and the refreshing Telaga Tujuh Waterfall. Lunch at the Oriental Village food carts added a local touch, while the evening was spent exploring Pantai Cenang’s vibrant night market. Dinner at the Cenang Food Truck Square capped off a day filled with stunning vistas and local flavors.

Day 4: Mangroves and Wildlife

This day was all about nature and wildlife! After breakfast, we embarked on a guided tour of Kilim Geoforest National Park. The mangrove forests, Eagle Feeding Point, and mysterious caves like Gua Kelawar made the experience unforgettable. A complimentary lunch by the tour operator was a pleasant surprise. In the afternoon, we visited the Langkawi Wildlife Park, where the close encounters with exotic animals left us amazed. Dinner at Aroi Thai Restaurant, with its authentic Thai dishes, provided a perfect conclusion to the day.

Day 5: Farewell, Langkawi

Our last day in Malaysia was a blend of relaxation and last-minute adventures. After breakfast, we explored the Underwater World Langkawi and nearby duty-free shops for souvenirs. The sparkling waters and the lush surroundings gave us one final taste of Langkawi’s charm before we made our way to the airport. Reflecting on the memories as we boarded our flight back to Hyderabad, we felt grateful for the wonderful experiences packed into these five days.

Cost

Below is the total cost of our trip.

Final Thoughts, Tips and Advice

Check whether you require a visa to travel.
If you plan to deal in Cash, make sure to get your currency exchanged anywhere but the airports. Cards are accepted in majority of places, but we personally dealt in cash.
Compare your roaming packages or opt for an e-sim if it is cheaper than getting a sim card in Malaysia
Malaysia weather is hot and humid. Take lots of sunscreen and loose clothes.
Compare both Air Asia and Grab app for taxi rates. The rates in Kuala Lumpur are much higher than the rates in Langkawi.
The center of Kuala Lumpur (KLCC) is very accessible for walking, you can easily visit the Petronas towers, Menara Kuala Lumpur by walking the streets. Pedestrian facilities are very advanced.
We were short on time and did not visit places like the Batu caves in Kuala Lumpur, Genting, Eagle Square in Langkawi. Do look at all places in Malaysia and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Overall we had a wonderful time in Malaysia. Would recommend.

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