Although I have visited Langkawi quite a number of times, I took a flight to the island for all those trips, flying from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport).
1. ticket counters at Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal
Last weekend, I had the chance to head to the Jewel of Kedah again, and to my delight, we would be taking the ferry. It would be a new experience for me and I was looking forward to it, despite being alerted by a friend that the sea would be choppy and I should prepare myself for seasickness.
Going to Langkawi from Ipoh is actually not as difficult as I had thought. One just needs to drive about 5 hours north to Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal, and from there, take a ferry to the island.
There are other ferries that go to Langkawi as well, from Kuala Kedah and Penang, but this post will be a recount of my personal experience, and I crossed the sea from Kuala Perlis.
2. floating mosque Masjid Al Hussain Kuala Perlis
The Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal is just a short walk from the floating mosque Masjid Al Hussain Kuala Perlis, which makes it most convenient for Muslims to perform their prayer before heading out to Langkawi.
3. the ferry to Langkawi Island
There are also food shops here, so there’s no fear of going hungry, although spicy Malay food may not suit everyone.
4. boarding the ferry
Ferry tickets are sold at the “dataran” opposite the ferry terminal. Just like a bus station, there are different operators and their schedules differ.
For example, Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn. Bhd. offers the following ferry times from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi: 7am / 8.30am / 9.30am / 10am / 11am / 12.30pm / 2pm / 4pm / 5.30pm / 7pm
On the other hand, Dragon Star Shipping Sdn. Bhd. departs from Kuala Perlis at 7.30am / 10.30am / 2.30pm / 4.30pm / 6.30pm
Ferry fare is RM18 per adult one day. Child and senior citizens pay RM13, while OKU card holders pay RM10 per trip. Duration is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
5. on board the ferry to Langkawi
While ferries cater to a different category of passengers, having been on the ferry twice for this trip over the weekend, I would say that the crowd is as orderly as can be expected. The numbered seating and air-conditioning help.
6. luggage stacked up at the baggage holding area as high as a person
I was taken aback though, by the way the luggage was stacked at the baggage holding area, as high as a adult person. You can imagine the wait and the jam, should your luggage be trapped at the bottom of the heap.
Therefore, having personally encountered this situation, I would think twice about carrying my valuables in my luggage that I am unable to carry with me at all times onboard the double-decker ferry.
Having your bag squashed is one thing, not being able to keep an eye on your bag during the journey is another. With the hundreds of passengers on the ferry, one could easily lose the bag, either by accident or intentionally “mistakenly” taken away by someone else.
7. Jetty Point @ Kuah, Langkawi
The disembarkation point at Langkawi is known as Jetty Point, in Kuah, the island’s main town.
8. ticket counters
Jetty Point is also very busy, particularly on weekends, as the ferries here head out to Kuala Kedah and Penang domestically, as well as Koh Lipe and Satun in Thailand.
9. ferry ticket
10. depart Langkawi
Ferry Line Ventures Sdn. Bhd. operates ferry to Kuala Kedah from Langkawi at the following hours: 7.30am / 8.30am / 10am / 11.30am / 1pm / 2pm / 3.30pm / 5pm / 6pm / 7pm. Fare is RM23 (adult), RM17 (child 3 – 12 years). Duration is about 1 hour 45 minutes.
11. departure
12. departure
Andaman Ferry Ventures Sdn. Bhd. sails to Satun from Langkawi twice a day at 9.30am and 5.15pm. Fare is RM35 (adult), RM28 (child) and RM12 (infant). Duration is 1 hour 15 minutes.
13. departure
14. trolley for rent at RM2, not exceeding 50kg in weight
Langkawi is a shopping haven by virtue of the fact that it is a duty-free island. If you have shopped too much, not to worry, there are trolleys for rent at RM2 each, not exceeding 50kg in weight.
15. waiting hall
16. to the ferry
For the return trip from Langkawi to Kuala Perlis, the scenario at the baggage holding area is similar, just a lot worse, due to the purchases of most passengers. It makes you realise why it seems more sensible to pay more to take a flight instead, despite having to keep within weight limit of the flight.
17. long queue to board the ferry
18. on board the ferry from Langkawi to Kuala Perlis
Anyway, despite the unsettling sight of free-flow of vomit bags hanging around the ferry, I am glad to report that the journey was uneventful, despite what the warning that my friend gave me.
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