Looking for an island getaway in Malaysia, this Langkawi itinerary will show you how to experience the best of Langkawi in 3 days!
Made up of 104 islands, Langkawi is the ultimate beach paradise! Due to its close proximity to the Thai border, the landscape is quite similar to that of Krabi in Thailand with white-sand beaches, limestone cliffs, waterfalls and rainforest-covered hills and mountains.
From the world’s steepest cable car ride to the incredible SkyBridge curving around the mountains at 660 meters above sea level to the white-sand beaches of Pantai Cenang or the UNESCO-listed Kilim Geoforest, there’s plenty to keep you occupied if you’re spending 3 days in Langkawi!
This Langkawi 3 days 2 nights itinerary will show all the best attractions to visit including practical info on how to get there, where to stay and the best time to visit.
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Be sure to take a ride on the Langkawi Cable Car for the best panoramic views on the island. You’ll also have the opportunity to walk on the world’s longest suspension bridge for even more epic views! Don’t forget to book in advance to guarantee your spot!
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How many days to spend in Langkawi?
If you’re wondering whether 3 days in Langkawi is enough, the answer is yes! The island is pretty small and it’s easy to get around. You can definitely visit all the main tourist attractions within 3 days and still have plenty of time to relax on the beach.
To make the most of your Langkawi 3 days 2 nights itinerary, make sure to take an early flight or ferry to the island.
What to do in Langkawi for 3 days?
Below is a suggested 3-day Langkawi itinerary covering all the best things to do and places to visit. Of course, you can swap the days around according to your personal preference or skip certain attractions if you wish.
Tip: Since public transportation in Langkawi isn’t readily available, you can book this private car charter to explore the island at your own pace.
CHECK PRICE FOR A PRIVATE CAR CHARTER IN LANGKAWI
Langkawi Itinerary Day 1
Eagle Square
I recommend starting your 3 days in Langkawi itinerary in Kuah Town. If you took a ferry to Langkawi, you’ll be dropped off here as this is where the ferry terminal is located.
The town is home to Eagle Square (also known as Dataran Lang), Langkawi’s most famous landmark. The 12-meter eagle statue overlooks the waterfront area and Gunung Raya, the highest peak in Langkawi.
When it comes to duty-free shopping in Langkawi, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Jetty Point Complex and Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall are both located within walking distance of the ferry terminal and Eagle Square. They house a wide selection of duty-free goods such as perfumes, chocolates and alcohol.
Cenang Beach
Since there’s no public transportation in Langkawi, you’ll have to take a Grab taxi to get to Cenang beach (also known as Pantai Cenang). This should set you back around RM30 (US$ 7.25). Depending on the time of the day, check into your hotel before making your way to the beach.
Cenang beach is one of the longest beaches in Langkawi, so it never feels too crowded, well except during sunset (which is pretty spectacular btw!). You’ll also find lots of tour operators, restaurants and bars lining down the road and along the beach.
Take it easy on the first day of your Langkawi itinerary by spending some time relaxing on the beach or going for a dip in the ocean. You can also opt for watersport activities such as parasailing or jet skiing. If you stay after sunset, you can watch the fire shows for free.
CHECK PRICE FOR A JET SKI SESSION IN LANGKAWI
Night Market
For dinner on a budget, head out to the many night markets that are held every night in different parts of Langkawi. The markets usually open from 5 p.m and sell everything from food to clothes and souvenirs.
You can get a small portion of Nasi Lemak for as low as RM2 (US$ 0.50). Other foods worth trying are the delicious and cheap apam balik (pancake filled with peanuts and sweet corn), kuih peneram (rice flour donut coated with syrup), murtabak and more.
Below is a list of the different night markets including their schedules and locations:
| Night Market | When | Location |
| Ulu Melaka Market | Monday, 5.30 p.m to 10 p.m | 2, Taman Wawasan Indah, Kampung Padang Gaong |
| Kedawang Market | Tuesday, 5.30 p.m to 10 p.m | Kampung Chenek Kura |
| Kuah Night Market | Wednesday and Saturday, 5.30 p.m to 10 p.m | 213C Kampung Bendang Baru Mukim Kuah Town |
| Temoyong Night Market | Thursday, 5 p.m to 10 p.m | Kampung Lubok Buaya |
| Ayer Hangat Night Market | Friday, 5.30 p.m to 10 p.m | Jalan Padang Gaong |
| Padang Matsirat Night Market | Sunday 5.30 p.m to 10 p.m | Kampung Padang Matsirat |
Langkawi Itinerary Day 2
SkyCab and SkyBridge
If you’re wondering what to do in Langkawi for 3 days, make sure to visit the SkyCab and SkyBridge. Floating at a height of 660 meters above sea level, the Langkawi SkyBridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world.
It provides the most stunning panoramic views of Langkawi and on a clear day, you can even as far as the Thai Islands.
To get there you first need to take a cable car (SkyCab) from the foot of Mount Machinchang. You’ll then reach the first viewing platform where you can stop to take photos and enjoy the view. Next, hop on a second cable car to get to another viewpoint before moving on to the SkyBridge.
CHECK PRICE FOR TICKETS FOR LANGKAWI SKYCAB
You’ll need a separate ticket for the bridge which can be purchased at the top for RM6 (US$ 1.45) for adults and RM4 (US$ 0.95) for children. There’s a small jungle trail that leads to the bridge which is roughly a 10 minutes walk.
If you’re not very fit, you can purchase a ticket for the SkyGlide (return ticket: RM16/US$ 3.85 for adults and RM11/US$ 2.65 for children) which will take you directly to the SkyBridge.
To avoid crowds, I highly recommend visiting on weekdays. Another tip is to buy your ticket online at least a few days in advance. Even after purchasing your ticket online, I still recommend getting there early since you need to redeem your ticket. Luckily, the wait won’t be too long compared to buying on site.
The normal ticket price for the SkyCab starts from RM38 for Malaysians and RM78 (US$ 18.80) for tourists. These are the cheapest ones since you’ll have to wait in line.
If you don’t want to wait, you can buy an Express Lane ticket which is slightly more expensive. You also have the option of getting in either a standard, private, VIP or glass-bottom gondola/cable car.
All SkyCab tickets include the following:
- SkyDome: 3D image projections inside a 360-degree dome.
- SkyRex: 4D experience in a tram simulator.
- 3D Art Langkawi: A fun and quirky trick-eye museum where you can pose with 3D interactive arts.
CHECK PRICE FOR TICKETS FOR LANGKAWI SKYCAB
Seven Wells Waterfall
Next up on your Langkawi 3 days 2 nights itinerary is the Seven Wells Waterfall, also known as Telaga Tujuh. It’s completely free to visit and it takes only 15 minutes to walk to the waterfall from the Langkawi SkyCab and Skybridge.
It’s best to visit during the wet season, between May and November. From December to April, the waterfall will be more of a trickle but you can still swim in the small pools found at the top and bottom.
For more details, including how to get there and what to expect, you can read my guide to visiting Seven Wells Waterfalls.
If you’d like to visit other waterfalls as well, you might consider Temurun Waterfall or Durian Perangin (Sona Waterfall).
Related post: How to visit the Seven Wells Waterfall?
Langkawi Itinerary Day 3
Kilim Geoforest Park
Kilim Geoforest Park is a UNESCO-listed nature reserve situated in the northeast of Langkawi. It features tall limestone cliffs, mangrove swamps, caves and diverse wildlife including eagles, monkeys, monitor lizards and more.
You can either rent a private boat and spilt the cost between other travelers or book a kayaking tour. Make sure to avoid tour operators that feed the eagles chicken skin. This can be very harmful to the ecosystem as it disrupts their normal eating behavior. I recommend booking with this particular operator as they don’t promote such practices.
The tour will take you along Kilim River where you’ll be able to get close to the karst cliffs and mangroves. You’ll then visit the Bat Cave and a small secluded beach. If you’re lucky enough, you might even spot some dolphins during the tour!
CHECK PRICE FOR A BOAT TOUR OF KILIM GEOFOREST PARK
Tanjung Rhu Beach
If you’d like to explore more beaches, head to Tanjung Rhu located in the north of Langkawi, about a 20 minutes drive from Kilim Geoforest.
The beach features powdery white sand and feels more remote since it’s not as popular as Cenang beach. There are a few limestone karsts scattered around the ocean which reminds me a lot of the Krabi beaches in Thailand.
Where to stay in Langkawi?
Chenang Inn
Located less than a 5-minute walk from Cenang beach, Chenang Inn features clean and spacious rooms with private bathrooms. Prices start from US$ 21 per night, perfect for those on a budget.
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Berjaya Resort
For more of a mid-range option, check out Berjaya Resort which features both tree-house style and overwater bungalows. The resort is bordered by the rainforest and has an incredible ocean view. The location is also ideal, only 850 meters from the Langkawi SkyCab and Skybridge.
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How to get to Langkawi?
From Kuala Lumpur
The quickest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi is to take a plane. There are lots of budget airlines including AirAsia that serve this route. It takes on average 1 hour to get there.
CHECK PRICE FOR FLIGHTS FROM KL TO LANGKAWI
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind taking the longer route, take a bus from KL to Kuala Perlis Jetty and from there, transfer to a ferry to Langkawi Island. The total journey should take about 9 hours.
From Penang
The ferry service between Penang and Langkawi isn’t currently operational so the only way to travel between the islands is to take the plane. Flights are very affordable and it takes only about 30 minutes to get to Langkawi.
CHECK PRICE FOR A FLIGHT FROM PENANG TO LANGKAWI
From Koh Lipe
If you’re coming from Koh Lipe in Thailand, high-speed ferries are also available and cost about RM 170 (US$ 38) one-way. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
CHECK PRICE FOR A TRANSFER FROM KOH LIPE TO LANGKAWI
Getting Around
Since there’s no public transportation in Langkawi, you’ll have to rely on taxis to get around. For those traveling on a budget, I recommend Grab since it’s cheaper than regular taxis. You can also book a private car charter or rent a scooter for about RM50 per day.
Best Time to Visit
For optimal weather conditions, plan your visit between December and April. On the other hand, May to November is the wet/low season. While you can get better deals on accommodation, you’ll have to deal with the occasional rainy days. But on the bright side, the waterfalls will be at their most impressive.
Did you find this Langkawi itinerary helpful? How are you planning to spend your 3 days in Langkawi? Let me know in the comments below!
Read more about Malaysia:
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