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  • Aston100 1,739 posts

    I’d recommend Phuket or Krabi instead of Langkawi. The beaches are nicer and more things to see and do. Langkawi is not a bad option, just that there are better beaches.

    Agreed.
    IMO it’s only worth going to Langkawi if you’re already doing a trip around Peninsular Malaysia.

    Keely 89 posts

    Hi both thanks – we did Thailand in Jan and loved it – so would be happy to go again. Krabi is on our list so we may skip Langkawi and go there .

    Keely 89 posts

    Morning all …booking flights from Singapore to Langkawi. How much time would you think is a safe transfer time? We land at 15-55 into terminal one and it seems air Asia departs from terminal 2 – there are plenty of flights but unsure of what is a reasonable time ? Thank you

    BBbetter 1,253 posts

    Morning all …booking flights from Singapore to Langkawi. How much time would you think is a safe transfer time? We land at 15-55 into terminal one and it seems air Asia departs from terminal 2 – there are plenty of flights but unsure of what is a reasonable time ? Thank you

    Depends if your first flight is usually on time, you can check the history on flight aware or similar website. Changi is typically a very efficient airport, but I’d play it safe and book 2nd flight after 7pm. The air Asia checkin could be a bottleneck, so worth exploring if they offer an express checkin option.
    Even if all things go as planned leaving you with more time than necessary, you can relax in one of the many good lounges or restaurants.

    e14 417 posts

    Morning all …booking flights from Singapore to Langkawi. How much time would you think is a safe transfer time? We land at 15-55 into terminal one and it seems air Asia departs from terminal 2 – there are plenty of flights but unsure of what is a reasonable time ? Thank you

    Don’t think Air Asia is in T1, pretty certain it is in T4. I know they have early check-in in the Jewel, but that won’t help you if your flight is within three hours.

    BA11 is an A380 and whilst the punctuality has improved, they are known for delays (I’d bank an hour), Singapore immigration and baggage shouldn’t take more than 40 minutes though.

    Keely 89 posts

    Thanks both 😀

    Keely 89 posts

    Afternoon all, sorry for lots of questions, lot of last min planning. I had intended to finish my trip with 6 nights in krabi then fly to Singapore for 23-15 flight. However there is only 1 direct flight from krabi on that day (lots of indirect of 4+ hours) . That’s a bit too risky for me ! I could reverse my trip and start in krabi and end in Penang but I would prefer the nice beach bit to be at the end. Any suggestions other than a night in Singapore (which I don’t really want to do as did Singapore this year and don’t feel a need to visit again). Thank you

    Michael C 887 posts

    Afternoon all, sorry for lots of questions, lot of last min planning. I had intended to finish my trip with 6 nights in krabi then fly to Singapore for 23-15 flight. However there is only 1 direct flight from krabi on that day (lots of indirect of 4+ hours) . That’s a bit too risky for me ! I could reverse my trip and start in krabi and end in Penang but I would prefer the nice beach bit to be at the end. Any suggestions other than a night in Singapore (which I don’t really want to do as did Singapore this year and don’t feel a need to visit again). Thank you

    Except for BKK/KUL, wherever I was in SEA, I’d still have a night in Singapore rather than risk a same-day flight! You could do the (actually really nice) Crowne Plaza at the airport itself, then hang out in the pool/lounge/Jewel if you don’t fancy town?

    aseftel 330 posts

    Afternoon all, sorry for lots of questions, lot of last min planning. I had intended to finish my trip with 6 nights in krabi then fly to Singapore for 23-15 flight. However there is only 1 direct flight from krabi on that day (lots of indirect of 4+ hours) . That’s a bit too risky for me ! I could reverse my trip and start in krabi and end in Penang but I would prefer the nice beach bit to be at the end. Any suggestions other than a night in Singapore (which I don’t really want to do as did Singapore this year and don’t feel a need to visit again). Thank you

    I’d do a night in Singapore just for the food (and it’s such an easy taxi into town).

    But if you’re looking for other ideas, swap Krabi for Langkawi. You’ll be able to do it as a nonstop flight from PEN and then there’s 3-4 nonstop flights a day down to SIN.

    BBbetter 1,253 posts

    Afternoon all, sorry for lots of questions, lot of last min planning. I had intended to finish my trip with 6 nights in krabi then fly to Singapore for 23-15 flight. However there is only 1 direct flight from krabi on that day (lots of indirect of 4+ hours) . That’s a bit too risky for me ! I could reverse my trip and start in krabi and end in Penang but I would prefer the nice beach bit to be at the end. Any suggestions other than a night in Singapore (which I don’t really want to do as did Singapore this year and don’t feel a need to visit again). Thank you

    Two options if you don’t want to stay at SIN.
    You can take a cab and stay near Phuket airport the previous day and take one of the dozen flights to SIN the next day. Takes about 2.5 hours.
    The second is to take the indirect but stay at BKK or KUL overnight instead.
    I would stay at SIN if possible as suggested by others above.

    Keely 89 posts

    Thanks all, contemplating KL as we haven’t been there but may end up doing SIN for a night anyway as not sure I’m able to stand the pressure of a same day flight lol!

    davestat 42 posts

    Just wrapping up our stay at the IC in KUL today. Thoroughly recommend it.
    On arriving back at hotel last night they were rolling a red carpet out to the front door. I said to the manager that it wasn’t necessary for us, to which the answer was “The Japanese Prime Minister is arriving shortly and is staying here “. At least he laughed at my comment.
    Moving on to the Eastern and Oriental in Penang next

    runnerbean 121 posts

    Just wrapping up our stay at the IC in KUL today. Thoroughly recommend it.
    On arriving back at hotel last night they were rolling a red carpet out to the front door. I said to the manager that it wasn’t necessary for us, to which the answer was “The Japanese Prime Minister is arriving shortly and is staying here “. At least he laughed at my comment.
    Moving on to the Eastern and Oriental in Penang next

    Penang – home to the ‘world famous Laksa’ place. Alas, we had two failed attempts at eating there but it was closed each time!

    BBbetter 1,253 posts

    I said to the manager that it wasn’t necessary for us,

    😂

    davestat 42 posts

    For anyone looking at PEN and Batu Feringgi in particular, there is no beach at the Shangri La Rasa Ria. It looks to have been completely washed away, so currently fenced off with a ten foot drop to the sea or simply giant heaps of huge boulders, sand bags and car tyres. Beach further along looks ok.

    qc 360 posts

    I thought I reported that earlier here but can’t find it. The beach is fine at the Lone Pine where we stayed. My other half tried to walk right down the beach past the Rasa Sayang but there was no beach and security staff denied him access to the grounds to pass through.

    qc 360 posts

    Just wrapping up our stay at the IC in KUL today. Thoroughly recommend it.
    On arriving back at hotel last night they were rolling a red carpet out to the front door. I said to the manager that it wasn’t necessary for us, to which the answer was “The Japanese Prime Minister is arriving shortly and is staying here “. At least he laughed at my comment.
    Moving on to the Eastern and Oriental in Penang next

    We stayed at both the IC in KL and the E&O in November – had great stays in both so I recommend both too.

    yorkshireRich 266 posts

    Let me give an update on my trip at end of Feb.
    Changed our original hotel in Bangkok to where we believe is a more convenient location, and our Malaysia Airlines flight operated by Firefly is still going ahead at 11:45 two days after we land in Bangkok from the UK. I plan as BA silver to use the Cathay Pacific Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

    Once in Penang, we are going to stay at the Park Royal at Batu Ferringhi. 6 nights there, we will fly to
    Langkawi. Our Firefly flights were cancelled, so I’ve now changed them to Air Asia. Once in Langkawi, I’ve booked westin on points for 5 nights. I was tempted the other day to change to the St Regis but for Double points, and questionable reviews. I’m not fully committed to change anything tbh. We still haven’t decided if hiring a car would be worth it or not at present.

    After Langkawi, we had booked firefly to the quieter airport in KL (after a great tip from Sam G), but you guessed it, they have cancelled it. I’ve now rebooked on Air Asia to the main airport, where we will get a taxi to Mandarin Oriental. After 2 nights in Mandarin Oriental, I’ll be flying on MH to Singapore then premium economy to LHR from there.

    As always, advice appreciated.

    iaint65 3 posts

    I’m planning a holiday to Malaysia in July. I’m looking to book most of it as a BA holiday staying in KL, Lankwai and KK. However I want to do a 5 night trip into the Borneo jungle and visit Sukau & Borneo River Lodges – can I book these via BAH >? any other advice / suggestions ??

    Many thanks in advance

    Wis 23 posts

    For anyone looking at PEN and Batu Feringgi in particular, there is no beach at the Shangri La Rasa Ria. It looks to have been completely washed away, so currently fenced off with a ten foot drop to the sea or simply giant heaps of huge boulders, sand bags and car tyres. Beach further along looks ok.

    Just curious, how did you find Batu Ferringhi? Visiting soon and trying to decide between Georgetown, Gurney Plaza area or BF. Was there many years ago and loved that area and the sunsets in particular, but seen comments more recently describing the area as Penang’s Blackpool!

    aseftel 330 posts

    I’m planning a holiday to Malaysia in July. I’m looking to book most of it as a BA holiday staying in KL, Lankwai and KK. However I want to do a 5 night trip into the Borneo jungle and visit Sukau & Borneo River Lodges – can I book these via BAH >? any other advice / suggestions ??

    Many thanks in advance

    Make enquiries with mr.ajisdk@gmail.com and don’t be put off by the poor quality of written English. You’ll get your fill of wildlife.

    qc 360 posts

    For anyone looking at PEN and Batu Feringgi in particular, there is no beach at the Shangri La Rasa Ria. It looks to have been completely washed away, so currently fenced off with a ten foot drop to the sea or simply giant heaps of huge boulders, sand bags and car tyres. Beach further along looks ok.

    Just curious, how did you find Batu Ferringhi? Visiting soon and trying to decide between Georgetown, Gurney Plaza area or BF. Was there many years ago and loved that area and the sunsets in particular, but seen comments more recently describing the area as Penang’s Blackpool!

    Two hotels I would recommend in Penang are the E&O and the Lone Pine. Stayed at both a few times.

    davestat 42 posts

    Definitely recommend the E&O but not for a long stay. Georgetown is authentic but it’s actually pretty rundown as well. Try and avoid Saturday as much is closed. Penang is surprisingly busy (two bridges to the mainland and two more being built by the looks of things. Puts the U.K. to shame. Lots of big apartment developments by Marriott , Hilton and IHG on the way to Batu Ferringgi. Book the best hotel you can afford as they genuinely aren’t expensive. If self catering, I spotted a giant Lotus hyper market. Drinks are expensive everywhere.

    BBbetter 1,253 posts

    Penang question: Where do you go to avoid the sun during midday?
    Penang hill was an option until I read how crazy long the queues for funicular are. We have a couple of old people in the trip, so that’s ruled out.

    yorkshireRich 266 posts

    Davestat, a couple of questions.

    what did you make of Langkawi?
    We are still debating whether to hire a car or not. I note on the chat thread you said the Westin was busy, but is it a good hotel in a good location?

    TIA

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