Getting there

Planes

Fly into Langkawi International Airport, near Kuala Muda on the west coast, served year-round by Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com) direct flights from capital Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. In high season, several major international carriers run direct long-haul flights to the island.

Boats

Ferries run between Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah on the Malaysian mainland and Kuah town on Langkawi, taking an hour and an hour and a half respectively (www.langkawi-ferry.com). You can also catch a ferry to Langkawi from Georgetown on Penang (two and a half hours) or Satun on the southern Thai coast (one hour).

Automobiles

Langkawi is a relatively easy island to navigate, and rental cars offer the best way to explore. Make savings by asking your concierge to recommend a car from an outside agency, or pick one up yourself at Kuah ferry jetty. Drive carefully at night, however; Malay villagers, motorbikes and livestock have a cavalier approach to road safety.