How to get around the city of Langkawi

Also known as the Jewel of Kedah, the city of Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, about 25 to 30km away from Malaysia’s most northern point. The biggest island of all 99 is the Pulau Langkawi, which has a population of more than a hundred thousand people, which might have increased now due to the attention the city has been getting.
The Langkawi resorts in Kuah are both within the town and outside, and for those who love some solitude and silence, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort, and a few other prominent places are at the perfect distance from the bustle. The Langkawi International Airport is at Padang Matsirat and direct flights to the city are available from Penang, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hat Yai, and Phuket.
History of Langkawi
The name has two possible origins according to the legend, the first one being related to the royal kingdom of Langkasuka, which is now located in the modern day Kedah. The second theory is that is might be the combination of the two old Malay words, Helang and Kawi, meaning eagle and hawk respectively.
Getting around
There is no official public transportation on the island, but there are many choices when it comes to travel, nonetheless.
Taxis are available from the airport itself and you can buy a coupon at the taxi desks in the airport. All the taxis in Langkawi work on a fixed rate system and the fares don’t change, so don’t be fooled into paying more during a weekend or rush hour. The prices are higher due to this system but as the taxi drivers earn well, they are happy and rarely ever cause problems, like trying to rip off tourists, which can be found in most other parts of South Asia. The taxi stop on Pantai Cenang shows the prices to different destinations.
Using a car, motorbike or scooter is highly beneficial, and these vehicles can be rented right from the airport and the rates aren’t very high either. A mid-sized, air conditioned sedan costs around RM70 to RM150 per day, depending on the year of its make and the duration of your stay. If you aren’t carrying a lot of luggage, renting a motorbike or scooter is not a bad idea either, as the roads are good and it is very safe to ride on. When you are using rented vehicles, regularly check your fuel levels as the petrol stations are quite far from one another, almost 10km apart in some parts of the island.
Road rules
• Always drive safely and slowly when on the island, and stay on the left side of the road. Tourists, children, and even chickens are sometimes seen crossing the road and at night, cattle and snakes like to lie on the road as the black tar radiates heat, so be alert and try not to run over them either.
• Always carry your drivers’ license with you, and if you are from another country, carry your international drivers’ license.
• Wear your seat belts when driving as the rules are strict and you will be fined 50RM or more if you don’t wear it.
• If you’re on a bike or scooter, wear your helmet, and this time, the advice isn’t about the money but your health as the hospitals on the island don’t have the facilities to treat severe head injuries and you will have to be flown out to get treated, and that depends on the helicopter being available.
• Roadblocks are a usual sight in Langkawi, but they are targeting the locals who drive with no documents, so you have no reason to be nervous if you are following the rules above.
