If you want to know exactly how to get the Kuala Kedah to Langkawi ferry then you are in the right place.
Langkawi is a beautiful archipelago made up of 99 islands off Malaysia’s northwestern coast. It features breathtaking beaches, islands and unforgettable boat trips. You can also explore glorious waterfalls and stunning viewpoints as well as Langkawi’s diverse wildlife, lush flora and fauna.
But before you can enjoy Langkawi, you need to get there!
Below, I describe exactly how to get from the Kuala Kedah Jetty to Langkawi by sharing everything you need to know. This guide includes the departure point for the Kuala Kedah ferry, where you arrive in Langkawi, details on the ferry schedule as well as the price for a ferry ticket and how to buy one.
I also cover the return ferry from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah.
Let’s start!
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Contents
Map: Kuala Kedah To Langkawi Ferry
The distance from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi is around 60 kilometres. The approximate travel time is one hour and 45 minutes.
You can also take ferries to Langkawi from Kuala Perlis. These ferries are a little faster, but often it’s easier to get to Kuala Kedah than Kuala Perlis which is another hour’s drive up the coast. You can read our guide to taking a ferry from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi here.
Kuala Kedah Jetty
Kuala Kedah’s port is found near the city of Alor Setar. It’s only a 20-minute drive away which is why this can be the most convenient place to take a ferry to Langkawi.
You can travel here from Alor Setar by local bus or Grab taxi. This cost me RM14 by Grab.
Alor Setar is a major city and there are buses here from many places in Malaysia as well as a train station.
We can also arrange a long-distance private taxi for you from anywhere in Peninsular Malaysia that can drop you off right at the jetty ready for your ferry to Langkawi.
Click here for more details and the latest prices.
On arrival at the terminal building, you can enter straight away if you already have your ticket to the boarding area. Otherwise, you need to buy it first. There is someone at the entrance checking tickets.
Inside, there are a few vending machines, some tour agencies and plenty of seating space while you wait. There is also a toilet.
Once they are ready to board, they will make an announcement and you’ll need to show your tickets again. You can then walk out to the ferry.
On entry to the boat, there is a big cage area where you can leave your suitcases and bigger items. You can then select your seats. It was comfortable enough.
Midway through the journey, a snacks trolley came around. Prices were about 50% more than at a supermarket. There are also toilets. I could not see any way to get outside.
It was all very easy.
Kuala Kedah Ferry To Langkawi
Langkawi Ferry Lines operates the passenger ferries between these two locations. The ferry schedule varies depending on the day. There are usually four ferries per day.
Click here for the latest prices and schedules.
There are no car ferries from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi. If you want to take your car to Langkawi, read our guide to the ferry from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi here.
Kuala Kedah To Langkawi Ferry Time
Generally, the first ferry leaves Kuala Kedah Jetty at 7am while the last ferry leaves at 7 or 8pm. The ferry then arrives in Langkawi 1.75 hours later.
Click here to see the latest schedules.
My ticket said to arrive 60 minutes beforehand, but this did not really seem necessary if you already have your ticket. It started boarding 30 minutes before.
Kuala Kedah To Langkawi Ferry Price
The ferry fare from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi currently costs RM55 for an adult.
There are discounts for 3-13 year olds and children under 3 travel for free.
To avoid long queues and the hassle of buying your tickets at the jetty, you can purchase your tickets online in advance.
I recommend that you purchase your ferry ticket from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi beforehand especially if you plan to travel during weekends or the peak season. These ferries can sell out.
Click here to see the latest fares and to book your tickets.
Once you have booked them, you simply show the pdf on your phone (or you can print it) and you are all set to head straight to the boarding area.
You can also buy tickets on arrival at the jetty. Note that ticket windows only open before a departure and may not open if the ferry is sold out.
Arriving In Kuah
On arrival in Kuah, it took a few minutes for the walkway off the boat to be set up and then we were on our way. It’s a much bigger terminal so there was a little walking involved and some shops to pass through to exit.
This is because the Kuah Jetty is connected to the Jetty Point Complex. Sometimes, schedules show “Jetty Point Complex” as the arrival point rather than “Kuah Jetty” but this is the same place.
Kuah is the main town on the island but not where most tourists stay. It’s about a 30-minute drive to Pantai Cenang, the main beach area on the island.
There are taxis available on arrival at the Jetty or you can save money by booking one on the Grab app. There were also plenty of drivers offering rides as we walked out as well. In fact, it was annoying how many people wanted to drive us.
There are buses from the jetty into central Kuah, but it’s much more recommended to take a Grab taxi on arrival.
If you are on a full ferry, you may have to wait a while for a taxi or Grab. A friend of mine travelled over just before New Year’s and had to wait 40 minutes for a Grab. Since it was so busy, she also had to pay surge prices – RM42 to Pantai Cenang whereas I paid RM23. At busy times, it could be worth trying to book a transfer with your hotel.
You can also hire a car or motorbike from here which can be a very affordable option.
Return Ferry: Langkawi To Kuala Kedah Schedule
For the return journey, follow the directions above in reverse. Ferries run approximately four times daily from the Kuah Jetty in Langkawi to Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal. Ferries generally start at 7:30am, with the final service at 7pm.
Click here to see the latest fares and to book your tickets.
The Langkawi to Kuala Kedah ferry time is around 1.75 hours. Timetables usually come out about two months before.
Final Words
In this guide, I’ve covered all the details about the ferry between Kuala Kedah and Langkawi including the schedule, the ferry duration and everything else you need to know.
As mentioned above, getting to and from these destinations doesn’t have to be challenging. Just follow the tips that I’ve mentioned here in this article.
I also recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance online to avoid the hassle of buying it on-site and risking the ferry being sold out. Then you can turn up knowing you’ll be all set for your journey.
Click here to see the latest fares and to book your tickets.
I hope you found this guide to travelling from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi useful. Read our guide on getting to Langkawi from Alor Setar here, or our guide on getting a ferry from Kuala Perlis here. You can also find our full guide on things to do in Langkawi here, and tips on the best Langkawi resorts here. Our full Langkawi travel guide is here.
Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!
