weilmr

My wife and I have the opportunity to visit either Singapore or KL this coming April for 3 days. I am wondering what the advantages and disadvantages would be for each. I've read a lot and am still having a hard time deciding. Any thoughts on this with reasons for your preference would be appreciated

thursdaysd

I would vote for K.L. every time, even if you're a shopper. I felt that Singapore was SO clean and sedate, it wasn't really Asia. Like Singapore, K.L. has a Chinatown, an Indian section and a "posh" section, but it felt more real to me.

Kathie

Both cities are certainly worth a visit. I prefer Singapore because I find so much more to do... the Asian Cultural Museum, the Orchid Garden at the Botanical gardens are a couple of my favorites. Singapore is also easier to get around (the MRT is great) which is important for a short visit. KL's transit systems don't mesh well with each other, making it more awkward.

That said, I could easily find plenty to do in each city to fill three days pleasurably.

ladyice

Well..its a hard choice but you really cant do one without the other if u havent been to both...especially if they are so close by..its a 50 mins flight..can you spare 1 more day? Then you can do both coz the 2 cities are very different to each other. You should do KL first as it is a somewhat chaotic city but in a good way and then Singapore for a more relaxing time...

KimJapan

Where will you be coming from? Is your total time 3 days? I ask for a couple of reasons....if you could squeeze 4 days, you might be able to do both as long as you will not be jet lagged. If you are coming from the US for three days (Wisconsin based on your e-mail) and the three days are part of a longer stay in Asia then you may be able to juggle your days and get more time.

Tedkarma

I'd vote for Singapore. One major reason is so that people can see that parts of Asia are as developed, or more developed and modern than much of the Western world. An important notion I think.

I do like KL though - hard to beat the food and food prices there.

gard

Hi

Though choice...each city has something to offer. When I went to Asia the first time I started out in Singapore and it felt more or less like home...clean, organized etc. Then I moved on to KL and it was a bit more hectic...a bit more "Asian"....and from there I moved to Bangkok and that was a total shock to the system The first time I went to KL I felt that it was a bit boring but over the years I have ended up going back there and in November I had a two week business trip there. It is a nice place, the food is great, there is stuff to see and do, the local food is cheap etc. I have posted a trip report with some pictures from my trip to KL in March http://gardkarlsen.com/malaysia_kuala_lumpur.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

weilmr

I will be teaching in a program called Semester at Sea and the ship will be in Penang where we'll be spending the 1st of 4 days. I've been to Penang before as well as the Cameron Highlands. Also to Malaysian Borneo, so just looking for a different kind of Malaysian experience. But, we have only a total of 4 days. Any other suggestions that are reasonable from Penang in this length of time?

KMLoke

There's lots of good and reasonably priced food in Singapore. checkout this blog.

http://ieatishootipost.blogspot.com/

Not sure what people mean by being clean and sedate. Obviously if people spend all their time at Orchard Road they won't get to see the 'real' Singapore.

As for shopping imported stuff are generally more expensive in Malaysia. As in any country locally produced stuff would be cheaper. Really depends on what you are looking for.

Since you have mentioned that you would be in Penang, it would be cheaper to travel around in Malaysia. You could have a day or 2 in KL and a day in Ipoh.

To get to Singapore from Penang you would have to take a flight which lasts an hour or so. There's no budget airline flying between Penang/Singapore as yet. Another alternative is to go up to Koh Samui, Phang Nga or Phuket. These places are near Penang so you won't have to spend much travelling time.

KimJapan

Since you will be in Penang, it seems to make more sense to stay in Malaysia...the flight to Singapore isn't cheap from Penang, and the train/bus would take a long, long time. I don't think you will be disappointed with KL, and maybe you could tack on another place between Penang and KL for one of the three days.

thursdaysd

I stayed in Chinatown and spent mimimal time on Orchard Road, not being a shopper, and still felt Singapore was "Disneyland Asia". weilmar, you could look at going to Langkawi island, or possibly crossing the peninsula to the east coast, which is more Muslim.

StanKase

We enjoyed our 3 days in KL vs. 2 in Singapore. With a driver a trip, though long about 8-9 hours, to the Cameron Highlands is awesome with beuitiful rolling hills of tea plantations. The scenery along the way is highway except for the last hour when you get to jungle. You will see several nomad tribes within 15-20 minutes of the Highlands. While you might only spend 60-90 minutes there it is a day well spend. The builings in-town are in our opinion more dramatic in design. Several in-city sights are more interesting than Singapore, we think. We found the Malaysian food based on oinly 3 days more interesting. We stayed at the Sheraton-Luxury Collection on our last trip for about $175 for a deluxe room. On our prior trip we were at the Ritz Carlton and it was not as nice, surprisingly so, and it was maybe 15+% more for a comparable but not as nice a room.

Filloa

I have more or less the same doubt (yet unresolved), so I top it. I hope you don't mind.

chimani

The important thing about your question is that you have been to Malaysia before. And that you don't have long; and it has to be somewhere you can get to easily from Penang.

But is a cost a factor? If not - like other posters have said, Penang to SNG is not a budget route - then go to Singapore because it is worth seeing.

Personally I found it a boring destination. But I'm glad I went. If you don't go, then you don't know. I liked the National Museum and was glad I had the opportunity to see Changi Prison Camp - which I believe is now no more - if anyone knows differently please say.

Other than that, not on my top 50 destination list.

The obvious thing to do is to find out WHERE you can go to from Penang.

If you can fly direct to Krabi in Thailand - and the times suit, and the price suits, and the weather is right (yours to check) then go there.

Ditto - Bangkok.
Ditto - KL.
Ditto - Phuket.

Etc,etc.

But KL is not a bad place to go.

I mean what is it you want to do? beach? shop? culture? or a journey for its own sake?

All are possible.

Oh, and you say you have been to Penang before. How long did you stay there?

Guenmai

I've been to both and Singapore gets my thumbs up. I've been to KL once, but have been going back to Singapore almost annually since the 90s spending anywhere from 1 day to a week and a half there per trip. Happy Travels!

Barkinpark

I think Singapore is better. It's more organized and clean--you'll get a break from the chaos in Penang. KL, as mentioned, is not an exciting city to visit. However, SIN is more expensive than KL.

chimani

Yep, if you want organised, clean and without chaos; as much like home as possible - then go to Singapore.

Depends really on why you make the effort to leave home; and what you are hoping to find.

Different strokes for different folks.

Mitch04

Neither. Hong Kong is better! *lol*. But seriously, I'd do Singapore. It's easier and everything seems more convenient, despite it being very "clinical" and like a normal modern western city apart from the zillions of Asians etc. I like the fact that it's a 10 min or so taxi ride from the airport. You feel as though you are "in it" almost the moment you leave the airport.

Bonita

Well, to be honest neither of these are of my faverite SE Asian cities, but if i had to choose, i find KL much more interesting, by a longshot@!!!

And it is very affordable too.

Plus, i like the intermingling of cultures...And the food, and....wandering..

I find Singapore quite bland/boring, tame, (though some superb food!) and overall, the city just does not to it for me, at all!!! could not wait to leave..Too much A.c malls and organization for moi..

Of course i am a little exteme or rather warped, as i am a American woman who lives in India, so Singapore is very sleepy for me, and way to calm and civil...

In KL, i do enjoy the various neighborhoods, the intermingling of the Chinese, Indian and Malay community, the shopping, the FOOD, and the affordability too!!! And more energy..

Of course Sing has the various communities too, **, but it is again not my cup of tea.....ZZZZZZZ

So by all means, my vote is for KL.

namaste..bonita..

Nutshell

I vote for KL. You should go there since you will be in Penang. You won't regret it.

For your reference : http://www.asiaexplorers.com/malaysi...avel_guide.htm

AirAsia flies PEN-KL everyday. Food, shopping everything is cheap there.

You should go to Taman Tasik Titiwangsa to experience a breathtaking 360 degree panorama over 20 kilometres of Kuala Lumpur in ferris wheel. A ride of up to 30 minutes to a height of 60 metres and about 6 rounds which have 40 gondolas. Cost of RM15 per adult.

http://www.maleisure.com/ferriswheel.html