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I added a post earlier in the week about where to spend 16 nights in Malaysia - having looked around a bit it appears that it might be more cost effective to go to Penang for three nights rather than Singapore (high cost of Hotel Transfer to/from Johor Bahru). Would anyone out there really persuade me to forget cost and go to Singapore regardless? We're talking over £100.00 sterling here! If we fly to Changi we're talking over £150.00 for the additional flight, I think (not each). We like good food, good hotels (thinking of the Eastern and Oriental in Penang) and culture. Both fit the bill.
The itinerary was KL (city) to Singapore (city) to Sabah (beach/nature resort) to Langkawi (beach resort) - now looking at KL to Sabah to Penang (town rather than beach)to Langkawi.
Thanks!
Singapore or Penang?
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Like anywhere you can make it expensive or cheap. Penang and Singapore are totoally different. You know what to expect in Singapore. Penang is a busy island attached to the mainland by bridge. georgetwon is a bustling place, interesting, penang also has beaches at Batu ferringhi. If you stayed at the Eastern you are paying a lot to stay in a classic hotel in what can be termed a 'city'. It is just SO different from Singapore. Although on business I stayed in georgetwon the next trips I was happier to take a cab between town and the beaches at batu ferringhi, what I am saying is if you go to penang treat it as a beach part of your trip. Singapore is a bustling city with lots to see and do but most people pass thru for a few days to or from somewhere else. You can get a perfectly good 3 star hotel in Singapore for around US$60-80, I guess that is about 40-50 English pounds for 2 people, no problem at all, plenty to choose from. That would be a mid-range 3-star hotel used by most people having a few days in Singapore.
Sbah is different yet again, I have not been, so cannot comment.
From Penang you are a short boat trip or 20 minute flight (dirt cheap!) to Langkawi for a tropical island of beaches and relaxation. From there you are a 1.5 hr boat trip to Southern Thailand.
150 pounds is about US$250 I guess, Air Asia have cheap flights from KL to Johor Bharu starting from around Rm36 including tax ( I know, I am flying the route this month ) and the round trip KL-Johor Bharu is under 20 English pounds. I admit I got in quick with the really cheap prices but travel within malaysia is famous for being so cheap. is it you overseas travel agent telling you 150 pounds KL to Singapore??
What tickets have you got? Are they just UK to KL returns with malaysia Airlines?
You might like to take a look at Air Asia for some ideas, they also do packages within Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines domestic flights were always cheap anyway but now with Air Asia air travel is really 'dirt cheap'
http://www.airasia.com
For some cheapy hotels in Singapore try
http://www.singapore.travelreporter.com
Malaysia you can try
http://www.malaysia-cheap-hotels.4t.com
Note that good hotels in Langkawi are quite pricey, try the Holiday Village. You can iof course easily include Southern Thailand in that routing if you wanted. Air Asia KL to Phuket in January will start at about 20 English pounds each way, takes about 1 hr 15.
You have lots of options, planning really is half the fun! Enjoy
Excellent, James, thanks a lot!
Really nice hotels in Malaysia will usually cost a lot less than really nice hotels in Singapore. But James is right - it totally depends on where you choose to stay, how many stars you insist on, etc, etc. However, I would say if you were looking at similar accomodations and similar food/drinks, etc, in either, you will save money in Penang.
But it's a lot like Melaka, where I live, so there's no real attraction for me.
These are two completely different destinations. People over here say that Penang now is like Singapore was 20 years ago.
I live less than four hours from Singapore and have only been down there once in three years. Whenever we go again it'll be to shop and not much else. We found it very sterile... and almost as though the culture has been "watered down". The zoo is quite nice, though.
Of course, I live five hours from Penang and I've only been there once, too.