3 countries 16 days--too ambitious?
 

My plan is
4 days Singapore
3 days Kuala Lumpur
2 days Georgetown
3 days Langkawi
3 days Bangkok
Fly in and out of Singapore (cannot change this)

I don't want to give up anything but 3 countries may be too much. Suggestions. I have not explored travel time between locations yet. I wanted to do just Singapore and Malaysia but sister really wants to see Thailand and we feel like we may never get back to this area of world again.But I do want to enjoy where I am and not be runnignfrom place to place too.

Easier to tell if you give us nights or specific dates

Do you have 4 days in Singapore? It takes 5 nights to get 4 full days.

If it were me (and it isn't), I'd cut KL and just visit Georgetown and Langkawi in Malaysia. Also, I'd opt for more nights in Georgetown than in Langkawi.

If you have miscounted days, so you really have say, 4 nights in Singapore (just three days), then you may need to make more cuts. As much as I hate to recommend that you cut Bangkok, if you only have 3 nights there (2 full days), I'd cut it as you don't have time to even get much of a flavor for the city. And even if you have three days in Bangkok, you won't have "seen Thailand" in that short time.

If budget is an issue, be aware that Singapore is a very expensive city, so your budget may dictate cutting a night there.

I know there are a number here who adore Bangkok. I've come to like it, but as a stop on my way to other places in Thailand or elsewhere. There was a time when I opted to just change planes and never go into the city but I do enjoy a few days there now. That said, I love Singapore. I suggest you cut Bangkok this trip, save it for a time when it can be part of a trip to see more of the country and concentrate this time on Singapore and Georgetown/Langkawi. I think that combination will make for a much better quality trip.

>>I have 6/27 through 7/1 Singapore
7/1 to 7/4 Kuala Lumpur
7/4 to 7/5 Georgetown
7/6 to 7/8 Langkawi<<

No -- what you have is

6/27 through 6/30 Singapore 3.5 days
7/1 to 7/3 Kuala Lumpur 2 days
7/4 to 7/5 Georgetown 1.5 days
7/6 to 7/8 Langkawi 2 days
7/9 to 7/11 Bangkok 2 days
(you should be in Singapore by the 12th - not fly in from Bangkok the same day you fly out)

I'm afraid you have miscounted days - you can't count a day in two locations, and getting from one place to another takes a minimum of half a day. I never bother to count half days - anything I actually go/see on the partial day is a bonus.

If you are going to KL to shop, you can skip it. Orchid and butterfly garden are better elsewhere - like Singapore.

Georgetown in a World Heritage site - lots to see and do beside eating. Langkawi is an international beach resort with resort activities, but nothing you couldn't find in a thousand other places. It's a nice break for the beach.

I'd suggest you cut KL and probably Bangkok. With four destinations, you will have more time to see/do/experience. Adding destinations adds travel time and expense, in this case without adding much else.

You've come here for advice from travelers who have experience in Asia. Kathie is one, I'm another and there are several others who haven't weighed in yet. You can ignore us, of course, nothing terrible will happen. Both of us, from our own extensive travels in the region, suggest optimizing your few days by visiting the best of those you've mentioned, eliminating this time those that work less well, the result being a richer experience.

Thailand deserves more than you can give it on this trip, KL is the least interesting (IMO) for tourists. Do consider confining yourselves to the best 3 for your purposes, drop those which as Kathie has said, add expense and waste time & effort for little gain, a bad deal as I see it.

By the way, shopping in Singapore is great, as is Georgetown with more regional appeal. You won't suffer in the slightest by not shopping in KL.

EVeryone who gave me advice,thank you so much. I decided to drop Bangkok and everyone was right about allowing fro travel time, so eliminating Thailand helps me add days to other destinations.
I was surprised that a lot of you said Kuala Lumpur was not worth it b/c it seems to have lots of day trips outside of city for things besides shopping--Batu Caves and my sister was interested in cave paintings if we can locate these.
I am adding day to Georgetown and wonder if two nights in Langkawi is enough. Or should i focus on Singapore, KL briefly and Georgetown. Langkawi looks like nature plus beach.
JoAnn

I like KL and have spent quit a bit of time there over the years and much prefer it to say, Singapore. Don't miss the There is plenty to see during a couple of days. Petaling night market, Jalan Alor for the seafood stalls, the Islamic Arts Museum is well worth a visit. Merdeka sq. is also worth a look.But I guess we all like different things.

Having said that an extra day in Georgetown is always worth an extra day or so, if only for the amazing food! The Clan jetties, the graffiti tour and Kek Lok is temple are all definitely worth exploring. Some photos of our recent time there on the Malaysian section of our blog https://accidentalnomads.com/category/malaysia/

Langkawi is easily reached from Penang by air ( or by ferry, which is a nice trip up the coast). It has some superb beaches but IMO, not worth the effort just for a couple of days.

Oh please don't go to the Batu Caves if you have limited time...not worth it IMHO
I'd skip Langawi. I like to move around but you don't really have much time anywhere , you won't really "see" anything with 1.5 days in a place..

With your limited time, you need to cut another destination if you hope to have any experience of the places you are visiting.