How do I get to Perhentian, Redang, and/or Langkawi
 

I want to visit the Maylaysian coastal beaches (preferably east coast) in May, but am weary of the difficulty in getting there. I will be travelling Thailand, so what is the easiest/cheapest way to get to either Perhentian, Redang or Langkawi?

I looked up Air Asia fares, but would have to transfer through KL, take a flight to KBR, take a car to the ferry, and ferry over to the islands. Is there any easier way to get over there from Bangkok or Phuket.

I would not mind going to any of the above Islands. Thank you for the help!

i found that using k/l as a hub worked quite well,,,internal flights in malaysia are very inexpensive...from bkk just fly into k/l and take a plane right out to langkawi or other destination....overland is more difficult
i believe there may be flights from phuket to k/l and maybe even at certain times to langkawi....\
check out air asia and see what they have

I thank Redang or Perhentian are much more beautiful than Langkawi. Of course, they are more remote and are more difficult to get to. You can fly direct to Redang (on Berjaya Air) from KL. Otherwise it is a flight to the east coast, a transfer to the dock, and a boat ride. Make sure you take a fast boat. Your hotel can set it up.

depends how badly you want to go - and how much time you have. The fact that it is not easy to get to the Perhentians keeps people who want to just fly in, away from the place - and long may it stay that way.

I have travelled from the Perhentians to BKK overland by bus, shared taxi and boat. And it wasn't arranged by a hotel. It isn't difficult. If you are happy to make your own arrangements, post again, and I'd be happy to provide detail of exact route.

Thanks alice13, I would love to hear your route.

OK - Two caveats - no three - I was going south to north; I had loads of time and meandered from east to west and back again; it was 1999.

Perhentians to the mainland. Boat - loads - 5 a day if you want the cheapest option - slow - but if it's a calm day, why not? There are fast ones too. From the jetty at Kuala Besut share a taxi to Khota Bharu with other folk who were on the boat. Stay a night - or two - it's an interesting place to wander around and has a great night market. I crossed to Thailand by an unusual route - trouble is I can't rememvber the name of the place. (Check the LP). Amyway, it's about an hour from Khota Bharu. You complete Malaysian exit formalities, take a ferry across the river; then a bus to Narathiwat. I particularly wanted to go there and I'm glad I did. Then I took a mini bus over to Hat Yai. There are loads of services and they have offices in town. I booked the night before. But that's where our itineraries diverge. From Hat Yai I went up to Krabi. - you will perhaps want to get back to BKK quickly. From Hat Yai you can get a frequent bus or train to BKK. Or I believe now you can get an internal flight from Narathiwat.

Enjoy - good move to go in May - much later and you have to take what's going for a place to stay. This was true then - and suspect much worse now.

Just back from East Coast yesterday (I live in Melaka). We flew from KL to Kuala Terangganu. Air Asia has cheap flights but their schedule isn't very convenient. If you book early enough with Malaysia Airline (and I believe you can book their domestic flights online), they have half fares - this is what we did. It sounds like a pain in the arse, the flight, transfer and boat, I know, but it really isn't a hassle at all.

We weren't on our way to an island (we headed south to Tanjong Jara Resort - our second time there, I might add. Love it!). But the jetty for boats to Redang is at Merang (don't confuse with Marang!), which is a short drive north of Kuala Terengganu. Take a speedboat and save yourself the sea sickness.

I haven't been to the Perhentian Islands. I would guess that a flight to Kota Bharu and boat from Kuala Besut would be just as simple as going to Redang from Merang.

We have lived in Malaysia for over three years and really have lost all desire to go to Langkawi, despite the convenience. The East Coast is so beautiful we dare not go elsewhere!