Malaysia In August - Need Suggestions
 

My boyfriend and I are planning our first trip to Asia next August. According to our current "plan", we will have 4-5 days to spend in Malaysia after Singapore before moving on to Southern Thailand and Bangkok. What do people suggest? A few days in Kuala Lumpur then a few days somewhere else? Do you suggest somewhere on Borneo instead? We will be in the Philippines before Singapore. Thanks!

Malaysia has so many options!

If you can visit Borneo -either Sabah or Sarawak - that would be a great experience and something quite different from other places you mention. Take a look at my trip report from a few years ago
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34716301

I've been to KL several times. I have to say, I just don't think it's that special.

A different Malaysia option would be Penang - not for the so-so beaches, but for the historic Georgetown area and famous hawker food. Here's my report of our stay in Penang
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34904681

You could also opt to take one of the luxury buses from SIngapore and make several stops, such a Malacca and KL or Penang before heading to Thailand.

IMHO KL is a bit boring, but it really depends what you are looking for. With 4/5 days, given the choice, maybe I would spend it in Kota Kinabalu (maybe climb Mt Kinabalu) which would provide a nice contrast to city and beach lif. If you provide details of your likes and dislikes you may get some more responses.

As Kathie says Penang is great for food and the colonial architecture.

K/L is ok, but honestly not that much to do there and the shopping is mostly upscale...not many sights, except for the fantastic petronas towers....

langkawi is another nice island, as well as panang...

two days in malecca is also a treat...

Note that West Coast around penang / Langkawi weathwise will not be that good in August, and in partilcular if you go into Southern Thailand along the 'west route' that is rainy season.
Now, you can get lucky and have plenty of sunshine but do note that, the east route gives better weather. It's the luck of the weather but fo note it.

From Penang you can budget flight with Firefly into Phuket or you can take the ferry from Langkawi to Satun in Thailand if you want to make your way through the southern islands on the west coast side, but using ferries etc note weather.
The other route up from Penang is bus or train through to the east side and then head up to Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan etc and up the coast if heading to Bangkok. The rail line goes up the ulf of Thailand Coast.

If you are US/Canada/EU/Australia/NZ etc do note ( quite important ) that if you arrive into Thailand from there by 'air' you will get a 30 days entry stamp into Thailand, however, if you cross over by road/train or the boat to Satun you will now apparently only get a 15 day entry stamp into Thailand. So if you plan to enter by road/rail/boat and stay more than 15 days then you need to get a tourist visa in advance.
This is quite new.

Firefly also fy frm KL and Penang to Koh samui, at the moment anyhow

www.fireflyz.com.my/ is a budget airline in Malaysia with flights from Penang and some from KL

www.airasia.com is the main budget airline.Those may be of interest to see where you can fly to cheaply.
www.langkawi-ferry.com/ for boats from Langkawi to Satun Thailand.

Budget airlines now also fly from SIN to Kl and check as some may now fly t Kota Kinabalu from SIN also.

www.tigerairways.com
www.jetstar.com

www.seat61.com is excellent if you plan to use trains, look under Malaysia and Thailand sections

We just moved to KL 3 months ago from Bangkok and I have to say KL is very boring. I had my family out and it was hard to keep them busy compared to BKK. I have not been to Borneo but I do here from friends it is really nice. Bali is also wonderful and would make for a nice trip, but I think you would have to connect in KL to get to Thailand. Other options to think about are Cambodia (Angkor Wat) is amazing (1-2 days), Vietnam.. really busy but interesting history and good nightlife.

Hi

I have been to KL a few times now and I think it is worth a stopover for a couple of days. Check out my KL trip report with pictures and links for some ideas: http://gardkarlsen.com/malaysia_kuala_lumpur.htm

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

Wow thanks for all the quick responses! These are all excellent for getting starting and deciding on a plan! Should we avoide the west coast of Thailand (Phuket/Khao Lak) in August as well? We were thinking of spending another 5-6 days between Bangkok and either Phuket or Khao Lak. Would a few days be better spent in Cambodia to see Angkor Wat than in Western Thailand? Thanks for all the suggestions - keep 'em coming!