Penang & Langkawi or Penang Only??

ozbargainy on 09/09/2023 - 18:00

We finally booked our 1st XMAS holiday since sometime :)

Planning to travel to Penang on 12/12. Initially thought of staying in George Town for a week till 19/12 and then take the ferry to Langkawi till around XMAS day and get back to Batu Ferringhi for 4-5 days before travelling back to Australia on the 30/12.

However, when checking for ferry options between Penang & Langkawi, we found that there’s no direct ferries anymore which is a bumper as we hate flying!

Now our options are:
1- Take a quick flight from Penang to Langkawi and back instead of ferry (least favourable), bus, hire car, or
2- Cancel the Langkawi part altogether and just stay the whole trip in Penang, firstly 12/12 to 19/12 in George Town and then stay from 19/12 to the 30/12 in Batu Ferringhi.

Is it worth to stay for like 11d straight in Batu Ferringhi (is the beach scenery pretty much the same as Langkawi) or is Langkawi a must with much prettier scenery?

For reference, family of 4, kids are 13 and 6. Looking for culture staff & beach stay.

Thx!

Travel

Comments

  • bargaino on 09/09/2023 - 18:16
    +3

    It is a short flight, and was never a fun ferry ride.
    Personally, I'd definitely include Langkawi if you have that much time, and leave out Batu Ferringhi.
    If you want Xmas events, be in Penang, as Langkawi is very Muslim. Even though Jesus was an important prophet to them, they are not big on Xmas. So good to start in Penang as you said, and maybe fly on boxing day.
    Penang for culture, and Langkawi for beaches, jungle and scooter rides.

    • Benoffie on 09/09/2023 - 18:23

      Agree. Have been in Penang on Xmas and there are services to attend and events on if that's your thing.

    • ozbargainy on 09/09/2023 - 18:24

      Thx, guess will take the plunge on the plane then, seems Batu Ferringhi isn’t really worth the hassle and Langkawi beaches are really worth it!

      Xmas events aren’t really our thing

      • bargaino on 09/09/2023 - 22:23
        +1

        Maybe they should be. In Malaysia they celebrate holidays with style. And everyone joins in, at least in the cities. I was there for Diwali, and it was awesome.

  • Tily on 09/09/2023 - 22:45
    +1

    I found Penang very boring. Not much to do there at all and most of the sight seeing can be done in a few days. The beach in Penang isn’t that great either. To me 7 days in Penang is abit of a stretch already. I would be heading up to Langkawi if you can. Or even up to Kuala Lumpur as it’s much more festive during Xmas.

    • ozbargainy on 10/09/2023 - 10:45

      Thx, Penang and Langkawi it is!

  • docpol on 10/09/2023 - 08:03

    Road trip to Ipoh and Malacca +/- KL.

  • wots on 10/09/2023 - 09:38

    After visiting Penang twice: beaches and nature aren't the best and the food is better in KL

  • Ocker on 10/09/2023 - 10:40

    Hard Rock Cafe in Penang is great for the kids

  • dahax77 on 10/09/2023 - 11:51
    +1

    As others have said, whilst it's a nice enough place, a week would be a limit for a holiday in Penang, I think I had 4 nights there and was enough for me - definitely include Langkawi and at best give the 'beaches' of Penang a day (or afternoon) tops.

    Also - enjoy the long awaited holiday :)

  • valuer on 10/09/2023 - 13:30

    Penang used to be really good, and we thoroughly enjoyed it when we first visited back in the early 2000s.

    A mayor/governor decided to 'tidy the place up' and, in doing so, it lost its edge and so the street food and other experiences aren't what they once were.

    Malacca was another small town we enjoyed. Nice central area with good food options and a few things to see.

  • dtc on 10/09/2023 - 16:24
    +1

    I was in Penang Jan this year. I really enjoyed it but 4 or so days will cover Georgetown, depending on how slothful you are, is about enough (spending every afternoon around the pool?). With the rest of Penang you can stretch your stay out to a week with ‘side trips’. But I agree with others, 14 days would be way too much. The beaches have nothing on Australia, don’t try your expectations too high

    AirAsia (and others) have cheap flights so have a look if there is anywhere else that might interest - Malacca, KL, even duck down to Singapore for a few days (albeit Singapore is v expensive). But Langkawi is a good option as well

    • ozbargainy on 10/09/2023 - 18:04

      Excellent, seems to be the consensus here :)

      I booked Langkawi trip with last leg 3d in Penang (will prob stay in country side area Balik Pulau)

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