Exactly How To Get The Kuala Kedah to Langkawi Ferry [2024]

Published Categorized as Langkawi
This article may contain compensated links. Read the disclaimer for more info. We follow our review guidelines

If you want to know exactly how to get the Kuala Kedah to Langkawi ferry then you are in the right place!

Langkawi is a beautiful archipelago made up of 99 islands just off Malaysia’s northwestern coast. It features breathtaking beaches, islands and unforgettable boat trips. You can also explore glorious waterfalls and stunning viewpoints as well as the Langkawi’s diverse wildlife, lush flora, and fauna.

But before you can enjoy Langkawi, you need to get there!

Pantai Cenang at sunset in Langkawi
Pantai Cenang at sunset – it’s waiting for you!

Below, I describe exactly how to get from the Kuala Kedah jetty to Langkawi by sharing everything you need to know.  This guide includes the departure point for the Kuala Kedah ferry to Langkawi, where you arrive in Langkawi, details on the Kuala Kedah to Langkawi ferry schedule as well as the price for a Kuala Kedah to Langkawi ferry ticket and how to buy one.

I also share information about the car ferry to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah.

I also cover the return ferry from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah.

Let’s start!

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist. We’ll help you get ready for your trip! 

Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Map: Kuala Kedah to Langkawi Ferry

Kuala Kedah to Langkawi map
Click the map above to open it in Google Maps.

The distance from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi is around 60 kilometres. The approximate travel time is one hour and 45 minutes.

You can also take ferries to Langkawi from Kuala Perlis. These ferries are a little faster, but often it’s easier to get to Kuala Kedah than Kuala Perlis which is another hour’s drive up the coast. You can read our guide to taking a ferry from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi here.

Kuala Kedah Jetty

Kuala Kedah Jetty
Kuala Kedah Jetty

Kuala Kedah’s port is found near the city of Alor Setar. It’s only a 20 minute drive away which is why this can be the most convenient place to take a ferry to Langkawi.

You can travel here from Alor Setar by local bus or Grab taxi. This cost me RM14 by Grab.

Alor Setar is a major city and there are buses here from many places in Malaysia as well as a train station.

We can also arrange a long-distance private taxi for you from anywhere in peninsular Malaysia that can drop you off right at the jetty ready for your ferry to Langkawi.

Click here for more details and the latest prices.

Inside Kuala Kedah Jetty
Inside Kuala Kedah Jetty

On arrival at the terminal building, you can enter straight away if you already have your ticket to the boarding area. Otherwise, you need to buy it first. There is someone at the entrance checking tickets.

Inside, there are a few vending machines, some tour agencies and plenty of seating space while you wait. There is also a toilet.

Once they are ready to board, they will make an announcement and you’ll need to show your tickets again. You can then walk out to the ferry.

Inside our ferry to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah
Inside our ferry to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah

On entry to the boat, there is a big cage area where you can leave your suitcases and bigger items. You can then select your seats. It was comfortable enough.

Midway through the journey, a snacks trolley came around. Prices were about 50% more than at a supermarket. There are also toilets. I could not see any way to get outside.

It was all very easy.

Kuala Kedah Ferry to Langkawi [2024]

Watching another ferry arrive at Kuala Kedah
Watching another ferry arrive at Kuala Kedah

Langkawi Ferry Lines run the passenger ferries between these two locations. The ferry schedule from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi varies depending on the day. It does not run as frequently as it did before the pandemic so it’s important to check the timetable in advance and, ideally, to book your ticket online so you are set to go. 

Click here for the latest prices and schedules.

A car ferry recently started from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi. This generally departs at 1:30pm. Look for the RoRo option on the link above.

Kuala Kedah To Langkawi Ferry Time

Our ferry from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi
Our ferry from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi

In terms of the schedule for the Langkawi ferry from Kuala Kedah, this varies day to day.

Generally, the first boat leaves Kuala Kedah Jetty at 7am while the last ferry leaves at 6:30pm. The Kuala Kedah to Langkawi ferry duration is 1.75 hours.

Generally, the ferries run at 7am, 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 4:30pm and 6:30pm. However, the Langkawi ferry to Kuala Kedah schedule and Kuala Kedah to Langkawi ferry timetable might change anytime. So, it’s best to check first before your trip.

Click here to see the latest schedules.

You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. My ticket said to arrive 60 minutes beforehand but this is really not necessary. It started boarding 30 minutes before.

Kuala Kedah to Langkawi Ferry Price

When it comes to the ferry fare from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi, the Kuala Kedah Langkawi ferry costs RM29.50 for a Malaysian adult one way and RM37.50 for a foreigner.

There are discounts for 3-13 year olds and children under 3 travel for free.

To avoid long queues and the hassle of buying your tickets at the jetty, you can check the ferry from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi’s schedule ahead of time and purchase your tickets online in advance.

I recommend that you purchase your ferry ticket from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi beforehand especially if you plan to travel during weekends or the peak season. These ferries can sell out.

Click here to see the latest fares and to book your tickets.

Once you have booked them, you simply show the pdf on your phone (or you can print it) and you are all set to head straight to the boarding area.

You can also buy tickets on arrival at the jetty. Note that ticket windows only open before a departure and may not open if the ferry is sold out.

Arriving In Kuah

Walking off the boat in Kuah
Walking off the ferry in Kuah

On arrival in Kuah, it took a few minutes for the walkway off the boat to be set up and then we were on our way. It’s a much bigger terminal so there was a little walking involved and some shops to pass through to exit.

Kuah is the main city on the island but not where most tourists stay. It’s about a 30 minute drive to Pantai Cenang, the main beach area on the island.

There are taxis available on arrival at the Jetty or you can save money by booking one on the Grab app. There were also plenty of drivers offering rides as we walked out as well. In fact, it was annoying how many people wanted to drive us.

Kuah Jetty
Kuah Jetty

There are buses from the jetty into central Kuah, but it’s much more recommended to take a Grab taxi on arrival.

If you are on a full ferry, you may have to wait awhile for a taxi or Grab. A friend of mine travelled over just before new years and had to wait 40 minutes for a Grab. Since it was so busy, she also had to pay surge prices – RM42 to Pantai Cenang whereas I paid RM23. At busy times, it could be worth trying to book a transfer with your hotel.

You can also hire a car or motorbike from here which can be a very affordable option.

Return Ferry: Langkawi to Kuala Kedah Schedule

Walking out of Kuah terminal
Walking out of Kuah Jetty terminal

If you’re taking the ferry Langkawi – Kuala Kedah, all you need to do is to take the ferries mentioned above in reverse. Ferries run daily at the jetty from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal.

Click here to see the latest fares and to book your tickets.

The Langkawi Kuala Kedah ferry schedule has multiple ferries leaving daily.

These usually leave at 7:30am, 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 7pm.

The Langkawi to Kuala Kedah ferry time is around 1.75 hours.  Note that the ferry from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah schedule may change depending on timing and demand, so be sure to check when making plans for your trip. Timetables usually come out about two months before.

There is now a Langkawi to Kuala Kedah ferry for you to take your vehicle. This runs once a day, usually at 9:30am. Look for the RoRo option here.

Luggage cage area on the ferry to Langkawi
Luggage cage area on the ferry

Final Words

In this guide, we’ve covered all details about the ferry including the Kuala Kedah to Langkawi schedule, the ferry time from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi and everything else you need to know.

As mentioned above, getting to and from these destinations doesn’t have to be challenging. Just follow the tips that we’ve mentioned here in this article.

I also recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance online to avoid the hassle of buying it on-site and risking the ferry being sold out. Then you can turn up 30 minutes before and know you’ll be all set for your journey.

Click here to see the latest fares and to book your tickets.

I hope you found this guide to Kuala Kedah to Langkawi ferry tickets useful.  Read our guide on getting to Langkawi from Alor Setar here, or our guide on getting a ferry from Kuala Perlis here. You can also find our full guide on things to do in Langkawi here, and tips on the best Langkawi resorts here. Our full Langkawi travel guide is here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.