One of the best islands in Southeast Asia sits right here in Malaysia – Langkawi. Affordable and breathtaking, the tropical paradise of Langkawi promises an azure dream for your family holiday. We’ve curated this wallet-friendly 2D1N Langkawi itinerary for you to have the best beach vacay on a budget! All you need is RM300 per pax – and this is inclusive of the costs for flights, meals, accommodation, attractions, and transport.
From the tranquil beaches of Tanjung Rhu and the ubiquitous duty-free shops to the lively nights along Cenang Beach, the Jewel of Kedah will undoubtedly captivate your senses.
Getting around Langkawi
The best way to get around Langkawi as a family is with a rental vehicle. Hiring a car on the island is cheap, as is petrol. The traffic is quite orderly and the roads are easy enough to navigate such that getting lost is unlikely. Having your own vehicle will save you the time and hassle of dealing with public transport or taxis. You can even pick up a car directly from the airport for as low as RM80 a day.
Where to stay in Langkawi
We have two recommended places to stay in Langkawi. If you’re travelling with a family (up to 2 children), opt for the King Room at Chill Box Langkawi in Kuah town, which would cost from RM80 per night. This hotel comes with complimentary breakfast and garden view. Or opt for the Family Room starting from RM82 each night in Motel Seri Mutiara, which is also located in Kuah. For more options on where to stay in Langkawi, check out the top 10 hotels here.
A 2D1N Langkawi itinerary for your family holiday
Day 1
Morning: Explore Kuah Town
Start your day with a fantastic view of the 12-metre-tall eagle statue at Eagle Square. Your trip to this legendary island is not complete without visiting this attraction known as Dataran Lang. Did you know that the name Langkawi is derived from the Malay words for eagle, which is “helang”, and a type of rock called “batu kawi”?
From Dataran Lang, which is in the busy town of Kuah, you can stroll around the beautiful Lagenda Park to understand the history and myths of Langkawi, take a nice photo along the promenade of Kuah Jetty, and grab breakfast around the ferry port.
Dataran Lang
Address: Persiaran Putera Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: 24 hours
Lagenda Park
Address: Next to Dataran Lang and Kuah Jetty
Opening hours: 24 hours
Afternoon: Picnic and sunbathe at Tanjung Rhu Beach
The number-one activity on Langkawi? Beach bumming. But hey, who can blame you when Langkawi’s beaches are absolutely gorgeous? Grab your sunscreen and picnic basket and head to any one of the gorgeous stretches of coast for a relaxing day of sun, sand, and sea with your family. We recommend you to drive the extra mile to Tanjung Rhu for its tranquillity and well-preserved limestone cliffs. Plus, you will have a clear view of the islands in Thailand such as Ko Tarutao and Ko Adang!
For lunch, the nearby Scarborough Fish & Chips is the perfect place for you to enjoy excellent food overlooking the stunning Andaman Sea.
Scarborough Fish & Chips
Address: Lot 1388, Jalan Tanjung Rhu, Mukim Air Hangat, 07100 Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily
Evening: Enjoy duty-free shopping!
When you’re on one of three tax-free islands in Malaysia, it can mean only one thing: retail therapy! There’s no place like the Langkawi Parade MegaMall, which is by far the largest consumer paradise on the island for a superb shopping session. Refresh your wardrobe with discounted apparel at fashion outlets like Guess, Billabong and Hurley whilst the kids are kept entertained at toy and chocolate shops or in the giant cineplex. There are also countless electronic stores hawking tech toys at slashed prices in case you need some new gadgets.
Address: A-14-15, Pokok Asam, Kuah 07000, Langkawi
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily
Website: Langkawi Parade MegaMall
Day 2
Morning: Go island-hopping
Though most famous for its pretty beaches, the Langkawi archipelago is a treasure trove of many other natural attractions. To make the most of your vacation in this scenic wonderland, be sure to book your family on an island-hopping tour for a chance to discover the region’s many flora and fauna. For just RM35 to RM50 per person, you’ll be treated to a three- to four-hour-long nature discovery adventure.
Begin your journey in the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark with a boat ride to Pulau Dayang Bunting for a swim, or paddle-boat at the mystical freshwater Lake of the Pregnant Maiden which is surrounded by limestone formations. Then continue by boat to Pulau Singa Besar and witness hundreds of majestic sea eagles swooping down on prey in the water! End off with a relaxing snorkel or jet-ski ride at Pulau Beras Basah, and return home with plenty of stories to tell.
Late afternoon: View the sunset at Cenang Beach
After all the boat rides and island-hopping, the best thing to do is eat and chill! And where else to do that than by the beach?
For a trendy, hip beachside atmosphere, head to Cenang Beach. You could settle on the comfy beach chairs or choose from the diverse F&B offerings. A favourite among locals and tourists alike for its affordable food and excellent location would be Yellow Beach Cafe. Here, you can watch sun setting over the Andaman Sea while tucking into delicious burgers and pizzas. Expect to pay about RM20 to RM30 per person for a meal.
Address: Jalan Pantai Tengah, Pantai Tengah, 07000 Langkawi
Opening hours: Monday & Wednesday – Sunday: 12pm – 1am
Website: Yellow Cafe
With that, we hope you’ll leave Langkawi with a happy tummy!
Langkawi family holiday budget breakdown
Suggested travel duration: 2 days, 1 night
Flights
From RM98 per pax for a return trip. Check out Skyscanner, and ideally book 20 weeks ahead to save more.
Places to visit
Kuah Town, Tanjung Rhu Beach, Langkawi Parade Megamall, Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Singa Besar, Pulau Beras Basah, Cenang Beach
Accommodation
RM20 per pax (RM80 per night in Chill Box Langkawi OR RM82 per night in Motel Seri Mutiara).
Transportation (car rental)
RM40 per pax (approx. RM160 for 2 days)
Island hopping fee
RM35 per pax
Meals
RM80 per pax (2 meals a day for 2 days in a mix of inexpensive and mid-range restaurants).
Estimated total cost
RM98 (flights) + RM20 (accommodation) + RM40 (transportation) + RM35 (island hopping) + RM80 (meals) = RM273 per pax
Note that this estimated cost is exclusive of shopping.
Ready for a family getaway to Langkawi? Book cheap flights, hotels and car rental via Skyscanner today, or download our free mobile app for easy browsing and booking on the go.
Originally published on 19 April 2016 and updated in May 2019. Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
