Northern Malaysia Loop
7-10 days exploring Penang, Langkawi, Perlis, and Ipoh
The Northern Loop
A complete circuit of Northern Malaysia's best destinations
Penang
2-3 days
Langkawi
2-3 days
Perlis
1 day
Ipoh
2 days
Penang
Depart
Complete North Malaysia
See all the northern highlights in one epic loop journey
Island & Mainland
Beach paradise, heritage cities, limestone caves, and highlands
Diverse Experiences
Street food, duty-free shopping, nature, temples, and culture
Easy Connections
Ferries, trains, and buses make this loop straightforward
Destination Highlights
What to see and do at each stop
Penang
2-3 days- •UNESCO George Town street art and heritage
- •Legendary hawker food (Char Koay Teow, Laksa)
- •Penang Hill funicular and Kek Lok Si Temple
- •Batu Ferringhi beach
- •Little India and Clan Jetties
Langkawi
2-3 days- •Cable Car and Sky Bridge
- •Island hopping (Pulau Dayang Bunting, Beras Basah)
- •Mangrove tour at Kilim Geoforest Park
- •Duty-free shopping
- •Beach relaxation at Pantai Cenang/Tengah
Perlis
1 day- •Gua Kelam (Cave of Darkness) walkway
- •Perlis State Park hiking
- •Padang Besar border town shopping
- •Quiet Malaysian countryside
- •Cheapest mangoes in Malaysia (seasonal)
Ipoh
2 days- •Famous Ipoh white coffee origin
- •Hor Fun noodles (best in Malaysia)
- •Bean sprouts chicken and salt-baked chicken
- •Kellie's Castle and cave temples
- •Concubine Lane and street art
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Complete 9-10 day northern loop
Heritage & Food Discovery
Penang- •Day 1: Arrive Penang, check in George Town, street art walk, dinner at hawker center
- •Day 2: Morning Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, afternoon Little India, evening Gurney Drive
Island Transition
Penang to Langkawi- •Morning breakfast at famous kopitiam
- •Ferry from Swettenham Pier to Langkawi (2.5 hours)
- •Arrive Kuah, transfer to Pantai Cenang
- •Beach evening and sunset dinner
Island Adventures
Langkawi- •Day 4: Cable Car and Sky Bridge, Oriental Village, evening beach
- •Day 5: Morning island hopping tour, afternoon duty-free shopping in Kuah, sunset at beach
Off the Beaten Path
Langkawi to Perlis- •Morning ferry Langkawi to Kuala Perlis (1.5 hours)
- •Visit Gua Kelam cave walkway (45 min from Kuala Perlis)
- •Optional: Padang Besar border town for cheap Thai goods
- •Continue to Ipoh (3.5 hour drive) or overnight in Kangar
Food Capital
Ipoh- •Day 7: Arrive Ipoh, white coffee breakfast, hor fun lunch, cave temple, salt chicken dinner
- •Day 8: Dim sum breakfast, Concubine Lane, Kellie's Castle, afternoon shopping, evening bean sprouts chicken
Loop Complete
Back to Penang or Departure- •Day 9: Morning in Ipoh, ETS train to Penang (2 hours), afternoon in George Town
- •Day 10: Last Penang breakfast, departure
- •Alternative: Fly out from Ipoh (limited flights) or KL (2 hours from Ipoh)
Transport Connections
How to get between each destination
Penang to Langkawi
Langkawi to Kuala Perlis
Kuala Perlis to Ipoh
Ipoh to Penang
Exploring Perlis
Malaysia's smallest and least-visited state
Gua Kelam (Cave of Darkness)
370m walkway through a limestone cave with streams and formations. Unique experience.
Perlis State Park
Home to unique seasonal rainforest (semi-deciduous). Hiking and nature.
Padang Besar
Malaysia-Thailand border town. Cheap Thai goods, food, and atmosphere.
Kuala Perlis
Small fishing town, seafood restaurants, and ferry terminal to Langkawi.
Budget Estimate
Per person costs for 8-9 nights
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (8 nights) | RM 800-1,200 | RM 1,600-2,400 | RM 3,200+ |
| Transport (all segments) | RM 250-350 | RM 400-600 | RM 800+ |
| Food & Drinks | RM 500-700 | RM 800-1,200 | RM 1,500+ |
| Activities & Tours | RM 300-400 | RM 500-800 | RM 1,000+ |
| Miscellaneous | RM 200-300 | RM 300-500 | RM 500+ |
| TOTAL | RM 2,050-2,950 | RM 3,600-5,500 | RM 7,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best direction to do this loop?
We recommend Penang → Langkawi → Perlis → Ipoh → Penang. This order optimizes ferry schedules (morning ferry to Langkawi, then to Kuala Perlis), allows you to end with the excellent Ipoh-Penang train connection, and saves the best food (Ipoh and final Penang day) for last.
Can I skip Perlis to save time?
Yes, you can ferry Langkawi → Kuala Kedah instead, then bus/drive directly to Ipoh (4 hours). However, Perlis offers unique experiences (Gua Kelam) and is Malaysia's least-visited state. If you have limited time, do a 7-day loop skipping Perlis.
What is the best time of year for this loop?
November to February offers the best weather with lower rainfall and calmer seas for ferry travel. March-April is also good. Avoid September-October when monsoon season can cancel ferries and cause heavy rain, especially in Langkawi and Perlis.
Do I need to rent a car for this entire trip?
Not necessarily. You can do the loop using public transport (ferries, buses, trains). However, a car is very helpful in Langkawi and Perlis where public transport is limited. Consider renting only for Langkawi (pick up/drop at Kuah) and using buses/trains elsewhere.
How much time should I budget for Perlis?
Perlis can be done in a day or even a half-day. The main attractions (Gua Kelam, Padang Besar) can be covered in 4-5 hours. Most travelers use Perlis as a transit point between Langkawi and Ipoh rather than an overnight destination.
Can I start this loop from Kuala Lumpur?
Yes! Fly or train into Penang, complete the loop, then fly out from Penang (or continue to KL from Ipoh - just 2.5 hours by ETS train). Alternatively, start in Ipoh from KL, but ferry schedules work better starting from Penang.
Ready for the Ultimate Northern Malaysia Adventure?
Plan individual segments or start with our detailed Penang guides.