Last Updated on November 13, 2026 by Roslin Dwivedi
One of the best parts of expat life in Langkawi was being able to buy duty-free and branded watches, Calvin Klein earrings, drinks, and chocolates, plus my 10 RM lunches with Asian delicacies delivered to my doorstep. Langkawi is a beautiful, peaceful island in Malaysia on the east side. On one side, you have Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, which is no less than New York but budget-friendly. On the other side, you have Langkawi: a quiet island with a slower pace of life and less-developed infrastructure. We were used to living on other islands like Seychelles, Nassau, and Bahrain, where we enjoyed a well-developed, lively island life.
We lived in Langkawi for 2 years and moved to India. It wasn’t a difficult choice for us to move to Langkawi for work when we got the opportunity. We have lived in many Island countries before, and we hoped for a brighter future for our family. Destiny brought a great opportunity for my husband, and of course, it was another great opportunity for all of us to explore a Southeast Asian country. This blog is for anyone interested in learning how to move to and settle in Langkawi, rather than just discussing the cost of living with or without family. I will also share useful information about the place, food, schools, housing, duty-free shopping, and entertainment options on the island.
Before we get into the details, I want to say: if you are planning to live your retirement here, or even just a small part of your life, relax! You’ll love the peaceful, clean-air vibes, slow living, and Asian food here.
As a soon-to-be expat in Langkawi, my Google searches about the place kept me at ease as I learned more and more about this place, like having some good supermarkets, eating joints, and restaurants, which drew some interesting pictures for me of having an expat life in Langkawi.
How to Reach Langkawi:
There are direct flights from KL to Langkawi, so basically, wherever you are, you must reach Kuala Lumpur first and then take a connecting flight to Langkawi.
After arriving, you can take a Grab taxi. Download and activate the app before you arrive for a smooth ride to your hotel or housing location.
Language of Langkawi, Malaysia and how to communicate with locals
Langkawi has mainly Bahasa Melayu speakers. English is spoken mostly in formal places by people in higher positions, or in roles where they deal with many people, like receptionists, doctors, etc. Communicating with locals can be difficult because they don’t understand English very well. This was also one reason I couldn’t make many local friends here.
Currency they use
Malaysia’s currency is the Malaysian Ringgit. Which is 1Rm is 20INR
And 1RM is 0.25 USD at the time of writing this blog. As an expat, if you earn in USD and spend in RM, it becomes very manageable to maintain your bank balance. While staying in Langkawi, we enjoyed this experience and the flow of money. We bought luxury watches, expensive Calvin Klein earrings, bags, and shoes. That was only possible because we could earn USD and spend in RM.
So I suggest you negotiate better pay with your company before you move here.
Housing and Arrival at our Langkawi home
Thanks to the HR at my husband’s company, they settled us into a house in a very nice gated community in Langkawi. The house they gave us was in Kuah Town, called Chogm Villa. This society is one of the oldest and best societies in Langkawi.
Kuah Town is a residential area and has more of a town-like vibe on the island. The place has everything you need – clinics, restaurants, shopping places, malls, cafes, banks, and schools. On top of that, Langkawi has many duty-free shops for premium chocolates, bags, clothes, watches, and shoes.
Once we moved into our fully furnished apartment, I loved how the huge ceiling-to-floor window opened onto a big balcony overlooking Langkawi’s massive, lush hills. You could see this view as soon as you opened the main door—a well-lit home, except for one room with no natural light. At the back, we had a small balcony where we put the washing machine and dryer. The house had 2 bathrooms and a studio-style living room with an open kitchen, equipped with everything we needed, except that later we bought a dishwasher because the West showed me the positive side of it. Now I can’t run my kitchen without it, and I also added a water filter for daily use because it’s better than buying 20 liters every few days or weeks.
Langkawi has a lot of greenery all around. Our apartment was on a hill, and a huge jungle surrounded the housing boundary. Now and then, monkeys visited the housing area. Big palm trees in the middle part of the society were full of huge trees, plants, and local animals; we kept seeing Great Hornbills, always in pairs. We spent most Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays at the campus swimming pool. On hot days, I kept the balcony open until 1 pm, and on rainy days, I admired the view from the balcony all day long.
On our arrival day at our Langkawi home, I was very confused about how to set up our house. We did have a fully furnished apartment. A six-seater, very heavy oval wooden dining table, a three-seater sofa with two single sofa chairs. The bedrooms had spacious cupboards and beds with side tables, and one bedroom had a dressing table with a mirror.
I still had to set up the kitchen to suit my working style and make the house functional, as we wanted it to be. But also wanted to make it more homely. That also meant putting more than just necessary items in the room. And this all worked out when that HR friend came home for the Christmas party. She was surprised to see the house. She said, “Wow! How cozy your house looks; it looks so different now.” That was enough to make my evening. So, are you curious to know what I did?
I decorated the house with some artworks, and lots of plants placed strategically around the house and at the entrance. All the ideas I gained from Pinterest.
Renting or buying a car, scooter, or a bike
A car is one of the essential initial things you need to get settled in a new place. Once we arrived, my husband contacted a few garage owners and found out about car rental. We were not sure if we were going to stay here for long. We rented a car for 1000 RM per month. It was a Toyota Vios. If you want to buy a car, you can check car stores or garage owners. Or ask your colleagues to see if they know anyone who wants to rent or sell their car.
Bicycles for adults and kids. Jaya Motors and Bikes Basikal shop, located in Kuah town. It’s a great shop for kids and adults, with regular and electric bicycles. You can find kids’ helmets, elbow and knee pads, extra seats, and other bike parts; they can also do repairs here. You can also find kids’ tricycles and walkers.
Beside shops, you can keep an eye on Facebook groups and marketplaces for used vehicles and bike listings.
Driving and How to Get a Driving License in Langkawi
Driving license – If you are moving here for good, your international driver’s license will work.
Please check local regulations. My husband used an international driving license, and I had to learn to drive at a driving school to get a license because
A) I couldn’t drive, and
B) they didn’t accept an Indian driving license.
Driving in Langkawi is on the left side of the road. The traffic here is not scary. If you get stuck in a traffic jam during rush hour, stay calm; it usually clears in 2-3 minutes.
Most roads in Langkawi are 2 way, so you need to be a skilled driver to overtake the car in front. Or stay patient while you drive behind them. I remember driving on a busy 2-way road on my birthday. I had just learned to drive and acquired my learner’s license from a Malaysian driving school. There were at least 20 cars behind me, hopefully patiently.
Roads in Langkawi are well-made and well-marked. Everyone here follows the rules, so it’s very easy to drive here.
Langkawi also has one of the oldest, thickest rainforests and is home to macaques. Sometimes they’re sitting on the road, so speeding isn’t a good idea, especially on roads with thick jungle on both sides.
How to get a driving license in Langkawi or Malaysia –
My driving license journey was a great comedy and confidence booster for me. I had opted for manual car driving. In Malaysia, you are supposed to go to a training place, where you practice on different circuits and learn everything from D and S-shape to reverse, U-turn, indicators, and reverse parking. At the time of admission, they will ask for your passport, a form, and then payment. Once you pay them, they will give you a driving textbook to study. In addition to the textbook, you can download the KPP Test Malaysia app to practice the online test and see how prepared you are. I paid around 1300 RM for the classes and one examination, which will get you a learner driver’s license. If you fail on your first attempt, you will have to pay around 100 to 150 RM for the next attempt. They will message you the examination date. There are 2 kinds of examinations: one is an online test where you must score at least 42 marks to pass. The online test center you choose is near your house, and the second is a practical driving test where traffic police come to assess you. This assessment is done very systematically and professionally.
The first day I drove on the highway, my teacher discouraged me by saying, “A manual car is not everyone’s cup of tea. And I can see the person and tell who can drive or who can not.” I had no idea why she spoke so harshly to me when I never made a wrong turn, used the wrong indicator, or brushed any other car on the road. I just followed her instructions and was very nervous while doing it. For me, for the first time driving, I was doing great. Never spoke back or anything.
Health care
There are several good private clinics in Kuah and around the island, and Langkawi has one main public hospital. The private clinics can handle routine needs, urgent care, and basic illnesses. For emergencies, the public hospital takes care very efficiently. The cost of consulting a doctor in private clinics is moderate to low, and the staff is also very trained. Our 1 year of expat life luckily didn’t demand much of the doctors’ attention, but whenever we did, for basic fevers, colds, and coughs for a child and us, we had a good experience.
Schools and Day Care
Langkawi has many kindergartens that provide education with day care services. One of them is Tadika Genius, where my son went for a few months. I chose this one as it was close to our house and the principal spoke English. Many kindergarten teachers are local, so they speak only Bahasa Melayu and provide most of the education in the local language. My son was the only kid there who spoke English at that time, and only the principal could teach and communicate with him. But she did a great job teaching him many things. The kindergarten and day care also provide lunch and snacks to the kids. My son still misses the Malaysian food they prepared for the kids.
The school principal and teacher Ms. Dalila frequently organize outdoor learning by taking the kids to the chocolate bakery, Bird Parks, and the zoo. My son loves cooking, and the school used to conduct sessions like making fruit skewers, sandwiches, cake decoration, or pizza. After a while, I also enrolled him in daycare at the same school after school hours. He likes story time at school and with his friends.
We changed our son from Tadika Genius Langkawi School to Inspiration Academy. It is one of the international schools on the entire island. It was also a very small school, and not many kids enrolled here. Many kids in Langkawi went to Chinese schools. Inspiration Academy taught the Cambridge curriculum, the same as the syllabus in the Bahamas and Bahrain. The teachers were well-educated and soft-spoken. My son loved that school because the kids there spoke English, including the teachers and the principal, who is a lovely lady. She understood each kid’s character and always tried to teach them according to their strength.
Most big schools in Langkawi are Chinese schools, and getting admission isn’t easy either; plus, they teach and speak Chinese throughout—no English-speaking teachers or classes. There are many Chinese kindergartens and daycares available there. And the Chinese schools are also good. One of our friends sent their kids to a Chinese school, and they praised the management.
School bus service in Langkawi:
There are no school buses on the island. You have to pick up or drop off on your own. But a few people can provide this service for a monthly fee. We found a lady who used to pick up and drop off my son for 150 RM per month.
Shopping in Langkawi
Shopping in Langkawi feels cheap, mostly thanks to the exchange rate. I loved our shopping drills — Billion Supermarket for food, Happy Home for lovely porcelain crockery, and various other shops and malls around the island. Since our house came furnished but empty-handed on the kitchen front, we had to buy most of our everyday items ourselves.
Where We Shopped in Langkawi
Billion Supermarket — Our go-to for everything from dry and wet food items to vegetables, snacks, milk, and cheese — basically anything a regular supermarket stocks. I also found some small quarter plates and transparent teacups here, which were my favorite. Well, they still are.
Happy Home, Langkawi Fair Mall — you will find more crockery and a nicer selection than the supermarket.
Haji Ismail, Kuah — where I picked up most of our kitchen tools: knife sets, forks, and spoons.
Rams — Good for glassware and cast iron utensils.
Langkawi Saga Shopping Center, Kuah town (next to Mr. DIY and the dollar shop) — a duty-free shop where we found our drinking glasses and wine glasses.
Mr. DIY, Kuah and Langkawi Fair Mall — genuinely useful for almost everything. One of our most-visited shops on the island.
Teow Soon Huat — I mostly went here for one thing: coriander leaves. Billions was closer to our house but never seemed to stock it when I needed it. Teow Soon Huat also has duty-free bags, shoes, and clothes. On the higher levels, they have a supermarket on the ground floor. We bought a few duty-free items from here on a few occasions.
In December, we were late to put up Christmas decorations. It was already the 18th, and we hadn’t put up any decorations. But by the time I came out of my cocoon and decided to host a Christmas party at home, it was too late to decorate. I went to Mr. DIY in Langkawi Fair Mall, but there was absolutely nothing I could find. The good ones I saw there at the start of the month, thinking I had time, were all gone. I felt like a small town the moment things came into the shop, and it went away pretty fast. I tried to order from Lazada, but the delivery time was showing after 26th December. That’s definitely not what I wanted. So we gave it a try on my husband’s day off. We went to Teow Soon Huat, and it was like a Christmas decoration dreamland. I filled my trolley with all I could get. The collection wasn’t elite, but I can’t say you won’t find something interesting. So I bought decorations worth 300 RM (approx. 6,920.32 INR) and brought them home.
Online shopping in Langkawi
Lazada was our most-used platform. I bought stainless steel utensils there, along with odds and ends I couldn’t track down in Kuah shops directly. Be sure to check estimated delivery dates before ordering anything.
Shopee and Zalora were our other go-tos. Shopee for general household and lifestyle items, and Zalora mainly for better-quality items. The island’s own shops lean toward basic, non-branded everyday wear rather than a wide range of sizes or styles.
Grab covers both food delivery and taxis here, and has become part of my routine. GrabFood was reliable within the usual delivery radius around Kuah. I used the services mostly for lunch orders. And I used the taxi service for school pickups and drop-offs.
Shopping do’s and don’ts in Langkawi.
Talking about ghee for Indian families, I bought ghee unthinkingly because it said “ghee” on it. But it smelled very strange whenever I used it in cooking or spread it on chapati or bread. After a long time, I realized why it smelled funny. I read the ingredients, and it was made of cow oil. I threw away the half-filled can and never bought it again. I found an Indian shop and bought Amul ghee from there.
Ladies who bake, I made bread at home and saved a lot. I can tell you where to get high-quality, high-protein flour cheaply. In Bakers Hub, it’s 11 RM, but in Pastry Pro it’s 4 RM. At Pastry Pro, you will find more items like dried fruits and other baking supplies at low prices. Location No. 25 & 26, Taman Indah Fasa 3 Langkawi kedah MY, Pulau, 07000 Kuah, Kedah.
When buying milk in Malaysia, be sure to check the ingredients because we were also shocked to find out later that the milk doesn’t go bad because it’s a mix of a few unnatural things. So we later stuck to Farm Fresh milk and another Australian-produced milk. Curd, also, we bought from the Farm Fresh brand.
How to obtain a SIM and which one is better in Langkawi
I got my SIM card and number activated the same day for my husband and me at Hotlink. I was using the 40 RM plan for unlimited Wi-Fi and calls.
After that, I switched to a postpaid plan on the same number at a Maxis shop in Kuah Town. The prepaid plan was 40 RM per month, with 3 GB data and unlimited calls and messaging.
For kids’ entertainment in Langkawi
There are plenty of things to do in Langkawi with kids.
Watch the video for kids’ entertainment: Best Things To Do with KIDS in Langkawi Malaysia
Indoor Play & Attractions
Fun4Kidz Langkawi: This place is a nice air-conditioned indoor play area for kids. And there’s ample space for parents to move around. I tried a ladder that went down with a narrow hole. I am so happy that I could do it. It made me think I need to get a bit leaner, but it’s still better than getting stuck and not being able to come out to play with my son. The entry for every kid with one parent free is 16 RM. Do bring a pair of socks. You can buy a pair of socks if you forget; it’s 3 RM.
The place isn’t very big, but it’s a total happiness for kids in Langkawi. It’s the only indoor play park on the whole island.
There’s no snack counter or anything, but there’s ample space for parents to sit and relax while the kids have fun.
The slides and tunnels are big enough for parents also if they are flexible.
Underwater World Langkawi: Underwater World in Langkawi is a massive indoor marine and freshwater aquarium. Highlights include the African penguins and the walk-through underwater tunnel, where you could see penguins flying like fighter jets. Other best parts were the
3D Art Langkawi: An interactive optical-illusion art museum, great for family photos.
Langkawi Wildlife Park (Zoo): This park is very big. They also have some small cafes inside. At the ticket counter, they give you animal food. Inside, they have a bird park that gives a great experience. They put some bird food in your palm and let the birds come to you to eat. There are a few cameramen too, and they take pictures of you, which you can buy later after you finish your visit.
Beauty Salon for Women and Men
Faizah Touch Spa: A small Malaysian spa with very relaxing hand massages, manicures, and pedicures done nicely. I chose the basic no-scrub massage for legs, but massage for hands. They worked on you gently. 2 girls did the manicure, and one did the pedicure. Cost: 250 RM total
They took one hour for both.
Hannan Medispa
I went to Hannan Medispa for a facial, and a receptionist took me to a room with a face scanner. You can call that a hunting ground, as they not only scan and tell you the problems, but also lock you in for the next 10 facials by offering discounts and a package of 999 RM or 1000 RM.
Since I wanted to treat my skin after getting a nice tan from The Bahamas, I bought the package as an investment in my skin. I went for all 10 facials, and each time they suggested the right facial for the day and what it would focus on. In all of these facials, they never did a scrub, blackhead/whitehead removal, or a face massage unless that was mentioned in the facial. If you want that, you have to buy it separately after paying 100RM or 200RM per session.
I suggest that if those things are important to you, you choose a Cleopatra facial that already includes those services. Also, they always put an LED MASK on my face as a last step for 10-15 mins. But I wanted a wet pack. I never asked because I didn’t know if they had it.
But recently, when I went for my facial, this was after finishing my 10 facials for the 999 RM package. I saw an ad that was offering 49RM for basic. I went for it, and they took me to the scan room and started convincing me to get the Cleopatra Facial and a 1-hour service instead of the 40-minute basic one offered. I tried to deny it, but the receptionist kept talking me into it. So I ended up paying 100rm for Cleopatra’s facial for 1 hour. When I asked about the wet face pack, she said yes; you have 2 options: an LED mask or a Wet soothing pack. Now, why did they never give me that option for all 10 facials I did there? I wanted a soothing pack. I felt the difference after they put it on me. But they save time and materials by not using it and not offering this option to clients at all. But you will see those face packs in their ads all the time.
Result after 10 facials: The treatments they did were good. After the treatments, they scanned me on the last day, and my sunburn, dark spots, and wrinkles were less than in the assessment before.
My verdict is: Ask for a Face pack instead of an LED Pack because it’s herbal and will affect you in a good way.
VIP Vacation Spa
This place has good service. The massage was good. At times there was too much pressure, so I reminded the masseuse to be gentle.
Bellis Spa
I did an hour-long facial at Bellis Spa, and it cost 108 RM.
If you feel it’s expensive, then you are right. I felt the same. But even in the middle of the facial, I kept telling myself it was worth spending. Why? Because, 1st of all, I chose this facial specifically for the facial massage service included. And I wanted someone to massage my face other than me for a long time. I went inside, and the girl started the service by cleansing my face, followed by a scrub, and then a face massage. She took her time as she went along. And then she put on a face mask. I love these steps, as in India, this is how they do it. And after putting on a face mask, I understood why she told me to remove my T-shirt and sleep. She massaged my neck, front chest, shoulders, and the back of my neck, and while I waited for the face mask to dry, she started pressing my legs, relieving the tightness from my yoga, which started after a one-week gap.
The washroom is available.
Afterward, I was rewarded with honey-ginger tea. And I can say I was satisfied with her service and facial appearance during my stay in Langkawi. It was so worth the money.
And when I swiped my card, I was surprised to see a small discount; I only paid 98 RM instead of 108 RM.
I am very grateful to her, as I am her regular customer.
Activities as tourists or expats:
While we enjoyed our lovely expat life in Langkawi, we also enjoyed doing some touristy things over there.
- We went for the Tangjung Rhu mangrove boating experience with our parents, and also a couples-only one, where they took us to a point from which we only had to use kayaks. The family mangrove boat ride was 220 RM. Bat cave: 2 RM per person, Monkey channel, Crocodile cave, Fish farm and restaurant, Eagle feeding area, which is very interesting and fun for kids to watch.
- We also took a nice Kuah town trip. We just drove around to see what’s where, including Eagle Square. Eagle Square is one of the most popular places to visit in Langkawi.
- We went to the Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge twice—both times with family, including our 5-year-old son. More details and the video are here.
- Bird Park and Wildlife Zoo with our son. He also went there for his school picnic.
- Visit night markets in Kuah town. Eat like a local here.
Is Langkawi cheaper than Phuket?
Firstly, there is no comparison between Langkawi and Phuket. As a tourist, I would love Phuket, but as a resident, I am happy in Langkawi. Also, tourism and tourist places in Phuket are better than in Langkawi.
How cheap is Langkawi:
We are back in India, and I can tell we had a very cheap but luxurious lifestyle in Langkawi.
For example, the alcohol was duty-free, and compared to Indian liquor prices, it was reasonable enough to buy. The cheese we used on our charcuterie board was cheaper than in India. The brie cheese, once we came, I checked at Nature’s Basket in Mumbai, and it was around 650 Rs per 300g. Whereas in Langkawi, the cheese was 14 RM per 300 g. That would convert to only 200 Rs, so yeah, it was cheap in terms of food costs. But for clothing, I feel you must go to Kuala Lumpur to shop; on the island, you can also buy a few non-branded, everyday, loose, or normal clothes.
Restaurants In Langkawi
For where to eat in Langkawi, read this blog, and below I am mentioning a few restaurants that were our go-to.
Pizza Hill:
This was recommended by my husband’s colleagues. The chef prepares every pizza uniquely. It always depends on your taste and whether you prefer vegetarian or non-vegetarian options. There’s no menu in the restaurant, but the chef’s pizzas never disappointed us. Along with delicious pizza, they serve alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks too.
Umbut Langkawi:
We went to this beautiful restaurant located uphill toward the south of the island, overlooking the Malacca Strait. They are open from 3 pm to 10 pm. That made it perfect for a late lunch. Langkawi doesn’t have many restaurants on a hill with amazing panoramic views, though it’s easy to find seaside restaurants, and this one is surely a better place to have a meal with a view in Langkawi. I also appreciate their chefs. They always arrange, garnish, and prepare the food in a way we always love. It’s always tasty, whatever you order from the menu. My son’s favorite from here is chicken salad. And he is just 7 years old.
Co B Diem Langkawi:
This place never disappoints. Co B Diem Langkawi was open while we were there. This is one of the charming cafés in Kuah town, serving fresh, healthy, and delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
Raja Rani Restaurant:
It is another restaurant we loved visiting almost every day off. We loved their simple, straightforward South Asian cuisine. They have some great options for breakfast and lunch. I usually like to eat non-vegetarian food, but their vegetarian food is always good too.
Frog:
The atmosphere is so relaxing and comfortable that we end up spending hours enjoying the surroundings and the creative touches, like dual-sized doors for adults and kids, and playful elements like spiral slides for children.
Paradise seafood restaurant:
Our Malaysian friends took us here, and I became a fan. They serve very good seafood.
Other Essentials for daily living, Practical Costs
- Car wash (exterior only): approx. 10 RM
- Full tank of fuel: approx. 99 RM
- Air/tyre top-up: 3 RM
Giving Back: 4PAWS: A charity organisation
It’s located in Kuah town. We found out about this place through a friend, where we could donate our preloved clothing, toys, jewelry, and almost anything you don’t want to throw away that is in good condition for someone to use.
You can buy something from them as well; all the money they make from the preloved items goes toward caring for stray dogs and cats.
Final thoughts
Langkawi isn’t the flashiest island we’ve lived on. After Seychelles, Nassau, and Bahrain, it’s quieter and smaller, and you do have to adjust to the pace, the language, and the limited choices.
But it was generous to us. We had a cozy home with a view, closer to nature, a clean and nice swimming pool inside the housing society, and cheap groceries. We had enough relaxed weekends as a family. I also learned to drive a manual car here and finally got my learner’s license.
If you’re thinking about moving to Langkawi, my advice is to set up your home your own way, check your labels before buying, learn a few Malay words, and give the island a little time. As a tourist, I’d still pick Phuket. As a resident, I was very happy in Langkawi.
If you’ve lived here or are planning a move, tell me in the comments what you’d like to know. I’m happy to share more.
