Help! Currency to Langkawi cc or cash??

koolmummy

Hello,

I'm off on honeymoon in less than three weeks now!!!:T

Have read loads on this site and thanks to Martin's excellent tool know the cheapest place to get hold of my ringits!:j

My question is has anyone been to Langkawi??? I've been reading the forums on trip advisor and generally they say not to take much currency -buy it out there as the rate is much better.:question:

I was thinking of taking £200 in ringits and the rest in sterling travellers cheques. The rate to buy ringits here is aroung 6.6 to the pound at the moment.

I would appreciate any help or suggestions

Thanks :beer:

kernowboy_2

You lucky things off to Langkawi!! There for the first time in January its a lovely place. I think your doing the right thing with your cash although if you should run out there's a couple of ATMs in the capital Kuah (??i think it is ) which came in handy for us in January Have fun!

inluvwithblue

The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. And it should be easy enough to get money from the ATM in Malaysia, but check with your bank whether your card need the LINK or the MAESTRO machines. And also the charges.

But it's also very easy to change Pounds to Ringgits in Malaysia as the rate won't be bad at all. But your GBP2000 in ringgits would be around RM13,000 and that is A LOT to spend. Most malaysians don't used up RM2,000 a month for their expenses. How long will you stay there?

Food is cheap and so are the things if you like shopping, compared to UK.

Food to definitely try:
Nasi Lemak (Malay food - kinda hot)
Roti Canai (Indian food - made of flour, eaten with dahl or curry)
Teh Tarik (Pulled tea - watch how they do it, fascinating)
Chicken Rice (Chinese food)
Asam Laksa (very famous in penang, sourish soup noodle with prawn)
Rojak
and etc etc...

*feeling very hungry now*

If all your accomondation is all paid up, RM13,000 should last for you and your other half. At least for me it would.

If you want some more tips, let me know, will be glad to help.

koolmummy

Thanks for that - really am looking forward to the food!

Withdrawing cash at ATM's is out - we bank with the Halifax and have left it too late to change. They charge silly money to take cash out abroad.

We are not taking £2000 spending money!!! lol!

We are on a tight budget. My partner works for B.A so flights almost cost nothing. Hopefully we have sourced very cheap/clean accomodation!

We are in KL for one night on the way to Langkawi, then we are in Langkawi for two weeks - can't wait!!

I guess what you are saying is take cash and change it in Langkawi rather than taking Travellers cheques???

Our spending money buget for the trip is £1200 - will this be enough?

Thanks for your help.

inluvwithblue

Let's see GBP1,200 would make around RM8,500. That's 600-ish a day for 2 person making it RM300 for each person to use. I think that should be enough. Provided you don't eat at posh restaurants EVERYDAY.

A meal at a decent restaurant would cost about RM 50 for 2 person, most of the them even charge less than that. Posh restaurants, maybe RM100 for 2 persons. If you stick to local food, you prolly use a total of RM30 for the 2 of you. But if you want to stick to western food it will be a bit more expensive but i don't think you'll use up RM100 for a meal.

All in all, I think it should be enough. Bring your credit cards just in case. As for cash or traveller's cheques, this I don't know for sure, but wouldn't traveller's cheques be more secure than cash?

Oh, oh, make sure you visit the night market if they are available near you. You just have to go to one. LOTS OF FOOOOOOD..... tropical fruits, exotic fruits, local delicacies. They even sell really cheap clothes there. oh, oh, a word of caution though, try not to buy any food that is not covered or is left open to the flies and dust, well, especially flies. Unlike UK, there are lots flies in Malaysia. And Mosquitoes. Maybe you should pack some Imodium and Buscopan with you??

I MISS MALAYSIA.....

P/S I thought you wrote GBP2,000 but when i look back you actually wrote GBP200... LOL.... sorry my bad...

globalds

Lankawi is a duty free island ..So alcohol is a bit cheaper .
Car hire is cheap and a UK licence is enough to drive on ...Just make sure you get insurance.
We will be stopping in Lankwai for 3 days with a couple of weeks in pennang .
You will Love it .Food is cheap as chips (even cheaper proably)Mosquitos can be a bit of a problem ....buy some jungle formula ...If you are taking a laptop or anything ,malaysia uses the same plugs and voltages as uk..no need for an adaptor ...Last time we took an old mobile and had it unlocked and bought a malay sim ...really cheap calls ..even to the UK.
Only 2 other down points ..Sometimes jelly fish are in the water ...Take some vineger to the beach with you (pour it on the sting )
They have monkeys that look cute but are very used to humans and can get vicious if they want something and you don't hand it over .
I would say that the money you are taking will be plenty ...ATM,s are in most major places .As far as the credit card goes ..The usual rules apply ..don't let it out of your sight especially in bars and restaurants.

kernowboy_2

the capital of LANGKAWI is Kuah there are a couple of banks in the two street capital so not too hard to find - car and bike hire sooooooooooooooo cheap so go explore [SIZE=-1]Nasi Goreng so cheap n tasty!!!! enjoy
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inluvwithblue

Sorry, i was referring to the capital of Malaysia, not Langkawi, so my bad if it's not clear...

cundall

Nice place was there last year, hire out a bike or car and find some semi private beaches (great white sand though not good for diving ) Anyway not many ATM's around only easy access is at the airport....

koolmummy

Thanks very much for all of your helpfull tips - can't wait to go!! We will hire a car for a few days, want to check out a couple of the waterfalls and the cable car.

Think we mat go on one of the boat trips out to the coral reef and dive.

Love the idea of finding some secluded beaches and the food.

We've never been to Malaysia before so it will be an experience!!