Kuala Perlis
Understand
Kuala Perlis is only a couple of kilometres from the Thai border and very close to the Thai town of Satun. However, national parks on both sides of the border create a green barrier and there is no a direct road between the two towns.
Get in
The nearest legal border crossing from Thailand by road is about 45 km north of Kuala Perlis.
By train
The nearest train station is at Arau, the stop before the border station of Pedang Besar. It is on the line north from Butterworth and south from Hat Yai in Thailand. A taxi ride to Arau costs RM15 and takes about 25 minutes.
By bus
There is a bus terminal in 5 minutes walking from the pier. Buses run amongst the others for Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur. If you are heading to Butterworth bear in mind that there is no ticket counter for this destination. You need to book your ticket ahead using one of the online services (Easybook, BusOnlineTicket etc).
By boat
Consider crossing the border by boat: boats run between Tammalang pier near Satun in Thailand and Kuala Perlis. You can also take a ferry from Langkawi Island. Langkawi Ferry Line (check the website for timetable) provides around 8 ferries a day (RM18) but the schedule can change due to water level.
Get around
Buses and taxis are available.
See
- 🌍 Kota Kayang Museum, ☏ +60 4-977 0027. An archaeological and Perlis royal family gallery.
- 🌍 Masjid Terapung Al-Hussain. Beautiful floating mosque.
Eat
- Kak Su Laksa Beras (Kuala Perlis style of laksa)
- Medan Ikan Bakar Kuala Perlis (seafood in front Putra Brasmana Hotel)
- Shah'rin Corner
- T Restaurant
- 🌍 KFC, 1, Persiaran Putra Timur (right ahead of the pier). 10AM-11PM. Has dodgy Wi-Fi access
Drink
Nightlife is non-existent. Beer can be purchased at all 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Sleep
- Putra Brasmana Hotel
- T Hotel, Kuala Perlis
- Kuala Perlis Seaview Hotel
- Pens Hotel
Respect
Avoiding overly revealing clothes goes a long way towards blending in. Many mosques and temples require covering up, and you will get more respect from officialdom if you dress up a little. Many places of worship including all mosques will require you to take your shoes off before entering. When eating with hands rather than cutlery, do not eat with the left hand in public as it is considered impolite. If you can speak just a few words of the four main local languages, namely Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese (especially Cantonese), Tamil and English, it will ingratiate you a lot with the locals.
Stay safe
Perlis is relatively a safe place for travellers, but take the common precautions against snatch-thieves and scams and don't accept rides from Kereta Sapu (passenger car / unlicensed taxi) at night.
Go next
- Alor Star - capital of Kedah state
- Hat Yai - South Thailand
- Pulau Langkawi (Langkawi Island) - Go to Langkawi Island at Kuala Perlis Jetty by ferry.
- Phuket- in South Thailand