Car Ferry Butterworth to Langkawi?

[Lisa M]

We want to ferry from Butterworth to Langkawi and are trying to find info on Star Express who apparently have a car ferry service.  Anyone know any contact details, website, anything?

[Lisa H]

We did that trip several years ago and it was one of the worst experiences of my life.  The Malaysian boat drivers are even worse than the car drivers.  The ferry had to keep on violently swerving to avoid small fishing boats cutting it up.  Thoughts of the Poseidon Adventure crept through our minds.  When we went it was not a car ferry of the cross channel variety; there is a people ferry and the cars went over on a raft like contraption.  In answer to your question, I do not have any contact details though.

[Grub]

That particular ferry service has not had a good safety record. Due to the winds and monsoon conditions, there have been at least two accidents, where the ferries sank and people lost their lives and cars. Mind you, this happened about 12 years ago when I lived there and have no idea if since then, the service has improved.

Another way of getting to Langkawi is to drive to Kuala Kedah, park your car at the ferry terminal and travel across with a hovercraft-type ferry. It goes at high speeds (can make you sick at times!) and takes about one and a half hours. once you are on Langkawi, you can rent a car quite cheaply.

Hope that helps!