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Voykit pocket guide · Malaysia
Arau
Skip Arau as a destination: use it only as a train stop to change for Kuala Perlis (ferry to Langkawi) or Padang Besar (border to Thailand). 30 minutes is enough.
Arau is the royal capital of Perlis but a quiet town with little to detain a traveller. Its railway station connects Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, and from here you can reach the ferry port at Kuala Perlis or the Thai border at Padang Besar. Most visitors pass through in under an hour.
- Country
- Malaysia
- Best months
- Dec–Feb (dry, cooler)
- Avoid
- Apr–Oct (monsoon, heavy rain)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MYR
- Money
- Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.
- Daily spend
- Budget RM 50–80 (transit only) · Mid RM 100–150 (with a meal and taxi) · High RM 200+ (with a hotel in Kangar) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.
- Emergency
- Police 999 · Fire and ambulance 994 · From mobile 112
- Plugs
- Types G · 240 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin; hotels often have universal sockets.
- Tipping
- Hawker stalls: Nothing.; Restaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Guides: RM20–50 a day.
- Water
- Treated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.
- Toilets
- Western and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Nasi lemak or local meal | RM 5–10 |
| Taxi Arau → Kuala Perlis | RM 20–30 |
| Train Arau → Padang Besar | RM 8–12 |
| Bottle of water | RM 1.50–2.50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LGK · Langkawi International Airport
- About 1.5 h by taxi + ferry; check
- AOR · Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (Alor Setar)
- About 45 min by taxi; check
Typical fares
- Arau → Kuala Perlis (taxi)
- RM 20–30, about 20 min (check)
- Arau → Padang Besar (train)
- RM 8–12, about 20 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk: the railway station, bus hub, mosque and mausoleum are within 1 km (0.6 mi). Taxis and e-hailing (Grab) available for longer trips.Walk: the railway station, bus hub, mosque and mausoleum are within 0.6 mi (1 km). Taxis and e-hailing (Grab) available for longer trips.
See and do
Known for
- Arau Railway Station (Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok line)
- Perlis State Mosque
- Royal Mausoleum
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Perlis | Taxi or bus from Arau station, about 20 min | 30 min |
| Padang Besar (Malaysia) | Train or taxi, about 20 min | 30 min |
| Kangar | Taxi or bus, about 15 min | 25 min |
| Wang Kelian | Taxi, about 30 min | 45 min |
Sleep
- Arau town centre
- Near the railway station; limited options, mostly budget.
- Kangar (10 km west)
- More accommodation and food choices; 15 min by taxi.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Terima kasihtuh-ree-muh kah-seh |
| How much? | Berapa?buh-rah-pah |
| Where is the station? | Stesen keretapi di mana?steh-sen keh-reh-tah-pee dee mah-nah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Light handshake or hand on heart; wait for women to offer a hand; avoid: Firm grips, hugging
- Pointing: Use the thumb with fingers folded; avoid: Index finger pointing
- Homes: Shoes off; avoid: Walking in with shoes
- Mosques: Covered clothes, headscarf for women; avoid: Entering during prayers
- Public affection: Keep it low-key; avoid: Kissing in public
Scams and watch-outs
- No direct ferry from Arau to Langkawi: take a taxi or bus to Kuala Perlis (about 20 min).
- Train station has no left-luggage lockers; check with the ticket counter.
- Limited food options after 8 pm; eat in Kangar or Kuala Perlis.
Arau is very safe. Standard precautions: keep valuables out of sight, use registered taxis or Grab at night.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Arau yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Arau Railway Station (Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok line)
- Perlis State Mosque
- Royal Mausoleum
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Arau, revision 4449999 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4449999
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/arau). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.