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Territory capital · Malaysia

Alor Setarألور ستار

Give Alor Setar one night, or two if you want the paddy museum and Kuala Kedah: it is a stop between Langkawi and Penang, not a destination on its own.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Alor Setar is the capital of Kedah and the largest city in Malaysia's rice bowl, ringed by paddy fields and about 45 km from the Thai border. The sights are a compact royal quarter, a Thai-style temple and a rice museum, all doable in a day. Most travellers pass through on the way to Langkawi or Hat Yai; a single night covers the centre without rushing.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
MYR
Best months
Dec–Feb (drier, less haze)
avoid Apr–May and Sep–Oct (heaviest rain), Mar–Apr (haze risk)
Airport
AOR
Nights
1
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
  • Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
  • Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
  • Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
  • Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
  • Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Alor Setar999 ▾
  • Police and ambulance999
  • Fire994
  • From a mobile112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Alor Setar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Ride-hailing trip across the centreRM6–12
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRM20–40
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Muzium Padi)RM5–10
  • Budget bedHostel or budget guesthouse bed, a night, per personRM35
  • Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomRM150
  • High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomRM260

A day, not counting the bed: Budget RM90 · Mid RM180 · High RM350

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Masjid Zahir and the royal quarterMuzium Padi (Paddy Museum)Pekan Rabu marketGateway to Langkawi and the Thai border
Airports
AOR Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (About 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the centre; flights from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    34°C (93°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    33°C (91°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  7. Jul

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  8. Aug

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

Best: Dec–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F) low), wettest Oct (18 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Alor Setar: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

5 rd

Feb

33°C (91°F)

23°C (73°F)

6 rd

Mar

34°C (93°F)

24°C (75°F)

10 rd

Apr

33°C (91°F)

24°C (75°F)

14 rd

May

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

15 rd

Jun

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

13 rd

Jul

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

13 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

15 rd

Sep

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

17 rd

Oct

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

18 rd

Nov

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

14 rd

Dec

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre is small enough to walk in 20–30 minutes between the mosque, Pekan Rabu and the tower. For Muzium Padi and Kuala Kedah you need a car, taxi or ride-hailing app; local buses exist but are slow and poorly signed. Driving is on the left; the North-South Expressway has Alor Setar Utara and Selatan exits.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Kuala Kedah

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Car or taxi, about 20 min west of the centre

Fort, fishing village and the ferry pier for Langkawi; seafood restaurants along the river mouth.

Bukit Kayu Hitam and the Thai border

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Car or bus north on the expressway, about 45 km (28 mi)

Only worth it if you are crossing to Hat Yai; check your visa and entry rules first.

Langkawi

overnight

Door to door: 2–3 h

Ferry from Kuala Kedah pier, roughly 1 h 30 min

Sailings are weather-dependent and can be cancelled; book ahead in peak season.

Kulim

skip

Door to door: About 1 h

Car south on the expressway, about 60 km (37 mi)

An industrial town with little for a visitor; keep going to Penang instead.

Lunas

skip

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Car south past Kulim

A small town; no reason to detour unless you are already driving south.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

City centre (Jalan Putra / Pekan Rabu)

Walkable to Masjid Zahir, Balai Besar, the tower and Pekan Rabu; best for one night.

Jalan Stadium area

Mid-range chain hotels near the stadium, a short drive from the centre.

Near the airport

Only useful for a very early flight; nothing to walk to.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
RM90–150 excl. bed
Mid
RM150–280 excl. bed
High
RM280+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × RM150RM150
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × RM180RM360
eSIM, about a week of data2 × RM30RM60
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeRM57
Trip total≈ RM314 per person per day, bed includedRM627≈ US$150

2026 estimate in ringgit; flights and long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Kopi or teh tarik at a kopitiamRM2–4
Plate of nasi kandar or laksaRM6–12
Bottled water (1.5 L)RM2–3
Ride-hailing trip across the centreRM6–12
Museum entry (Muzium Padi)RM5–10
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekRM20–40

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Alor Setar is calm and low-crime by regional standards; the real risks are traffic when crossing roads, heat and dehydration at midday, and monsoon downpours that flood low roads quickly.
  • Midday heat and sudden afternoon storms: do the outdoor sights before 11:00.
  • Dress modestly at Masjid Zahir and Wat Nikrodharam; cover shoulders and knees.
  • Some sights close on Fridays and public holidays: check before you go.
  • Haze can cut visibility in Mar–Apr; people with asthma should watch the air quality index.

Emergency numbers

Police and ambulance
999
Fire
994
From a mobile
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Alor Setarألور ستار

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Tolong pergi ke alamat iniTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police and ambulance999
  • Fire994
  • From a mobile112

Embassy

No embassies in Alor Setar; most are in Kuala Lumpur. The nearest foreign consulates are in Penang.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport (AOR) → city centre, taxi: about RM25–35, 15–20 min
  • Kuala Kedah → Langkawi ferry: about RM25–35 one way, 1 h 30 min
  • Bus Alor Setar → Kuala Lumpur: about RM40–55, 6–7 h

Say or show

  • Terima kasih — Thank you (ter-ee-ma ka-seh)
  • Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
  • Maafkan saya — Excuse me (ma-af-kan sa-ya)
  • Di mana tandas? — Where is the toilet? (di ma-na tan-das)
  • Saya tidak makan babi — I don't eat pork (sa-ya ti-dak ma-kan ba-bi)
  • Boleh bayar dengan kad? — Can I pay by card? (bo-leh ba-yar de-ngan kad)

Malaysia's arrival card (MDAC) must be filed online before you fly; keep the confirmation on your phone.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alor Setar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Feb (drier, less haze) · avoid Apr–May and Sep–Oct (heaviest rain), Mar–Apr (haze risk) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for AOR: last flight arrivals, taxi fallback and a late-check-in rung.
  2. Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: royal quarter and Masjid Zahir, Pekan Rabu and Jalan Putra, the tower and City Plaza.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Masjid Zahir, Muzium Padi, Menara Alor Setar, Wat Nikrodharam) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Ferry and border fixtures for Kuala Kedah and Bukit Kayu Hitam so the Langkawi and Hat Yai legs can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Malaysia

Sources