02-05-2025
Cheap Tickets, Cheaper Hotels, Cheapest Booze: This Island Is Ideal For Indians On A Budget
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Situated off the north-west coast of Malaysia, Langkawi is not only visa-free for Indian travellers, but food, accommodation, alcohol, and even petrol are surprisingly affordable
The number of Indians travelling abroad has been rising steadily, with a noticeable increase in solo and budget travellers. While destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka remain popular, the Maldives continues to attract travellers with its stunning white sand sea shores.
Amid these well-known spots, one island has recently gone viral on social media for offering a perfect mix of affordability and beauty. Langkawi is one of the 99 archipelagos situated on the northern coast of Malaysia. Not only is it visa-free for Indian travellers, but food, accommodation, alcohol, and even petrol are surprisingly cheap. A viral video by solo traveller Roop Verma has captured attention, as she shares detailed insights on exploring this hidden gem.
Roop shared the video on her Instagram account @roopvermaa. In the caption, she mentions that you can get a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi. The total cost of travel and accommodation from India is around Rs 25,000. A hotel for two nights on this island can be booked for as little as Rs 2,000–5,000. Meals typically cost between Rs 600 to Rs 1,000, and participating in local activities might cost another Rs 1,000–2,000.
In the video, Roop shares several surprising facts about Langkawi. She says no one told her about this hidden gem. The island is visa-free and duty-free, making it a great spot for those who enjoy alcohol. Vegetarian food is also widely available, typically priced around Rs 200–300. Petrol is just Rs 40 per litre, and tourists can rent a car, fill the tank, and explore the island all day.
The island boasts beautiful beaches and waterfalls, as well as caves, jungles, and rich wildlife. Monitor lizards and other creatures can be spotted wandering freely.
Roop describes Langkawi as breathtakingly beautiful and pocket-friendly, a perfect destination for a fun and budget-friendly holiday.
Her video quickly went viral on social media, garnering over 8.8 crore views. More than 27 lakh people have liked the video, and it has been shared countless times. Over 6,000 comments have poured in.
One user commented, 'I went to Langkawi just last year. It's stunning, but the best part is it's far less crowded than Thailand and Bali. Please don't make such reels that invite crowds here too!" Another user wrote, 'I'm going there next month."
However, not everyone agreed with the video. One person said, 'Whether it's cheap or not, we'll only know after visiting." Meanwhile, another added, 'You say there's a lot of vegetarian food, but when I visited in January 2024, I couldn't find any. Please don't mislead people."
First Published:
May 02, 2025, 15:25 IST
