Board Charges: Here is a list of airline board charges.

Via Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

EVA AIRWAYS CORP. www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/

CHINA AIRLINES. www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm

MALAYSIA AIRLINES.www.malaysiaairlines.com

AIR ASIA. www.airasia.com (TIP; PAY FOR EXCESS LUGGAGE IN ADVANCE.  EACH BOARD BAG, CHECKED IN OR CARRY ON LIMITED TO 15KG PER PIECE!)

This is becoming one of the easiest, comfortable and cost effective ways of getting to West Sumatra.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport - KLIA www.klia.com.my. Flights are available through many different airlines, but we recommend Malaysia Airlines; www.malaysiaairlines.com for flights from your country to Malaysia.

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Padang (PDG) are daily with Air Asia www.airasia.com departing at 7:50am. NOTE: AIR ASIA IS AT THE "LCCT" (LOW COST CARRIER TERMINAL), AND MALAYSIAN AIRLINES IS AT "KLIA" (KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT).  THEY ARE A 20 MINUTE DRIVE FROM EACH OTHER.  THERE MAY BE FREE BUSES FROM YOUR HOTEL TO THE KLIA and LCCT, CHECK WITH THE MANAGEMENT WHEN YOU CHECK INTO YOUR HOTEL OF CHOICE.

THERE IS ALSO A BUS FOR 2.5RM (80 CENTS USD) FROM KLIA TO LCCT. DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE THE 20 MINUTE BUS RIDE IN YOUR BUDGETED TIME TO GET TO THE AIRASIA FLIGHT.

Hotels in Kuala Lumpur Airport

Most times the arriving and departing flights with Malaysian Airlines don't coincide with the Air Asia flights, in which case you'll need a hotel to stay for the night before you depart to Padang, or depart home again on the way back.
The two hotels we recommend as being close to the airport and comfortable/convenient are

Pan Pacific Hotel KLIA klairport.panpacific.com/ (5-star within the airport itself)
Tunes Hotel LCCT http://www.tunehotels.com/LCCTTransit_KualaLumpur_Malaysia.aspx

NOTE: IF YOU STAY AT THE PAN PACIFIC HOTEL, THERE IS A 5AM SHUTTLE BETWEEN THE HOTEL AND THE AIRPORT. THE CHARGE IS 10RM, BUT THEY MAY CHARGE YOU EXTRA FOR YOUR SURFBOARDS. PLEASE CHECK WITH HOTEL MANAGEMENT BEFORE YOU ARRANGE TO BOOK THE EARLY MORNING SHUTTLE. WE'VE HAD REPORTS THAT THERE IS OCCASION WHEN MANAGEMENT WILL ONLY LET SURFERS ON A SHUTTLE BOOKED AT RM 180 FOR THE 20 MINUTE TRANSFER BETWEEN THE HOTE AND THE AIRPORT! IT MAY BE CHEAPER TO GO BACK TO THE KLIA AND GET A REGULAR TAXI FROM THERE TO LCCT.

Via Singapore

Singapore has a wonderful airport, a great national airline, and is the closest and most convenient of all the countries closest to Padang.  Unfortunately Singapore nor its airline is the cheapest AND they no longer offer flights between Singapore and Padang.  The country has an awesomely efficient and cheap public transportation system to get you around, cheap - expensive lodging and great shopping.  Alcohol is very expensive, you'll be murdered (literally) if you get caught trafficing drugs and lashed with the cane for graffiti.  Oh, and you're not allowed to chew gum.  The airlines flying to and from Singapore are:

QANTAS. www.qantas.com.au

SINGAPORE AIRLINES. www.singaporeair.com

EVA AIRWAYS CORP. www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/

CHINA AIRLINES. www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm

Once you get to Singapore, you'll have to organize another flight to Padang.  There are two airlines, differentiated mostly by their price and ease of booking.

TIGER AIRWAYS. www.tigerairways.com easy to book online and cheap.  Remember to pay for your surfboards as "Sports Equipment" when you book your ticket. To get from Singapore to Padang on Tiger, you have to fly through Jakarta.

GARUDA AIRLINES. www.garuda-indonesia.com can't book online, expensive and not direct, but probably no excess baggage charges for your boards, and better quality jets.

SECRETS FOR GARUDA:

Q:  What is the likely best departure time to obtain a low fare on Garuda Indonesia?
A:  Mid to late morning & mid afternoon depending on your destination.
Q:  What is the likely best day of the week to obtain a low fare on Garuda Indonesia?
A:  Usually Tuesday.

Via Jakarta

The main airlines to fly international to Jakarta from our guest's usual origin are:

EVA AIRWAYS CORP. www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/

CHINA AIRLINES. www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm

GARUDA AIRLINES. www.garuda-indonesia.com

UNITED EMIRATES. www.emirates.com

Once you get to Jakarta you'll need another flight to Padang.  Airlines that offer cheap convenient flights times and online booking are:

Air Asia www.airasia.com (TIP; PAY FOR EXCESS LUGGAGE IN ADVANCE.  EACH CHECKED IN OR CARRY ON LIMITED TO 15KG PER PIECE!)

Lion Air www.lionair.co.id

Batavia www.batavia-air.co.id

Mandala Air www.mandalaair.com/

NOTE: ALL OF THESE AIRLINES WILL MAKE YOU PAY EXCESS BAGGAGE FOR YOUR SURFBOARDS.  YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY ABOUT $3-4 PER KILO OVER 15 KILOS ALLOWED PER PERSON.

Via Travel Agents

WavePark has established an international collection of travel agents that offer the best prices on international and domestic airfares, as well as the mandatory travel insurance that we require for all booking guests. Contact us to find out who we recommend in your area.