Usually called KL, the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a modern metropolis with a skyline that cannot be envied by the best in Europe or America. Although it is well known for the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur has many other modern buildings, but it has not forgotten its history either. Historic mosques and plazas and the bustling Chinatown area are just some of the city’s attractions. The palace, parliament buildings and some city museums are of newer construction. After discovering the great diversity of KL, it’s great to go somewhere in nature, and the city of Ipoh is a stark contrast to KL for this reason. The gateway to the beautiful Cameron Highlands, Ipoh is like a different world than the capital despite being Malaysia’s third largest city. Known for its caves, temples and even a castle, Ipoh is a beautiful city with British colonial architecture and fine dining. Read on to find out the best way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.
Ipoh Railway Station
Options to go from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh
As a major city on the route from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and George Town, Ipoh has become a major transportation hub, so it’s easy to find your way from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh. There are only about 200 kilometers of road between the two cities, so you don’t have to travel a long distance. Since there are several departure times, you may be able to make it to Ipoh in time for lunch if you leave KL early. Buses are a popular means of transport to get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh as they are cheap and there are many scheduled departures each day. You can also consider the train, which takes about the same time as the bus and has a similar price. A taxi is the fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, although it is also the most expensive.
From Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh by bus
With multiple companies to choose from, you’ll find multiple departures throughout the day and different starting points. No wonder so many tourists take the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh. Probably the biggest advantage of the bus is the price. It is a cheap means of transport, and since the journey is relatively short, travelers usually do not mind sharing a small space with other people to make this trip. The buses offer different levels of comfort. Some companies operate VIP buses, others have express buses, and some even have business buses.
With so many companies serving the Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh route, it can take some time to find the one that best suits your plans. Therefore, we recommend using 12Go.asia book tickets because that way you can compare the performance of different companies on the same page. In an instant, you can compare the services of each bus, prices, departure and arrival locations, and even read the comments of other passengers. As you can see, using this website can save you a lot of time because you won’t have to search for tickets on every bus company’s website. Plus, with 12Go, you get instant confirmation of purchase with almost every booking.
Bersepad Seletan Terminal, opened in 2011. © Shahrin Md Ayob / Shutterstock.com
The first thing you need to decide is the departure location in KL as the buses have several different departure locations. TBS Kuala Lumpur is a popular meeting place. TBS is the central bus terminal of Bersepad Selatan, the main station which also includes Bandar Tasik station. From here you can travel with Plusliner on the Express bus, which has air conditioning but no other services. This is one of the cheapest options to get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.
Sri Maju Group also operates TBS buses. Their express buses are a little more expensive, but they have a snack and hostess on board. If you pay a little more, you can also travel on one of their VIP buses, which have wider seats and more room for travelers as each row only has three seats. StarMart Express also has VIP24 buses and Perak Transit Ekspres has very cheap Express service tickets. Transnasional also has a Business service on buses with air conditioning and three rows of seats.
In addition to TBS, you can also depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport or Duta Bus Station. Once you’ve decided which departure point is best to go from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, you’ll need to decide which area of Ipoh you want to drop off at. Depending on where you pick up and drop off, the journey can take anywhere from 2.5 hours to 4 hours and 20 minutes.
From Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh by taxi
Although taking a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh is much more expensive, it is also much more convenient. It’s a great way to get around if you’re traveling with friends or family, or if you don’t want to lug your luggage around KL. Private taxis offer a pick-up service from anywhere, so you can leave directly from your hotel in Kuala Lumpur and arrive at your hotel door in Ipoh. These taxis can also be booked online at 12Go with Asian Overland Services.
From Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh by train
KTM ETS high-speed train in Kuala Lumpur © SL Chen / Shutterstock.com
Finally, you can also take the train from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh. Train services are similar to bus services in terms of price and speed, so there is not much difference between the two options. It goes without saying that traveling by train is usually more enjoyable than by bus, as the tracks criss-cross the countryside and you get to see stunning scenery along the way that you can’t do from the road.
The trains are operated by KTM and ticket prices vary depending on the class you want to travel in. There are usually Silver, Gold or Platinum tickets on these trains, depending on the time of departure. Platinum services are the fastest, followed by Gold and Silver services which make more stops along the way. You can usually also book train tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh via 12Go, but you can also book directly at the station.