Kuala Lumpur, commonly known as KL, is a bustling metropolis and the capital of Malaysia. Though now known for its skyscrapers, Kuala Lumpur has retained a good mix of colonial architecture. Thus, buildings from bygone eras are overshadowed by the modern skyline, but this combination makes Kuala Lumpur one of the most visited cities in the world. From KL you can go south to the city of Malacca. Much smaller than the capital, Malacca is reminiscent of Britain’s colonial past, but is also known for Chinatown and Jonker Street, where antique shops compete for customers and the night market draws the crowds. Both cities are recommended stops on any visit to Malaysia. In this guide, we show you how easy it is to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca.
Travel options from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca
The simplest route is 145 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca, so it’s not a very long distance. Malacca, also spelled Melaka, lies south and slightly east of Kuala Lumpur along the coast and the Strait of Malacca. There are regular buses from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca, but you can also take a taxi. An alternative way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is a combination of train and bus. You won’t save time or money, but if you like adventure, this might be a good option.
Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca
Bersepadu Selatan Terminal (TBS) is Kuala Lumpur’s main bus station © Spectral-Design / Shutterstock.com
The first thing that catches your eye when traveling by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is the amazingly low price of the ticket. It’s very cheap if you take the bus from the city and a bit more expensive if you go from the airport. You can add a few euros more depending on where you want to get off in Malacca. Either way, traveling by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is a great budget option for travelers on a budget.
What are the bus options? The truth is that there are several companies to choose from and an easy way to compare their services and prices is to book online through 12Go.asia. Search for travel options from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca and you will see several companies and different starting and destination points. So you can choose the exact route you choose depending on where you are in Kuala Lumpur and where you want to go in Malacca.
Melaka Sentral bus station
For example, you can travel with TBS in Kuala Lumpur (Barsepadu Selatan Terminal, a large bus station in the south of the city) with the Transnasional bus company. On board they have VIP buses with wide seats, air conditioning, TVs, stewardess, toilets and snacks. Its three daily services to Meleka Sentral are the cheapest you can find, with a journey time of only around 2 hours and 15 minutes from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca.
If traveling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 is easier for you, you will have several different companies to choose from. StarMart Express has 24 VIP buses, similar to the ones described above, with many daily departures, so it’s very easy to find a schedule that suits your plans. Transnasional also offers services from KL Airport to Malacca, although there are standard Express buses on this route, not VIP buses. They have eleven daily departures while StarMart offers no less than fifteen daily connections from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca. You can also depart from the airport’s main terminal, where StarMart Express and Transnasional also offer several departures throughout the day.
From Kuala Lumpur to Malacca by Taxi
Bas Persianan or bus/van is white and green in Malaysia © hkhtt hj / Shutterstock.com
If you are traveling with your family or in a group, a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is not as expensive as you might think. You can book private taxis with Asian Overland Services through the 12Go website, so the process is as simple as buying a bus ticket. Their smaller vehicles only carry two passengers, making it the most expensive way to travel between two cities. However, the more people traveling with you, the lower the price per person will be. They also have vans for six passengers and ten passengers. Similarly, they have a bus for 35 people that can be hired for large groups. So, if you have 25 or more passengers, the price will be comparable to the price of public transport buses.
Train and bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca
KTM ETS high-speed trains from Kuala Lumpur to Tampin © SL Chen / Shutterstock.com
For more adventure, you may want to consider taking part of your journey by train. It won’t necessarily be cheaper than the bus and you won’t get to your destination in less time, but if travel is part of a tour you enjoy, this alternative may be a good option.
You will have to take KTM ETS high-speed train running from Kuala Lumpur to Tampin. This train covers most of the route to Malacca, and from your destination you just need to take a public bus that will complete the route. The entire journey should take 2-3 hours, so it’s not particularly slower than the bus option, but it does allow you to experience a different mode of transport. As public trains and buses are owned by different entities, tickets must be purchased separately. Another important thing is that if you are a woman traveling alone, you may be interested in traveling in a carriage reserved for women only. Trains are generally safe, but you can travel with more peace of mind this way.
All in all, the easiest and cheapest way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is by bus. Given the variety of departure times and locations, and the number of daily services available, this is a very practical option.