What to expect when visiting Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are a small group of islands in Kuala Terengganu, off Malaysia’s east coast. They are famous for their coral-sand beaches, turquoise waters, amazing underwater life, and lush jungles.
Discover the beauty of Long Beach and watch the sunset at Turtle Beach. Dive into the coral-rich waters surrounding the islands, particularly the vibrant marine life at Shark Point. From hiking to kayaking, you will have plenty of outdoor adventures to do on the Perhentian Islands.
Where to stay when visting the Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are made up of 7 islands — the two main islands being Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. You can find all accommodation options on these main islands because the other five aren’t inhabited.
Besar, with its more high-end lodgings, is perfect for honeymooners or families on holiday, whereas Kecil is more for backpackers and party-goers with its cheaper accommodations.
Booking a hotel on Kecil isn’t the easiest either. The majority of the accommodations don’t advertise online. You’ll be able to book a select few in advance, but a lot of places only take walk-in bookings, which can be quite risky in the busy summer months.
Wherever you’re staying in the Perhentian Islands, you’re sure to have a great time underwater. Snorkelling and diving are the most popular activities, but just swimming in its clear waters is enough to give you a tropical boost.
We also highly recommend trekking through its jungles. Just watch out for the occasional venomous spider or monitor lizard!
4 ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands
There are four ways to travel the distance of 330 km (205 miles) from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands: by bus (8h05m-8h30m), flight via kota bharu (2h10m-2h45m), flight via kuala terengganu (2h50m-3h25m) and private taxi + boat (5h40m). The journey takes between 2h10m - 8h30m and the quickest way is by flight via kota bharu. The lowest priced tickets start from 72 MYR ($15.00) for the bus.Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands by Bus
Travelling by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands takes you up to Kuala Besut in Terengganu. This town is directly on the west of the Perhentian Islands.
From Kuala Besut, you can take a ferry to either Besar or Kecil.
Step 1: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut by Bus
Day and night buses are available at Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal (TBS), about 13 km south of the city centre. When taking the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut, you need to consider the ferry schedules. Note that the ferries to Perhentian Islands are available only from 08:00 to 17:00.
With the current bus and ferry schedules, there is no day bus that would let you arrive in time for the last ferry trip. When you take a day bus, you will have to spend the night in Kuala Besut and take the ferry the next morning.
It’s best to take a night bus so that you can make it in time for an early morning ferry transfer to the Perhentian Islands. This option is also cheaper because you’re saving a night on accommodation. Malaysian roads are generally in good condition, and travelling by night is quite common.
Bus ticket prices start from 37 MYR ($7.50) and travel time is 7.5 hours.
Bus options from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands
You will be dropped off at Kuala Besut Bus Terminal, which is a 15-minute walk to the jetty. You can also take a short taxi ride if you’re carrying bulky luggage.
Step 2: Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands by Ferry
Ferries from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands are available at Jetty Kuala Besut. There are plenty of boat companies operating on this route. Many hotels also offer their own pickup and drop-off services.
You can buy your boat tickets at the pier. But if you want to skip the queues, you can just book one online via BookAway, 12go.Asia or Direct Ferries.
Ticket prices start from 37 MYR ($7.50) for shared ferries. When travelling in a big group, you can also consider hiring a 10-seater private boat for 352 MYR ($74.00).
You can buy your ticket at the jetty, but we highly recommend booking online to secure a seat. Below are the schedules and corresponding booking links.
Bus options from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands
Which ferry company to take
When choosing which boat company to take from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands, it’s first important to know where your hotel is located. Is it in Perhentian Besar or Perhentian Kecil? Which beach is nearest to your accommodation?
After answering the questions above, you can now choose which company to pick from the choices below:
Seven Seas
When heading to Perhentian Besar, we recommend travelling with Seven Seas. This company allows drop-off at any hotel on the island, or at least the nearest beach to your hotel. You can book a ticket online through BookAway.
Pulau Perhentian Terminal and Perhentian Trans Holiday
Pulau Perhentian Terminal and Perhential Trans Holiday are good alternatives. However, unlike Seven Seas, they only have one drop-off point on Perhentian Besar. That’s at Teluk Pauh on the island’s west coast.
The good thing is: Teluk Pauh is a beautiful white sand beach. You can start chilling as soon as you get off the boat!
You can book Pulau Perhentian Terminal and Perhential Trans Holiday online via 12go.Asia.
Perhentian Boat Services, Perhentian Sunny Travel and Said Bonaza Express
Are you heading to Perhentian Kecil? If yes, you can choose from these three companies: Perhentian Boat Services, Perhentian Sunny Travel and Said Bonaza Express. They have drop-off points in the following beaches:
You can book any of these boat operators in advance through DirectFerries. Keep in mind that only Perhentian Boat Services allows bookings for a one-way trip. Perhentian Sunny Travel and Said Bonaza Express can only be booked for roundtrip boat services.
IMPORTANT: When booking with Direct Ferries, make sure to double-check the indicated arrival port in the Perhentian Islands. There are various drop-off points available when booking on their website.
Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands by Flight via Kota Bharu
When taking a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands, we recommend that you get one via Kota Bharu. Travelling to the Perhentian Islands is more accessible from Kota Bharu. It’s closer to Kuala Besut, so tourists often pick this route.
All flights bound for Kota Bharu depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Keep this in mind because previously, there were also flights departing from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Kuala Lumpur City Centre to Airport
First, you will travel around 55 km south of the city centre to Kuala Lumpur Airport. You have 3 options: a 30-minute train for 50 MYR ($10.50), a 1-hour bus for 12 MYR ($2.50), or a 1-hour taxi from 75 MYR ($15.50).
If you’re travelling during peak hours, we recommend taking the train to avoid heavy traffic in the city. You can check out our page on Kuala Lumpur Airport for more details.
Step 2: Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu by Flight
The nearest airport to Kuala Besut is Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu, located around 55 km north.
Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines and MYAirlines offer daily flights from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kota Bharu. Flight fares start from 50 MYR ($10.50), almost the same price as a bus ticket. The flight takes a little over an hour.
TOP TIP: Take an early flight, preferably before noon, to make it in time for the last boat in Kuala Besut. This departs for Perhentian Islands at 17:00. Keep in mind that Kuala Besut is still 1 hour away from Kota Bharu Airport.
Step 3: Kota Bharu to Kuala Besut by Van or Taxi
From Kota Bharu Airport, there are 2 ways you can reach Kuala Besut Jetty: by shared minivan for 34 MYR ($7.00) or by taxi with rates from 100 MYR ($21.00).
The minivan is cheaper and a good option when travelling alone or with just one other companion. A minivan ticket costs 34 MYR ($7.00) for the 1-hour journey.
Minivans run on a schedule though, and there are only three trips operating from Kota Bharu Airport to Kuala Besut daily. You can buy your tickets at the airport. But for a better chance of securing a minivan seat, we recommend booking online in advance through BookAway.
Flight via Kota Bharu options from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands
Option 2: Private transfer from Kota Bharu to Kuala Besut
When travelling in a group, it will be more convenient to take a private transfer from Kota Bharu Airport to Kuala Besut. Rates start from 100 MYR ($21.00) for a 3-seater car. Divide the cost by 3 and it’s about the same price as a minivan ticket.
We like booking our private ride with BookAway because it offers comfortable cars (generally better than regular taxis) with professional drivers.
Step 4: Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands by Ferry
Finally, you can take a ferry from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands. Fares start from 37 MYR ($7.50) and travel time is around 30-40 minutes, depending on your destination.
Flight via Kota Bharu options from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands
Check out our overview of ferry companies to know which one you should travel with from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands.
Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands by Flight via Kuala Terengganu
An alternative when taking the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands is via Kuala Terengganu. Although Kuala Besut and the Perhentian Islands are both part of Kuala Terengganu, taking this route requires a longer travel time compared to the Kota Bharu option.
Another important thing to note: airfares from Kuala Lumpur are often cheap, but the taxi ride from Kuala Terengganu Airport to Kuala Besut is quite expensive.
Step 1: Kuala Lumpur City Centre to Airport
To get from the city centre to Kuala Lumpur Airport, you have 3 choices: you can take a train for 50 MYR ($10.50), a bus for 12 MYR ($2.50), or a taxi with rates from 75 MYR ($15.50). Travel time is 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 2: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu by Flight
Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu depart from Kuala Lumpur Airport. You can choose from two carriers: Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines.
Airfares range from 60 MYR ($12.50) to 120 MYR ($25.00) for the 1-hour flight to Sultan Mahmud Airport.
Step 3: Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Besut by Taxi
From Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu, your best option to travel the 95 km to Kuala Besut Jetty is a taxi. Rates start from 176 MYR ($37.00) when you book your ride beforehand through BookAway. The journey takes 1hr 40m.
You can also get an airport taxi, but fares might be more expensive starting at 220 MYR ($46.50).
An indirect bus is cheaper, but it takes 3 hours
On a budget? Another option is to take an indirect bus from Sultan Mahmud Airport to Kuala Besut Jetty, but this takes over 3 hours.
First, you’ll need to catch a bus from the airport to Kuala Terengganu Bus Terminal. And then, you’ll have to transfer to another bus going to Jerteh. And finally, hop on a taxi to the jetty. Combined costs start from 50 MYR ($10.50).
Step 4: Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands by Ferry
For the last leg of your journey, you’ll have to take a ferry from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands. Ticket prices start from 37 MYR ($7.50) for the 30 to 40-minute ride.
Make sure to know which island your hotel is so that you can board the correct ferry!
Flight via Kuala Terengganu options from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands
Pick your ferry company depending on where you’re headed in the Perhentian Islands. Check out their drop-off points on our boat company overview above.
Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands by Private taxi + boat
When you want to travel privately with your own group, there’s also an option to get a private car from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut and then transfer to a private boat going to Perhentian Islands.
Combined rates cost around 2,048 MYR ($435.00), but can be cheaper if you decide to take a public boat from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands.
Step 1: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut by Taxi
For long-distance taxi journeys from Kuala Lumpur, we recommend booking your ride in advance. This way, you won’t have to haggle for the best rates, or risk getting a ride with a driver you don’t know if you can trust.
Get a taxi through your hotel, or book one through trusted platforms like Viator. You’ll most probably get a better car, and you can expect assistance in case there is any issue with your taxi journey.
Rates for a 4-seater car from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut Jetty start from price ($0.00).
Step 2: Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands by Private Boat
From Kuala Besut Jetty, you can also get a private boat going to Perhentian Islands. Rates start from 352 MYR ($74.00) for a boat that can already fit 10 people.
Note that there are also shared boats available at Kuala Besut. Ticket prices start from 37 MYR ($7.50). You can buy your tickets at the port or online via BookAway, 12go.Asia, or DirectFerries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands
Can you take a train from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands?
There is actually a way to travel this route by train. But this takes the long way around because there are no direct trains from KL to Kuala Besut.
A train journey from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands will look like this:
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- Train from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas: 2.5 hours
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- Train from Gemas to Kota Bharu: 11.5 hours
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- Minivan from Kota Bharu to Kuala Besut: 1 hour
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- Boat from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands: 30 minutes
Travelling by train will take about 15.5 hours. And with combined costs starting from 143 MYR ($30.50), it will be cheaper and more convenient to take a bus via Kuala Besut or a flight via Kota Bharu.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Kate is a writer, (ex)Management Consultant and avid traveller. She recently returned from a 2-year career break exploring the world and decided corporate life wasn’t for her. She’ll soon be testing life as a digital nomad. She’s visited over 40 countries and fell in love with Latin America in particular. Her travelling has inspired a passion for yoga, salsa, hiking and Spanish.
