How to get fromKuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands

Why visit 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!

There are 4 ways to travel the 330 kilometers (205 miles) from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands. You can choose between the bus, flight via Kota Bharu, flight via Kuala Terengganu and private taxi + boat. The journey takes 3 hours 5 minutes to 10 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight via Kota Bharu. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 57 MYR ($12.90).

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.

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 30 MYR ($6.80) and travel time is 6h 15m - 9h 35m.

TBS Kuala Lumpur

Express

Kampung Raja

10:00

9h 30m

19:30

22:00

9h 30m

07:30

Ekspres Perdana

From 45 MYR ($10)

Compare prices

45 MYR ($10)

10:00

9h 30m

19:30

22:00

9h 30m

07:30

Check on 12GoAsia

• 24/7 customer support

60 MYR ($13.40)

10:00

9h 30m

19:30

22:00

9h 30m

07:30

Check on BookAway

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 27 MYR ($6.10) for shared ferries. When travelling in a big group, you can also consider hiring a 10-seater private boat for 350 MYR ($79).

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.

Kuala Besut Jetty

High Speed

Perhentian Island

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

11;00

480371h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

13:00

-480349h

13;40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Perhentian Trans Holiday

From 31 MYR ($6.90)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

31 MYR ($6.90)

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Check on BookAway

36 MYR ($8)

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11;00

480371h 40m

11:40

13:00

-480349h

13;40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Check on 12GoAsia

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.

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 ($11.20), a 1-hour bus for 12 MYR ($2.70), or a 1-hour taxi from 75 MYR ($16.90).

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.

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 ($11.20) , almost the same price as a bus ticket. The flight takes a 1h 5min.

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.

From Kota Bharu Airport, there are 2 ways you can reach Kuala Besut Jetty: by shared minivan for 35 MYR ($7.80) or by taxi with rates from 100 MYR ($22).

The minivan is cheaper and a good option when travelling alone or with just one other companion. the journey is 1h long.

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.

Finally, you can take a ferry from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands. Fares start from 27 MYR ($6.10) and travel time is around 30-40m, depending on your destination.

Kuala Besut Jetty

High Speed

Pulau Perhentian Island

08:30

0h 30m

09:00

09:30

0h 30m

10:00

10:30

0h 30m

11:00

13:30

0h 30m

14:00

16:00

0h 30m

16:30

Pulau Perhentian Terminal

From 27 MYR ($6.10)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

27 MYR ($6.10)

08:30

0h 30m

09:00

09:30

0h 30m

10:00

10:30

0h 30m

11:00

13:30

0h 30m

14:00

16:00

0h 30m

16:30

Check on BookAway

40 MYR ($9)

Check on 12GoAsia

Kuala Besut Jetty

High Speed

Perhentian Island

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Perhentian Trans Holiday

31 MYR ($6.90)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

31 MYR ($6.90)

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Check on BookAway

36 MYR ($8)

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Check on 12GoAsia

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.

To get from the city centre to Kuala Lumpur Airport, you have 3 choices: you can take a train for 50 MYR ($11.20), a bus for 12 MYR ($2.70), or a taxi with rates from 75 MYR ($16.90). Travel time is 30-60 minutes.

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 ($13.50) to 120 MYR ($27) for the flight to Sultan Mahmud Airport which takes 1 hour.

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 175 MYR ($40) when you book your ride beforehand through BookAway. The journey takes 1h 40m - 1h 50m.

You can also get an airport taxi, but fares might be more expensive starting at 220 MYR ($49).

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 ($11.20).

For the last leg of your journey, you’ll have to take a ferry from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands. Ticket prices start from 27 MYR ($6.10) and the journey is 30-40m long.

Make sure to know which island your hotel is so that you can board the correct ferry!

Kuala Besut Jetty

High Speed

Pulau Perhentian Island

08:30

0h 30m

09:00

09:30

0h 30m

10:00

10:30

0h 30m

11:00

13:30

0h 30m

14:00

16:00

0h 30m

16:30

Pulau Perhentian Terminal

From 27 MYR ($6.10)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

27 MYR ($6.10)

08:30

0h 30m

09:00

09:30

0h 30m

10:00

10:30

0h 30m

11:00

13:30

0h 30m

14:00

16:00

0h 30m

16:30

Check on BookAway

40 MYR ($9)

Check on 12GoAsia

Kuala Besut Jetty

High Speed

Perhentian Island

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Perhentian Trans Holiday

31 MYR ($6.90)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

31 MYR ($6.90)

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Check on BookAway

36 MYR ($8)

08:00

0h 40m

08:40

09:00

0h 40m

09:40

10:00

0h 40m

10:40

11:00

0h 40m

11:40

13:00

0h 40m

13:40

14:00

0h 40m

14:40

15:00

0h 40m

15:40

17:00

0h 40m

17:40

Check on 12GoAsia

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 2,070 MYR ($465), but can be cheaper if you decide to take a public boat from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands.

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 1,700 MYR ($380).

From Kuala Besut Jetty, you can also get a private boat going to Perhentian Islands. Rates start from 355 MYR ($80) 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 ($8.30). You can buy your tickets at the port or online via BookAway, 12go.Asia, or DirectFerries.