What to expect when visiting Tioman Island
Tioman Island is a popular diving and surfing spot located some 60 km off Malaysia’s east coast. The island is duty-free so you’ll find cheap beer (cheaper than water!) and cigarettes.
Although it’s one of Malaysia’s more commercialised islands, Tioman has an array of beautiful beaches and marine life. Just try not to go on a weekend if you want to skip the crowd. In between these beaches are lush jungles, so trekking from one beach to another is a common activity. One important tip: stay away from the monkeys!
2 ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 305 kilometers (190 miles) from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island by bus + ferry via Mersing (6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours) and bus + ferry via Gemok (6 hours 50 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours and the quickest way is by bus + ferry via Mersing. The lowest priced tickets start from 76 MYR ($18) for the bus + ferry via Mersing.Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island by Bus + Ferry via Mersing
Travelling by bus and ferry from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island via Mersing takes around 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours. That’s 30 minutes more than the alternative option via Gemok, but you’ll find more ferry options in Mersing.
Step 1: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing by Bus
Travel time from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing is around 5h - 5h 30m, so you’ll have to take the early morning bus with Sanwa Express guarantee making the connecting ferry to Tioman Island.
Alternatively, you can take the Transnasional bus that departs late at night from Kuala Lumpur. The journey with this bus takes around 8 hours, but we like it as you can save money on accommodation and get some sleep at the same time.
Ticket prices start from 37 MYR ($8.80) when you book with BookAway.
Sanwa Express has various departure points in Kuala Lumpur: Plaza Magnum, KL Sentral, and Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal (TBS). These places are far apart, so double-check where your bus departs from.
Transnasional departs from Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal (TBS), located some 12 km south of the city centre.
All buses arrive at Mersing Bus Terminal. From here, you can either walk around 15 minutes to the port or take a short taxi ride.
Step 2: Mersing to Tioman Island by Ferry
One important thing you need to know about ferries operating from Mersing to Tioman Island is that nothing is guaranteed. Ferry schedules change all the time so you can’t really book a ticket more than a month before your trip. And even after you’re booked, you’ll have to re-check the schedule the day before.
Bluewater Express and CataFerry are two of the companies operating this route. Rates start from 39 MYR ($9.20). Below are their current schedules as posted on Busonlineticket and the CataFerry website.
Again, it’s best to check the latest schedules through the booking links provided above.
Note that although the advertised travel time is 1.5 hours, it can easily take 2 hours because of strong waves.
Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island by Bus + Ferry via Gemok
The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island via Gemok takes around 6 hours 50 minutes. Note that there are limited ferries operating from Gemok, so you have to time your bus accordingly.
Step 1: Kuala Lumpur to Gemok Jetty by Bus
When travelling by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island via Gemok Jetty, only Sanwa Express offers trips that will allow you to take a connecting ferry within the same day. You can get a ticket from 40 MYR ($9.50) when you book online beforehand via BusOnlineTicket.
Also for this route, Sanwa Express has 3 different departure points from Kuala Lumpur: KL Sentral, Bukit Bintang, and Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal (TBS). All buses drop off passengers at Gemok Jetty.
Step 2: Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island by Ferry
Bluewater Express operates 1-2 ferry trips from Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island daily. It’s best to plan your schedules beforehand but still be ready for any changes.
A ticket costs 39 MYR ($9.20) for the journey that is 1 hour 30 minutes long.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island
What is the distance from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island?
The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island is 305 kilometers (190 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island?
The fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island is by bus + ferry via Mersing and takes 6 hours 15 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island?
The cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island is by bus + ferry via Mersing with ticket costs starting from 76 MYR ($18).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island. 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.
