How to Get From Penang to Cameron Highlands
Train · Bus · Taxi
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 250 kilometre (155 miles) distance from Penang to Cameron Highlands. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Cameron Highlands as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Penang to Cameron Highlands?
There are three ways to travel the 250 km distance from Penang to Cameron Highlands. You can choose between the train, bus, and private.
The journey takes between 2h 40m–5h 15m and the quickest way is by train (2h 40m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 41.5 MYR ($10).
4h 40m
69 MYR ($17)
5h 35m
41.5 MYR ($10)
4h
815 MYR ($205)
Already in Cameron Highlands?
Onward from Cameron Highlands
Once you're in Cameron Highlands, here's where to next — 2 researched onward routes to pick from.
Penang to Cameron Highlands by Train
Step 1: Penang to Butterworth by Ferry
As with the indirect bus option, you’ll first have to travel by ferry from Penang Island to Butterworth on the mainland.
The port (Weld Quay) is located some 2 km from George Town. To reach it, you can take a 5-minute taxi for around 13 MYR ($3.30) or a 20-minute bus (Line 101) for 5 MYR ($1.30).
Then you’ll take a ferry for 3 MYR ($0.80). This docks at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal, which is connected to Butterworth Train Station by a walkway.
Step 2: Butterworth to Ipoh by Train
There are 3 trains operating from Butterworth to Ipoh, a city 150 km south, on weekdays and 5 on weekends. Ticket prices change daily, although they normally cost around 34 MYR ($8.60).
You can easily book online via Baolau.
Ready to book your train?
Step 3: Ipoh to Cameron Highlands by Bus
From Ipoh Train Station, you’ll first need to get to Amanjaya Terminal, which is some 10 km away. To do that, you can either take a 30-minute taxi or a 50-minute bus. Fares start from 30 MYR ($7.60) and 4 MYR ($1.00), respectively.
There are buses operating from Amanjaya to Cameron Highlands from 08:00-18:30 every day. You can choose from 3 companies: Perak Transit, CS Travel, and Unititi Express. Tickets are available at the terminal from 22 MYR ($5.50).
CS Travel & Tours and Unititi can be booked online on BookAway with fares from 34.5 MYR ($8.70). If you’re travelling during busy season, it’s really worth spending extra dollars for a guaranteed seat!
Ready to book your bus?
Penang to Cameron Highlands by Bus
There are several direct buses operating from the city centre of Penang to Cameron Highlands daily. However, many of them “drop by” Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal (located 10 km south of George Town) to pick up passengers before continuing to Cameron Highlands.
Past passengers say this adds about an hour to the travel time. If that’s the case, then you might want to consider taking the indirect bus option instead.
Option 1: Penang to Cameron Highlands by Direct Bus
Most buses travelling from George Town to Cameron Highlands depart from Komtar Terminal, within walking distance from many accommodations in town. Bus ticket prices start from 41.5 MYR ($10) for the entire trip that is 5h 15m long.
You can buy your ticket at the bus terminal, or if you prefer to book your ticket beforehand, there are 2 trips available for online booking:
Ready to book your bus?
Booking Tip
Unititi Express departs from Komtar Terminal, while New Asia Travel departs from its office located just beside Komtar.
Make sure to ask the driver beforehand whether they are going straight to Cameron Highlands or dropping by Sungai Nibong on the way!
Option 2: Penang to Cameron Highlands by Indirect Bus
Step 1: Penang to Butterworth by Ferry
From George Town, you’ll need to take a 5-minute taxi or a 20-minute bus (Line 101) to Weld Quay. Fares start from 13 MYR ($3.30) and 5 MYR ($1.30), respectively.
At Weld Quay, you’ll transfer to a ferry. This will take you across to Butterworth in 10 to 20 minutes. Ferries operate from 05:20 to 22:00, with a 20 to 30-minute interval. And then every 40 minutes until its last trip at 00:40. A ferry ticket costs 3 MYR ($0.80).
The ferry docks at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal, where Penang Sentral is connected then by a walkway.
Step 2: Butterworth to Cameron Highlands by Bus
Perak Transit and Unititi Express offer several trips from Penang Sentral to Cameron Highlands. You can buy your tickets at the bus station.
If you’re travelling on a weekend or during busy season, make sure you book online beforehand to secure a seat. Here are the bus trips available online via BookAway:
Ready to book your bus?
Booking Tip
Penang to Cameron Highlands by Taxi
As this is a long-distance trip, we recommend that you ask your hotel for taxi recommendations. Drivers on the island are known for overpricing fares, so it would be good to have a local help you in haggling.
Fares start at 815 MYR ($205) for the journey from Penang to Cameron Highlands, which is 4h long.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands. 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from Penang to Cameron Highlands is 250 km.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Cameron Highlands?
Cameron Highlands is a picturesque hill station in Pahang, which enjoys a cooler climate than most states in Malaysia. Its temperature almost never surpasses 30 degrees so it's a favourite weekend and summer destination for locals.
The lush tea plantations in Cameron Highlands provide a refreshing escape from city life. Its temperate climate also makes for beautiful flora and continental fruits and vegetables. (Tip: Try out their strawberries!) Cameron Highlands can be touristy on weekends, so go on a weekday, if you can.
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About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
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.
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Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.
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