Travel Time: Kl To Ipoh By Bus

Ipoh, the capital of the Malaysian state of Perak, is a popular destination for tourists due to its beautiful temples, historical buildings, and thriving food scene. It is located about 200km north of Kuala Lumpur and is easily accessible by bus. The bus from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh takes about 3 to 4 hours and is the cheapest option, with tickets costing between 20 to 30 Malaysian Ringgit. Buses depart from different terminals in Kuala Lumpur, with frequent departures throughout the day.

Cheapest bus from KL to Ipoh

The cheapest bus from Kuala Lumpur (KL) to Ipoh costs between 20 to 30 Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) for a coach ticket, and the journey takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. The bus is the cheapest way to travel from KL to Ipoh, but it is important to note that you will need to take a taxi or a local bus to reach the city centre upon arrival at the Aman Jaya Bus Terminal in Ipoh.

There are two main bus terminals in KL where you can catch a bus to Ipoh: the TBS Bus Terminal (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) and the Hentian Duta Bus Terminal. The TBS Bus Terminal is the most popular choice for travellers as it offers the most frequent departures, with buses leaving for Ipoh every 30 minutes throughout the day. On the other hand, the Hentian Duta Bus Terminal is less convenient as it is located northwest of KL and is not easily accessible by train.

Several bus companies offer services from KL to Ipoh, including Billion Star Express, City Holidays Express, GJG Express, Intertop Express, Kesatuan Express, KKKL Express, Konsortium Bas Ekspres, KPB Express, Persada Express, Rhinoariel Travel & Tours, Sri Maju Group, and Starmart Express. You can purchase bus tickets online through recommended websites such as BusOnlineTicket.com and EasyBook.com, or you can opt for over-the-counter tickets, although queues may be long.

When choosing a bus, it is important to consider your comfort, especially for a journey that can last up to 4 hours. Additionally, it is advisable to get your tickets as early as possible, as they tend to sell out quickly, especially during weekends.

Bus duration

The bus is a good option for those who want to save money and don't mind a longer travel time. The bus from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh takes between 2.5 and 4 hours, depending on the departure point and traffic conditions.

The main departure points for buses from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh are Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), Hentian Duta Bus Station, and Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA/KLIA2).

From TBS, the journey takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours and 30 minutes. TBS is easily accessible from most parts of Kuala Lumpur and offers the most frequent departures, with buses leaving for Ipoh as early as the morning until late at night.

Hentian Duta, located northwest of KL, is less convenient to reach from the city centre and has less frequent departures. The journey from Hentian Duta to Ipoh takes around 3 hours.

From Kuala Lumpur Airport, the bus journey to Ipoh takes approximately 4 hours, including a short refreshment/toilet break. There are several bus companies offering this route, with buses departing from the basement of the airport terminal.

It's important to note that buses from Kuala Lumpur may arrive at different bus terminals in Ipoh, such as Aman Jaya Bus Terminal, Jalan Bercham, or Jalan Bendahara Bus Terminal. Aman Jaya is located 16 km north of the Ipoh Railway Station, so it may not be the most convenient option if you plan to stay in the city centre.

The bus is a popular choice for travellers due to its low cost, with tickets ranging from 20 MYR for standard coaches to around 30 MYR for more luxurious, VIP coaches. However, it's worth considering that you may need to take additional transport from the bus terminals in Ipoh to reach the city centre or your final destination.

Where to catch the bus

If you're travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh by bus, there are a few different stations you can depart from. The main bus terminal in KL is TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan), which is reachable by Light Rail Transport train, Mass Rapid Transport, airport train link, or Komuter train. You can also catch a bus from KL Sentral, the largest railway station in Malaysia, located in Brickfield, also known as Little India. It's easily accessible by LRT, KL Monorail, KLIA Ekspres, and KTM Komuter.

Other useful bus terminals in Kuala Lumpur include Pudu Raya and Berjaya Times Square. Pudu Raya is centrally located between KLCC and Bukit Bintang, while Berjaya Times Square is east of KLCC.

If you're staying near a bus terminal, it may be more convenient to catch the bus from there. Otherwise, it's usually easier to get to KL Sentral and take a train.

Bus companies

There are several bus companies that offer services from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh. Billion Stars Express operates several buses from TBS, the largest transport terminal in Kuala Lumpur, located in the southern part of the capital. Expect your journey by bus from TBS to last up to four hours. Tickets cost MYR 25. You can also catch a Billion Stars bus at One Utama, to the northwest of the capital, at the same price, with a journey time of around three hours. All Billion Stars buses terminate at Aman Jaya bus terminal, 16 km north of Ipoh railway station.

Other useful bus terminals in Kuala Lumpur where you can catch a bus to Ipoh include Pudu Raya and Berjaya Times Square. Buses from Pudu Raya will get you to Ipoh in around 2.5 hours, with tickets costing $5. Buses from Berjaya Times Square will also get you to Ipoh in around 2.5 hours, with tickets costing $5 to $12.

In Ipoh, the majority of buses from Kuala Lumpur arrive at Aman Jaya in the north. There is also a bus terminal in Jalan Bercham, 13 km northeast of the centre, and a rather central Jalan Bendahara bus terminal, 2 km south of the railway station and the Old Town.

If you are travelling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Ipoh, there are several bus companies that offer coaches, including Perak Transit Express, Sri Maju Group, StarMart Express, and YoYo Express. The journey takes approximately four hours and costs around MYR 40.

Other bus companies that operate services from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh include:

• Era Mesra Expess
• Plusliner
• Konsortium Bas Express
• Seni Budaya
• Prestij Dinasti
• Transnasional
• City Holidays Express
• GJG Express
• Intertop Express
• Kesatuan Express
• KKKL Express
• KPB Express
• Persada Express
• Rhinoariel Travel & Tours
• Starmart Express

Train as a faster alternative

Taking the train from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh is a faster alternative to travelling by bus. The Electric Train Service (ETS) takes around 2.5 hours to get from KL Sentral Station to Ipoh Railway Station, whereas the bus journey takes between 2 and 4 hours. The ETS is also the easiest and most reliable mode of transport between the two cities.

The ETS offers three types of services: Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with prices ranging from MYR25 to MYR46. The Silver service is perfect for those on a tight budget, while the Gold service stops at fewer stations, making it a good option for those short on time. The Platinum service offers Business Class coaches.

The train from KL to Ipoh is the busiest long-distance train route in Malaysia, with the most departures. Trains depart hourly and tickets can be purchased at the counter in KL Sentral, online, or via the KTMB E-Ticket System and Easybook. It's recommended to get your tickets early, especially for travel during weekends.

The Ipoh Railway Station is considered the second most beautiful in Malaysia after KL Sentral. It features Moorish details that blend with baroque architecture and has been dubbed the Taj Mahal by locals. It is also located within walking distance of the Old Town, making it a convenient arrival point for tourists.

Overall, taking the train from KL to Ipoh is a faster, more comfortable, and more scenic option compared to travelling by bus. With regular departures and affordable prices, it is a great choice for those looking to get between the two cities quickly and efficiently.

Frequently asked questions