Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands

How to Get From Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands

4Options
3h 40mFastest
$11From
ElaKateWritten by Ela · Reviewed by Kate · Updated 1 week ago

Train via Tapah Road · Bus · Train · Taxi

The Cameron Highlands are Malaysia's tea country, up in the hills north of Kuala Lumpur. Cool air, rolling plantations and strawberry farms make it a favourite escape from the city heat. The train via Tapah Road is the quickest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands, taking 3h 40m. It's the cheapest option too, at $11 (44 MYR). The bus costs a little more and takes longer.

Distance from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands

Kuala Lumpur and Cameron Highlands are about 152 km (94 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 231 km by road. The quickest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands is by taking the train via tapah road, which takes around 3h 40m.

~152 km
Distance
~231 km
Road distance
3h 40m
Fastest
COMPARE

4 ways to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands

There are four ways to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands. You can choose between the train via Tapah Road, bus, train, and private transport. The journey takes 3h 40m–5h 40m and the quickest way is by train via Tapah Road. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train via Tapah Road with tickets starting at $11 (44 MYR).

Train via Tapah RoadCheapestFastestDuration3h 40mPrice$11(44 MYR)
2 legs — see itinerary
  1. Kuala LumpurTapah Road2h
  2. Tapah RoadCameron Highlands1h 40m
TrainDuration5h 40mPrice$17(70 MYR)
3 legs — see itinerary
  1. Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands by Train via Ipoh5h 30m
  2. Kuala LumpurIpoh3h
  3. IpohCameron Highlands2h 40m

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Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands by Train via Tapah Road

3h 40mFrom $11 (44 MYR)

Tapah is a laidback town located 70 km south of Cameron Highlands. There’s not much to do in the town itself. There are a couple of waterfalls on its outskirts, but they’re still at least an hour away.

The one advantage of making a stopover in Tapah Road though is that combined fares are cheaper.

Step 1: Kuala Lumpur to Tapah Road by Train

2 hours$7.10 (29 MYR)

At least 13 trains operate from KL Sentral Station in Kuala Lumpur to Tapah Road daily. They depart almost every hour from 07:05 to 22:45. Travel time is more or less 2 hours and ticket costs start $7.10 (29 MYR).

For the latest schedules, we recommend checking the KTM website beforehand. You can also buy your train tickets from there.

Step 2: Tapah Road to Cameron Highlands by Bus

1h 40m$3.70 (15 MYR)
From Tapah Road Station, you’ll first need to take a taxi to Tapah Bus Terminal. Rates start from $7.10 (29 MYR) for the 20-minute ride.

All services arrive at Cameron Highlands

Regal Bus1h 40m
Tapah Road
08:0009:0010:3011:3013:1515:00+2
$3.70
15 MYR
No Online Tickets

Booking Tip

From Tapah Bus Terminal, only Regal Bus operates trips to Cameron Highlands daily. A ticket costs around $3.70 (15 MYR) and you can buy them at the bus station.

The buses park at Tanah Rata Bus Terminal in Cameron Highlands city centre.

Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands by Bus

4h 30mFrom $12 (47 MYR)

There are several bus companies operating from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands. These buses depart from Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal (TBS) almost every hour from 08:30 to 17:30. The travel time is between 4h 30m, depending on traffic.

You can buy your ticket at the bus terminal, but be aware that they can sell out fast on weekends and holidays.

Another option is to book online via BookAway or 12go.Asia. Currently, there are 2 options available for online booking. You can see their schedules and corresponding links in the table below:

Bus schedule from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands

Unititi ExpressBus4h 30m
$12
47 MYR
CS Travel & ToursExpress4h 30m
08:1510:0011:0012:0013:3017:00
$13
54 MYR

Bus tickets are available on Bookaway and 12Go Asia.

View bus stations on map

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To

Booking Tip

A bus ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands costs $12 (47 MYR) when you book online. We recommend booking with BookAway if you don’t want to pay an extra booking fee.

The buses arrive at Tanah Rata Bus Terminal in the Cameron Highlands town centre.

Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands by Train

5h 40mFrom $17 (70 MYR)

You have two options when travelling by train from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands: via Ipoh or Tapah Road. The train is a good option if you plan on checking out any of these 2 locations, but if not, you may be better off taking the bus.

Ipoh is a vibrant town with many interesting attractions. Known as the gateway to Cameron Highlands, we think it’s best to make a stopover here if you’re really keen on taking the train.

The train route via Tapah Road is cheaper, but you really won’t have much to do in this quiet town. But if your goal is just to take the train and not make any other side trips, this might be the better option for you.

Not sure which train route to take? Read on for a more detailed guide.

Buddhist temples, limestone caves, castle ruins – these are just some of the places you can explore if you make a stopover in Ipoh, which is located 90 km west of Cameron Highlands. We think it’s only worth taking the train if you plan on visiting any of these age-old attractions.

Step 1: Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh by Train

2.5 – 3 hours$8.80 (36 MYR)
There are 15 trains that operate from KL Sentral to Ipoh daily. These depart once or twice an hour from 07:11 to 20:06. The cost of a standard train ticket starts at $8.80 (36 MYR) and travel time is between 2.5 – 3 hours.

Step 2: Ipoh to Cameron Highlands by Bus

2h 40m$8.70 (35.5 MYR)

From Ipoh Train Station, you’ll need to head to Amanjaya Terminal. To get there, you can take a 15-minute taxi or a 50-minute bus ride. Fares start from $7.40 (30 MYR) and $1.00 (4 MYR), respectively.

Buses bound for the Cameron Highlands depart from Amanjaya from 08:00-18:30 daily. Perak Transit, CS Travel, and Unititi Express are the bus companies you can choose from. Ticket prices start from $5.40 (22 MYR) if you choose to buy them at the terminal.

If you prefer to book them beforehand online on BookAway, you can get a ticket for $8.70 (35.5 MYR). A couple of dollars more expensive, but it can be really helpful if you are travelling on a busy day.

All services arrive at Tanah Rata Bus Terminal
CS Travel & ToursExpress2h 40m
11:0015:0016:30
$8.70
35.5 MYR

View bus stations on map

Map of stations
Click to explore

Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.

Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands by Taxi

4 hoursFrom $145 (600 MYR)

If you’re travelling with a small group, there is also the option to take a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands. You can get a car or a minivan that can fit up to 7 people for rates between $145 (600 MYR) to $160 (645 MYR).

You can ask your hotel for help with booking one, but we highly recommend just booking online via BookAway. It’s more convenient, you’ll be assured of a spacious car, and BookAway also provides good customer service. Just click the link below.

Taxi tickets are available on Bookaway.

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.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands, roughly 152 kilometres (94 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $11 (44 MYR). The quickest trip takes 3h 40m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands?

The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands is 152 kilometres (94 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands?

The fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands is by train via tapah road and takes 3h 40m.

What is the cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands?

The cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands is by train via tapah road with ticket costs starting from 44 MYR.

About the Authors

Ela
Ela

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.

Kate
KateReviewer

Travel Writer & Digital Nomad

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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