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Taman Negara is Malaysia's great rainforest reserve. Penang is the food-loving island up in the north. The trip crosses the peninsula, so nothing about it is quick. The cheapest way to get from Taman Negara to Penang is the bus via Temerloh at $15 (61 MYR) - $17 (71 MYR), taking 8h 10m - 8h 50m. A taxi costs more at $69 (280 MYR), and there's a slower bus route at $31 (125 MYR).
Distance from Taman Negara to Penang
Taman Negara and Penang are about 246 km (153 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 370 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 8h 10m and 12h.
3 ways to travel from Taman Negara to Penang
There are three ways to travel from Taman Negara to Penang. You can choose between the bus via Temerloh, bus, and private transport. The journey takes 8h 10m–10h and the quickest way is by bus via Temerloh. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus via Temerloh with tickets starting at $15 (61 MYR).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Taman Negara (Kuala Tahan)→Jerantut1h
- Jerantut→Temerloh1h 30m
- Temerloh→Butterworth5h 30m
- Butterworth→Penang20m
3 legs — see itinerary
- Taman Negara→Cameron Highlands7h
- Cameron Highlands→Butterworth4h 35m
- Butterworth→Penang30m
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Taman Negara to Penang by Bus via Temerloh
Step 1: Taman Negara (Kuala Tahan) to Jerantut by Minibus
From Taman Negara, you’ll first have to take a “jungle bus” to Jerantut, a town located 70 km south of the national park.
Bus Latiff and Pahang Lin Siong provide affordable transfers from Taman Negara to Jerantut three times a day and you can get a ticket for $1.70 (7 MYR). Alternatively, you can take the NKS shuttle coach for a few dollars more.
Below are our recommended bus schedules if you want to take a connecting bus from Jerantut to Temerloh on the same day:
Minivan tickets are available on Taman-negara-nks.
Booking Tip
These jungle buses depart from Taman Negara Bus Stop in Kuala Tahan town centre. You can buy your ticket there, but make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure time to be assured of a seat. If you’re travelling with NKS, you can reserve a ticket through their website.
The minibus arrives at Jerantut Bus Terminal.
Step 2: Jerantut to Temerloh by Bus
From Jerantut Bus Terminal, you’ll have to travel further south to Temerloh, a town in Central Pahang.
Transnasional operates one to two bus trips for this route daily. You’ll have to check their schedules online to know how many trips are available for your desired date. Fortunately, you can do that easily through BusOnlineTicket, where you can also already book your ticket. Travel time is around 1h 30m.
Bus tickets are available on BusOnlineTicket.
Step 3: Temerloh to Butterworth by Bus
At Temerloh, you can finally take a bus bound for Butterworth, the nearest mainland town to Penang Island, just 3 km away.
There are four available bus trips for this route daily. However, with the schedules of the first two buses you’ll have to take from Kuala Tahan to Temerloh, you’ll have to wait until 23:00 for your connecting bus to Butterworth. That’s at least a 6-hour wait in this quiet town.
Still want to take on this adventure? You can book your tickets beforehand via BusOnlineTicket.
Bus tickets are available on BusOnlineTicket.
Booking Tip
Step 4: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry
A 10-minute walk from Penang Sentral will take you to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. From here, you can take a ferry bound for Penang Island. These depart twice almost every hour from 05:20 to 00:10. A ticket costs $0.70 (3 MYR) and the journey takes 10 to 20 minutes.
The ferries dock at Weld Quay, which is just 2 km away from George Town. You have two choices to reach the town centre: a 5-minute taxi that costs around $3.20 (13 MYR) or a 20-minute bus (Line 101) worth $1.20 (5 MYR).
Taman Negara to Penang by Bus via Cameron Highlands
Step 1: Taman Negara to Cameron Highlands by Minibus
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway and Taman-negara-nks.
Booking Tip
We prefer to travel with Han Travel because their minibus goes directly to Cameron Highlands. Also, you can conveniently book them online via BookAway beforehand.
With NKS, their minibus makes a short stopover in Jerantut. Here, you have to transfer to another minibus going to Cameron Highlands, making the total travel time longer. For ticket reservations, you can contact them through their website.
Step 2: Cameron Highlands to Butterworth by Bus
Next, you’ll need to take another bus to Butterworth, a mainland town located just 3 km east of Penang Island.
Two companies offer daily trips from Cameron Highlands to Butterworth: Perak Transit and Unititi Express. Note that although Perak Transit is $1.00 (4.1 MYR) more expensive than Unititi, it is also faster and more comfortable. Both companies are available to book online through BookAway.
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
The buses park at Penang Sentral, which is connected to the port by a walkway.
Alternative options from Cameron Highlands to Penang
There are actually four ways you can travel from Cameron Highlands to Penang: by direct bus (around 5 hours), by indirect bus via Butterworth (4 hours 15 minutes), by taxi (3.5 hours), and by train (5 hours).
We recommend the indirect bus via Butterworth as it’s the best option for time, comfort and cost. But if you prefer to explore the other options, you can find more details on our page for Cameron Highlands to Penang.
Step 3: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry
A 10 to 15-minute walk from Penang Sentral will take you to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. From here, ferries bound for Penang Island depart twice an hour from 05:20 to 00:10. You can get a ferry ticket for $0.70 (3 MYR).
After a 10 to 20-minute journey, the ferries dock at Weld Quay. If you’re heading to George Town, you have two choices: a 5-minute taxi or a 20-minute bus (Line 101). Fares start from $3.20 (13 MYR) and $1.20 (5 MYR), respectively.
Taman Negara to Penang by Taxi
Are you travelling with your family from Taman Negara to Penang? If so, then you’re probably hoping to make the journey a bit easier by renting a long-distance taxi.
Unfortunately, the route from Taman Negara to Penang is not common, which is why not a lot of taxi drivers will be willing to take on this journey. You can still try asking your hotel for assistance, but you’re looking at rates starting from $69 (280 MYR) for the long journey that lasts 8.5 hours.
In case no one agrees to take you all the way, you can also try getting a taxi from Taman Negara to Cameron Highlands (a more common route) and then transfer to another taxi from there.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Penang?
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, it has so much to offer — vibrant culture, colourful heritage, amazing food, urban wonders, and untouched rainforest.
At its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city rich in history. Famous for its street art, you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys. Sure, the island can be touristy. Yet somehow, it is able to maintain a laidback vibe and a charm that you can only find in Penang.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Taman Negara to Penang, roughly 246 kilometres (153 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $15 (61 MYR) - $17 (71 MYR). The quickest trip takes 8h 10m.
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 Taman Negara to Penang?
The distance from Taman Negara to Penang is 246 kilometres (153 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Taman Negara to Penang?
Journey times from Taman Negara to Penang overlap: bus via temerloh 8h 10m - 8h 50m, bus via cameron highlands 10-12h, taxi 8.5 hours. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Taman Negara to Penang?
The cheapest way to get from Taman Negara to Penang is by bus via temerloh with ticket costs starting from 61 MYR.
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.
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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