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Cameron Highlands is Malaysia's tea country, about 161 kilometres (100 miles) inland from Penang. Rolling plantations, strawberry farms and cool mountain air make it a proper break from the heat. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands at $10 (42.5 MYR), taking 5h 35m. A taxi is the quickest, and the train sits in between on price and time.
Distance from Penang to Cameron Highlands
Penang and Cameron Highlands are about 161 km (100 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 233 km by road. The quickest way to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands is by taking the taxi, which takes around 4h.
3 ways to travel from Penang to Cameron Highlands
There are three ways to travel from Penang to Cameron Highlands. You can choose between the bus, train, and private transport. The journey takes 4h–5h 35m and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $10 (42.5 MYR).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Penang to Cameron Highlands by Indirect Bus5h 30m
- Penang→Butterworth20m
3 legs — see itinerary
- Penang→Butterworth20m
- Butterworth→Ipoh1h 40m
- Ipoh→Cameron Highlands2h 40m
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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 $10 (42.5 MYR) 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:
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
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 $3.20 (13 MYR) and $1.20 (5 MYR), 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 $0.70 (3 MYR).
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:
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
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 $3.20 (13 MYR) or a 20-minute bus (Line 101) for $1.20 (5 MYR).
Then you’ll take a ferry for $0.70 (3 MYR). 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 $8.30 (34 MYR).
You can easily book online via Baolau.
Train tickets are available on Baolau.
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 $7.40 (30 MYR) and $1.00 (4 MYR), 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 $5.40 (22 MYR).
CS Travel & Tours and Unititi can be booked online on BookAway with fares from $8.70 (35.5 MYR). If you’re travelling during busy season, it’s really worth spending extra dollars for a guaranteed seat!
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
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 $205 (835 MYR) for the journey from Penang to Cameron Highlands, which is 4h long.
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 Penang to Cameron Highlands, roughly 161 kilometres (100 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $10 (42.5 MYR). The quickest trip takes 4h.
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 Penang to Cameron Highlands?
The distance from Penang to Cameron Highlands is 161 kilometres (100 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands?
The fastest way to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands is by private transport and takes 4h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands?
The cheapest way to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands is by bus with ticket costs starting from 42.5 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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