Are you done with the beautiful but also cool mountains of the Cameron Highlands and want to head towards the vibrant Penang? Good choice! Penang is the destination for street food lovers, culture seekers and anyone who fancies a laid-back city with a creative edge. But how do you travel from Cameron Highlands to Penang? In this blog, we explain all your options!
General information on Malaysia
Are you working on a travel plan for Malaysia? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, the budget and transport within Malaysia. You can find all information on Malaysia here.
1. Travel from Cameron Highlands to Penang by bus
The most chosen and cheapest way to travel from Cameron Highlands to Penang is by bus. Buses depart daily from Tanah Rata, the main town in the Cameron Highlands, and will take you to Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal on Penang. So just a little recap:
- Departure point: Tanah Rata Bus Terminal
- Arrival: Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal (Penang)
- Travel time: Approx. 4 - 5 hours
- Price: RM 35 - 45 (€7 - 9)
- Tickets: Book easily online via 12GoAsia.
- Transport in Penang: Take a Grab or taxi to George Town. You get there in about 30 minutes and it will cost you about MYR 15-20 (€3 - 4)
Preferably leave in the morning (between 08:00 and 10:00), then you will avoid the most crowds and immediately have another half day in Georgetown. And...don't forget a jumper, the air conditioning on the bus is often on setting icy.
2. Travelling from Cameron Highlands to Penang by shared taxi
Do you prefer to travel alone or are you in a larger party? Then a shared taxi or private transfer is a fine option. You pay a little more than for the bus, but you will often be picked up in front of your hotel as well as dropped off in front of the door in Georgetown. Saves the hassle of changing trains.
- Travel time: 3.5 - 4 hours
- Price: Expect to pay from RM 80 - 100 (€16 - 20) p.p. for a shared taxi. A private transfer is often available from RM 350 (€70) per car (for up to 4 people).
- Books: Booking a shared taxi or private transfer can be done through your guesthouse/hotel in the Cameron Highlands or in advance online through platforms such as 12GoAsia.
3. Travelling from Cameron Highlands to Penang by private transport
Do you have a rental car or scooter? Then it is also doable to drive yourself from Cameron Highlands to Penang. Just bear in mind that you will be travelling through the mountains and that traffic towards Penang can be quite busy.
- Distance: Approx. 250 km
- Travel time: Approximately 3.5 - 4.5 hours
- Note: There are toll roads along the way, so bring some cash.
- Tip: Plan a nice stop at Ipoh on the way, perfect for lunch or a coffee stop!
Our favourite items on the go!
When travelling, you will often have to wait: for your flight after checking in, during a long bus journey or on the boat. That's why we always take a few handy items with us to make the time go a bit faster.
Our e-reader comes along in the backpack as standard. Not only great for reading a book on the go, but also super handy for keeping notes (yes we have one of those big ones, ideal!). This way, we always have our notes and a good book at hand, without having to lug around extra weight. Whether you're on the beach, on a bus or sheltering from a tropical shower in a coffee shop, with an e-reader you're always comfortable. As you can hear: we are fans.
And well, we also love games. Card and travel games are favourites, mainly because they are compact and you can enjoy them for hours without any hassle. Looking for fun games on the go? Check out our blogs 14x Great travel games for 2 people or 20x Mini games - Perfect travel gifts for our favourites!
Read also: Travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands. Check out our tips!
Read also: Travelling from Penang to Langkawi. Check out our tips!
Going the other way? No problem!
Do you do the route the other way round? No problem! Of course, all the above options work the other way too, so just check what fits into your itinerary! We hope this information helps you plan your trip. Do you have any questions or comments? You can always send us a message via Instagram or via [email protected].
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