How To Get To 12 Popular Islands In Malaysia From KL, Based On Budget & Convenience

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One advantage of this difficulty is that these spots are often untainted by tourists, unlike popular destinations such as Bali or Thailand.

While we're eager to explore Malaysian islands, it can feel complicated at times to find the most convenient routes.

1. Bus + ferry
This is the most popular and affordable option.

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty. The journey takes around five to six hours one-way.

• From Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty, take a ferry to Tioman Island. The ferry ride takes about two to 2.5 hours. There are two ferry options operated by Bluewater and Cataferry.

2. Car + ferry
If you want to go on your own timing, you can drive to the jetties instead, after booking your ferry in advance.

There are two routes:
- Along Negeri Sembilan
- Through Titi

The journey will take around four to five hours one-way. You can then take the Bluewater or Cataferry boat ride to the island.

3. Flight + car + ferry

There used to be flights that would take you directly to Tioman Island. However, the airport on Tioman is currently defunct for passengers.

Although this route is no longer available, if you still prefer to travel by air, the nearest airport is in Johor Bahru.

• Take a flight from klia2 or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang airport) to Johor Bahru Senai International Airport

• You will need to then book an e-hailing ride or rent a car to Tanjung Gemok or Mersing Jetty. The journey takes about two hours to Mersing Jetty and 2.5 hours to Tanjung Gemok Jetty.
• From Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty, take a ferry to Tioman Island.

Where to book buses and ferry rides
- Book a bus ride via Grab or on websites, such as Busonlineticket.com or redBus
- Book a ferry ride from Bluewater, Cataferry, or Busonlineticket.com

1. Flight + car/shuttle bus + ferry

This is the fastest way to get to the Perhentian Islands, although also the most expensive.

• Take a flight from klia2 or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang airport) to either Kota Bharu Airport or Sultan Mahmud Airport in Terengganu. The flight takes around one hour.

• From the airport, take an e-hailing ride or shuttle service to Kuala Besut Jetty. The journey takes about one hour from Kota Bharu Airport and 1.5 hours from Sultan Mahmud Airport, Terengganu. You can book the shuttle service here.

• Take a ferry from Kuala Besut Jetty to your chosen island on the Perhentian Islands. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

2. Bus + ferry

This is the most budget-friendly option, but also the slowest.

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Kuala Besut Jetty. The journey takes about eight to 10 hours.
• You will need to take a short walk or e-hailing ride from Kuala Besut bus terminal to Kuala Besut Jetty. From Kuala Besut Jetty, take a ferry to your chosen island on the Perhentian Islands. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes to one hour.
  

Where to book buses and ferry rides
- Book a bus ride via Grab or on websites, such as Busonlineticket.com or redBus
- Book a ferry ride on Klook, Besut Jetty, or on Busonlineticket.com
- There are also speedboat options from Kuala Besut Jetty

1. Bus + ferry
 This is the most popular and budget-friendly option.

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Kuala Terengganu. Several bus companies operate on this route, with journey times ranging from nine to 11 hours.
• From Kuala Terengganu, you'll need to take an e-hailing ride to Merang Jetty, the departure point for ferries to Redang Island. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
• From Merang Jetty, take a ferry to Redang Island. The ferry ride takes about one to 1.5 hours.

2. Car + ferry
If you want to go on your own timing, you can drive directly to Merang Jetty instead, after booking your ferry in advance.

From Merang Jetty, take a ferry to Redang Island.

3. Flight + ferry
This is the fastest option, but also the most expensive.

• Take a flight from either klia2 or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang airport) to Kuala Terengganu Airport. The flight takes around 45 minutes to one hour.
• From Kuala Terengganu Airport, take an e-hailing ride to Merang Jetty (around 30 minutes).
• From Merang Jetty, take the ferry to Redang Island. The ferry ride takes about one to 1.5 hours.

Where to book buses and ferry rides
- Book a bus ride via Grab or on websites, such as Busonlineticket.com or redBus
- Book a ferry ride on Klook, Merang Jetty, or Busonlineticket.com

1. Bus + speedboat

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Mersing Jetty. The journey takes approximately 5.5 to six hours. Several bus companies operate this route, so you can compare prices and schedules to find the best fit for you.

• From Mersing Jetty, you'll need to take a speedboat to Rawa Island. The speedboat journey is the quickest part of the trip, taking roughly 30 minutes in good weather conditions. There are only two resorts on Rawa Island – Alang's Rawa Resort and Rawa Island Resort.

2. Car + speedboat
If you want to go on your own timing, you can drive directly to Mersing Jetty instead, after booking your speedboat ride in advance.

From Mersing Jetty, take a speedboat to Rawa Island.

Where to book buses and speedboat rides
- Book a bus ride via Grab or on websites, such as Busonlineticket.com or redBus
- Book a speedboat ride through the resorts. Speedboats from Mersing Jetty to Rawa Island typically cost RM35 to RM45 for a 30-minute one-way trip.
- Or book directly with a speedboat operator in Mersing

1. Bus and ferry
This is the most popular and budget-friendly option.

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Marang Jetty. Several bus companies operate on this route, with journey times ranging from nine to 11 hours.
• You may need to take a short walk from the bus terminal to Marang Jetty. From there, you can take a ferry to Kapas Island. Ferry operators depart several times a day with the journey taking roughly 20 minutes.

2. Car + ferry
If you want to go on your own timing, you can drive to Marang Jetty. The drive will take around four to five hours one-way.

From Marang Jetty, take a ferry to Redang Island.

Don't confuse Marang Jetty with Merang Jetty. Marang Jetty is the gateway to Kapas and Lang Tengah Islands, while Merang Jetty is the gateway to Redang and Bidong Islands.

3. Flight + ferry
This is the fastest option, but also the most expensive.

• Take a flight from either klia2, KLIA, or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) to Kuala Terengganu Airport. The flight takes around 45 minutes to one hour.
• From Kuala Terengganu Airport, take an e-hailing ride to Marang Jetty (around 30 minutes).
• From Marang Jetty, take a ferry to Kapas Island. The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes.

Where to book buses and ferry rides
- Book a bus ride on websites, such as Busonlineticket.com or redBus
- Book a ferry ride on Klook

1. Bus + ferry
This is the most popular and budget-friendly option.

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Lumut Jetty or Marina Island. Several bus companies operate on this route, with journey times ranging from four to five hours.

• The bus will arrive at Lumut bus terminal and it's a short walk to Lumut Jetty or Marina Island Jetty.

• From Lumut or Marina Island Jetty, take a ferry to Pangkor Island. Ferries depart from Lumut Jetty to two locations on Pangkor Island — Pangkor Jetty (Town Center) and Sungai Pinang Kecil Jetty. Travel time to Pangkor Jetty is around 30 minutes, while ferries to Sungai Pinang take about one hour. The ferry ride from Marina Island to Pangkor Island takes around 10 minutes.

2. Car + ferry
If you want to go on your own timing, you can drive to Lumut Jetty or Marina Island Jetty. The drive will take around three to four hours one-way.

From Lumut Jetty or Marina Island Jetty, take a ferry to Pangkor Island.

Where to book buses and ferry rides
- Book a bus ride on websites, such as Busonlineticket.com or redBus
- Ferry tickets can be purchased online on Pangkorferry or Easybook, or directly at the Lumut Jetty or Marina Island Jetty ticket counter. On the website, the destination will be listed as Marina Island, even if you're departing from Lumut Jetty.

1. Flight
This is the fastest and most convenient option, although also could be the most expensive.

Several airlines operate direct flights from klia2 or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang airport) to Langkawi International Airport (LGK). The flight takes around one hour and 45 minutes.

2. Bus + ferry
This is the most budget-friendly option, but also the slowest.

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Kuala Kedah Jetty or Kuala Perlis Jetty. The journey by bus takes approximately six to seven hours.
• From the jetties, take a ferry to Langkawi Island. The ferry ride from Kuala Kedah takes about two hours and 15 minutes, while the ferry from Kuala Perlis is shorter, at around 1.5 hours.
  

Where to book buses and ferry rides
- Book your bus and ferry rides on Busonlineticket.com, Easybook, and Cuti Cuti Langkawi

Flight + car + speedboat

• Take a flight from KLIA or klia2 to Tawau Airport (TWU). The flight takes around two hours and 45 minutes. Several airlines operate on this route, including Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Malindo Air.
• Book an e-hailing ride from Tawau Airport to Semporna town, the jumping-off point for boats to Mabul Island. The journey is about one hour and 20 minutes.
• From Semporna town, take a speedboat to Mabul Island. The boat ride takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour, depending on weather conditions.

Speedboat tickets can be purchased through the resort website of the place you're staying at in Mabul, or at the jetty in Semporna.

Most accommodation options on Mabul Island will arrange transport for you from Tawau Airport, inclusive of the car and speedboat ride, to the island.

Flight + car + speedboat

• Take a flight from KLIA or klia2 to Tawau Airport (TWU). The flight takes around two hours and 45 minutes. Several airlines operate on this route, including Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Malindo Air.
• Book an e-hailing ride from Tawau Airport to Semporna town, the jumping-off point for boats to Sipadan Island. The journey is around one hour and 20 minutes.
• From Semporna town, take a speedboat to Sipadan or go via Mabul Island. 

Sipadan Island does not offer accommodation. You can stay on Mabul Island, a nearby island that offers a variety of resorts. From there, you can take day trips to Sipadan for diving or snorkelling activities.

Speedboat tickets to Mabul can be purchased through the resort website of the place you're staying at, or at the jetty in Semporna. 

Flight + car/bus + speedboat

• Take a domestic flight from klia2 or KLIA to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKB). The flight time is roughly two to 2.5 hours. Several airlines operate on this route, including Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Malindo Air.

• Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you'll need to travel to Kuala Abai Jetty, the jump-off point to the Mantanani Islands. You can head there via bus or e-hailing ride, which will take roughly two hours.

• Once you arrive at Kuala Abai Jetty, you can take a speedboat to the Mantanani Islands. The boat ride typically takes around 45 minutes, depending on weather conditions. Several resorts on the islands offer transfers from Kota Belud town, so you can inquire with your chosen accommodation provider if they provide pick-up services.

Here are some popular resorts that offer transfers:

• Sutera at Mantanani
• Mari Mari Mantanani

1. Bus + car/walk + speedboat
This is the most popular and affordable option.

• Take a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Dungun Bus Terminal. Several bus companies operate on this route, with journey times ranging from four to five hours.
• From Dungun Bus Terminal, take a two-minute e-hailing ride to Kuala Dungun Jetty, the departure point for ferries to Tenggol Island. Or you can take a 12-minute walk to the jetty.
  
• Board a speedboat ride from Kuala Dungun Jetty to Tenggol Island. Speedboats depart several times a day, and the journey takes about 45 minutes.

2. Car + speedboat
If you want to go on your own timing, you can drive to Dungun Jetty. The drive will take around four hours one-way.

Board a speedboat from Kuala Dungun Jetty to Tenggol Island. Speedboats depart several times a day, and the journey takes about 45 minutes.

3. Flight + car + speedboat
This is the fastest option but also the most expensive.

• Take a flight from klia2 or KLIA to either Sultan Mahmud Airport (TGG) on Tenggol Island or airports in nearby cities like Kuala Terengganu Airport (KTG) or Kerteh Airport (KER).
• If you don't fly directly to Tenggol Island (Sultan Mahmud Airport - TGG), you'll need to take an e-hailing ride from the airport you arrive at (Kuala Terengganu or Kerteh) to Kuala Dungun Jetty. The journey time can vary depending on the chosen airport (around one to 1.5 hours).
• If you didn't fly directly to Tenggol Island, board a 45-minute speedboat from Kuala Dungun Jetty to Tenggol Island.

Where to book buses and speedboats
- Book a bus ride on websites, such as Busonlineticket.com or redBus
- Book a speedboat through the resort you're staying at. Websites of popular Tenggol Island resorts:

• The Andaman
• D'Coconut Lagoon Resort
• Tenggol Island Resort

Tickets can also be purchased at the jetty itself or online through specific speedboat operators (check the websites of resorts you might be staying at on Tenggol).