Transportation in Cameron Highlands
Travel from Cameron Highlands to KL by bus
The Cameron Highlands are a spectacular place to visit and as larger numbers of visitors come to enjoy the area transport links become more extensive. The nearby town of Tanah is the region’s transport hub and has direct bus services to all major destinations.
Ipoh lies on the main north–south train route and is the best bet for rail connections. Walking or hiring a bicycle in the preferred method of navigating the region as it allows plenty of time to absorb the majestic countryside.
Cameron Highlands bus travel
More guesthouses and travel agents are putting on direct services from KL and Penang to the Cameron Highlands’ popular tourist hangout of Tanah Rata, so it pays to ask around what is available.
Buses to Tanah Rata can be caught from KL’s Pudu Raya Bus Station and take under five hours for RM25. Services depart between 08.30 and 15.30 but mainly in the morning. There are also overnight direct VIP buses running from Singapore’s Golden Mile tower/complex.
Tanah Rata is also the most useful transport hub and those staying in Brinchang should take a bus here (30mins, RM2, 06:30 – 18:30, hourly) from the bus station on Main Street for onward connections. In Tanah Rata there are direct services to KL (five daily, four hours) and Ipoh (four daily, two hours) from CS Travel in Main Street (Tel: +60 (0)5 491 1200). It is also possible to book onward connections from Tanah Rata Bus Station here. Getting there takes two hours with departures going between 07:00 and 16:00 on the hour. RM5
Cameron Highlands by train
Those who prefer the idyllic meandering of rail travel over the modern efficiency of buses should head to Ipoh where there are connections on the KTMB line. These ply the east coast of Malaysia north to Bangkok and south via KL to Singapore. CS Travel (Main Street, Tanah Rata, Tel: +60 (0)5 491 1200) has four daily services to Ipoh which take two hours. The train station is on Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab, just a little north of the bus station. For complete timetable and fare information including online bookings visit here.
Cameron Highlands car travel
If you chose to rent a car and drive to the Cameron Highlands then finding your way around is relatively simple. From the North-South Expressway drivers should exit at Tapah and then take route 59 straight along to the highlands. The south region’s first town of Ringlet should be reached in around 90 minutes. Alternatively, drivers can leave the expressway at Simpang Pulai, Ipoh, and take new route 145 to Cameron Highlands towards the north.
Getting around the Cameron Highlands
To get between the different towns of the Cameron Highlands is easy with frequent and cheap buses and taxis. Taxis cost from RM6 between Brinchang and Tanah Rata with buses costing RM2 for the same journey (30mins). Otherwise bicycles can be hired at many of the guesthouses in either town or walking between them and onwards to some of the tea plantations and fruit farms is a fun way to spend your time here.
