Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands: Ultimate Transportation Guide & Tips

▶️ Ultimate Guide to Buying Tickets and Transportation from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Island and then to Terengganu
For this May Day long weekend, our exciting itinerary is as follows:
– D1-4: Explore the pristine beaches of Perhentian Island
– D4: Discover the cultural richness of Terengganu
– D4-6: Savor the flavors and history of Penang
– D6-10: Relax and unwind in the tropical paradise of Phuket
🌟Perhentian Island and Terengganu are so close that they can be seamlessly integrated into one fantastic travel route.

🔻🔻 First Leg of the Journey 🔻🔻
There are two convenient ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Island:

⬇️Option 1: The Speedy Route
1. **Direct Flight:** Catch a quick 1-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kota Bharu Airport.
2. **Shared Taxi:** Hop into a shared taxi for a 1-hour ride (traffic permitting) from Kota Bharu Airport to Kuala Besut Jetty (Google: Kuala besut).
3. **Speedboat:** Finally, take a thrilling speedboat ride (less than 1 hour) from Kuala Besut Jetty to Perhentian Island (Pulau Perhentian).

⬇️Option 2: The Scenic Route
1. **KLIA Express:** Start with a 27-minute KLIA Express ride from Kuala Lumpur Airport T1 to Bandar Tasik Selatan (Figure 2).
2. **Walk to TBS Station:** Then, make a short walk to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS Station) (Figure 3).
3. **Bus Ride:** Board a bus for an 8-hour journey (add about 3 hours during holidays) to Kuala Besut Jetty (Google: Kuala besut).

✨Specifics
– When sharing a taxi in Option 1, you can easily purchase the boat ticket for RM35.
– For Option 2, here’s a detailed breakdown of the ticket purchasing process:
1. **KLIA Express Tickets:** You can buy these offline manually or through self-service, or book them in advance on the official website for a 10% discount (original price RM38.

40). If traveling with a group, consider a taxi for convenience.
2. **TBS Bus Booking:** It’s best to book the TBS bus online in advance and exchange it for a physical ticket offline (Figure 3). Recommended booking platforms include EasyBook and RedBus. For payment guidance, search for tutorials on Xiaohongshu.

I used Easybook, and the discounted price for two people was around 114 RMB.
3. **Island Ferry Tickets:** There are multiple operators, so no need to book online. Simply purchase your tickets on-site. Here’s what to do:
– From the bus terminal, it’s about 1 kilometer to the jetty. Take a Grab directly to Kuala Besut Jetty, where a local driver will guide you to the ticket selling point.

– The ticket costs RM35, though there are RM30 options available. However, the RM35 boats are generally more reliable. Focus on the round-trip times, which vary slightly among operators. The one we chose had return trips at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. If these times don’t suit you, explore other nearby stores or check the map for alternatives.

🔻🔻 Second Leg of the Journey 🔻🔻

From Kuala Besut Jetty to Paragliding Park and then to Kota Bharu Airport, you have two convenient options:

1) The first option is to take a taxi directly to the base of the mountain. This method offers the most flexibility with your schedule. You can even ask the driver to securely store your luggage in the car while you enjoy your paragliding adventure. Afterward, simply hop back into the taxi for a smooth return trip.

2) The second option is to arrange pick-up and drop-off services with the paragliding shop owner. This service includes transportation from the base to the top of the mountain, which is a short and scenic route with just a few turns. If you’re traveling with a group of four, this option is particularly cost-effective and hassle-free.