Travel and Transportation

Have you ever been lost while traveling? Have you ever been over charged by transports providers while traveling? Have you ever been wasting too much time on the road instead of enjoying your vacation? Planning before you do anything would be a good practice to avoid any lost in terms of time, money etc. Therefore you will need the travel and transportation info if you're going to Ipoh.

Getting to Ipoh (from Kuala Lumpur)

By flight

Although there is a domestic airport in Ipoh, the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, it has been inactive for quite some times. It used to provide a domestic flight per day from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) to Ipoh. Anyway, there is rumour about re-open of flight route between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh by a budget airline. If so, I surely will update the information here. =)

By train

There is a daily train service from Kuala Lumpur KTM station to Ipoh railway station, which depart at 8.45pm and arrive at 1.05am. By the time of 2007 or 2008, construction of railway from Rawang to Ipoh will be completed. Thus you can take KLIA express from KLIA to KL Sentral and then switch to KTM komuter heading to Ipoh.

By bus

Last time, you can only take a bus to Ipoh from Puduraya bus station, which is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city. But now, there is a new bus service provided straightaway from KLIA to Ipoh by a company called YoYo. This really save you a lot of time since you escaped yourself from any traffic jam possibilities in the Kuala Lumpur city. After about 3 and a half hours drive, the bus will stop at the terminal at Jalan Bercham, Ipoh.

Click here for more information on YoYo travel bus.

If you wish to start your bus journey from Puduraya bus station, the bus fare would be RM13.40 and it will arrive at Medan Gopeng bus station after about 3 hours drive. Medan Gopeng is located at Jalan Gopeng.

By taxi

After you reach KLIA, you can take a taxi straightaway to Ipoh too. It's about 3 hours drive to reach Ipoh.

By car

Another way to have more flexible time schedule is to get a rental car, but then you should be good at reading map and look out for signboard. It shouldn't be any problem along the way from KLIA to Ipoh using the North-South Highway; the actual challenge will be getting around Ipoh later. Just to remind you that the speed limit is 90-110km/hr all along the highway.

In addition, if you get a rental car, you would be able to visit places around Ipoh city. There are some interesting places located far from Ipoh city, such as Gua Tempurung, Kellie Castle etc.

Click here for the driving guide.

How to go to Ipoh from Penang

Getting around Ipoh

For getting around Ipoh, I personally don't recommend the bus service. If you depend on the bus, you probably will spend hours waiting for it.

Getting on a taxi going around Ipoh is quite affordable in Ipoh. Unlike taxi in Kuala Lumpur, there are still an amount of taxi drivers in Ipoh don't use a meter for charging fees. So, you better make sure you get one that has a meter or you discuss fee with the driver before you get on.

As mentioned above, you could always have a rental car if you want to have your own travel schedule without depending on public transport services. Just make sure you got the map and knowing the location of petrol stations. You can also ask for directions with local residents by English even though the main language used is Cantonese. To drive in Malaysia, you need a driving license. An international driving license is acceptable. In addition, driving lane in Malaysia is on the left and the driver seat is on the right hand side of the vehicle.