Malaysia by bus

Q: Is it safe to travel by bus in Malaysia?

Generally speaking, bus travel in Malaysia is one of the safest forms of transportation. Therefore, you can just sit and relax and enjoy the scenery while the drivers are making sure your bus travel goes as planned.

Q: How do you pay for buses in Malaysia?

You have many ways of purchasing the bus ticket for your journey. One of the quickest ways is to book your ticket in advance online. However, if you don’t want to use your credit card for the bus ticket purchase, you can also buy the bus ticket at the bus station or directly on the bus (provided that there are seats left).

Q: What documents do I need to have when traveling throughout Malaysia?

In order to check what documents you need to bring with you when traveling throughout Malaysia, it is best to check the websites of the competent authorities prior to your travel given the fact that different rules apply depending on your citizenship.

Q: Are there any extra charges for the luggage storage on the buses?

Normally, the luggage storage is charged extra, directly on the bus. Before you board the bus, you will get a receipt for each piece of luggage that you put down into the luggage compartment and you will be charged an extra amount that can vary depending on the carrier.

Q: Am I allowed to bring my pet on the bus when traveling in Malaysia?

Unfortunately, the general answer is no as the majority of bus companies that operate departures in Malaysia do not allow pets on board. However, you can always contact the carrier directly prior to your journey or check if there is a PET icon next to their departure on our website which would typically mark the ones that do allow you to carry your pet with you on the journey.

Q: COVID-19 restrictions when traveling in Malaysia.

To check the rules that apply to journeys in Malaysia as far as the COVID-19 restrictions are concerned, we advise you to check the website of the Ministry of Health of Malaysia. You should find all the necessary information there, and if you are unable to do it on your own, you can always contact them via email address provided on the website.

Q: Are buses in Malaysia wheelchair accessible?

It is unfortunately not possible to give a specific answer to that question, since it all depends on the carrier you’re traveling with and the bus that will operate the route on the day of your departure. Even though the majority of the bus fleet in Malaysia is of a newer generation, there are still some vehicles which are not equipped with all the necessary amenities.

Traveling by bus in Malaysia is definitely one of the safest and cheapest ways of traveling while ensuring at the same time that you don't miss out on the beautiful natural landscapes around the country. Thanks to the well connected bus network between Malaysia cities it is easy to reach the majority of the most popular destinations within the country in a day.

Intercity buses in Malaysia

In Malaysia intercity buses are available on more than 583 travel combinations, while traveling with an average speed of 64 km/h. Of course, intercity bus routes via highway have a higher average speed. The majority of the Malaysia intercity buses are comfortable long distance coaches, but older vehicles might be used on busier travel days.

The timetable for popular intercity bus routes like Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Besut or Kuala Besut - Kuala Lumpur can be found online, but for some shorter intercity bus routes you might have to go to the bus station. Tickets are sold both online and on the spot, but after the COVID-19 pandemic an increasing number of travellers prefer buying their tickets online.

Domestic routes

As mentioned above there are more than 583 domestic intercity bus travel combinations in Malaysia. Below you will find some of the most popular Malaysia travel routes with minimal or no stops along the way:

Travel Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Besut

Travel Kuala Besut - Kuala Lumpur

Travel Kuala Lumpur (Airport) - Ipoh

Travel Malacca - Kuala Lumpur (Airport)

Travel Kuala Perlis - Kuala Besut

Travel Kuala Lumpur - Butterworth

Travel Johor Bahru - Ipoh

Travel Kuala Lumpur - Penang

Travel Penang - Kuala Lumpur

Travel Kuala Lumpur - Johor Bahru

Travel Butterworth - Kuala Lumpur

Travel Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur

Travel George Town - Kuala Lumpur

Travel Johor Bahru - Butterworth

Travel Kuala Lumpur (Airport) - Malacca

Airport buses in Malaysia

If you are flying to Malaysia you will land in one of 11 airports located throughout the country. From the majority of Malaysia airports you have a bus shuttle to the nearest largest city and in some cases even intercity buses to other cities in the region. Click on the airport name below and read more about getting to and from the airport.

International airports:

Penang (Airport)

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Airport)

Kota Kinabalu (Airport)

Kuching (Airport)

Senai (Airport)

Langkawi (Airport)

Miri (Airport)

Tawau (Airport)

Kota Bharu (Airport)

Domestic airports:

Sandakan (Airport)

Alor Setar (Airport)

Kuala Terengganu (Airport)

Bintulu (Airport)

Labuan (Airport)

Sibu (Airport)

Tioman (Airport)

Kuantan (Airport)

Kudat (Airport)

Bus companies in Malaysia

There are over 116 bus companies operating in Malaysia. 101 companies offer intercity bus lines, 0 companies drive airport shuttles, 0 companies operate regional and local lines, 0 bus companies offer bus rental and 0 companies offer bus tours. The bus companies are located in 32 cities throughout the country. The majority of companies can be found in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu.

101 intercity bus companies operating in Malaysia are very different in size. The largest Malaysia company Billion Stars Express connects more than 21 cities, whereas the smallest intercity bus company The One Travel only has service to 1 cities.

Below we have listed some of the most popular bus companies in Malaysia. Full list of bus companies in Malaysia can be found here.

Bus stations in Malaysia

In most cities there is a dedicated bus station, in smaller cities the bus station might be a parking lot with a shelter or a section on the road marked for multiple buses. In some cities buses also stop at public road bus stops or at gas stations and hotel parking lots. In larger cities you will find bus stations with amenities like toilets, luggage storage, kiosks, fast food restaurants and other useful services for travellers. In Malaysia there is a total of 95 bus stations, below we have listed 15 of the most popular bus stations, for a full list of bus stations in Malaysia click here.

Malacca

Johor Bahru

Butterworth

Ipoh

Mersing

Terengganu

Kota Bharu

Kuantan

Kuala Besut

Jerantut

Bukit Mertajam

Pasir Mas

Segamat

Seremban

Muar

Hire a coach in Malaysia

Malaysia bus rental companies offer coaches for any kind of group trip, whether it’s a transfer from the airport to your hotel, or single and multi day excursions to the many sights in Malaysia. Rest assured you will be able to find a suitable partner. If you are travelling during the high season, it is advisable to book your bus in advance to secure one of the best vehicles for your group.
Here you can see a list of some companies offering bus rental in Malaysia:

FAQ about buses in Malaysia

Is it safe to travel by bus in Malaysia?

How do you pay for buses in Malaysia?

What documents do I need to have when traveling throughout Malaysia?

Are there any extra charges for the luggage storage on the buses?

Am I allowed to bring my pet on the bus when traveling in Malaysia?

COVID-19 restrictions when traveling in Malaysia.

Are buses in Malaysia wheelchair accessible?

Malaysia by bus

Table Of Contents

Intercity buses in Malaysia

Domestic routes

Airport buses in Malaysia

International airports:

Domestic airports:

Bus companies in Malaysia

Bus stations in Malaysia

Hire a coach in Malaysia

FAQ about buses in Malaysia

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