Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital and is a city that you shouldn’t miss when you’re travelling in Southeast Asia. The city itself is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and religions. It is also one of the best cities where you can explore amazing architecture and food.
Also interesting, Taiping is one of the country’s hidden gems. It’s a small, unassuming town that offers a perfect respite from the crowded metropolis with gorgeous gardens, a great zoo and more.
If you’re planning to take a trip from Kuala Lumpur to Taiping, keep reading! In this guide, I describe exactly how to go from KL to Taiping whether you are looking for an ETS KL Sentral to Taiping (Electric Train Service), a bus from KL to Taiping, a private taxi or want to drive from Kuala Lumpur to Taiping.
I also describe the reverse journey from Taiping to KL.
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Contents
Map: Kuala Lumpur To Taiping
This map shows you the distance from KL to Taiping as well as how you can get from one destination to the other on the most direct roads.
The KL to Taiping distance is 266 kilometres with an approximate driving time of 3 hours. This depends on traffic and road conditions.
BEST OPTION: How To Go From KL To Taiping
The fastest and easiest option to travel from KL to Taiping is by private taxi.
If you’re a budget traveller, the cheapest way to get to your destination is to ride a bus. The train is also a great option.
Here’s a summary of your options:
| Mode of transport | Duration | Best For? | Book |
| Train | 4.5 hours | People who like the fastest public transport option | Book here |
| Bus | 5.75 hours | People who want the cheapest option | Book here |
| Car | 3 hours | People who are happy to hire a car or who like to stop along the way | Book here |
| Taxi | 3 hours | Anyone who wants the easiest and most straightforward way to get between Kuala Lumpur and Taiping | Book here |
Option 1: Bus From KL To Taiping
If you plan to take the bus from KL to Taiping, several bus lines ply on this route departing from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) and Hentian Duta Station in Kuala Lumpur. Common options are Starmart Express and KPB Ekspress.
Buses depart regularly from both bus stations and are the same price so it makes sense to choose a departure point which is closest to your hotel. Neither terminal is that convenient from where people tend to stay in KL unfortunately. TBS is usually easier to reach on public transport.
The bus is the cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Taiping. The fare starts at around RM27. The travel time is around four hours with buses being slightly quicker from Hentian Duta Station. Buses run around every half hour during the day so it’s easy to find a suitable time.
Click here to see the latest prices.
On arrival in Taiping, you can choose between several drop off points with the Kamunting Bus Terminal and Simpang Taiping being the most common options. Both options are 6-7 kilometres from the centre of Taiping. You can take a local bus or Grab taxi to your hotel.
This is a great option if you’re a budget traveller. However, note that the travel times are usually longer. So, if you would rather spend less time travelling, take another option.
Option 2: ETS KL To Taiping (Train)
A faster alternative to get to your destination is to take the train from KL to Taiping. The KL to Taiping train is operated by the KTM ETS Malaysia Railway, which leaves from KL Sentral.
If you’re looking for a quick and cost effective way to get to your destination, I recommend you consider the ETS train KL to Taiping. Trains depart every 1-2.5 hours throughout the day.
You can purchase your KTM KL to Taiping tickets at the train station or book online in advance. You can choose between two types of train services when travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Taiping ‒ the ETS Gold and ETS Platinum.
The difference between the two is the ticket price and travel time. The ETS Platinum has a higher ticket price with shorter travel time (3 hours and 17 minutes). It also only stops at 5 stations.
Meanwhile, the ETS Gold is cheaper and takes around 3 hours and 26 minutes to get to your destination and stops at more stations.
Purchase your KL Sentral to Taiping ETS train tickets in advance to avoid missing out and the hassle of working it out at the station. These KTM KL Sentral to Taiping train tickets cost around RM50-66.
Click here to see the latest prices.
KL Sentral is much more likely to be closer to your accommodation in Kuala Lumpur than the bus stations which can make this an easier option than the bus. It’s also well hooked up on public transport.
Likewise, Taiping station is also much closer to the tourist central area than the bus stations.
Option 3: KL To Taiping By Car
If you want to travel by car, the approximate driving time is about three hours.
Although more costly than taking public transport, taking a private vehicle with you allows you to customise your travel itinerary and to make stop in key attractions along the way. It’s very flexible.
Click here to check out car rental prices or here to read more about driving in Malaysia.
Option 4: Ipoh To Taiping By Taxi
Now, the last option to get to Taiping from Kuala Lumpur is actually the best! And that’s to travel by taxi.
It’s the easiest and quickest way to get from KL to Taiping and it’s also more relaxing to be driven door-to-door without the worry of finding buses or trains and lugging round your luggage in the heat.
It takes about three hours.
While it is more expensive, it’s also stress free! And you can arrive refreshed and ready to go instead of hot and sweaty.
We can book a taxi for you with a safe and trustworthy local operator for RM600.
Click here for more details and prices.
Taiping To KL
If you’re wondering how you can travel from Taiping to Kuala Lumpur, all you need to do is to take the options we’ve listed above in reverse.
You can either take the bus from Taiping to KL, the train from Taiping to KL, or travel by car or taxi. Note that the distance from Taiping to Kuala Lumpur is 266 kilometres.
If you want to take the bus, there is a direct bus from Taiping arriving in Hentian Duta or TBS. Approximate travel time is four hours with prices starting from RM27..
Click here to see the latest prices.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a quicker alternative, you can take the KTM Taiping to KL Sentral. The train leaves every 1-2.5 hours throughout the day. The journey takes just under 3.5 hours.
Usually, the ETS from Taiping to KL will cost around RM50-66.
Click here to see the latest prices.
Similarly, you can also travel via private car or take the easiest option with a private taxi. We can book a taxi for you with a safe and trustworthy local operator.
Click here for more details and prices.
Final Words
We’ve covered the different transportation options when you’re travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Taiping and vice versa.
To sum it up, if you want to get to your destination the quickest way possible, I recommend that you take a taxi.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative and you don’t mind being on the road for longer periods, you can take a bus. The train is also a good option.
No matter what option you choose, I hope you found this guide to how to travel from KL to Taiping useful. You can find our complete travel guide to Kuala Lumpur here and to Taiping here. Also find the best accommodation options in Taiping here and all the best things to do in Taiping here.
Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!
