EXACTLY How To Go From Kuala Lumpur To Kuantan

Published Categorized as Kuantan
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Heading to Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur? Great!

This is a straightforward journey as the KL to Kuantan distance is not huge so it’s just an easy drive, taxi, flight or bus ride away.

Kuantan offers an enticing blend of attractions from its exquisite beaches to stunning sunsets. There’s always something beautiful to see. The warmth and friendliness of the locals will help you feel at home while the delicious seafood cuisine will tantalise your taste buds.

Of course, before you can enjoy Kuantan, you have to get there! Below, I describe exactly how to go to Kuantan from KL whether you are looking for a Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan flight, a Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan bus or looking to drive from KL to Kuantan or go in a taxi.

I also describe the reverse journey from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur.

Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque, Kuantan
Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque, Kuantan

Let’s start!

Note: There is no Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan train.

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Map: From KL to Kuantan

Kuala Lumpur To Kuantan map
Click the map above to open it in Google Maps.

How Far From KL To Kuantan?

The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan is only 252 kilometres.

KL To Kuantan – How Many Hours?

The driving time is around 3 hours. Of course, this varies based on road and traffic conditions.

Summary Of The Best Way To Go From Kuala Lumpur To Kuantan

The best way to go from KL to Kuantan is by car or taxi. The KL to Kuantan driving time is around 3 hours so it is not worth the effort of going to the airport.

Otherwise, I recommend an express bus to Kuantan from KL.

If you are coming from elsewhere and flying into Kuala Lumpur then a flight can make the most sense.

Here’s a summary of your options:

Mode of transportDurationBest For?Book
Flight4.5 hoursPeople who are flying into Kuala Lumpur and want to fly out straight away againBook here
Bus5 hoursPeople who want the cheapest optionBook here
Car3 hoursPeople who are happy to hire a car or who like to stop along the wayBook here
Taxi3 hoursAnyone who wants the easiest and most straightforward way to get between Kuala Lumpur and KuantanBook here
Durations take into account an approximate time getting to and from bus stations/airports to a central location as well as waiting time

Option 1: KL to Kuantan Flight

The flight between Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan takes around 50 minutes. Flights are only available from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) on Malaysia Airlines.

There are up to three flights a day departing in the morning or evening. On days when only one flight runs, it’s generally in the evening only.

Flight prices start at around RM140. Find the prices here.

Once you touch down at Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport (KUA) in Kuantan, you’ll need to cover an additional 16 kilometers to reach the city centre. You can find a taxi at the airport for around RM30. Taking a taxi on the Grab app can save money.

Since Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan are so close together, you might not want to deal with the hassles of the airport. If you’ll be flying into the capital from another country, it makes sense to continue to fly the rest of the way to Kuantan. However, if you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur city centre, flying is unnecessary.

Click here to see flight times and prices.

Kuantan, Malaysia
Kuantan

Option 2: KL to Kuantan Bus

Taking the express bus from KL to Kuantan makes sense if you want to save money. To bus Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan, you’ll need to set aside about four hours for the bus ride itself.

Since TBS KL to Kuantan buses depart throughout the day at many times, it’s easy to travel on your preferred schedule. You might want to book your tickets a couple days in advance to prevent being limited by last-minute options, especially if you are travelling on a weekend or at holiday times.

You can find the KL to Kuantan bus schedule online by clicking here.

The prices to bus to Kuantan from KL starts at RM20. The exact price depends on your departure time and bus line.

Buses depart from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) in Kuala Lumpur. Many companies offer a bus from KL to Kuantan including Adam Express, Alibaba Express, Maraliner, Mayang Sari Express and more.

If you want to take a bus to Kuantan from KL Sentral, you can take a train from KL Sentral to TBS and then catch your bus to Kuantan from there.

The express bus from KL to Kuantan is a great option, but you do need to factor in time to get to TBS in KL and then on arrival in Kuantan, you need to get from Kuantan Sentral Bus Terminal (TSK) to your place of accommodation.

This is about 8 kilometres away and takes 15-20 minutes. I recommend you take a Grab taxi, but a local bus is also available. The ride can take up to 30 minutes, but it will only cost you a few ringgit.

For visitors who don’t want to travel by car or taxi, it makes sense to take the KL to Kuantan bus. You won’t have to deal with long security lines and other tedious procedures at the airport. Instead, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as you bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Pahang.

Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS)
Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur

Option 3: KL to Kuantan By Car

Some people find driving stressful, but others enjoy the experience. If you’d like to travel to Kuantan by car, you’ll have the freedom to make as many stops as you like along the way.

If you are wondering, “KL to Kuantan how long?” You’ll be glad to learn that going by car is much faster than by bus. The journey should take around three hours. The total Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan distance is 252 kilometers.

Most the trip is along the major E8 Highway. You’ll pass by numerous places you can take a pit stop, such as Genteng Highlands and Bukkit Tinggi. The first part of the ride takes you up into the hills with the second part of the ride offering plenty of beautiful scenery with palm trees, farms and jungles lining the highway road.

You can hire a car here if you want to drive.

Option 4: KL to Kuantan By Taxi

The easiest and quickest way to get KL to Kuantan is to book a long distance taxi to take your door-to-door.

While it is more expensive, it’s also stress free! And you can arrive refreshed and ready to go at your destination instead of hot and sweaty.

We can book a taxi for you with a safe and trustworthy local operator that will pick you up directly at your hotel (or anywhere else you want) in KL and drop you off wherever you want in Kuantan.

The price for a smaller vehicle is RM600 and bigger vehicle options exist as well.

Click here for more details and prices.

kuantan river cruise
Kuantan river cruise

Kuantan To KL

If you want to travel from Kuantan to KL instead, you can choose between the same options that are available above. Cover the distance from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur in your own car, a taxi, a bus or a plane. The Kuantan to KL distance is 252 kilometers.

If you flew or took the bus on the way in, you’ll have the option of using a different method to return to KL. Maybe a flight was best for the journey in, but you’d prefer to take a taxi back from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur.

The Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur bus time takes about four hours. You can find a bus schedule from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur here.

Your Kuantan to KL bus time will vary, but buses leave throughout the day. Overnight buses are usually available as well.

If you want to take a Kuantan to KL flight, you can depart from Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport. The flight will cover the Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur distance in less than an hour.

You can fly with Malaysia Airlines. Flights usually depart in the morning and evening, but some days, there is only one evening flight.

Once you touch down, you can either catch a flight to your final destination or take a taxi back to Kuala Lumpur city centre. The Grab app is the best way to book your taxi into KL centre.

Click here for flight prices and times.

The easiest way to travel from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur is in your own taxi. We can book a taxi for you with a safe and trustworthy local operator. This costs RM600.

Click here for more details and prices.

Want the Easiest (and BEST) Way to travel between Kuantan and Kuala Lumpur?

We can book a taxi for you from anywhere in Kuala Lumpur directly to your hotel in Kuantan for a great price.

You can pick your own departure time, relax and know everything will go to plan.

Click here for prices and online booking.

Final Words

If you have your own car, it’s easiest to drive to Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur. If not, take a taxi. You’ll be glad you did and we can book it for you here.

If you are on a tight budget, the bus will be the best option. However, for those who are arriving at the KL airport and want an easy option, it can make sense to take a Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur flight.

Also read our full guide to all the top things to do in Kuantan or the best hotels in Kuantan here. Staying in Kuala Lumpur before your trip to Kuantan? Read our full guide to all the best hotels near KL Sentral here. Also find our full travel guide to Kuantan 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!

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.