Are you planning a Melaka day trip from KL? One of the best destinations you can head to for a quick day trip or an unforgettable weekend getaway is Melaka, also spelt as Malacca.
This UNESCO listed city is known for its stunning architecture, world heritage sites and mouth-watering cuisine. It’s also known as one of the most popular holiday destinations in Malaysia.
Getting to Melaka from KL, you need to travel either by bus, train, taxi, or private car. As the town can get busy, especially during weekends and the holiday season, it helps if you plan your trip beforehand.
Similarly, you can also get a direct transfer from Kuala Lumpur airport to Melaka. The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka is not far so you can even go for a day trip.
If you’re planning a trip from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, finding the right transport from KL to Melaka, looking for ways how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, or from KL Sentral to Melaka, how to get to Melaka from KL can be a straightforward process.
Below, I describe exactly how to go to Melaka from KL whether you are looking for a Kuala Lumpur to Melaka bus, wondering whether to travel on a train from KL to Melaka, want to take a taxi to Melaka from KL or want to drive from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka by car.
I also describe the reverse journey from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur.
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Contents
Map: KL To Melaka
The following KL to Melaka map shows you exactly how you can travel to and from these destinations.
In this map, KL to Melaka distance is approximately 145 km and about 2 hours driving time, depending on traffic.
BEST OPTION: How To Get From Kuala Lumpur To Melaka
The fastest and most convenient way to travel between KL and Melaka is to take a taxi.
If you’re travelling on a budget and looking for a cheaper alternative then travel via bus.
Here’s a summary of all your options:
| Mode of transport | Duration | Best For? | Book |
| Bus | 4 hours | People who want the cheapest option | Book here |
| Train | 8.5 hours | People who want to travel by train as much as possible | Book here |
| Car | 2 hours | People who are happy to hire a car or who like to stop along the way | Book here |
| Taxi | 2 hours | Anyone who wants the easiest and most straightforward way to get between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka | Book here |
Option 1: Bus From KL To Melaka
The most cost-efficient way to get to Melaka is to travel via bus.
If you’re wondering how to go to Melaka from KL by bus, or how to catch a bus to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur, head to the right bus station from KL to Melaka ‒ the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan.
Here, you can find several bus lines and bus operators that offer direct trips from TBS KL to Melaka. You can buy the ticket onsite, or purchase a Kuala Lumpur to Melaka bus ticket online in advance to avoid the hassle.
Click here to see the timetables and prices.
Buses depart very regularly with an approximate travel time of 2.5 hours. They leave around every 30 minutes depending on the concentration of passengers. One of the most popular bus lines is the Delima bus KL to Melaka.
The bus ticket price from KL to Melaka or the Kuala Lumpur to Melaka bus fare starts at RM12.
Despite running regularly, on weekends and holiday times, these buses do fill up so buy a ticket in advance. Just recently, my brother tried to take this bus on a holiday weekend and ended up waiting 12 hours to get on one that had a free seat!
.Alternatively, if you’re coming from KL Sentral, you can take the Komuter train first to TBS then head from KL to Melaka by bus.
From KL Sentral, get off at Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS) Station. This will take approximately 22 minutes.
Then, from there, take the bus from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) that will drop you to Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal.
It’s also possible to take a direct bus from KL airport to Melaka.
The Transnasional and Starmart Express bus lines offer a bus Kuala Lumpur airport to Melaka. This runs every couple of hours across the day. However, make sure to check the bus schedule KL to Melaka in advance to make sure it can work with your flights.
Click here to check the schedule and ticket prices from KL Airport to Melaka.
If you’re coming from the KLIA airport, head to the KLIA Bus Station. Meanwhile, if you’re in the KLIA2 airport, go directly to the Transportation Hub to catch a KL airport to Melaka bus. The journey time is similar at around 2.5 hours.
Whether you are taking the bus from TBS or the airport, you’ll most probably find yourself at Melaka Sentral bus station on arrival.
Melaka Sentral is a few kilometres north of the main tourist area in Melaka and where your hotel probably is. You’ll need to catch another bus in or take a taxi. Using the Grab app is the best way to do the latter.
If you want to take a bus, check out Google maps when you arrive at Melaka Sentral and it can give you the next bus to leave and where from. Many head towards the centre, but most won’t take you to a convenient spot. It’ll usually involve some walking.
All up, this option will end up taking you around four hours.
Option 2: Kuala Lumpur To Melaka Train
If you’re not in a hurry, another alternative is to take a train from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka. Just note that there is no direct train to Melaka from KL. To catch the closest thing to a KL to Melaka train, you have to take the train then a taxi.
I do not recommend choosing this option. It’s only here for absolute train buffs who want to understand what their options are.
If you want to travel from KL Sentral to Melaka by train, first you need to take the train from KL Sentral to Pulau Sebang/Tampin. There are ETS (Electric Train Service) and Komter train options. The former takes about two hours and the latter, 2.75 hours.
The ETS runs only twice a day and costs about RM24. The Komuter currently has a very early departure option from KL Sentral then no departures until the evening. It costs around RM14.
The entire train ride takes about 2 hours, and costs RM24. Hourly trips are available.
Click here to see timetables and prices.
Once in Pulau Sebang, you can then ride a taxi that will drop you off to Melaka. This takes about an hour. Use Grab if you decide to do this and hope there is a driver nearby.
It’s also possible to take a bus to Melaka Sentral. These also don’t run often and take about an hour and a half. Look for bus 1A or 1B. From Melaka Sentral, you’ll need to take another bus to the centre of Melaka. See instructions in the bus section above.
The drawback of getting from KL to Melaka by train is that there could be significant delays in your overall travel time. It’s also not the best option if you’re sticking to a more rigid itinerary. It could end up taking you a day if you want to stick to public transport.
Option 3: Taxi From KL To Melaka
Another option that you can take to get to Melaka from KL is to take a taxi. This is the best option thanks to being so comfortable and easy.
It takes about 2 hours of travel time, and the Kuala Lumpur to Melaka taxi fare is approximately RM450. If you’re coming from the airport, you can take a Kuala Lumpur airport to Melaka taxi for about RM350.
The advantage of taking the taxi Kuala Lumpur to Melaka is that you won’t have to worry about driving to an unfamiliar area and a more experienced driver will be taking you there. This is also a convenient option if you have a lot of luggage with you.
It allows you to make the most of your day instead of lugging around your luggage in the heat and humidity.
We can book this taxi for you with a reliable local operator. Click here for more information and prices.
You can take this from the city or straight from the airport and can be dropped off directly at your hotel in Melaka.
You could also book a return journey and take a day trip to Melaka.
You can read our full guide to taking a taxi between KL and Melaka here.
Option 4: From KL To Melaka By Car
If you want to travel from KL to Melaka by car, note that the distance from KL to Melaka is 145 km and will take approximately two hours.
Taking a private car with you is a great option because it will be easier to go from one attraction in Melaka to another or if you want to do a day trip, it can help you maximise your time.
However, a potential drawback of taking your own vehicle, of course, is that it could be costly, especially for backpackers and budget travelers.
Click here to read more about driving in Malaysia or click here to book a car hire.
Want the Easiest (and BEST) Way to travel between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka?
We can book a taxi for you from anywhere in Kuala Lumpur directly to your hotel in Melaka for a great price.
You can pick your own departure time, relax and know everything will go to plan.
Melaka To KL
If you’re wondering how you can get transport from Melaka to KL, all you need to do is to take the same transportation we’ve mentioned in this post for your reverse journey.
When taking a trip from Melaka Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur, just follow the tips we’ve listed, only in reverse. Note that the distance from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur is 145km.
To take the bus from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur, proceed to the Melaka Sentral bus station. Multiple buses leave Melaka bound to Kuala Lumpur every hour.
Also, buy your bus ticket from Melaka to KL in advance to avoid the stress of buying your tickets on-site.
Click here to see the latest bus schedule Melaka to Kuala Lumpur and ticket options.
The bus will take you to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. From here you can take the train to KL Sentral. This is the way to go if you want to travel from Melaka to KL Sentral.
Another option is to take the train from Melaka to KL. Since there are no direct routes, you need to take a taxi or buses to get to the closest train station to Melaka which is an hour away. You can reverse the instructions above for this. It’s the only way to take the train from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur.
Similarly, you can take a taxi from Melaka to KL. We can book this taxi for you with a reliable local operator. This costs RM450.
Click here for more information and prices.
Final Words
So, there you have it. Note that when touring Melaka or Kuala Lumpur (or vice versa), the quickest way to arrive at your destination is to take a taxi or a private car. A cheaper alternative is to take the bus.
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, whether it’s via bus, taxi, car or train, I hope that the information in this guide will make your trip easier and more convenient. Good luck, and I hope you have safe and wonderful travels ahead!
Remember, if you want to book a taxi, we can book this taxi for you with a reliable local operator. Click here for more information and prices.
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I hope you found this guide to how to get from KL to Melaka useful. You can find our complete travel guide to Melaka here with things to do in Melaka 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!
