So you’re heading to Redang Island? AWESOME! This is a stunning part of the world.
However, the downside of visiting an island is that it’s an island! Which can make getting to the Redang Island more difficult. Especially when there is no bridge and not many flights like in case of Redang.
The upside is that this keeps things less busy and developed and getting from Kuala Terengganu to Redang Island is relatively easy – you just need to know how to do it!
If you’re unsure of how to get to Redang Island – then is the right place to be. In the guide below, I detail exactly how to get from Kuala Terengganu to Redang Island.
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How To Get From Kuala Terengganu To Redang Island
When it comes to getting to Redang Island – you’ll need to take a Kuala Terengganu ferry to Redang via Shahbandar Jetty or Merang Jetty. Below I break down all the steps on exactly how to do this.
Click here to buy your ferry tickets now.
Kuala Terengganu To Redang Ferry
When it comes to taking a ferry from Kuala Terengganu to Redang Island, there are two options. You can take a ferry from Shahbandar Jetty to Pulau Redang – which is located centrally in Kuala Terengganu, or your other option is to take a ferry from Merang which is located 30 kilometres north of Kuala Terengganu.
Below, I walk you through each option so you can make the best decision for how to get the ferry from Kuala Terengganu to Pulau Redang for you. Here is a quick overview:
| Route | Bus/taxi | Ferry | Best For… | |
| Option 1 | Travelling via Merang | Take a bus or taxi for 45 minutes | Merang to Redang – Book here . About 45 minutes and generally five daily departures | People travelling overland or flying into Kuala Terengganu who want a choice of ferry times |
| Option 2 | Travelling via Shahbandar Jetty | Quick taxi ride to jetty or can walk | Shahbandar Jetty to Redang – About 1.5 hours. One morning departure per day | People who stay overnight in Kuala Terengganu before travelling to Redang |
The Kuala Terengganu to Redang ferry schedule and prices that I mention are for public ferries. Some resorts have their own boat to Redang, so it might be worth checking with your resort first. Just note that in most cases these are not free and work out more expensive – but of course, they can be more convenient as they’ll take you directly to your resort. We were going to stay at the Taaras before they quoted a ridiculous price to use their ferry to Pulau Redang.
Make sure you are clear which Kuala Terengganu jetty to Redang port you need to go to. If you are booking your ferry via your resort, check with them which place to go. They can go from either of the options below or some resort ferries leave from Taman Tamadun Islam Jetty – somewhere else all together.
If you are booking yourself then you need to decide which one of the following Kuala Terengganu to Redang Island ferry services are for you.
Click here to buy your ferry tickets now.
Option 1: Merang To Redang Island
The first option for how to get from Kuala Terengganu to Pulau Redang is via Merang. This tends to be the better option for people arriving on flights as there are more ferry times and options in the afternoon.
From Kuala Terengganu, it’s a 30km overland trip to Merang, and from here it’s just a 45 minute boat ride to Redang.
This route is detailed below.
Getting From Kuala Terengganu to Merang
The cheapest way to get to Merang is via bus. You can catch an SP Bumi Bus from Kuala Terengganu Bus Terminal to Merang jetty. There is a bus every hour and it costs about RM10.
A much easier way is to take a taxi. This costs about RM60 and takes about 45 minutes. An easy way to do this is to use the Grab app. This works like Uber. This is also the best option if you are coming from Kuala Terengganu Airport.
Ferry From Merang To Redang
Once you arrive at the Merang jetty, you will need to take a Pulau Redang ferry across to the island.
At the time of publishing the Redang ferry schedule from Kuala Terengganu to Redang via Merang had ferries at 8 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. The fare was RM55 each way. The timetable coming back to Merang is similar.
It is recommended that you double check the ferry schedule as it can vary, particularly in low season so make sure you click here to see the latest timetable and prices.
The process of getting a ticket and boarding a ferry is quite simple.
- Buy your tickets here. It’s also possible to buy tickets at Merang jetty.
- Arrive at the jetty half an hour before your scheduled departure.
- Show a copy of your e-ticket at the counter to get your boarding pass.
- Pay the Marine Park Conservation fee. Current costs for foreigners are RM30 for adults, RM15 for children. Malaysians pay RM5 and RM2 for kids.
The jetty area is not big, which makes the above process very straightforward. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to ask the locals. They are happy to help.
The ferry boat to Pulau Redang itself is comfortable, modern and fast. The Merang jetty to Redang time is around 45-60 minutes, depending on exactly where you are going on the island. Public ferries can drop off at various places.
Click here to see the options and times.
Option 2: Shahbandar Jetty To Redang Island
Your other option for going from Kuala Terengganu to Pulau Redang is via Shahbandar Jetty. It’s easy to get to Shahbandar Jetty as it’s located within Kuala Terengganu. From jetty Shahbandar it’s just a 1.5-2 hour ferry journey to Redang Island.
However, it’s important to note that these ferries only run between March to October, and they only run once a day currently. You also can’t buy them ahead online easily like you can for ferries departing Merang.
This route is detailed below.
Getting From Kuala Terengganu to Shahbandar Jetty
Travelling from Shahbandar Jetty to Redang is generally the most convenient option since the jetty is located in Kuala Terengganu, which is a transport hub. In fact, you can even walk here from the central part of the city (although I recommend taking a taxi with luggage in the heat).
The downside is that the ShahBandar jetty ticket is usually more expensive and the ShahBandar jetty schedule is quite limited with ferries only running once a day currently. When we were there, the ShahBandar jetty to Redang ferry only ran in the morning and cost RM55 for adults and RM25 for kids.
It’s only really suitable if you stay overnight the night before in Kuala Terengganu or catch an overnight bus to the city which arrives early morning.
Getting the Ferry From Shahbandar to Redang Island
On arrival at the jetty, it’s hard not to go wrong as it’s a very small area. Straight ahead of you is the general ticket booth for a boat from Kuala Terengganu to Redang as well as one to the left (see photo above).
If you are getting your Pulau Redang ferry ticket via your resort, walk straight ahead and they each have a booth lining the back area.
Once you have your ticket/boarding pass, you need to pay the Marine Park conservation fee. You do this at one of the booths to the left where you enter. Look for K2. Here’s a photo:
Current costs for foreigners are RM30 for adults, RM15 for children. Malaysians pay RM5 and RM2 for kids.
Directly behind you is an area which says LOBBY on the doors. This is an air-conditioned area where you can wait. There is also a food stall here and toilets.
The Kuala Terengganu to Redang ferry time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes or may take up to 2 hours depending on the weather. Our boat boarded about 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
You exit from the lobby area to walk to the boat, which is a bit of a walk, including across a car park.
The ferry itself is comfortable. We caught the Laguna Redang one and it was all very smooth sailing.
Arriving at the jetty 30 minutes early is plenty of time if you already have a ticket.
How To Go From Kuala Terengganu Airport To Redang Island
To get from Kuala Terengganu airport to Pulau Redang is quite straightforward. I recommend you take a taxi to either jetty mentioned above and then the ferry process is the same as described above.
Taxis are waiting at the airport, or you can use the Grab app to get one. Merang Jetty has more ferries throughout the day, so this can be the best option when working out how to get from Kuala Terengganu airport to Redang jetty.
You can buy your Merang ferry ticket here.
Expect a taxi to cost around RM25 from Kuala Terengganu airport to ShahBandar Jetty or RM60 to Merang Jetty. There is also a bus that leaves the airport hourly to Merang Jetty which costs RM4.
When going in reverse, how to go Pulau Redang from Kuala Terengganu airport is the same. Catch the ferry back to the mainland and there will be taxis waiting to take you to the airport.
If you have time though, I do recommend a stopover in Kuala Terengganu. Read more about visiting Kuala Terengganu here.
Driving Your Own Car?
There is paid parking easily accessible to both jetties that include basic security to look after your vehicle. The Shahbandar jetty parking is minimal at the jetty itself, but there are other lots a short walk away.
Final Words
Travelling from Kuala Terengganu to a Pulau Redang jetty is very smooth and easy as long as you have a ticket and know which jetty to depart from. It’s also important that it’s the right season. Ferries often don’t run at all during the monsoon.
It’s easy to work out ferry timetables and prices by clicking here or contacting your resort.
I hope you have a great time on Redang!
Click here to read our full guide to things to do in Redang or here for our guide to how to get to Redang from elsewhere in Malaysia. If you are coming from Singapore, find instructions here. You can also find our full Redang Island travel guide here or you can download your full PDF guide to Redang 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!
