With everyone flocking to Malaysia, it’s no surprise if you’ve been frequenting Johor Bahru on the weekends, or have travelled further down to popular spots like Genting Highlands and Kuala Lumpur. But if you’re looking to explore a quieter part of the country away from the hustle and bustle of the major cities, consider travelling up to Cameron Highlands.
The scenic spot is known for its many plantations and lush greenery, making for a unique and peaceful getaway. However, travelling there is a little less straightforward, so to help you plan your trip, here’s how to get from Singapore to Cameron Highlands.
The journey up to Cameron Highlands may be a little lengthy, but can also make for a scenic drive. With routes ranging from 7-9 hours long, there’s lots of room for sightseeing along the way. As long as you’ve got snacks to fuel you through the journey, it’s sure to be an enjoyable road trip.
Route from Singapore to Cameron Highlands via Tapah Toll (left) and Simpang Pulai Toll (right).
Image adapted from: Google Maps
For the quickest and smoothest drive up, travel via the Simpang Pulai Road by taking the North-South Express Highway until you reach the Simpang Pulai Toll. The journey should take you around 7 hours to complete.
Once you reach Cameron Highlands, you’ll see rolling hills covered in tea plantations.
Image credit: @mariaa_steff via Instagram
However, if you’ve got more time to spare, you can also opt to travel the “old” route. The journey, while shorter in distance, usually takes around 9 hours to complete as there are multiple opportunities to detour and admire the gorgeous greenery, like the Lata Iskandar Waterfalls, on the way up.
Lata Iskandar Waterfalls.
Image credit: @ericthelinguist via Instagram
To travel this route, simply take the same North-South Express Highway to Tapah Toll instead. Do note that the Tapah Road tends to be narrower and older, so you’ve got to be a pretty experienced driver to take it on comfortably.
For both routes, there are multiple Rest and Service Areas (RSAs) along the North-South Express Highway for you to take breaks along the way. For an extended driving break, you can even stop over at KL, the midway point between Singapore and Cameron Highlands.
Pro tip: Equip yourself with a local Touch n’ Go card so you can breeze through the highway tolls. If you need a gauge, the 1-way toll cost from KL to Cameron Highlands is about RM25 (~S$7.24).
Image credit: SGmytrips via Facebook
While self-driving has its perks, there’s no doubt that a 7-9 hour drive can be really taxing, especially if you’re not a confident driver. In that case, you can also opt to hire a private car to be driven up to the highlands.
While it’s a costlier option than the rest, it’s probably the most convenient one – you even get to select which pick-up and drop-off point you want, so you can get from your home to your hotel without any hassle. Most private car companies also give you the option to travel comfortably in a luxury sedan or book a minivan if you’ve got a larger group making the trip down.
Book a private car hire from Singapore to Malaysia (from S$58.90/hr).
If you aren’t really a fan of long road trips, you can shorten your time on the road by flying to KL or Ipoh before catching a bus from there. Flights to both cities only take around 1 hour, so you’ll be cutting down on quite a bit of travelling time. Plus, you can add the stopovers at KL and Ipoh to your itinerary – why not explore another city before heading up to the highlands?
When choosing your flights, popular airlines you can consider taking include Scoot and AirAsia. While flying may seem like a more expensive option, tickets are actually quite affordable, at about S$88/pax.
Image credit: @flyscoot via Instagram
Scoot operates flights to KL and Ipoh starting from just S$103/pax for either city. If you’ve got a considerable amount of stuff you need to check in, you can also add on a check-in baggage allowance from S$23. Also, top up a little cash and purchase an onboard meal from just S$6 – perfect for those who get peckish on flights.
Image credit: @airasiasuperapp via Instagram
AirAsia also operates flights beginning at reasonable rates of S$88/pax to KL and S$115/pax to Ipoh. Most flights come with a 7kg cabin baggage allowance, but if that’s not enough, you can opt for extra baggage from S$31.
Onboard meals are also super affordable, with options ranging from just S$3-$5. The menu features lighter snacks like a chicken and cheese sandwich ($3) or heartier ones like vegetable biryani ($5).
Image credit: Jetbus
Once you’ve landed in either city, you can catch a bus to the highlands – FYI, journeys from KL and Ipoh take 5 hours and 2 hours respectively.
If you land at the KL International Airport (KLIA), you’ll have to head to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in KL city centre to take a bus. The journey from KLIA to the bus terminal takes around 1 hour 10 minutes and the cheapest option is via JetBus (RM12, ~S$3.48). Else, a direct taxi or GrabCar will set you back around RM65 (~S$18.84).
Terminal Meru Raya.
Image credit: @azrilothman via Instagram
Meanwhile, those flying in via Ipoh Airport will need to travel to Terminal Meru Raya. The cheapest journey costs RM6.20 (~S$1.80) and takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes via the MyBas and P.K. Sdn Bhd buses. From the airport, walk 3 minutes to Lapagan Terbang Azlan Shah and take MyBas T37 to Ipoh Town. Then, transfer to the P.K. bus towards Terminal Meru Raya.
For a slightly higher price of RM18.20 (~S$5.28), you can cut your journey time to roughly 30 minutes. Take MyBas T37 to Terminal Kidd, before transferring to the private Starmart bus to Terminal Meru Raya. Alternatively, a 20-minute taxi ride direct from the airport to the terminal will cost you about RM35 (~S$10.15).
Terminal Meru Raya.
Image credit: @azrilothman via Instagram
When booking your coach to Cameron Highlands, 2 bus agencies to look out for are CS Travel & Tours and Unititi Express, which operate in both cities. Trips from both are relatively affordable, beginning at just RM25/pax (~S$7.25).
Image credit: catchthatbus.com
CS Travel & Tours runs bus services to Cameron Highlands at relatively frequent intervals, so you can choose a time slot that suits you.
If you’re looking for tour packages to take up while you’re in Cameron Highlands, they also offer tours like their popular Mossy Forest package (from RM60, ~S$17.41), which consists of half-day tours of attractions such as Mossy Forest, a tea plantation, and butterfly farm.
Snap pics in this Instagrammable forest.
Image credit: @poppy.lee48 via Instagram
From Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur
Departure time: 8.15am, 10am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 5pm
Price: From RM38/pax (~S$11.02)
Address: Jalan Terminal Selatan, Bandar Tasek Selatan, 57100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact: +60 3-9051 2000
From Terminal Meru Raya in Ipoh
Departure time: 11.15am, 12.30pm, 4.30pm
Price: From RM25/pax (~S$7.25)
Address: 31250 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Contact: +60 12 376 5917
Image credit: Unititi Express BUS Service via Facebook
Unititi Express also provides services to Cameron Highlands, with an emphasis on a comfy journey. Since the ride from KL still takes a pretty rigorous 5 hours to complete, the agency has stated that their seats provide ample leg space, so if you’re worried about getting achy from the ride, you can consider this charter service.
From Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL
Departure time: 8.30am, 10am, 2.15pm, 3.45pm
Price: From RM38)/pax (~S$11.02)
Address: Jln Terminal Selatan, Bandar Tasek Selatan, 57100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact: +60 3-9051 2000
From Terminal Meru Raya in Ipoh
Departure time: 1pm
Price: From RM25/pax (~S$7.25)
Address: 31250 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Contact: +60 12 376 5917
Book trips from Ipoh or KL to Cameron Highlands on the Bus Online Ticket website.
While there are plenty of bus services from Singapore to Malaysia, unfortunately, there currently isn’t one available to Cameron Highlands.
There used to be coaches travelling directly there and the journey typically took 9 hours long, with rates beginning at S$50. Popular providers used to include Cityline Travel, Konsortium, and The One Travel & Tours, so if you’re keen to travel via direct coach, be sure to keep a lookout for updates on the Bus Online Ticket website.
Whether you’re planning to travel by air, or ready to embark on an adventurous road trip, there’s a route that’s perfect for you to get to Cameron Highlands. Plus, with a variety of transport options as well, you can even plan stopovers at KL and Ipoh to get the most out of your little getaway.
Check out other Malaysia transport guides:
Cover image adapted from: @mariaa_steff & @flyscoot via Instagram, catchthatbus.com
Originally published on 16th July 2022. Last updated by Aditi Kashyap on 27th June 2023.
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