Whether you’re looking for the best way to get from Penang to Cameron Highlands or from Butterworth to Cameron Highlands:
There’re pros and cons to each mode of transport – bus, train, car, or ferry. You may have to choose to use a combination of different transportation too.
For your reference, we have listed all recommended options together with important logistic details. Including commonly asked questions.
Table Of Contents:
1. Self-Driving
Although there are 2 roads to Cameron Highlands, it’s more worthwhile to take the newer route through Simpang Pulai if you’re starting from Penang.
The old road is known as the Tapah road and it has seen better days.
1.1. Driving From George Town To Cameron Highlands
The total driving time is close to 4 hours from Penang Island to Cameron Highlands. Many choose to stop at Ipoh for lunch and as a mid-way break point in the long drive.
- Distance: ~248km
- Duration: ~3 Hours, 45 minutes
- PLUS Toll Fee: RM15.25 (Juru Toll to Simpang Pulai Toll) + RM7 (Penang Bridge Toll) for personal cars
1.2. Driving From Butterworth To Cameron Highlands
If you stay in the mainland (Butterworth), the driving time is slightly less since you won’t have to use the Penang Bridge or deal with the rush hour traffic on Penang Island.
- Distance: ~240km
- Duration: ~3 Hours, 35 minutes
- Plus Toll Fee: RM15.25 (Juru Toll to Simpang Pulai Toll)
2. Bus
Bus journeys typically adds an extra 30 minutes compared with self-driving even though they use the same route.
And the thing we public transport is that you can’t stop wherever and whenever you want. Unlike with a car.
Buses do have a reputation for being risky way to travel up the narrow winding roads to Cameron Highlands. Especially during the rainy season which is usually towards the end of the year.
- First Bus: 8am
- Last Bus: 2:30pm
- Distance: ~247km
- Average Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Price Range: RM30 to RM45 per adult
There are two bus operators that run a direct route between Penang and Cameron Highlands, CS Travel & Tours or Unititi Express.
Pick-up locations include Komtar, Sungai Nibong (Penang) and Penang Sentral (Butterworth). Regardless of the starting point, all buses will terminate their journey at Tanah Rata Bus Terminal in Cameron Highlands.
Note: Be extra careful which pick-up location you choose. Some are on the mainland, and others are on the island.
Check easybook.com or busonlineticket.com for the latest bus schedules and ticket prices.
3. Train
The train from Butterworth, Penang (there are no stops beginning from the island) can take you to Ipoh Railway Station. Expect the usual travelling duration to be 1 hour, 40 minutes and up to 2 hours.
From Ipoh Railway Station, you’ll have to find another mode of transport to get up to Cameron Highlands though. We’ll go through the available options further down this post!
Step 1: Get To Butterworth Train Station
To board the ETS train from Penang, you first have to get to KTM Butterworth Train Station.
Aside from taking the RapidPenang bus, a taxi or an e-hailing service:
You can hop on a ferry from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal in George Town, Weld Quay (also known as Penang Jetty or Jeti Pulau Pinang) over to the mainland (Butterworth).
It only costs less than RM3 two-way for the ferry per adult!
See the latest Ferry schedule (and rates).
The Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth is conveniently just next to the train station, KTM Butterworth.
Read our full guide on how to get to Butterworth from Georgetown.
Step 2: Take Train (ETS) From Butterworth To Ipoh
Regular daily departures from Butterworth to Ipoh provide tourists who don’t want to take the bus or drive, another way of traveling from Penang to Ipoh.
ETS Train From Butterworth To Ipoh:
- First Train: 5:15am
- Last Train: 6:33pm
Check latest ETS timetable
Step 3: Ipoh To Cameron Highlands
Once you’ve made it to Ipoh, you can try some Ipoh food before the last leg of your journey. You can read about these methods in our separate post for getting to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How far is Penang from Cameron Highlands?
A1. ~256km from George Town and 240km from Butterworth, Penang.
Q2. What is the average travel time from Penang to Cameron Highlands?
A2. ~4.5 hours (bus/coach/train) or ~3-4 hours by car.
Q3. What is the best time to visit Cameron Highlands?
A3. Avoid going to Cameron Highlands on weekends, the eve of or on public holidays and schooldays. Read more about which month to go in our detailed post on when to visit Cameron Highlands.
Q4. Where is the nearest city to Cameron Highlands?
A4. Ipoh is about ~86km from Cameron Highlands. This underrated historical city is famous for food, Concubine Lane, limestone cave temples and Lost World of Tambun.
Q5. What transport is available at Cameron Highlands?
A5. Taxis and e-hailing services are available from Tanah Rata. Hotels may have their own shuttles. Or you may be able to rent scooters from some hostels. A private tour service is another option.
RayTheTour offers convenient day trips from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands. Inquire more about these private tours on their WhatsApp.
Q6. How safe is Cameron Highlands?
A6. Do not go jungle-trekking alone in case you get robbed or lost. Do not drive or take transport to or from Cameron Highlands after a heavy storm or consecutive days of rain (i.e. landslide risk).
Q7. How long you should stay in Cameron Highlands?
A7. 2 days is sufficient for exploring Cameron Highlands. See how you can plan your trip with our suggested itinerary.
Conclusion
It’s natural for first-time visitors to move on from Penang to Cameron Highlands, passing through Ipoh. Especially with readily available public or private transport!
Your choice of transport will depend on the time you have, your budget, and what you want to see on the way to Cameron Highlands from Penang too.
Singapore To Cameron Highlands
Are you stopping over in Singapore? Did you know that with direct flights to Ipoh, this could be another way to easily visit Cameron Highlands without spending so much time on the road? See our recommendations on how to make the journey from Singapore to Cameron Highlands.
Kuala Lumpur To Cameron Highlands
Besides Penang, Kuala Lumpur is another popular destination for visitors. You can also go to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur. In fact, it’s a very popular journey (and hence, with established public transport routes) among locals looking for a weekend getaway destination from the city.
