By bus the jurney from Ipoh to Kuala Besut is scheduled to take just under 7 hours. There are no air links or train connections, so if you want to travel by public transport from Ipoh to Kuala Besut to board a boat to the Perhentian Islands your only option is to travel by bus.
Bus Times from Ipoh to Kuala Besut
There are currently 8 bus services a day from Ipoh to Kuala Besut route available to book online.
| Ipoh | Kuala Besut | Cost | Service | Company |
| 10:30 | 17:26 | 49 MYR | Express | Ekspres Perdana |
| 10:30 | 17:26 | 52 MYR | Express | Queen Express |
| 10:30 | 17:26 | 52 MYR | Express | Ekspres Mutiara |
| 10:45 | 17:41 | 52 MYR | Express | Ekspres Mutiara |
| 22:00 | 04:56 | 49 MYR | Express | Ekspres Perdana |
| 22:30 | 05:26 | 52 MYR | Express | Queen Express |
| 22:30 | 05:26 | 52 MYR | Express | Ekspres Mutiara |
| 22:45 | 05:41 | 52 MYR | Express | Ekspres Mutiara |
Buy Tickets from Ipoh to Kuala Besut
Use the Search Box below to buy your bus tickets from Ipoh to Kuala Besut.
Ipoh Bus Station
Bus services to from Ipoh to Kuala Besut depart from Amanjaya Bus Station, which is located a few kilometres to the north of Ipoh Town.
Kuala Besut Bus Stop
Bus services from Ipoh to Kuala Besut terminate at Kuala Besut Bus Terminal.
About Travel to Kuala Besut
Kuala Besut is a small town, with around 15,000 permanent residents. Located at the mouth of the Besut River, the main industry in Kuala Besut is fishing. and whilst the town features some old buildings and a lively Tuesday night market, it’s not a tourist destination in its own right. Kuala Besut has a small number of hotels and restaurants, and no bars openly selling alcohol. Most tourists who come to Kuala Besut do so on their way to and from the popular Perhentian Islands. All scheduled boat services to and from the Perhentian Island dock into Kuala Besut Jetty, which is only 800 metres walking distance from the main bus station, Kuala Besut Bus Terminal.
During the high season for the Perhentian Islands, which runs from February to October every year, shared speed boats to the Perhentian Island depart from around 08:00 to 16:00 every day of the week. The journey takes around 40 minutes and costs in the region of 40 MYR one-way per person.
In order to go diving in the Perhentian Islands you need to travel to Kuala BesutThere are 7 Perhentian Islands, only two of which are permanently inhabited: Palau Perhentian Besar (‘Big Perhentian Island’) and Palau Perhentian Kecil (‘Small Perhentian Island’). Palau Perhentian Kecil, the smaller of these main islands, is most popular with younger visitors. Cheaper accommodation options are avilable on Palau Perhentian Kecil and there is more nightlife. The downside is that reports of theft, and unfriendly behaviour by large groups of off duty migrant workers, are common in relation to Palau Perhentian Kecil. For families, and older visitors, a better option is nearby Palau Perhentian Besar, which has better accommodation and a better reputation. One thing both islands have in common, however, great snorkelling and diving opportunity, and excellent beaches.