The only way to travel direct from Penang Island to Kuala Besut, departure point for services to the Perhentian Islands, is to travel by bus. The journey takes slightly over 7 hours.
Bus Times to Kuala Besut
There are two different departure points for bus services from Penang Island to Kuala Besut.
- Bus times from Sungai Nibong bus station on Penang Island to Kuala Besut.
| Penang | Kuala Besut | Cost | Company |
| 09:15 | 16:29 | 52.00 MYR | Ekspres Mutiara |
| 21:15 | 04:29 | 52.00 MYR | Ekspres Mutiara |
| 22:15 | 05:29 | 72.00 MYR | Persada Taiping |
- Bus times from George Town on Penang Island to Kuala Besut.
| Penang | Kuala Besut | Cost | Company |
| 22:00 | 05:29 | 72.00 MYR | Persada Taiping |
Buy Tickets to Kuala Besut
Use the Search Box below to buy your bus tickets from Penang to Kuala Besut.
Penang Sungai Nibong Bus Station
Sungai Nibong Bus Station is located 10.6 km to the south of George Town on Penang Island.
Penang Komtar Tower Bus Station
Persada Taiping bus services depart from under the Komtar Tower in George Town on Penang Island.
Kuala Besut Bus Station
Both bus services from Penang terminate at the Kuala Besut Bus Terminal.
Travel to the Perhentian Islands
To reach the Perhentian Islands you need to take a speed boat from Jeti Kuala Besut, which is 800 metres walking distance from Kuala Besut Bus Terminal to the east on the same side of the Sungai Besut River. Speed boat services operate frequently during the tourist season which runs from February to October each year. At other times of year services are infrequent or cease all together because of the rougher seas. During the low season most resorts and restaurants on the Perhentian Islands close altogether.
Ferry services to the Perhentian Islands depart from Kuala BesutSunny Travel operates a shared speed boat service to the Perhentian Islands departing hourly from 08:00 in the high season. A return journey costs 70 MYR. The fare is the same to both of the major islands: Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Pulau Perhentian Kecil, which means ‘small island’, is the more popular with backpackers because of its cheaper accommodation options and livelier nightlife. Pulau Perhentian Besar, or ‘big island’, is more popular with visitors seeking more luxury as this is the island with the more expensive resorts. Snorkelling and diving trips can be arranged from either island.