Need to know how to go from KL to Genting Highlands? Here are all the answers.
While it’s not far from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands, this journey can seem complicated – at least until you take it step-by-step.
Below, I detail exactly how to get to the Genting Highlands from KL so you know exactly what you need to do, when, whether you are looking for a bus, hopping on a cable car or driving. This way, you will be in paradise as quickly as possible!
I also describe the reverse journey from Genting Highlands to Kuala Lumpur.
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Contents
Map: Travel To Genting Highlands From Kuala Lumpur
The distance from KL to Genting Highlands is about 54 kilometres. It takes about an hour to drive from KL Sentral to Genting Highlands. Of course, this is dependent on traffic.
Note: There are no trains or planes to Genting Highlands so you need to take a bus/cable car or car/taxi.
BEST OPTION: How To Go From KL To Genting Highlands
A taxi/Grab is the easiest option especially if you have luggage. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the Genting Highlands from KL Sentral and then the Awana SkyWay cable car. It’s very easy and affordable.
Option 1: Bus From KL To Genting Highland
It’s super easy to take a KL to Genting Highlands bus. They leave regularly from several points in the city and take about an hour and a quarter depending on where you are leaving from and the amount of traffic.
The bus fare is also very affordable starting at RM10.
There are two main companies that run the bus service from KL to Genting Highlands – Aerobus and Billion Stars Express. You can depart from Pekeliling Bus Terminal, Pudu Sentral, TBS and KL Sentral.
Five Stars also runs buses for a higher price (currently RM45) from Berjaya Times Square. For this price, if there are at least two of you, you should consider a Grab taxi.
KL Sentral is usually the easiest departure point for tourists as it’s relatively central, and there are many forms of transport that run here from all over Kuala Lumpur. Pudu Sentral can also be quite convenient. Berjaya Times Square is also easy but it only runs once or twice a day and is expensive.
If you want to travel from KL to the Genting Highlands by bus, I recommend you look at Google Maps and enter your hotel and both Pudu Sentral and KL Sentral to see which is the most convenient for you.
If you buy this ticket (like I did), simply show the email booking on your phone to board.
I boarded the bus at KL Sentral. I found it tricky to find where it departs.
Go to the level where all the trains leave from and find the pink KLIA Transit train departure area (you won’t be able to miss it). Keep walking past here and DON’T GO UP THE ESCALATORS. It’s hard to see initially, but you’ll find escalators going down near the road with a sign for Genting Highlands buses like pictured below.
Find this sign, head down. You should see the airport buses in front of you. Turn around and walk the opposite way, and you’ll find the Genting buses.
I didn’t see any ticket sellers so I was glad I bought the ticket beforehand here.
Click here to buy your bus ticket from Kuala Lumpur to the Genting Highlands now.
The buses from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands drop you off at Genting Awana Bus Terminal. From here, you can take the cable car detailed below to visit Resorts World Genting, home to Genting SkyWorlds theme park and other big attractions.
After you get off the bus, simply follow the signs to Awana SkyWay. It’s on level 4. There are elevators and escalators. On the way up, you’ll pass by many eating establishments and shops as well as the entry to Genting Highlands Premium Outlets.
Option 2: KL To Genting Highlands By Car
It’s straightforward to drive from KL to the Genting Highlands either in a hire car (rent one here) or in a taxi.
It takes about an hour to drive here from KL. You can get a coupon taxi at KL Sentral or use the Grab app to try to find a driver. At certain times of day (when it’s not busy), Grab can be surprisingly affordable and could be a great option for a group or family.
However, the easiest way is to book your transfer ahead of time, especially as you can choose the size of the taxi/van and they can pick you up right at your hotel lobby. This is especially handy if you’ll be travelling with your luggage.
Click here to see the latest prices and book your transfer.
There are multiple car parks when you get there, but you are likely to have to pay for parking. It can be fun to park at Awana SkyCentral car park and then take the cable car to Resorts World Genting Highlands as well.
Option 3: Take A Genting Highlands Tour From KL
You can also take a day tour to Genting Highlands from KL to make things super easy.
In this day tour, you get round trip transfers between your hotel and the cable car station and round trip tickets on Awana SkyWay. Super easy!
Click here to see the latest prices and more information.
Part 2: Ride The Cable Car
Once you get to the Genting Awana Bus Terminal, whether by bus, taxi, car or tour, it’s time to take the Awana SkyWay cable car if you want to go to Resorts World Genting Highlands. Even if you don’t want to go there, it’s worth taking the ride. It’s fun!
It is possible to drive instead, but I don’t recommend that. The cable car takes you over the rainforest with great views and a stop at a cool temple complex.
It only takes about ten minutes. It runs continuously throughout the day starting at 7am and generally closing at 11pm. You can’t miss it. There are plenty of signs in the terminal for the boarding area. It’s on the fourth floor.
There are different lines depending on whether you buy a priority ticket, a glass floor ticket or a regular one. Once you have a ticket (or if you already do), you simply scan your ticket and keep walking to the gondolas until there is one for you. A big time saver is to pre-buy your tickets here.
At peak times, lines can be hours long! At these times, definitely buy a priority ticket. At other times, it’s fine. I only waited a few minutes each way when I visited during the day on a Monday.
Up to ten people go in a regular gondola or six in a glass floor one. If it’s not busy, your group will probably get one to yourselves.
The cable car stops on the way up and down at Chin Swee Station. From here, you can explore Chin Swee Caves Temple and the surrounding area. It’s worth the stop.
There is no additional cost. Just keep your original ticket or QR code so you can continue your journey to the top or back down afterwards. However, you can also choose to stay in the cable car and not exit here.
The easiest way to get tickets for the Awana SkyWay is to buy them here.
This service via Klook gives you a QR code you can keep on your phone or print and then you can simply scan it at the standard turnstile at any of the 3 stations.
Click here to buy your SkyWay tickets now.
Once you reach the top, you simply get off.
This area can get very foggy very quickly which can affect views (you’ll see that in the video below). However, I have taken this ride on three separate occasions now and usually, the views have been lovely, although I am yet to do it on a clear day.
Read our full guide to taking the Awana SkyWay here.
You can also watch our video guide to taking Awana SkyWay here:
Genting Highlands to KL
Once you have made it to the Genting Highlands, you’re probably going to need to travel back to KL. Thankfully, this is just as straightforward as the way there.
You simply do what you did above in reverse.
You can either drive, take a taxi or take the Awana SkyWay cable car back to the bus terminal and then take a bus back to KL Sentral. They run regularly as well and take a similar length of time.
Click here for Awana SkyWay tickets and here for bus tickets from Genting Highlands to KL.
I took a Grab taxi last time from Awana terminal to KL and was surprised that it only cost RM76 so this is an option for groups or families in non-peak times.
It’s all very easy!
Final Words
I hope you found this guide to how to get to the Genting Highlands from KL useful. It’s very easy to travel between KL and the Genting Highlands. Whether you do this as a day trip or for a longer stay, I hope you have an awesome time.
You can find our complete travel guide to Kuala Lumpur here, Genting Highlands here or all the best things to do in Genting Highlands here. I also recommend you read this guide to Genting SkyWorlds theme park and this guide to where to stay in Genting Highlands.
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!
