Are you planning a Melaka day trip from KL? One of the best destinations you can head to for a quick day trip or an unforgettable weekend getaway is Melaka, also spelt as Malacca.
This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is known for its stunning architecture, fascinating history and mouth-watering cuisine. It’s also known as one of the most popular holiday destinations in Malaysia.
You can travel from KL to Melaka by bus, train, taxi or private car. As the town can get busy, especially during weekends and the holiday season, it helps if you plan your trip beforehand.
You can also get a direct transfer from Kuala Lumpur airport to Melaka. The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka is not far so you can even go for a day trip.
Below, I describe exactly how to go to Melaka from KL whether you are looking for a bus, wondering whether to travel on a train, want to take a taxi or want to drive.
I also describe the reverse journey from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur.
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Contents
Map: KL To Melaka
The following map shows exactly how you can travel to and from these destinations.
The KL to Melaka distance is approximately 145 km with a driving time of around two hours, depending on traffic.
BEST OPTION: How To Get From Kuala Lumpur To Melaka
The fastest and most convenient way to travel between KL and Melaka is to take a taxi.
If you’re travelling on a budget and looking for a cheaper alternative, then travel by bus.
Here’s a summary of all your options:
| Mode of transport | Duration | Best For? | Book |
| Bus | 4 hours | People who want the cheapest option | Book here |
| Train | 5+ hours | People who want to travel by train as much as possible | Book here |
| Car | 2 hours | People who are happy to hire a car or who like to stop along the way | Book here |
| Taxi | 2 hours | Anyone who wants the easiest and most straightforward way to get between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka | Book here |
Option 1: Bus From KL To Melaka
The most cost-efficient way to get to Melaka is to travel via bus.
To do this, head to the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS).
Here, you can find several bus lines and bus operators that offer direct trips from TBS KL to Melaka. You can buy the ticket onsite, or purchase a Kuala Lumpur to Melaka bus ticket online in advance to avoid the hassle.
Click here to see the timetables and prices.
Buses depart frequently with an approximate travel time of 2.5 hours, but this can extend in bad traffic. They leave approximately every 15-30 minutes.
The bus fare starts at RM12 depending on the operator and time of day.
Buses can fill up on weekends and public holidays, so book in advance. Just recently, my brother tried to take this bus on a holiday weekend and ended up waiting 12 hours to get on one that had a free seat!
If you’re coming from KL Sentral, take the KTM Komuter train towards Pulau Sebang/Tampin and get off at Bandar Tasik Selatan station. The journey takes around 20–25 minutes. From here, follow the signs along the pedestrian walkway to the connected TBS bus terminal.
It’s also possible to take a direct bus from KL airport to Melaka. Multiple companies operate this route with frequent departures.
If you’re coming from the KLIA airport, head to the KLIA Bus Station. Meanwhile, if you’re in the KLIA2 airport, go directly to the Transportation Hub to catch a KL airport to Melaka bus. The journey time is similar at around 2.5 hours and fares start at RM25.
Click here to check the schedule and ticket prices from KL Airport to Melaka.
Whether you are taking the bus from TBS or the airport, you’ll most probably find yourself at Melaka Sentral bus station on arrival.
Melaka Sentral is a few kilometres north of Melaka’s main tourist area, where your hotel is likely to be. You’ll need to catch another bus in or take a taxi. Using the Grab app is the best way to do the latter.
If you want to take a bus, check out Google Maps when you arrive at Melaka Sentral and it can give you the next bus to leave and where from. Many head towards the centre, but most won’t take you to a convenient spot. You’ll usually need to walk some of the way.
All up, this option will end up taking you around four hours.
Option 2: Kuala Lumpur To Melaka Train
If you’re not in a hurry, another alternative is to take a train from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka. Just note that there is no direct train on this route. To catch the closest thing to a KL to Melaka train, you have to take the train then a taxi.
I do not recommend choosing this option. It’s only here for absolute train buffs who want to understand what their options are.
If you want to travel from KL Sentral to Melaka by train, you first need to take a train to Pulau Sebang/Tampin, the closest practical railway station to Melaka’s main tourist area.
Both KTM ETS and KTM Komuter services operate on this route. It takes just under two hours and prices start at RM25.
Click here to see timetables and prices.
Once you arrive at Pulau Sebang/Tampin, you’ll still need to travel approximately 40 kilometres to central Melaka. A taxi or Grab is generally the easiest option, taking around 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic and driver availability.
It’s also possible to take a bus to Melaka Sentral. These depart approximately hourly and take about an hour and ten minutes. Look for bus M20. Google Maps can show you the timetable and where to take the bus from.
From Melaka Sentral, you’ll need to take another bus to the centre of Melaka. See instructions in the bus section above.
The drawback of getting from KL to Melaka by train is that there could be significant delays in your overall travel time. It’s also not the best option if you’re sticking to a more rigid itinerary. It could end up taking you a day if you want to stick to public transport.
Option 3: Taxi From KL To Melaka
Another option that you can take to get to Melaka from KL is to take a taxi. This is the best option thanks to being so comfortable and easy.
It takes about 2 hours of travel time, and the Kuala Lumpur to Melaka taxi fare is approximately RM450. If you’re coming from the airport, you can take a Kuala Lumpur airport to Melaka taxi for about RM350.
The advantage of taking a taxi is that you won’t have to worry about driving to an unfamiliar area. This is also a convenient option if you have a lot of luggage with you.
It allows you to make the most of your day instead of lugging around your luggage in the heat and humidity.
We can book this taxi for you with a reliable local operator. Click here for more information and prices.
You can take this from the city or straight from the airport and can be dropped off directly at your hotel in Melaka.
You could also book a return journey and take a day trip to Melaka.
You can read our full guide to taking a taxi between KL and Melaka here.
Option 4: From KL To Melaka By Car
Driving yourself is a great option because it will be easier to go from one attraction in Melaka to another or if you want to do a day trip, it can help you maximise your time.
However, hiring a car can be costly, especially for backpackers and budget traveller
Click here to read more about driving in Malaysia or click here to book a car hire.
Melaka To KL
For the reverse journey, simply reverse the instructions above.
To take the bus from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur, proceed to the Melaka Sentral bus station. Multiple buses depart from Melaka for Kuala Lumpur every hour.
Also, buy your bus ticket in advance to avoid the stress of buying your tickets on-site.
Click here to see the latest bus schedule and ticket options.
The bus will take you to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. From here you can take the train to elsewhere in the city.
Another option is to take the train from Melaka to KL. Since there are no direct routes, you need to take a taxi or buses to get to the closest train station to Melaka which is an hour away. You can reverse the instructions above for this.
Similarly, you can take a taxi from Melaka to KL.
Click here for more information and prices.
Final Words
So, there you have it. Note that when touring Melaka or Kuala Lumpur (or vice versa), the quickest way to arrive at your destination is to take a taxi or a private car. A cheaper alternative is to take the bus.
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, whether it’s via bus, taxi, car or train, I hope that the information in this guide will make your trip easier and more convenient. Good luck, and I hope you have safe and wonderful travels ahead!
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I hope you found this guide to how to get from KL to Melaka useful. You can find our complete travel guide to Melaka here with things to do in Melaka here.
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!
