Visitors come to Cameron Highlands for its cooler climate, green rolling hills and stunning tea plantations. It’s a popular destination for travellers who want to relax with a cup of tea overlooking the highlands or enjoy some beautiful hikes.
If you’re wondering how to get to Cameron Highlands from Penang, there are several options depending on your budget and how you prefer to travel. Cameron Highlands is approximately a four-hour drive from Penang.
Below, I describe exactly how to get to Cameron Highlands from Penang whether you are looking for a bus, train, taxi or want to drive yourself.
I also describe the reverse journey from Cameron Highlands to Penang.
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Contents
Map: Penang To Cameron Highlands
The following map shows you the route that you need to take from Penang to Cameron Highlands.
The drive usually takes around 3.75–5 hours, depending on traffic and exactly where you’re travelling from in Penang and where you’re staying in Cameron Highlands. The distance by road from Penang to Cameron Highlands is approximately 251 kilometres.
Keep in mind that the road is not a straight line. Once you reach the highlands, roads tend to be winding, which may add to the overall journey time.
BEST OPTION: How To Get From Penang To Cameron Highlands
A private taxi is the fastest and easiest way to travel between Penang and Cameron Highlands.
However, if you’re travelling alone, this can be expensive. As an alternative, taking the bus is a more budget-friendly (but slower) option.
Here’s a summary of your options:
| Mode of transport | Duration | Best For? | Book |
| Bus | 5–6 hours | Budget travellers | Check here |
| Train + Taxi | 5.5–7+ hours | Train enthusiasts | Check here |
| Car | 4 hours | Flexibility and sightseeing | Check here |
| Taxi | 4 hours | Easiest door-to-door journey | Book here |
Option 1: Penang To Cameron Highlands Bus
It’s possible to take a direct bus from Penang to Cameron Highlands, and this is the cheapest and easiest public transport option.
Unititi Express and C.S Travel & Tours operate this route, with several departures throughout the day. The bus takes you directly to Tanah Rata, the main town in Cameron Highlands.
Bus tickets start at around RM40–45, with the journey generally taking 4.5–5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Buses usually depart in the morning or early afternoon, with services currently running from around 8:30am to 3pm.
Click here to see the latest timetables and prices.
Buses depart from several locations, including Sungai Nibong on Penang Island and Penang Sentral in Butterworth. Check which departure point is most convenient for your accommodation before booking. Some services also stop at Ipoh to pick up passengers before continuing to Cameron Highlands.
Because bus departures between Penang and Cameron Highlands are limited, you should purchase your bus tickets in advance to secure your seat.
Once you arrive, you can easily get a taxi to your pre-booked resort or accommodation.
The advantage of buses is that they’re a more affordable option. Add to the fact that riding a bus takes you directly to Cameron Highlands, and this is convenient for a lot of budget-travellers. The main drawback is that the journey takes around 4.5–5 hours, and delays are possible, particularly during busy weekends and public holidays.
Click here to see the latest timetables and prices.
Option 2: Penang To Cameron Highlands By Car
If you have your own car or you’re planning to rent one, you can easily make the trip in around four hours via Simpang Pulai. Follow the North–South Expressway south towards Ipoh and take the Simpang Pulai exit. From here, follow Route 185 up into Cameron Highlands, continuing towards Tanah Rata. The distance from Penang to Cameron Highlands is approximately 251 kilometres.
The advantage of having your own private vehicle is that there are a lot of places to stop along the route. I suggest you visit or make a detour to other great places like Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, and Taiping. It’s also easier to explore Cameron Highlands once you get there in your own vehicle.
If you’re travelling as a group, this is usually an ideal option. You’ll have a more flexible itinerary, and you can customise it to suit your plans. However, if you’re a solo traveller, this is, of course, more expensive.
Click here to read more about driving in Malaysia.
Option 3: Penang To Cameron Highlands Train
Not in a hurry? Take the passenger ferry from George Town to Butterworth then the train and a bus or a taxi! This is a great option if you want to take your time travelling and love travelling by train.
Take the ferry from Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal in George Town to Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth. The crossing takes around 15–20 minutes and costs RM2 per adult. Ferries generally depart every 20–30 minutes.
Once you arrive, the train station is already quite close to where the ferry drops in Butterworth. Take the train from Butterworth to Kampar.
Several ETS trains run from Butterworth to Kampar each day, taking just over two hours. Tickets generally cost around RM50-69, depending on the service and availability.
Click here to see the latest timetables and prices
From Kampar, you’ll need to arrange a taxi or private transfer to Cameron Highlands. The drive to Tanah Rata generally takes around 1.5–2 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic. Allow approximately RM200–300 for a taxi or private transfer, and ideally arrange this in advance.
Alternatively, you can take the train to Ipoh and then a bus to Cameron Highlands. If travelling via Ipoh, you’ll need to transfer from the railway station to the bus departure point before continuing to Cameron Highlands.
The drawbacks of these options are the possibility of delays, the expense of the taxi and the inconvenience if you have a lot of luggage or a tight itinerary. It’s really only for train lovers as you are far better off with any of the other options in this article.
Option 4: Penang To Cameron Highlands By Taxi
The easiest and most convenient way to get between Penang and Cameron Highlands is by private taxi. The distance is about 251km, and the journey takes about four hours. However, it will cost you a bit more.
Taking a taxi has many advantages, especially if you have a lot of luggage with you, and you don’t want to drive on unfamiliar terrain or find parking once you get there. Your journey will also be more comfortable as you don’t have to share the ride with strangers as you would on a bus or train or find bus stations and hotels.
You also don’t have to lug around your luggage in the heat, navigate foreign bus terminals and work out how to get a taxi at each end of your journey.
You’ll arrive refreshed and ready to go instead of hot and sweaty.
A taxi starts at RM650 and we can book reliable and safe taxis that hold up to seven people for you.
Click here to see prices and more information about how to book a long distance taxi.
Cameron Highlands to Penang
If you’re wondering how to get from Cameron Highlands to Penang, you can take the same transport options in reverse. The journey is approximately 251 kilometres by road, and you can travel by bus, car, private taxi or a combination of train and road transport.
For the bus from Cameron Highlands to Penang, head to Terminal Freesia in Tanah Rata. Unititi Express and C.S Travel & Tours operate direct services to Penang, including Sungai Nibong and Penang Sentral in Butterworth. The journey generally takes around 4.5–5 hours, depending on traffic and your final stop.
Click here to see bus timetables and prices.
You can also travel from Cameron Highlands to Penang by combining a taxi and train, driving yourself or booking a private taxi.
Final Words
Penang is considered one of Malaysia’s top tourist destinations offering a blend of history, culture, and amazing food with breathtaking scenery and stunning beaches. For a change of scenery and cooler weather, a popular stop among travellers is Cameron Highlands.
When travelling from Penang to Cameron Highlands or vice versa, the quickest and easiest door-to-door option is a private taxi.
To cut costs, you can take the bus. But whatever transportation you choose, whether it’s driving a car, taking the bus or a taxi, or catching a train, I hope that you have found this guide helpful in your upcoming trips and future travels!
Click here to read our full guide to things to do in Cameron Highlands. You can also find our full Cameron Highlands travel guide here. You can find our guide for how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands here. Alternatively, find our guide to Penang 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!
