How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca

Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it is affectionately known, is the bustling metropolis and capital of Malaysia. Known today for its tall skyscrapers, Kuala Lumpur has retained its colonial architecture that looks dwarfed by the high-rises.

But it all comes together to make it one of the most visited cities in the world. From KL, head south to the city of Malacca. Much smaller than the capital, Malacca also shows you remnants of its British colonial past. It is also famous for its Chinatown and Yonker Street, where antique stores vie for your money and the night market draws crowds. Both Kuala Lumpur and Malacca are recommended stops on any visit to Malaysia, and you can easily get from one city to the other.

Travel options from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca

By the most direct car route it is about 145 kilometers (90 miles), which is really not too far. Malacca, which is also spelled Melaka, is located to the south and slightly east of Kuala Lumpur, just off the coast. Buses run regularly between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, or you can take a cab. Another, very special way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is a combination of train and bus. It won't save you time or money, but if you like adventure, this might be just right for you!

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca

The first thing that will catch your eye when traveling by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is the surprisingly low price. It's incredibly cheap if you catch the bus from the city, and a little more if you're heading from the airport, and you can add a few more dollars depending on exactly where in Malacca you want to get off. But either way, getting from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca by bus is an affordable option that is sure to please anyone traveling on a tight budget.

So, what are your bus options? There are several bus companies, and an easy way to compare their services and prices, and book your seat online using 12go.Asia.

Search for travel options from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca and you will see many companies and different starting and ending points of the route, so you can decide which flight you want to take depending on where you are in Kuala Lumpur and where you would like to be in Malacca.

For example, you can travel from TBS Kuala Lumpur - this is the Bersepadu Selatan terminal, a major bus terminal in the south of the city - with the bus company He Transnasional. They provide VIP buses, which have wider seats, as well as steward service, snacks, air conditioning, TV, toilets. Their three flights a day to Meleka Sentral are the cheapest you will find to get from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca in just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

If you are comfortable traveling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, there are several other bus companies to choose from. StarMart Express has VIP buses like the ones described above, and they have several flights per day, allowing you to choose to fit any plans you have.

Transnasional also has services from KL airport to Malacca, although on this route they use standard express buses as opposed to VIP buses. They have eleven flights a day, while StarMart has as many as fifteen buses from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca! You can also depart from the main airport terminal, and both StarMart Express and Transnasional also have many flights from here throughout the day.

From Kuala Lumpur to Malacca by cab

When you're traveling with your family, or with a group, taking a cab from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is not as expensive as it may seem. You can book private cabs with Asian Overland Services through the travel website, 12Go, so it's as easy as booking a bus ticket.

Their smallest vehicles take only two passengers and are therefore a pretty expensive way to get to Malacca, but the more people you travel with, the more affordable the trip becomes. They offer 6-passenger and 10-passenger minivans, but interestingly, they also have a 35-passenger bus that you can rent privately, so if you can get 25 or more passengers, it ends up being comparable in price to some public buses.

Train and bus from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca

For a more adventurous experience, you might consider taking the train! It won't necessarily be cheaper than the bus, and it won't necessarily get you there faster, but if "getting there" is half the fun, you should enjoy the change.

You will need to take the KTM ETS high-speed train from Kuala Lumpur to Tampines. From there you will have to take a public bus to get the rest of the way. The whole trip should take 2 to 3 hours, so it's not much slower than any bus option, but it allows you to experience a different mode of transportation.

Since railroads and motor vehicles are different organizations, you will have to book your own tickets, so keep that in mind. One more thing: If you are a woman traveling alone, you might consider a train car for women. The trains are usually safe, but it will give you extra peace of mind.

Thus, the easiest and cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca is to take a bus. There are many options to choose from, dozens of flights throughout the day. Therefore, this option is very convenient.