Travel Guide: Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur

If you're planning a trip from Kuala Lumpur to the beautiful Tioman Island, you have a few options. You can either take a bus and a ferry, or fly. The best method for you depends on your budget, time, and desire for comfort. The bus and ferry option is the cheapest but also slower and less comfortable. The flight option is faster, more convenient, and more enjoyable, but also more expensive and with stricter baggage policies.

Travel by bus and ferry

To get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island by bus and ferry, you first need to take a bus to either Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty. The Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) bus terminal is the main departure point for buses to Tioman Island. From there, you can take a bus to Mersing Jetty, which is the primary gateway to the island. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Tanjung Gemok Jetty, which is the nearest jetty to Kuala Lumpur. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Gemok Jetty by car is around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

There are several bus operators that offer routes from TBS to both jetties, including S&S International (M) Express, Transnasional, Sanwa Tours (M) Sdn Bhd, and Sepakat Liner (Mersing). Buses are available at 9 am, 12.30 pm, 6 pm, and 11.30 pm from Kuala Lumpur. The bus ticket price ranges from RM 29.80 to RM 50. The journey from KL to Mersing is around 350km and takes about 6–7 hours, depending on traffic and stop time.

Once you arrive at the jetty, you need to take a ferry to Tioman Island. Ferries depart from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok and take about 2-3 hours. Tickets cost around RM 50 for adults and RM 45 for children. The Cataferry is a high-speed catamaran service that offers one or two departures per day. The Blue Water Ferry is slower and may be cheaper, with more services per day.

The total travel time from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island by bus and ferry is approximately 8 hours and 37 minutes, and the cheapest price is $18-60. It is recommended to leave at least one full day for travel on either side of your trip and to check your ferry options before booking your bus ticket.

Travel by plane

There are no commercial flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island. However, you can book a private charter flight through Systematic Aviation Services. The flight duration is 90 minutes to 1.5 hours. The departure location is Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur, and the arrival location is Tioman Island Airport.

Alternatively, you can fly with SKS Airways, which operates small propeller planes from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island. The flight time is around 90 minutes, and the price is RM280 – RM470 each way.

To get to Subang Airport from KL Sentral, you can take the KMT line 2 (Laluan Pelabuhan Klang line) towards Pelabuhan Klang and change to the Skypark connection line at Subang Jaya. This will cost RM 5-10. Alternatively, you can take a taxi, which will cost around RM50.

Travel by private car

If you're looking to travel to Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur by private car, there are a few different routes you can take. The travel time is estimated to be between 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on traffic.

Route 1: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Jetty

The first route takes you via Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan/E2. Take exit 244 at Ayer Hitam, then continue on Route 50 through Kluang and Kayang to Mersing.

Route 2: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Jetty

For the second route, you'll be driving through Cheras, Kajang, Kuala Pihah, and Bahau (via Jalan Bahau). From there, continue to Muadzam Shah, Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18), Endau, and finally, Mersing.

Route 3: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Jetty

The third option takes you through Hulu Langat, Muadzam Shah, and Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18). Then, it's on to Endau before arriving in Mersing.

Ferry from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island

Once you've arrived at Mersing Jetty by car, the next step is to take a ferry to Tioman Island. There are two main ferry operators, Bluewater Ferry and Cataferry, offering daily services to the island. The journey by ferry usually takes around 2 to 3 hours, and tickets cost around RM50 for adults and RM45 for children.

Alternative Route: Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Gemok Jetty

If you're looking for an alternative route, you can also drive to Tanjung Gemok Jetty, which is around 3 hours and 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur. There are two routes to get there:

Route 1: Along Negeri Sembilan

The first route takes you along the edge of Negeri Sembilan. Start by driving from Kuala Lumpur to Bandar Mahkota Cheras, then on to Bandar Teknologi Kajang, Kuala Pilah, Batu Kikir, Bandar Seri Jempol, and Bandar Tun Abdul Razak. Muadzam Shah is next, followed by Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) and finally, Tanjung Gemok.

Route 2: Through Titi

The second route goes through Titi. From Kuala Lumpur, head to Hulu Langat, Titi, Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Muadzam Shah, and then Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18). Tanjung Gemok Jetty will be your final destination.

Ferry from Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island

From Tanjung Gemok Jetty, you can take a ferry with Cataferry, a newer ferry operator, or Bluewater Express. The ferries will make stops at the same five villages on Tioman Island.

Travel by self-drive

If you're thinking of driving yourself from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, the drive will take around 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on traffic. There are a few different routes you can take:

• Kuala Lumpur (via Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan/E2) – Ayer Hitam (Take exit 244-Ayer Hitam) – Kluang & Kayang (via Route 50) – Mersing
• Kuala Lumpur – Cheras – Kajang – Kuala Pihah – Bahau (via Jalan Bahau)- Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing
• Kuala Lumpur – Hulu Langat – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing

Once you arrive in Mersing, you'll need to take a ferry to Tioman Island. The ferries depart from Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty, and the journey takes around 2 hours. Keep in mind that ferry rides may not be available during the monsoon season (November to February). You can expect to pay around RM15 per day for parking at the jetty.

Alternatively, you can drive to Tanjung Gemok Jetty, which is around a 4 to 5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. There are two routes you can take:

• 1st route – along Negeri Sembilan: Kuala Lumpur – Bandar Mahkota Cheras – Bandar Teknologi Kajang – Kuala Pilah – Batu Kikir – Bandar Seri Jempol – Bandar Tun Abdul Razak – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Tanjung Gemok
• 2nd route – through Titi: Kuala Lumpur – Hulu Langat – Titi – Bandar Tun Abdul Razak – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Tanjung Gemok

Ferry tickets from either jetty cost around RM35 for a one-way trip and RM70-80 for a return. Do note that there are fewer parking slots at Tanjung Gemok Jetty compared to Mersing Jetty.

Travel by coach

Coaches are a great option for those who want to sleep on the way to Tioman Island. The journey from Singapore to Mersing Jetty is usually anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.

Step 1: Coach from Singapore to Mersing/Tanjung Gemok Jetty

There are daily coaches that will take you from Singapore to either jetty. Coach operators include Discovery Singapore and WTS.

Coach departure time: Coaches typically leave Singapore at 6:30 am.

Coach operators from Singapore to Mersing/Tanjung Gemok Jetty:

• Singapore Flyer #01-06D
• Bugis MRT Station Exit D

One-way price range: $21-30 (adult/child)

Two-way price range: $42-60 (adult/child)

Step 2: Ferry from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island

There are some differences between taking a ferry from Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Mersing Jetty

Mersing Jetty is the original gateway to Tioman Island. You can find the ferry operator, Bluewater Express, here. They offer regular trips from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island.

There are up to three trips per day, and each lasts for 1.5 to 2 hours. That is assuming the weather and tides are favourable.

Ferry ticket: RM35 (one-way), RM70-80 (two-way)

Tanjung Gemok Jetty

At Tanjung Gemok Jetty, you can board a ferry from Cataferry or Bluewater Express. Both operators offer daily trips from Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island.

Ferry ticket: RM35 (one-way), RM70 (two-way)

Frequently asked questions