Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands Bus Guide 2024

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If you are looking to escape the bright lights of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands is a very easy day-trip (or you could even stay a few nights as there is lots of accommodation and attractions).

Often referred to as the Malaysia’s city in the sky, Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands by bus, taxi or tour is only around a one hour trip.

There are so many things to do in Genting Highlands, from casinos in the clouds to theme parks and serene temples to shopping malls.

The Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highland bus runs frequently from several bus stations in Kuala Lumpur, or just jump in a taxi or Grab taxi.

From coach departure times to prices, here is our guide to getting the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands (plus other transport options) in 2023:

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Table of Contents

Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands distance

How far is Kuala Lumpur from Genting Highlands?

It is just over 50km from the downtown Kuala Lumpur hotels to Genting Highlands via roads and highways.

It takes around 1 hour to get to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur (depending on traffic).

It is also within a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Ipoh, Kuantan and Seremban.

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How to get to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur

There are three main ways to get to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur:

1. Genting Highlands by bus

Buses for Genting Highlands depart from several bus stations in Kuala Lumpur but the most popular are:

KL Sentral
TBS
Pudu Sentral

Buses to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur start from 10 MYR one way and arrive at Awana Bus Terminal in Genting (literally right next door to Genting Highlands Premium Outlet and Awana Skyway).

Genting Highland bus prices are correct as of December 2023.

Note: if you are travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands by bus, we strongly recommend booking your bus tickets in advance as many buses sell out early (some even days before, especially at weekends and during public holidays).

Scroll down for more detailed information including bus station facilities and how to buy tickets.

Aerobus Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands Bus

2. By Taxi or Car

The drive to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur takes around 1 hour – there is ample parking on site.

A Grab taxi from downtown Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands costs approximately 70 to 100 MYR as of December 2023.

There are also lots of taxi ‘touts’ at KL Sentral by the bus ticket desk offering rides from 80 MYR to 120 MYR (but make sure to agree a price first).

You can also book a private transfer between Kuala Lumpur City and Genting Highlands with Klook >

3. Genting Highlands tours

There are several tour companies which offer day trips to Genting Highlands (often accompanied with Batu Caves).

Whilst a little more expensive than public bus, this is a great way to get to Genting Highlands if you are short on time and want to combine it with other sites.

Genting Highlands tours include:
Genting Highlands Day Trip >
Genting Highlands and Batu Caves Day Tour >

How long is the bus journey from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands?

The bus journey from KL Sentral or Pudu Sentral bus stations to Genting Highlands usually takes one hour (although can be longer at peak hours or on public holidays).

If travelling from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) to Genting Highlands, the journey usually takes 1 hr to 1 hr 15 minutes.

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How to buy bus tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands

There are two main ways to buy bus tickets – either from the bus station ticket desks / automated ticket machines or in advance online.

Based on our own experiences, we would STRONGLY RECOMMEND buying Genting Highlands bus tickets in advance especially at weekends and at busy periods.

When we first arrived at Kl Sentral bus station to buy a Genting Highland ticket at around 9am, we were told all the Genting Highland buses were booked up until 12pm.

However, we could still see some available online so there is a small possibility that some of the ticketing staff were colluding with the nearby taxi touts for kick-backs.

Also when we arrived at Genting Highlands Awana bus terminal, again we were told there were no buses back to Kuala Lumpur that day but we could see plenty online (so we booked online using our phone).

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Buying Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands bus tickets online

We found the best and easiest to use website to buy tickets in Malaysia was www.redbus.my.

It is simple to register at Redbus and you can use overseas address / contact details plus overseas debit cards. Plus some (but not all) bus journeys are changeable or refundable for a fee.

Once booked, your tickets are sent via email – we found that for the KL to Genting Highlands buses, you didn’t need to print off your tickets. Showing your ticket via email / PDF on your phone to the driver when boarding was sufficient.

The other benefit of booking your Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands bus tickets in advance is that you can choose your seats.

If you leave it to the last minute and there is a group of you, you may need to sit apart so try to book in advance to secure seats together – that said, the journey is only an hour (and it might be a nice break if your friends / partner are annoying!).

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Buying tickets at the bus station

KL Sentral

At KL Sentral, the Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands bus departs from the lower ground floor bus terminal and there is only one ticketing desk (so expect long queues during peak periods).

KL Terminal Bersepadu Selatan – TBS bus station

At KL Terminal Bersepadu Selatan – TBS bus station, there are lots of automated ticket machines plus several ticket desks. Just ensure you allow at least 30 minutes to book / pick up your tickets as lines can be long.

Awana Bus Terminal, Genting

At Awana Bus Terminal, there are a handful of automated ticket machines and also a manned ticket desk to buy bus tickets.

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Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands bus ticket prices

Getting to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur is very affordable. The cheapest one way bus ticket from KL to Genting Highlands is 10 MYR (around £1.70 / $2.15 USD / 2 Euros). It is also 10 MYR for the bus from Genting Highlands back to Kuala Lumpur.

Alternatively, Resort Worlds Genting also operates buses from KL Sentral to Awana Bus Terminal for 20 MYR one-way which includes Skyway cable car tickets. Based on our calculations, it is slightly cheaper to buy the 10 MYR bus tickets and Skyway tickets separately.

Please note that if you book online, there is sometimes a very small booking fee adding to the bus ticket price.

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KL Sentral Genting Highlands Bus Departure Location

Most travellers going to Genting Highlands via bus will start at either KL Sentral or TBS / Terminal Bersepadu Selatan on an AeroBus or Resorts World Genting bus.

The KL Sentral Genting Highlands bus terminal is located at the lower ground floor of KL Sentral. All Genting Highlands buses to and from KL Sentral start / finish at the lower ground floor bus terminal.

To find the KL Sentral Genting Highlands bus terminal departure point, walk towards the NU Sentral Mall escalator entrance but walk through the exit on the left hand side below the LCD screen (see picture below).

From there, take the lift / elevator down immediately in front of you to the lower ground floor or take the downwards escalator on the right hand side. The Genting Highlands bus ticket desk and departure point is on the left hand side of the platform / concourse.

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What is the difference between Aerobus vs. Resorts World Genting buses?

There isn’t a big difference between Resorts World Genting Buses and the Aerobus – the Aerobuses are generally a bit cheaper (10 MYR one way) as the Resorts World Genting Buses also include Awana Skyway cable car tickets (20 MYR one way including SkyWay).

Aerobuses also have much more frequent departures compared to the Resorts World Genting Buses and operate from Pudu Sentral and TBS stations too (whereas Resorts World Genting Buses only operate from KL Sentral).

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How often are the Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands bus departures?

The best frequency of Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands buses is from KL Sentral.

From KL Sentral, buses depart from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands approx two to three times an hour.

From TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan), buses to Genting Highlands generally depart every 90 minutes from 9am onwards.

Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands first and last buses

The first bus from KL Sentral to Genting Highlands usually departs at 8am from the lower ground floor of KL Sentral; 9am is also the first departure time from TBS.

The last bus to Genting Highlands usually departs KL Sentral at 9pm. For TBS, it varies but usually the last departure is around 5:30pm.

The last bus from Genting Highlands to Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) is at 10.30pm with the Resorts World Genting Bus – the last Aerobus usually departs around 8:30pm.

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Things to do in and around Genting Highlands

Once you’ve arrived from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands by bus, taxi or tour, there is plenty to see and enjoy including:

Genting Highlands Premium Outlets

Malaysia’s shopping center in the sky, Genting Highlands Premium Outlets is one of the best shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur in a truly unique setting.

With around 150 designer outlet stores and big brands like Nike, Adidas and Tommy Hilfiger at big discounts, it is also one of the best things to do in Genting Highlands, and easily combined with a day-trip to Genting World or the new Genting Skyworlds Theme Park.

Popular with both locals and overseas tourists and attracting over 20 million shoppers annually, here is our ultimate guide to visiting Genting Highlands Premium Outlets near Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia >

Awana Skyway

You can actually see the Awana Skyway cable cars go up the hill from the Awana Bus Station such is its close proximity; just head on up via the escalators or elevator.

The most fun way to reach Genting Resorts and get incredible views of the valley, the Awana Skyway takes about 10 minutes to reach the top.

As it is subsidized and owned by Genting Resorts, the Awana Skyway only costs 10 MYR one way or 18 MYR return (the return ticket is valid for up to 72 hours). For a little extra, you can even treat yourself to a glass bottom gondola – eek!

Book your Awana SkyWay Gondola Genting Cable Car Ticket with Klook >

Swee Caves Temple

Easily accessible via the cable car (it is a ‘free’ stop), the Chin Swee Caves Temple and pagoda have to be seen to be believed.

With breathtaking views and sublime shrines (including a HUGE Buddha), Chin Swee Caves Temple was built around 50 years ago and conceived by Tan Sri (Dr) Lim Goh Wong, founder of Resorts World Genting.

Be sure to visit the 9 storey pagoda that has over 10,000 blessing lamps plus the best views of the valley (free to enter and climb the stairs up). The ‘10 Chambers of Hell’ cave sculpture trail is also pretty unique (and very bloody!)

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Genting Resorts World Complex

At the top of the Awana Skyway and above the clouds, perhaps the area is best known for the Genting Resorts World Complex, which houses several casinos, multiple shopping centres and amusements galore including the Skytropolis indoor theme park.

If you are still in the mood for shopping after the premium outlet mall, there are lots of shops at SkyAvenue in Genting Resorts World Complex including big brands like H&M, Coach and Adidas.

Book your Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Ticket with Klook >

Genting Skyworld Theme Park

One of Malaysia’s biggest and newest theme parks located 6,000 feet above sea level, Genting Skyworld Theme park opened in 2022 and has 9 themed zones and over 25 rides

There are several movie rides and attractions like Robot Rivets Town, Rio and Ice Age plus live music, parades and character meets every day.

Open from 11am to 6pm Wednesday to Monday, you can also visit the Gohtong Way section of the theme park for free from 6pm onwards when the rest of the park has closed.

Book your Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park Tickets on Klook >

Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands Bus Guide 2024

Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands distance