Getting Around, Ipoh Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia)



Travel to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur and farther afield is easier and more economical by bus transport, although there is now an adequate and frequent train service from the country's capital, as well as from Bangkok. Arrival by air from international destinations is via Kuala Lumpur's international airport, with bus and train connections to Ipoh.

Travelling around Ipoh and taking excursions within the region is best done by hire car, as bus services are often confusing and bus transport can certainly be unreliable. Other healthier ways to see the city's plentiful sights are by hiring a bicycle, or by simply walking around on foot.


Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IPH) / Arriving by Air

Address: Jalan Lapangan Terbang, Ipoh, 31350, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 05 318 8202
The closest airport to Ipoh, Sultan Azlan Shah Airport is located just outside the southern borders of the city and has only recently reopened. Two airlines, Firefly and Silverfly, use its services, providing daily flights to Singapore for international connections, as well as flights to Kota Bahru, Subang and Medan. Its annual passenger throughput is just a fraction of what it once was, at around 10,000 passengers. The airport's terminal provides car hire and a taxi service to Ipoh.

Car Rental

Car hire can be easily arranged on arrival at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, or in advance online, as well as in Ipoh New Town's commercial district. Roads around Peninsular Malaysia are generally in good condition and many attractions are within easy driving distance, making a hire car the best way to get around. The island of Penang, the beaches of the peninsula, and Malaysia's capital - the world city of Kuala Lumpur, are all just several hours' drive away.

Buses and Coaches

The most convenient and cheapest way to travel to Ipoh is by bus. The city's Medan Gopeng bus station is located some 5 km / 3 miles from the town centre and hosts routes from all over the country, including Kuala Lumpur and Penang, as well as Alor Setar, Butterworth, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Lumut and Melaka. Long-distance bus transport travels from Singapore to the Jalan Bendahara in Ipoh, and a direct bus from Kuala Lumpur International Airport runs to the Jalan Bercham. Public buses do run in Ipoh city, but are infrequent, confusing and rarely on time. Shuttle bus transport is available and connects the train station with the Medan Gopeng bus station.

Trains

Train services to Ipoh have improved greatly since the route became double-track, with some ten services daily between Kuala Lumpur's Sentral Station and Ipoh, taking four to five hours for the journey. Trains running between Penang and Singapore / Kuala Lumpur / Bangkok also stop at city's train station. Further destinations connected by local railway transport include Butterworth (five hours), and Hat Yai in Thailand (around ten hours).

Taxis

Radio taxis are available both in the city and at the airport, but taxis are difficult to pick up in the city, especially in its suburban areas, and the service shuts down fairly early in the evening. Ipoh taxis are not metered, meaning that drivers can charge whatever they want. Agreeing a fare before getting in may prevent problems, as overcharging of tourists has been noted.

At present, local taxi drivers are having problems picking up fares in front of major malls, as they are getting booked for illegal parking. For long-distance taxi transport, ranks are available outside of the bus stations, with popular destinations including both Butterworth and the Cameron Highlands.