How To Get To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur

On the lookout for a scuba diving or snorkeling paradise that isn’t too far from Kuala Lumpur?

You’re in luck!

With adequate pre-planning, you can go to Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur!

It’s not as complicated if you pay attention to the details in this very post!

Kuala Lumpur (KL) To Tioman Island

Essentially, there are two parts to the journey from Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur:

Genting Beach At Tioman Island

Genting Beach At Tioman Island (Photo credits: tioman.org)

The first is getting to any of the two jetties, Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Then, the rest of the journey is by ferry.

Note: Ferry rides are not as available during the monsoon months (i.e. November to February).

How To Go To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Getting to Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur requires you travel over at least 2 states!

The journey duration is typically around 5-6 hours. Excluding the 2-hour ferry ride!

Tekek Jetty

You can drive there via different routes or take the bus from Kuala Lumpur straight to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Modes of transportation to Mersing Jetty/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty:

  1. Private Car Service
  2. Bus
  3. Self-drive

Take some time to consider which jetty to take but nonetheless, there’s no other way to Tioman Island except to hop on a ferry service!

Jetties to Tioman Island:

  1. Mersing Jetty
  2. Tanjung Gemok Jetty

1. Private Car To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur

Don’t like the idea of sitting with strangers in a bus? Or driving to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty yourself?

We do have a private car service if you prefer!

Step 1: Private Car To Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty From Kuala Lumpur

The private car service can pick you up from any place in Kuala Lumpur. And at any time that is most convenient for you too!

Singapore to Mersing Tioman

Other reasons why you should consider this service:

Why You Should Book A Private Car To Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty From Kuala Lumpur:

  • Comfortable and safe – Cars are spacious and well-maintained
  • Easier on families with kids and aging parents – You don’t have to get everyone ready in time to catch the bus at an awkward hour!
  • Simple booking procedure
  • Attractive prices
  • Drivers know the route by heart so there’s no way you’re going to get lost or lose time unnecessarily!
  • Direct transfer – No transits or waiting!

We suggest you to book a private car service from SGMYTAXI.

Step 2: Ferry To Tioman Island From Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Upon reaching the jetty of your choice, register and pay the necessary fees before boarding. Do allocate some time to do this!

Tanjung Gemok Jetty Entrance

Tanjung Gemok Jetty Entrance

More details in the next section:

2. Bus To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur

Terminal Bersepadu Selatan or TBS is the main departure hub for people who wish to take a bus to Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur. The trip usually takes 5.5 to 6 hours.

Bus Terminal Bersepadu Selatan to Mersing

Bus Terminal Bersepadu Selatan

Traffic in Kuala lumpur can significantly hinder the journey progress!

Morning and night buses are available daily.

2.1. Bus To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur Via Mersing Jetty

For passengers wishing to get off at Mersing Jetty:

Popular bus operators are S&S International Express and Transnasional with the earliest bus departing at 9:00am and the latest bus at 11:45pm.

S&S International (M) Express Bus

Step 1: Bus To Mersing Jetty From Kuala Lumpur

There are plenty more bus operators to choose from. Just take note of the departure times and locations!

Sepakat Liner Bus from KL to Tioman Island

Bus Operator Departure Location Departure Time Bus Ticket Price (range) Duration
S&S International (M) Express TBS 17:00 ~RM41 ~5.5 hours
Sanwa Tours (M) Sdn Bhd 1. TBS 4:00 to 23:00, every 15-20 minutes ~RM38-40
2. KL Sentral (KL City Air Terminal)
3. Metropol Hotel
4. Berjaya Times Square
Sepakat Liner TBS 11:00 ~RM38
Transnasional TBS 9:00 to 23:45, every ~8 hours ~RM33
Cepat Express TBS 4:00 to 4:30 ~RM38
Maraliner TBS 20:00 ~RM36
LA Holidays 1. Kompleks Selangor (beside 5th Element Hotel) 4:00 to 4:15 ~RM60
2. Berjaya Times Square

 

Book a bus to Mersing Jetty from Kuala Lumpur on busonlineticket!

Note: The bus departure times in this table are subject to change by the respective bus operators. Please check accordingly before booking your bus tickets!

Step 2: Ferry To Tioman Island From Mersing Jetty

Mersing Jetty is the original gateway to Tioman.

Mersing Jetty Johor

Mersing Jetty

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

There up to 3 trips in a day and each lasts for 1.5 to 2 hours. That is assuming the weather and tides are favorable.

Tip: The ferry schedule is often predictable until the day before so make sure you call ahead to check before you make your way to Mersing Jetty!

The ferry will make stops on Tioman Island in this order:

  1. Genting Pier
  2. Paya Pier
  3. Tekek Pier
  4. Air Batang
  5. Salang Pier

Tip: If your resort happens to be in Mukut or Juara village, take Cataferry instead!

Read also: Tioman Ferry Guide: Ferry To Tioman Ticket Price, Schedule & How To Get There

Buy your tickets online or at Mersing Harbour Centre – which is just a quick walk away from Mersing Jetty.

Outside of Mersing Harbour Center

Ticket Price:

One Way – RM35 (Adult), RM30 (Child)

Two Way – RM80 (Adult), RM70 (Child)

Tip: Buy a two-way ticket as there aren’t any counters on Tioman Island!

Don’t forget to pay (in Ringgit only) the Marine Park and Johor National Park fees at the respective counters at Mersing Harbour Centre too!

Mersing Marine Park Fee:

Age (years) Malaysians (RM) Foreigners (RM)
Child (6-12) 2 15
Adult (13+) 5 30
Senior (60+) 2 15
Disabled Free Free

 

Johor National Park Fee:

Age (years) Malaysians (RM) Foreigners (RM)
Children 3 10
Adult 5 20

 

Mersing Ferry Ticket Counter

Address: Jalan Abu Bakar, 86800 Mersing, Johor, Malaysia

Location: http://bit.ly/MersingHarbourCentre

Contact: +6019-784 2977

Opening Hours: 7:30am to 8:00pm

2.2. Bus To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur Via Tanjung Gemok Jetty

If you want to compare the availability of buses for Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty:

Mersing Jetty wins since there are just 4 bus operators from Kuala Lumpur that offer transfer services to Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Transnasional Express Bus

Step 1: Bus To Tanjung Gemok Jetty From Kuala Lumpur

However, some bus operators that are heading to Mersing Jetty will stop at Tanjung Gemok first!

In fact, all Transnasional buses from Kuala Lumpur will typically stop at Tanjung Gemok Jetty before their final destination in Mersing Jetty.

Sanwa Express Bus from KL to Tioman Island

So if you need to, you can tell the bus driver to stop at Tanjung Gemok Jetty for you!

 

Bus Operator Departure Location Departure Time Bus Ticket Price (range) Duration
Sanwa Tours (M) Sdn Bhd TBS 4:00 to 23:00 ~RM34-40 5 hours, 35 minutes approximately
Sepakat Liner TBS 11:00 ~RM38
Transnasional TBS 9:00 to 23:45 ~RM33
LA Holidays 1. Kompleks Selangor (beside 5th Element Hotel) 4:00 to 4:15 ~RM60
2. Berjaya Times Square

 

You can book a bus ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Gemok Jetty through busonlineticket too!

Note: Do check with your respective bus operator for the exact bus departure times.

Step 2: Ferry To Tioman Island From Tanjung Gemok Jetty

At Tanjung Gemok Jetty, you can board a ferry from Cataferry or Bluewater Express.

Ferry Operators to Tioman Island

Both operators offer daily trips from Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island.

This is the sequence of stops that the ferries make at Tioman Island:

  1. Genting Pier
  2. Paya Pier
  3. Tekek Pier
  4. Air Batang
  5. Salang Pier

Note: Cataferry has two additional stops now – Mukut and Juara

It’s possible to book tickets for either ferry operator on their respective sites:

  1. Cataferry
  2. Bluewater Express

Or, you can buy them straight from the counter!

Keep in mind that tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis so there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a ticket during peak season!

Cataferry

Cataferry is a Double-hull Catamaran

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

Departure time: 1 to 2 times daily

Bluewater Express

Bluewater Express Ferry

Bluewater Express Ferry Bistari2. (Photo credits to 12go.asia)

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

Departure time: 2 to 4 times daily between 7.00am to 12.00pm

And you’ll need to pay the Mersing Marine Park fee as well before you board the ferry! They will only accept cash in Ringgit so bring enough!

Mersing Marine Park Fee:

Age (years) Malaysians (RM) Foreigners (RM)
Child (6-12) 2 15
Adult (13+) 5 30
Senior (60+) 2 15
Disabled Free Free

Tanjung Gemok Ferry Ticket Counter

Address: Kampung Tanjung Gemok, 26820 Kuala Rompin, Pahang, Malaysia

Location: http://bitly.com/tggemok

Contact: +609 – 413 1445

Email: enquiry@cataferry.com

Opening Hours: 6:00am to 10:00pm

3. Self-Drive To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur

Think you’ll be more comfortable with self-driving?

Self-Drive to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok JettyJust mind that finding overnight parking at the jetties during the peak season (e.g. any long Malaysian or Singapore public holiday) can be a frustrating ordeal!

3.1. Self-Drive To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur Via Mersing Jetty

Drive to Mersing Jetty and take the ferry to Tioman Island. Sounds simple enough, right?

It goes without saying then that:

Leaving your car overnight at the jetty while you’re on your island vacation is unavoidable!

The parking rates are around ~RM15/day.

Step 1: Self Drive To Mersing Jetty From Kuala Lumpur

There are a number of ways you can go about driving to Mersing Jetty from Kuala Lumpur.

Each route can take 4.5 to 5 hours if traffic is not too heavy.

Route 1:

Kuala Lumpur (via Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan/E2) – Ayer Hitam (Take exit 244-Ayer Hitam) – Kluang & Kayang (via Route 50) – Mersing

Self-Drive from KL to Mersing (Route 1)

Route details: http://bit.ly/KLtoMersing-Route1

Route 2:

Kuala Lumpur – Cheras – Kajang – Kuala Pihah – Bahau (via Jalan Bahau)- Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing

Self-Drive from KL to Mersing (Route 2)

Route details: http://bit.ly/KLtoMersing-Route2

Route 3:

Kuala Lumpur – Hulu Langat – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing

Self-Drive from KL to Mersing (Route 3)

Route details: http://bit.ly/KLtoMersing-Route3

Step 2: Ferry To Tioman Island From Mersing Jetty

Before boarding your ferry, ensure that you pay the Johor National Park fee, the Marine Park fee and of course, your ticket fees!

You can see more details on this in the previous section.

3.2. Self-Drive To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur Via Tanjung Gemok Jetty

If you’re up for the 4 to 5 hour drive (or more depending on Kuala Lumpur traffic):

Self-drive to Tanjung Gemok Jetty

You can certainly drive to Tanjung Gemok Jetty from Kuala Lumpur!

Step 1: Self Drive To Tanjung Gemok Jetty From Kuala Lumpur

There are two routes for driving to Tanjung Gemok Jetty. The first one skirts along the edge of Negeri Sembilan while the second goes through Titi.

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

Kuala Lumpur To Tanjung Gemok Jetty - Route 2

Kuala Lumpur To Tanjung Gemok Jetty – Route 1

Route details: http://bit.ly/KLTgGemokR1

2nd route – through Titi:

Kuala Lumpur – Hulu Langat – Titi – Bandar Tun Abdul Razak – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Tanjung Gemok

Kuala Lumpur To Tanjung Gemok Jetty - Route 1

Kuala Lumpur To Tanjung Gemok Jetty – Route 2

Route details: http://bit.ly/KLTgGemokR2

Step 2: Ferry To Tioman Island From Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Many choose Tanjung Gemok Jetty to take the new ferry operator, Cataferry. Do note that there are fewer parking slots here than at Mersing Jetty!

Parking At Tanjung Gemok Jetty

See more details on this subject here.

4. Flight To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur

There used to be a flight service many years ago.

But now:

There are no commercial flights that fly to Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur!

However, it’s possible to charter a private flight to Tioman Island via SAS Air!

Private Charter Flight from KL to Tioman Island

Duration: 90 minutes to 1.5 hours

Flight schedule: See their website.

Departure Location: Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur

Arrival Location: Tioman Island Airport

How To Book A Flight To Tioman Island:

Call SAS at +6011-3296 0939 to make a booking.