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What is the best way to travel from KL to Tioman in 2026? In this article we will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know to plan your trip from KL to Tioman.
If you’re planning a trip from Kuala Lumpur to the beautiful Tioman Island you will need to consider the best method of transport for you. Whichever method you choose to travel from KL to Tioman there are some very important things that you need to know before you go. Please read this guide carefully.
Tioman island is a small, mountainous and very beautiful paradise island located off the south east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Tioman island is well known for its beautiful biodiversity, pristine beaches, colourful reefs and crystal clear waters. Tioman island is a great spot for snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and just chilling out on the beach.
There are two ways to travel from KL to Tioman Island. Firstly you can take a bus and ferry. Secondly you can take a flight on SKS Airlines. The best method for you depends on your budget, time and desire for comfort.
Need somewhere to stay? Don’t miss our guide on THE BEST Tioman island resorts
How to travel from KL to Tioman Island: Comparison
| Fly with SKS airways | Take a bus and boat | |
| Price per person | RM280 – RM470 Each way (Roughly £55 – £95 or $70 – $120) | RM65 – RM180 Each way (Roughly £13 – £36 or $18 – $45) |
| Approximate journey time | 90 minutes (+ airport and transfer time) | Minimum time around 9 hours (depending on waiting time in Mersing) |
| Advantages | Fast, convenient and fun. Unique experience. | Cheap, can take more baggage |
| Disadvantages | Baggage limitations (use the airport storage facilities) | Early start, slow, less comfortable |
Option 1: fly with SKS Airways
This is the fastest, most convenient and most enjoyable way to travel from KL to Tioman Island. SKS Airways have small intrepid propeller planes (DHC6 Twin Otter planes for the geeks). They fly from KL to several beautiful island destinations around Malaysia.
Flying from KL to Tioman Island with SKS Airways is an experience in itself. If you have ever dreamed of hopping on a propeller plane and flying to a paradise island, this is your opportunity. Everything about the experience screams adventure.
We love the views you get when you fly over Kuala Lumpur city centre and see the skyscrapers disappearing in the distance. Best of all we love the view of Tioman Island from the air, as you approach and fly lower and lower by the dramatic jungle covered mountains before landing. One thing but makes the SKS aeroplane unique and interesting is the open cockpit allowing you to observe the pilots doing an awesome job flying the plane.
SKS Airways operate from Subang airport in Kuala Lumpur (SZB). It can be a little confusing as this airport goes by several different names. Super and airport is also known as the subang skypark. It is also called the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. We have pinned the location of the airport on this map to help you.
It is possible to travel from KL Sentral to Subang Airport by public transport. Take the KMT line 2 (Laluan Pelabuhan Klang line) in the south direction towards Pelabuhan Klang. Get off at Subang Jaya and change to the Skypark connection line. Overall this will cost RM 5-10. Avoid this during the rush hour Monday – Saturday 7am-10am and 5pm-7pm.
Alternatively use the Grab app to take a taxi (which is likely to cost around RM50 from the centre of Kuala Lumpur). This is a quick convenient option. BUT be careful of rush hour traffic. The roads can really jam up – so make sure you leave plenty of time.
It is very important to be aware but SKS Airways have to keep a very strict baggage policy. As a small aeroplane the ability to take larger amounts of luggage is very limited.
Flight time from KL to Tioman
The flight time from KL to Tioman is around 90 minutes
Flight price from KL to Tioman
The flight price is RM280 – RM470 Each way (Roughly £55 – £95 or $70 – $120)
Children and adults pay the same price for tickets. Infants under 2 years old are not charged for tickets and are not assigned a seat.
All tickets are the same class, however you can select more expensive tickets with more flexibility in the terms and conditions.
SKS baggage allowance from KL to Tioman
Because SKS Airways operate a small lightweight aircraft the baggage policy is quite strict. In some rare cases, it may be possible to pay for small amounts of additional baggage. But this depends on how many people are on the flight. SKS Airways can also arrange for your baggage to be transferred to Tioman overland. However, we recommend avoiding this option.
We strongly advise but you only take the allocated baggage amount per passenger. There are luggage storage lockers available at Subang airport.
7kg check in baggage per passenger
3kg carry on baggage per passenger (23cm (H) x 33cm (L) x 33cm (W))
Up to 3 pieces of baggage per passenger is allowed as long as it does not exceed the maximum weights. No single piece of baggage over 20kg will be allowed.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS EARLY from the SKS official website for peace of mind and the best prices
Option 2: Bus and Boat (travel overland and by sea)
The cheapest way to travel from KL to Tioman is to take a bus and then travel by boat. This option is slower and less comfortable than a flight.
If you plan to travel from KL to Tioman by land and sea we recommend that you leave at least one full day for travel on either side of your trip. If you only have one or two weeks in Malaysia this is a lot of time to lose.
TOP TIP: If you plan to travel from KL to Tioman in one day you may need to get an early start in the morning. Check your ferry options BEFORE you book your bus. We recommend taking a bus that is scheduled to arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled ferry departure time. Long distance buses in Malaysia can often arrive late. 2 hours should be sufficient.
Alternatively, if you do not want to take such an early start you can depart from KL later in the day and then stay in Mersing overnight. You can then take a ferry from Mersing to Tioman on the following day. If you are planning to travel by bus and boat to save money, consider the additional cost of accommodation in your budget.
The MG Hotel is probably the BEST hotel for quality and value for money. It is also not too far from the bus station and ferry terminal in Mersing.
Step 1: Take a bus from KL to Mersing
The journey from KL to Mersing is around 350km and is likely to take 6 – 7 hours depending on traffic and stop time. Many buses leave throughout the day from KL Sentral to Mersing. The Mersing bus station is around 1km from the ferry jetty. You can either walk or take a Grab Taxi (around RM5).
- Price for a bus from KL to Mersing: RM35 – RM50
- Journey time from KL to Mersing: 6 – 7 hours
- How to book bus tickets online in advance: Bus tickets can be booked from Red Bus Malaysia
The advantage of booking your tickets online in advance is that you can select your seat.
Step 2: Take a ferry from Mersing to Tioman
You can take a Cataferry or a Blue Water ferry from Mersing jetty to Pulau Tioman (Tioman island). Here is a summary of both ferry companies:
Cataferry (high speed catamaran)
Generally have one or two services per day. The ferry may depart too early (UNLESS you take the very early bus from KL Sentral (around 4.30am).
- Standard ferry tickets range from: RM30 – RM130 for an adult
- Standard ferry tickets range from: RM30 – RM80 for a child
- Children are 2 – 12 years old. Infants under 2 years old travel for free.
TOP TIP: Cataferry prices vary depending on availability. Try to book early if possible and avoid travelling on weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Sometimes boats can book out weeks in advance.
BOOK CATAFERRY TICKETS from the Cataferry official website
Blue Water Ferry
Blue Water Ferry is slower, may be cheaper and often has more services per day.
Blue Water generally have two or three ferries per day and these sometimes depart later in the day (which is good if you want to do the whole journey in one day). We still recommend an early start from KL. For example, if you are aiming for a ferry around 2pm, we recommend leaving KL by 6am if possible. The journey time with Blue Water Ferry from Mersing to Tioman is around 2-3 hours.
- Adult ferry tickets: RM50
- Children’s ferry tickets: RM45
- Children are 2 – 11 years old. Infants under 2 travel for free.
BOOK BLUE WATER TICKETS from the Blue Water Ferry official website
Summary: What is THE BEST way to travel from KL to Tioman?
The best way to travel from KL to Tioman depends on YOUR personal needs. If you are limited for time in Malaysia (a few weeks on holiday) or you just want an amazing experience we highly recommend flying with SKS Airways. The price difference between the bus and ferry compared to the flight is not that big. The time you save and the amazing experience is WELL WORTH the small difference in price. If you are travelling Malaysia on a tight budget and time is not your biggest factor, then consider the bus and ferry option.
Looking for somewhere to stay in Tioman?
OK honest moment. We found it quite difficult to find an ideal place to stay in Tioman. Accommodation can be quite expensive and you don’t necessarily get a lot for your money (compared to Southeast Asian average). So we thought we’d help you out with a few suggestions of THE BEST place to stay in Tioman. If you want to say thank you – just book through the links and we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you:
Best Hotel for GREAT value for money in Tioman
Tioman Santai Resort – located on Juara beach with its own swimming pool, this offers the best value for money on Tioman. Watch out for discounts for the Santai Resort on Agoda. Also keep an eye out for deals at the Santai resort on booking.com.
Best Luxury Resort in Tioman
The Japamala Resort is the iconic luxurious and decadent jungle resort. If you’re on a tropical dream holiday, Japamala is probably the place for you. The Japamala often gets booked up early. And we can see why! Watch out for discounts at the Japamala on Agoda. Also watch out for deals at the Japamala on Booking.com.
If you’re stuck for options you could also try the Tunamaya Beach Resort and Spa
