Cameron Highlands - getting there
By car
Tapah Road (The Original Road to Cameron Highlands)
Exit the North-South highway at Exit 132 (Persimpangan Tapah), approximately 143km from KL toll. As you exit from the toll, turn left at the traffic junction. Follow the roadsigns. Tanah Rata is 59km from Tapah town. This road is the most pleasant, although a little winding... its more scenic then the alternative routes which were built in the past decade.
Simpang Pulai
The new mountain road from the Simpang Pulai junction off the North/South Highway. Exit at the Simpang Pulai toll, at the first traffic lights turn right. Go down this road and when you get to another set of traffic lights, turn right again. This road will take you all the way to Kampung Raja in Cameron Highlands. This road is a definite no no during public holidays ie. christmas, chinese new year, deepavali, hari raya - avoid taking the new roads as traffic can be very heavy at the Kea Farm and Brinchang town area due to shoppers stopping to buy vegetables and fruits from stalls lining the road. Unless you're staying at Brinchang, there's no need to get all riled up on holiday being stuck in traffic. However, as all that happens in Malaysia, building highways, dams and other mega projects also means an opportunity to conduct large scale logging. So if you're into scenery...you may be sorely disappointed if you choose this route. But not as disappointed as the next route..
Gua Musang
This route leads from the North East of Peninsular Malaysia in Kelantan and will end up at Kampung Raja in Cameron Highlands. Kelantan as an opposition state has had little financial help from the Federal Government and hence have had to boost its domestic economy by supplying timber. As you drive down the 1hr 15min stretch, you will see as far as the eyes can... bald hills and valleys. Once the area is completely raped, the palm oil plantations will move in and win the battle of biodiversity. Having said so, the vegetable farms and nurseries lining the peak along this highway, closer to the Blue Valley is quite breathtaking at night. See.. the lights...
For those leaving Cameron Highlands for Perhentian Islands, take this road down to Gua Musang and from there head north towards Machang using Federal Route 8. From Machang, head south-east towards Jertih, and there will be road signs to Kuala Besut jetty which is the take off point for Perhentian Islands. Try not to arrive too late as the last boat leaves around 4pm. (earlier if during monsoon season)
By train
Take the train to Tapah and from here take a taxi to Tanah Rata. The taxi costs RM60 in the morning and RM70 in the evening, per way per taxi. Or you could wait for the bus if its not too late in the evening. There are regular local buses arriving at the Tapah Road train station and leaving for Tanah Rata. The fare costs about RM4.00 per way.
For more on train schedules; take a look at our trains page
By bus
bus & taxi station at tanah rata |
Please refer to the camerons bus schedule page . Just a note of advice, buy your bus tickets early as the buses to KL, Penang and Ipoh are often full. Those intending to connect to other parts of Malaysia, take a local cameron's bus down to Tapah and connect with other interstate buses there. Be warned though that during festive seasons, these buses may charge double of the stated prices due to demand. If you want to ensure a ticket, book with your resort.
A new Bus Terminal was in the process of completion during our visit on 4th Nov 2005. This is located in Jln Besar, the main street in Tanah Rata and only a stone's throw from the old bus station.
By taxi
Outstation taxis can be hired from the main taxi stand at Tanah Rata. The rates below is an approximate as fuel prices have been going up in the past year and taxi fares may go up accordingly. For more info, call Tanah Rata Taxi Stand - 05-4911234 or 05-4912355 :
| From Cameron (Tanah Rata taxi stand) to the following destinations : |
| Tapah |
RM 60.00 |
| Ipoh |
RM 80.0 |
| Lumut |
RM 170.00 |
| Penang |
RM 250.00 |
| Gua Musang |
RM 160.00 |
| Kuala Lumpur |
RM 200.00 |
| KLIA |
RM 250.00 |
For local taxi transfers:
| From Cameron (Tanah Rata taxi stand) to the following destinations : |
| Brinchang |
RM 4.00 - RM 6.00 |
| Kea Farm / Butterfly Farm / EQ |
RM 12.00 - RM 15.00 |
| Sungai Palas Tea Plantation |
RM 20.00 - RM 25.00 |
| Kampung Raja |
RM 25.00 - RM 28.00 |
| Cameron Valley / Bharat Tea |
RM 10.00 - RM 12.00 |
| Boh Tea Plantation |
RM 25.00 - RM 28.00 |
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