1. Bus to Kota Bharu
2. Train to Kota Bharu
3. Flights to Kota Bharu
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From Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu you can travel by bus, train, plane.
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- The travel distance from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu is approximately 700 km. Travelers from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu in Kelantan have several options, including tourist bus, train, or plane. The most economical choice for travelers is typically by bus, with tickets priced around $13-16 per person and a travel time of approximately 16 hours. Alternatively, travelers can opt for a train journey with KTM Berhad from Johor Bahru to Wakaf Bharu, Pasir Mas, or Tumpat. This railway route, known as the „Jungle Train,“ offers scenic views as it passes through jungles, with the nearest railway station to Kota Bharu being Wakaf Bharu, located 5 km from the city center.
- Train tickets from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu range from $10 to $30 per person, with a travel time of about 17 hours. Occasionally, there are budget-friendly flights available from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu, either direct or with a layover in Kuala Lumpur. Travelers can also consider taking a flight to Kuala Lumpur and then connecting to Kota Bharu, with flight prices typically ranging from $50 to $100 per person. While direct flights may be limited, they offer the fastest transportation option to the northern region of Malaysia. Easily book and purchase your bus/train tickets or flights from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu online.
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- Kota Bharu, the state capital of Kelantan on the northeast coast of the Malaysian peninsula, thrives as an industrial hub situated in a fertile agricultural region. Although its accessibility from the sea is limited due to sandbars, Kota Bharu relies on port facilities in nearby Tumpat. Pasir Mas, located to the southwest, serves as the terminal for both the east coast railway and the branchline heading north to Thailand. Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, situated approximately 7 km north of the city center, serves as Kota Bharu’s international airport.
- While Kota Bharu may not be a top tourist destination for foreign travelers, it serves as a gateway for exploring the islands on Malaysia’s east coast. Visitors can also explore various temples, vibrant markets, and enjoy boat trips in the surrounding area. Travelers from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu have three main options: tourist bus, KTM train, or flight (either direct or with a layover in Kuala Lumpur). From Kota Bharu, travelers can journey by bus, train, or plane to Kuala Lumpur, the vibrant capital city of Malaysia.
| Transfer Mode – Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | 16 hours | $17-18/pp |
| Train | 18 hours | $10-30/pp |
| Plane (direct flight) | 1.5 hours | $50-70/pp |
How do I get from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
1. BUS from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu
One of the cheaper ground transfer options from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu is a bus transfer. There are buses with reclining seats from several companies on this route, and you can use e.g. Mayang Sari, Adik Beradik, Express Mutiara, Express Perdana, KKKL Expres to Kota Bharu.
A minor disadvantage of the bus transfer is the more limited bus schedule between these places and also the relatively very long travel time. The bus journey from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu takes about 16 hours, but this time can vary slightly. Buses can sometimes be delayed on departure and therefore also on arrival in Kota Bharu.
Buses usually leave from Larkin Bus Terminal and stop at Taman University, Ulu Tiram or other stops, and in Kota Bharu they usually arrive at Terminal Lembah Sireh, Bus Terminal Kota Bharu, Masjid Kubang Kerian or other places. You will see all this information about departures in Johor Bahru and arrivals in Kota Bharu when you search for tickets online, so read everything carefully.
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A bus transfer from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu costs around $13-16/pp, these prices can vary slightly throughout the year, but are usually around $15/pp. Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu bus tickets can be easily searched and purchased online well in advance. It is usually recommended to print out the ticket, but always read the current information about tickets and transfers when booking.
It is also advisable to arrive at the departure point in Johor Bahru well in advance, at least 30-60 minutes before the departure of the bus. The bus transfer between Johor Bahru and Kota Bharu is mainly sought after by low-cost travelers who have more time to travel and have a tighter budget.
2. TRAIN from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu
If you would like to travel from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu by train, this option is also available between these cities. This is the so-called „Jungle train“. There is a train on the route marked as KTM Berhad (KTM Intercity train), which has seats in 2 comfort classes and also sleeping beds, which are also suitable for this longer route.
The train departs from JB Sentral Railway Station and arrives at Wakaf Bharu Railway Station, but it can be taken as far as Tumpat, see Malaysia Railway Map. JB Sentral Railway Station is the largest railway station in Johor Bahru, a short distance from the border crossing with Singapore.
The train transfer from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu (Wakaf Bharu station) in Malaysia takes about 16 hours, so it is better to choose a sleeper bed. The cheapest option in this train is the Second Class Seat option, the more expensive option is the Premium Class Seat or Second Class Sleeper. Train tickets from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu range from $10-30/pp, these prices can vary slightly throughout the year.
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This train also makes other stops before arriving in Kota Bharu and if you choose it, you will see a large part of Malaysia from a different perspective. The train is a better option than the bus, or it will also offer sleepers. Again, you can easily search and buy train tickets from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu online as e-tickets.
All you have to do is save them on your mobile phone or tablet, and then present them with the QR code when boarding the KTM Berhad train in Johor Bahru, so you don’t have to print the ticket. Arrive at JB Sentral Railway Station well in advance, at least 30-60 minutes before the train departs.
The train transfer from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu has the disadvantage of a very limited timetable. There is usually only 1 train per day on this route. Train transport is mainly sought after by ordinary solo travellers.
3. FLIGHTS from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu
The fastest, most comfortable, but at the same time more expensive way to get from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu is by air. There are also direct flights between these cities, but the schedule of these flights is rather very limited. Then there is also the possibility to fly with a transfer in Kuala Lumpur.
A direct flight will save several hours of your time compared to a train or bus transfer. A direct flight from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu takes about 1.5 hours, a connecting flight can take about 5-8 hours, depending on the connecting flight in Kuala Lumpur. However, it is also necessary to factor in the transfer to the airport and the wait before departure, so the total time of this transfer option to Kota Bharu can be up to 5 hours.
Flights are operated from Senai International Airport to Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu. Air transfer from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu costs between $50-100/pp, but flight prices may vary throughout the year. Air connections from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu are offered by Firefly, Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air.
You can easily search and buy flights from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu online even in advance. Always read all flight information and conditions and follow all airline instructions when booking.
However, expect a more limited flight schedule, so it’s better to search for flights first and then book tickets right away. An air transfer from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu is probably not suitable for low-cost travelers mainly because of the higher price for this transport option.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu:
1. How to book and buy tickets from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
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- You can book e-tickets from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜.
- You can book another tickets/flights, e.g. Johor Bahru > Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur > Kota Bharu…
2. What is the travel time from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
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- Travel by bus from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu takes about 16 hours.
- Travel by train from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu takes about 18 hours.
- Travel by plane from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu takes about 1.5 hour (direct flight).
3. How much does it cost from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
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- Travel by bus from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu costs about $13-16/pp.
- Travel by train from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu costs about $10-30/pp.
- Travel by plane from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu costs about $50-100/pp (direct flight).
4. What is the travel distance from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
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- Travel distance from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay is about 700 km by train/bus or about 650 km by plane.
5. What is the best and fast way of transport from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
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- It is definitely to travel by plane, but with stopover in Kuala Lumpur.
6. What is the cheapest way of transfer from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
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- The cheapest way of transfer to Kota Bharu from Johor Bahru is to travel by train. The most cheapest is a train ticket for 2nd class seat air-conditioned train of KTM.
7. Is there a sleeper train from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
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- Yes, you can travel by sleeper train to Kota Bharu from Johor Bahru – 2nd class sleeper air-conditioned train of KTM.
8. Where to travel from Kota Bharu?
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- From Kota Bharu you can travel by bus or plane to Penang. Travel by tourist bus from Kota Bharu to Penang takes about 7 hours, by plane takes only about 1 hour, there are direct flights. You can also go to Kuala Lumpur by tourist bus, train of KTM or you can take a flight. You can also travel by bus or minivan to Kuala Besut – about 50 km south of Kota Bharu and take a ferry to Perhentian Islands.
9. What are the interesting things and facts of Malaysia?
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- In summary, Malaysia encapsulates a harmonious coexistence of diverse elements, weaving together a cultural, culinary, and natural mosaic that captivates visitors. From the modern grandeur of the Petronas Towers to the cultural vibrancy of festivals like Hari Raya and Diwali, Malaysia exemplifies unity in its rich diversity. The culinary extravaganza, with dishes like Nasi Lemak and the cultural significance embedded in traditional games like Wau Bulan, showcases a nation proud of its heritage. Read this article: 15 Interesting Facts about Malaysia.
10. What is the weather in Malaysia and what to expect?
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- The weather in Malaysia varies throughout the year. Generally, Malaysia experiences a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and humidity. The country has two monsoon seasons—the Southwest Monsoon (May to September) and the Northeast Monsoon (November to March). During the Southwest Monsoon, the western coastal areas, including Kuala Lumpur, may experience heavy rainfall. The Northeast Monsoon brings rain to the eastern coastal areas. However, the interior regions and certain islands can be visited year-round.
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🚍 Bus Schedule / Timetable – Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu + Bus Tickets:
FULL UPDATED SCHEDULE – CLICK HERE
Bus Schedule - Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu | Departs in Johor Bahru | Arrival - Kota Bharu |
|---|---|---|
Ekspres Mutiara | 09:15 | 01:27 |
Ekspres Mutiara | 20:30 | 12:42 |
Mayang Sari | 20:00 | 12:12 |
Ekspres Perdana | 20:30 | 12:42 |
KKKL Express | 20:30 | 12:42 |
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