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How to Get from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur

How to Get from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur

Last updated: October 20, 2026
🇲🇾 Malaysia Johor BahruKuala Lumpur

Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Contents

From the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula to the towers of the capital, this is one of the busiest corridors in Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the gateway to Singapore; Kuala Lumpur is a city where colonial buildings stand beside the Petronas Towers. The road runs along the North-South Expressway, and you can also fly.

Train, Bus, Flight and Ferry tickets

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Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur by Bus

The bus is the budget choice. Larkin Sentral is Johor Bahru's main long-distance bus terminal, and buses from there run to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur, a hub that connects to three rail lines.[1][2][3] Fares between TBS and Larkin on the terminal's ticketing-system operators run from RM30 to RM36.[3] The ride takes from about 4.5 hours, and longer when traffic builds up on the way into the Klang Valley.[4]

Buses at the platforms of Larkin Sentral bus terminal in Johor Bahru
Buses at the platforms of Larkin Sentral bus terminal in Johor BahruPhoto: Kuruman / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Seats on Malaysian long-distance buses are wide and recline well, so the trip is easy to sleep through. Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are the heaviest traffic times.

Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur by Flight

Flying is the fastest way. AirAsia flies non-stop from Senai International Airport (JHB) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport several times a day, in around 50 minutes.[5] One-way fares start at about MYR 117 and rise around holidays.[5] Add time for the transfer to Senai, check-in and security, and for the ride into the city from the Kuala Lumpur airport.

Comparing Your Options

Mode Price Duration
Bus RM 30 - 36[3] From about 4.5 hours[4]
Flight (economy) From about MYR 117[5] About 50 min[5]

Tips for Traveling from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur

  • Book in advance: Buses fill up on public holidays and weekends, so book early for those dates.
  • Bring a layer: Malaysian buses run powerful air conditioning. A light jacket or sarong in your carry-on keeps you comfortable.
  • Mind the traffic: Expect the longer end of the travel time on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings.
  • Choose your arrival airport: If you fly, check whether your flight lands at KLIA or at Subang; Subang is much closer to the city center.

Timetable

Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur More info / Tickets
Flight Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur $ 17.90–48.05 50m – 1days 6h 44m
  • →  Economy 07:00, 08:20, 09:55, 11:20, 15:40, 16:00, 17:10, 17:20, 17:40, 19:45, 20:10, 21:25, 22:25
Bus Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur $ 7.45–11.17 4h 27m – 8h 53m
  • →  Express 00:15, 09:00, 20:00, 20:30
  • →  VIP 06:29, 06:59, 07:29, 08:29, 08:30, 09:29, 09:30, 10:29, 11:59, 13:29, 14:59, 15:29, 16:59
  • →  VIP 28 10:30
  • →  Executive 09:00
  • →  VIP 24 08:00, 12:00
Johor Bahru - Selangor More info / Tickets
Flight Johor Bahru - Selangor $ 36.06–51.18 1h 5m – 1days 5h 44m
  • →  Economy 11:40, 15:40, 17:20, 22:10
Bus Johor Bahru - Selangor $ 8.44–11.17 5h – 9h 23m
  • →  Express 00:15, 00:30, 07:00, 08:45, 09:00, 10:30, 11:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:15, 23:55
  • →  VIP 07:29, 10:59, 11:59, 13:59, 22:59
  • →  Executive 07:30, 09:30, 10:30, 15:30, 16:30, 20:30, 22:00, 23:00, 23:59

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book tickets from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur?

Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, including current prices and schedules.

What is the cheapest way to get from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur?

The bus. Fares between TBS in Kuala Lumpur and Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru run from RM30 to RM36.

What is the fastest way to get from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur?

Flying, with AirAsia flights taking around 50 minutes. Add time for the airport transfers and check-in.

How long does it take to get from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur?

By bus from about 4.5 hours, longer in heavy traffic. By plane around 50 minutes.

Is it better to take a bus or a flight for this route?

The bus is much cheaper and runs all day. Flying saves hours if you are in a rush and find a good fare.

Are there night buses available from Johor Bahru?

Yes. Some services leave around midnight, so you arrive in Kuala Lumpur early the next morning.

Sources and background

Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.

  1. [1] Larkin Sentral: Larkin Sentral - Main Page. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  2. [2] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan: Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS-BTS). Retrieved October 17, 2026.
  3. [3] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan: Southern Destinations. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
  4. [4] 12Go: Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur timetable. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  5. [5] AirAsia: Cheap flights from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur. Retrieved October 20, 2026.

Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.