How to Get from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur
Compare bus and flight options from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur. Buses from RM30, flights in about 50 minutes.
Last updated: October 29, 2026
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.
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] Bus tickets from Larkin Sentral to TBS cost RM30 to RM36 on the terminal ticketing system.[3] The ride takes from about 4.5 hours, and longer when traffic builds up on the way into the Klang Valley.[4]
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. 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 | RM30 to RM36[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
| Flight Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur $ 17.81–47.80 50m – 1days 6h 44m | |
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| Bus Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur $ 7.41–11.11 4h 27m – 8h 53m | |
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| Flight Johor Bahru - Selangor $ 35.88–50.92 1h 5m – 1days 5h 44m | |
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| Bus Johor Bahru - Selangor $ 8.40–11.11 5h – 9h 23m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
The bus. Tickets from Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru to TBS in Kuala Lumpur cost RM30 to RM36 on the terminal ticketing system.
Flying, with AirAsia flights taking around 50 minutes. Add time for the airport transfers and check-in.
By bus from about 4.5 hours, longer in heavy traffic. By plane around 50 minutes.
The bus is much cheaper and runs all day. Flying saves hours if you are in a rush and find a good fare.
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] Larkin Sentral: Larkin Sentral - Main Page. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan: Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS-BTS). Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [3] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan: Southern destinations and price ranges. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [4] 12Go: Johor Bahru - Kuala Lumpur timetable. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [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.