Buses are the cheapest option to travel from Penang to Ipoh. You can find a Penang to Ipoh bus anytime from 7.30 am to 11.45 pm. A bus from Penang to Ipoh takes an average duration of 2 hr 30 min to reach the destination. There are close to 60 daily buses on this route at regular intervals.
About Penang
Penang is an island state on the northwestern coastline of Malaysia, with its capital George Town, named after the former King of England, King George III. The city is still lined with various colonial buildings and is a major tourist centre of this state. People of different nationalities live here, but the Chinese community is the largest. Tourists can enjoy a healthy mix of cultures in many of its quarters, with segments such as Chinatown, Little India, etc. George Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. Over 12,000 such historic buildings across the city are the major attractions in Penang. The town flourishes under tourism.
About Ipoh
Ipoh, the capital city of Perak state of Malaysia, is known for its limestone hills and other unique places. Nature has wholeheartedly blessed this city with plenty of scenic locations. Ipoh is currently the fourth-largest city and one of the cleanest cities in the country. It was a quiet village in the earlier times, revived by tin mining and later became a central tourist hub. Ipoh is known as the Gateway to Cameron Highlands and is closer to Kuala Lumpur and Penang than other cities. There are more daily buses available from Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Ipoh.
Things to do in Ipoh
- Trekking through the Ulu Geroh Rafflesia Trail to see the largest flower in the world is one of the must-do things in Ipoh.
- A trip to the Gaharu Tea Valley and hug the tree for good luck.
- A visit to the Kok Lok Tong Cave Temple to worship the Chinese and Buddhist deities inside will be wonderful.
- Visit the Ling Sen Tong Temple for its stalactites and stalagmites formations. There are statues of Gods, animals, etc., to admire.
- Visit the Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple, the biggest in Malaysia.
- Explore the mysteries inside the Gua Tempurung, which has a length of 4.5 km.
Best Food in Ipoh
Ipoh is known for its delicious cuisine and food items that have a local touch. Plenty of eateries for meals, from street stalls to decent restaurants for families. Some of the popular dishes you must try here are,
- Bean Sprouts Chicken
- White Coffee
- Hakka Mee
- Assam Laksa
- Chicken Rice
- Satay
- Rojak
- Beancurd
- Cuttlefish
- Char Kway Teow
- Caramel Custard
Places to visit in Ipoh
- Kinta Riverfront Walk in the evening under the fairy lights will be a mesmerising sight and a wonderful place to enjoy quality time with your loved ones.
- Ipoh Railway Station to see the white-coloured colonial building known as the Taj Mahal of Ipoh.
- Old Town to see the wall art by Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian street artist. In half an hour, you will be covering eight such murals by him.
- Geological Museum that displays rock specimens, minerals, gemstones and other geological items inside this beautiful museum.
- The Lost World Tambun theme park is perfect for a family with kids to spend their day in Ipoh.
Best time to visit Ipoh
The general tropical climate of Ipoh does not show any significant temperature variation. Due to the frequent rainfall, one must look for the dry months for a better experience. May is the driest and warmest month here in Ipoh and the best time to pay a visit. Another better season is February, when the day temperature will be within the tolerable range and rainfall will be mild to moderate.
Apart from these months, you may visit for other events and festivals such as Christmas, New Year, food, art, etc. The tentative dates for these events may change each year, but most of such events are from March to June and later from November to January.
Bus Service between Penang and Ipoh
The bus service from Penang Sentral to Ipoh will be on the economy, executive, or double-decker buses. The ticket rate for the Penang to Ipoh bus ranges from MYR 9.6 to MYR 29.75 when you book with redBus. Some of these rates are much lower than the operator's rates at the counter rates. You book online tickets for a bus to Ipoh and the return journey from Ipoh Amanjaya to Penang Sentral. The buses will have basic amenities with comfortable seats, USB charging ports, etc.
Boarding and Drop-off Points
- Boarding points: Penang Sentral, Butterworth, Chai Leng Park - Caltex, Juru Toll, Nibong Tebal, Penang Komtar, and Sungai Nibong.
- Drop-off points: Ipoh Amanjaya and Kaunter H-3 Ipoh Amanjaya
Popular Bus Company from Penang to Ipoh
As many as 14 bus companies operate their buses from Penang to Ipoh. Each Penang to Ipoh bus operator will have a specific rating given by its past passengers. You can check these ratings at redBus and decide which one you want. Some of the top-rated bus operators are,