Ipoh, the capital city of the State of Perak, is one of the least traveled cities by foreigners in Malaysia. It is located 180 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur and 123 kilometers south of Penang. In other words, Ipoh is a midpoint between Kuala Lumpur and George Town, Penang. 

If you plan to travel over land from Kuala Lumpur to George Town, make sure to visit Ipoh as well. Malaysia’s transportation system has improved a lot through the years and through these developments, Ipoh became a major land transportation hub in west Malaysia.

HOW TO GET THERE + GUIDE

BY AIR

Ipoh is home to Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IATA: IPH) which is 6 kilometers away from the city center. If you are traveling to Ipoh from Singapore and Johor Bahru, taking a direct flight would be the most convenient option. AirAsia, Malindo Air, and Scoot offer direct flights to Ipoh from Singapore and Johor Bahru and vice versa.

BY LAND

Traveling by land is the most convenient option if you are traveling out from Kuala Lumpur. There are two options to do so:

ETS (owned by KTM Berhad) - Riding ETS to Ipoh is the most convenient and economical way to travel. No additional cost for a taxi going to the town center as the train station is located at the town center itself.

There are three types of ETS that travel from KL to Ipoh and prices differ relatively. In my case, I did not mind the price difference as I was more concerned about the schedule. 

ETS Platinum  -           MYR 46.00 (USD 11.00 / PHP 570.40)

ETS Gold        -           MYR 36.00 (USD 8.68 / PHP 446.40)

ETS Silver       -           MYR 26.00 (USD 6.27 / PHP 322.40)

Buses - if  you prefer traveling by buses, you can also do so. Make your way to TBS (Terminal  Bersepadu Selatan) and purchase a bus ticket to Ipoh at the ticketing counter. Go to your designated departure gate and wait for your bus. Buses to Ipoh run every 15 minutes and ticket price is MYR 22.00 (USD 5.30 / PHP 258.38). This is definitely the cheapest option however, the bus stops at Ipoh Amanjaya station which is 13 kilometers

PLACES TO VISIT 

OTHER THINGS TO DO + VISIT

If you have the luxury of time to visit Ipoh, make sure to visit these places,

ITINERARY

Ipoh is a beauty to behold. The city itself is a sight to see. Also, Ipoh is a food haven for those who are into local cuisines. I may have only spent a few hours in Ipoh but it was an experience I will never forget. Ipoh became my favorite city in Malaysia in an instant. Will I travel to Ipoh again? Definitely! And when that time comes, I will stay longer and explore more places.