Ipoh transport services are limited. The city doesn’t have a modern metro train system or tram service. Cars and motorcycles are the main transport mode for locals when it comes to getting around Ipoh.
Tourists must depend on the public buses, taxis and maybe their own two feet! Which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
And that’s why we’re going to give you a rundown of all the available transport modes as well as a reliable tour service!
7 Ways To Get Around Ipoh
Of course, we’re going to touch on our own tour service first. Before going down the list of all the alternative transport you can find!
These are arranged from highest to lowest comfort and convenience!
1. Ipoh Transport And Tour Service
If you want a trusted person to bring you around Ipoh, try our private tour service, RayTheTour!
We provide highly personalized and quality private tour guide services to showcase the uniqueness of our hometown and country! And all with your comfort as top priority!
Our crew of local tour guides is experienced! And eager to show where all the locals get their food in Ipoh!
The lead guide, Raymond is a fully licensed tour guide from the Tourism association of Malaysia. And a true Ipoh resident of ~60 years!
More about RayTheTour:
Comfortable transport (MPVs like Toyota Innova or vans)
English-speaking guides
Chinese-speaking guides
Unlimited places of interest (within a reasonable time frame, of course)
Pick up from your hotel/ airport before our tours
Drop off to your hotel after our tours
Whatsapp us for tour enquiries.
2. Taxi Or E-hailing Service (Grab)
The standard taxi fare from Ipoh airport to the city (where most hotels are) costs ~MYR20 (Don’t quote us on that!).
There are taxis waiting outside the airport. Popular hotels are generally within 10 -15 minutes’ reach from the airport.
Banjaran Hot Spring Hotel - a luxury hotel by Sunway, however, is a 25 minute-ride from the airport. So, taxis will charge more for that.
By right, the taxi drivers are supposed to switch on their meters to charge their customers fairly.
But most do not. And you will have to rely on your negotiating skills instead!
On the other hand, Grab while not as widespread as in other major Malaysian cities, is more affordable than taxis (~RM14 to the Old Town from the airport!)
Pros:
Private
Moderately priced
Available for most urban areas
Cons:
Hard to find one late at night
Extra effort to arrange return trips from further away (e.g., Gua Tempurung)
Longer waiting time (since there aren’t that many Grab drivers yet)
3. Car Rental Service
Car rental starts from RM130/ day. This depends on the size and model of the car!
Note: Singapore driving licenses are accepted.
Some car rental companies in Ipoh:
Asia Leisure & Car Rental
Wahdah
Pros:
Easy to get anywhere you want, when you want
Privacy for your group
Cons:
Troublesome to drive and find parking in Old Town
Must download Perak parking app and pay parking fees!
4. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Service
This service is only available on weekends, public holidays and school holidays. The colorful buses have seats at the top and makes numerous stops around Ipoh Old Town and New Town!
Note: It’s not free. See rates below.
The route starts from the Ipoh Train Station (KTMB Ipoh) and to the most touristy part of Ipoh, Ipoh Old Town!
Operating Hours: 9.30am – 8:30pm
KTMB Ipoh
Little India
Ipoh Old Town
Kinta Riverwalk
Gerbang Malam, Brewster Road (Jalan Sultan Idris Shah)
Ipoh Parade/ Weil Hotel
Palo 101
Panglima Kinta/ People’s Park, Old Town
Pros:
Expensive for non-locals
Air-conditioned
Goes to most places of interest in Ipoh
Cons:
No pick up or drop off at your hotel
Only available on weekends
Not private
5. Bus (MyBus)
Public transport is not recommended as it is often not reliable:
By this, we mean that the buses schedules are not predictable! So, you could be wasting a lot of time waiting in the heat. Most bus stops don’t have any toilets, fans, or screens to show when the next bus is coming.
Public Bus: myBas by Perak Transit Bus Terminals:
Terminal Amanjaya – Interstate buses
Medan Kidd Station (Ipoh Old Town) – Local buses
Bus From Ipoh Airport To Town Or Hotel
Bus T37 is very inexpensive at RM3 for a one-way trip! The downside – it takes an hour to reach the city. When you could be there in 20 minutes with a taxi!
Route:
Sultan Azlan Shah Airport - Quest International University Perak - Tow Boo Keong Temple - Mural Art's Lane (Near Jalan Sultan Iskandar - Ipoh New Town) - Railway Station Ipoh (Ipoh Old Town) - Medan Kidd Station
Operating Hours: 5:40 am - 7:00 pm
Frequency: 1 hour
Bus From Amanjaya Bus Terminal To Town
Bus 30a & 30b will both stop at Amanjaya Bus Terminal before heading back to town via Jalan Chemor. Passing through the industrial area of Ipoh!
Route:
Amanjaya Terminal - Carsem S Site - Church Of Our Lady Of Lourdes - Medan Kidd Station
Operating Hours: 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
Frequency: 1 hour
Bus Getting Around Ipoh Town
Perhaps the most popular bus with visitors:
Bus F100 goes around Ipoh Old Town, including the Ipoh Railway Station and other landmarks in Old Town. Eventually making its way through the administrative area of Ipoh (i.e. Greentown).
It stops at a couple of malls and the public hospital before ending its loop back at Medan Kidd Station (Terminal Kidd).
Route:
Medan Kidd Station - Railway Station Ipoh (Ipoh Old Town) - St. Michael's Institution - UTC Ipoh - Gerbang Malam Ipoh - Ipoh Parade - Greentown - Angsana Mall - Ipoh General Hospital - Railway Station Ipoh (Ipoh Old Town) - Medan Kidd Station
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri, 6:30 am - 8:10 pm Sat-Sun, 6:30 am - 8:00 pm
Frequency: 20 - 30 minutes
Price (one-way): RM1 to RM3+
Note: You’ll need exact change to board the buses in Ipoh!
Pros:
Really inexpensive
Stops in Ipoh Old Town and other places of interest
Cons:
Long travel time
Unreliable timing
Not available at night (i.e. after 8pm)
6. Bicycle And Electric Scooter Rental Services
Ipoh doesn’t have the dense traffic you’ll find in other Malaysian cities like KL or Penang.
However, there are no designated lanes for cyclists. So some people just cycle on the pedestrian sidewalks instead!
Watch out for the stray motorcyclist or two! And prepare for humid conditions!
Electric Scooter Rental
These purple electric scooters are available at popular tourist stops like Ipoh Railway Station, the tourist information center and around Ipoh Old Town.
CycleDios Smart Bike Rental
To rent one of their bikes from CycleDios, you will have to download their app first using your mobile number to register!
Buy some credit and unlock a bike with the respective QR code. The standard bikes have a rate of RM1.20 for every 30 minutes!
Note: They have all sorts of bikes!
After using them, you can return the bike to any of the stations around town. Lock the bike to end the charging process!
Pros:
Environmentally-friendly
Flexible – stop whenever you want
Inexpensive
Exercise at the same time
Cons:
At the mercy of the elements (and traffic)!
Online registration required
Only convenient within Ipoh Old Town
7. Walking Around Ipoh
With a map from the Ipoh Tourist Information Centre, yon explore Ipoh Old Town and Ipoh Street Art on your own!
Just be sure to book a hotel that’s close to everything you want to see!
Pros:
Won’t cost you anything!
Can stop easily to take photos
No stress (e.g. to catch the bus or to find parking)
Cons:
Subject to the weather – it’s usually incredibly humid and there may be heavy downpours in the evening
Conclusion
Let RayTheTour be your trusted Ipoh transport and tour service for a fuss-free and memorable experience with our tour guides!
If not, then there are other options like car rental, walking, cycling or the public bus service and taxis!