The ferry in Malaysia – fun, practical, and affordable!
If you’re traveling around Malaysia, there’s a good chance you’ll take a ferry at some point. Whether you’re heading to stunning islands like Langkawi or Tioman, or using the ferry to travel from Malaysia to a neighboring country, it’s a fun experience — and sometimes the only way to get between the mainland and an island destination.
When do you take a ferry in Malaysia?
A ferry is a great way to get from A to B, especially if you’re heading to islands that don’t have a bridge or airport. That’s often the case in Malaysia — the only island with a bridge to the mainland is Penang, and you’ll only find airports on larger islands like Penang, Langkawi, and Labuan (on Malaysian Borneo).
In all other cases, you’ll travel by ferry or small boat. Sometimes you can book tickets online in advance, or you’ll get them as part of a “package,” where the crossing to your island accommodation is already included in the price.
Some popular ferry destinations in Malaysia:
Langkawi:
You can easily take the ferry from the mainland (Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah) to this duty-free island. The alternative is a short flight. The ferry runs regularly and is very cheap. It’s especially popular among backpackers looking to travel affordably from Langkawi to Penang (or onward to Ipoh or Kuala Lumpur).
Tioman:
Boats depart daily from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok to this diving and snorkeling paradise. The ferry also stops at smaller islands near Tioman. It’s best to buy tickets online in advance—unless the crossing is included in your accommodation booking.
Penang:
The ferry between Butterworth and Penang is a classic crossing and a fun way to enter the island. You can buy tickets on the spot, and the trip takes less than 20 minutes.
Malaysian Borneo (Kota Kinabalu to Labuan):
A popular route for those traveling between the island of Labuan and the city of Kota Kinabalu. The ferry departs right from the center of Kota Kinabalu.
Pangkor:
The ferry from the town of Lumut runs back and forth all day. For this one, you just buy tickets at the port. There’s also a ferry from the Marina Island Jetty Complex nearby.
Perhentian:
Several boats with fixed departure times leave daily from Kuala Besut. You can book a ticket online in advance, or the crossing might be included in your booking. At the harbor, they keep a list of resort guests who’ve already paid. You can park your rental car in Kuala Besut for several days. There’s also a local bus stop between Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, and minibuses from various places are usually well-coordinated with the ferry terminal, so you won’t miss your connection—unless the weather’s really bad.
Redang and Lang Tengah:
Boats depart from Merang Jetty. Take a Grab or taxi from Kuala Terengganu Airport, or hop on a local bus. There’s parking available if you’re driving. Note: Merang and Marang are two different ferry terminals in the same region.
Kapas and Gemia (Gem Island):
For these islands, you’ll need to go to Marang Jetty. Usually, the crossing is included in your booking, and you’ll book in advance. You can park your car here easily. Again, a taxi or Grab from Kuala Terengganu Airport is the fastest way to get there.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (near Kota Kinabalu):
Hundreds of small boats leave daily from Jesselton Ferry Terminal in the center of Kota Kinabalu to the small islands in this marine park. You can buy tickets at the counters inside the terminal. If you’ve booked one of the luxury resorts on Gaya Island, the crossing is included.
Mantanani Island:
Arrange the crossing through your accommodation. Many places have their own boarding spot in or near Kota Belud. Transfers from Kota Kinabalu are often included in the booking price. If you’re driving yourself, check with the accommodation in advance.
Other popular islands around Kota Kinabalu:
Always check with your accommodation—many have their own ferry or boat service (usually small boats that pick up and drop off guests at set times from Jesselton).
Islands around Semporna:
Boats to the various islands leave from Semporna throughout the day. Some islands (like the famous diving island of Sipadan) require a permit. In most cases, pickup from Semporna port is included in the booking. You can also book island tours with snorkeling stops directly from Semporna.
Lankayan Island (from Sandakan):
There’s one luxury resort on the island, and the boat transfer from Sandakan Batu Putih Jetty is included in the price.
Book ferry tickets in advance via popular international travel sites
On busy routes (like to Langkawi or Tioman) and during peak season (school holidays, Chinese New Year, etc.), it’s best to book your ferry tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment. For less busy routes, it’s usually fine to buy your ticket on the day itself, but if you want to be on the safe side, book one or two days ahead.
It’s best to pay by credit card, as your purchase will be insured if anything goes wrong. Just keep in mind that you usually can’t change your travel date afterwards. Besides the extra costs, making a change can be a hassle and take time.
We always book our ferry tickets in advance via Redbus.my, a popular travel site that’s often used for both bus and ferry tickets.
Below are some of the most popular ferry routes in Malaysia:
• Mersing – Tioman Island
• Kuala Besut Jetty – Perhentian Island
• Tanjung Gemok – Tioman Island
• Langkawi – Koh Lipe
• Langkawi – Satun
• Kuala Kedah – Langkawi
• Kuala Perlis – Langkawi
• Marang Jetty – Kapas Island
• Marang Jetty – Gemia Island
• Merang Jetty – Lang Tengah Island
• Merang Jetty – Redang Island
The link will take you to the Redbus.my page for the selected ferry route. You can reverse the direction with one click.
Please note: Since 2020, one of the most frequently used ferry routes—the one between Penang and Langkawi—has been discontinued. As an alternative, you can either take a short 20-minute flight between the two islands, or travel by bus (or taxi) from Penang to Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah, and then take the ferry to Langkawi (see the links above).
Frequently asked questions
I don’t see any available ferry tickets for my desired travel date.
This could be due to the rainy season, depending on your destination. For example, there are usually no ferries between roughly November and March on the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula (so you can’t travel to popular islands like Perhentian, Redang, and Tioman). On the west coast, you can’t take the ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe between May and October because of the monsoon that hits during that time.
Are ferries in Malaysia safe?
Yes—generally, ferries are safe. Most companies follow safety regulations, and passengers are usually given life jackets. Still, it never hurts to check if there are enough life jackets on board, especially on smaller boats. Ferry services may be canceled in bad weather, which is actually a good sign—they take safety seriously.
How long in advance should you arrive?
In general, it’s smart to get to the ferry terminal at least 30 to 60 minutes in advance. Queues can get long, especially in high season, and if you still need to buy a ticket, that’ll take extra time. For busier routes, arriving 90 minutes early is even better.
Is there a luggage limit?
Nope—as long as you can carry it yourself, you’re good. A 23 kg suitcase is totally fine to take on board (plus hand luggage and a personal bag).
Can I park my rental car at the ferry terminal?
Yes—there are almost always secure parking areas where you can leave your car (sometimes for a fee, sometimes for free). Car break-ins are very rare in Malaysia, so it’s nothing to worry about.
Tips
- Bring a cardigan or scarf—the air conditioning on the ferry can be freezing!
- Travel early in the day, as ferries can be delayed later due to weather conditions.
- The ferry between Langkawi and Koh Lipe is super popular during the season when Koh Lipe is accessible by sea from Malaysia. Between October and May, you can sail directly between the two islands. From Koh Lipe, you can also continue on to popular spots like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, or the Phuket peninsula. This route is especially popular among backpackers.
- Bring snacks and water, as most ferries don’t have a canteen.
- There’s a ferry from Port Dickson to Dumai on Sumatra—an adventurous (but time-consuming) way to get from Malaysia to Sumatra. There’s also a ferry from Port Klang to Tanjung Balai, closer to Medan. Just note: you’ll need to check the port in advance for departure times.
- Protect your luggage from water—on speedboats or smaller ferries, sea spray can get everything wet, so a waterproof bag or even a simple plastic bag can come in handy.
- Download your e-ticket—sometimes a printed version is required, but usually a screenshot or PDF on your phone is good enough.
- There are no ferries between the Malay Peninsula and Malaysian Borneo.
- Several ferries also run from Singapore to nearby Indonesian islands, like Batam, Bintan, and a few smaller islands.
Suggestions?
Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Malaysia, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below!