Kuala Besut Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Gateway to the Perhentian Islands, Kuala Besut is a small town with a number of hotels and eateries. The town itself is fairly unremarkable, although it does have some nice examples of street art. Importantly, the town is connected to other nearby towns and cities by public transport and in particular there are boats to the Perhentian Islands from the jetty. Find out more in this Kuala Besut destination guide.

What is Kuala Besut Malaysia famous for?

Kuala Besut is known as the gateway to the Perhentian Islands, which are some of the most beautiful islands in Malaysia.

Why you should visit Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut is a convenient place for a quick stop-over on the way to the Perhentian Islands. This quiet town is located in the north east of Peninsular Malaysia on the South China Sea. It has sufficient tourist infrastructure for those passing through or perhaps staying overnight. The town has a small number of accommodation options, restaurants and eateries as well as safe, walkable streets. Being on the water, the town has some nice water views. It also has a few murals, which brighten up the streets.

Kuala Besut Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Kuala Besut Malaysia

• Language – Malay. Terengganu Malay is a dialect of Malay spoken in Kuala Besut. There are 10 dialects of Malay used throughout thought the country, with Standard Malay being the unifying language. English is becoming more widely spoken in the country. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English. Mandarin Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Tamil, other Indian languages as well as Creole are spoken by the various ethnic groups that live in Malaysia.
• Currency – Malaysian ringgit (MYR). This has been the official currency of Malaysia since 1967. Currency exchanges are present in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 15,063 (2015)
• Area – 14 km² (5 sq mi)
• District – Besut
• State – Terengganu
• Emergency number – 999
• Police number – 999

Utilities in Kuala Besut Malaysia

• Electricity – Malaysia uses Type G power plugs. The country operates on a 240v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are reasonably common in Malaysia.
• Water – the tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Tap water is usually treated, but pipes may be old. Therefore most locals boil their water or use a water filter just to be safe.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets as well as Asian style squat toilets are common in Malaysia. Toilets generally come equipped with a spray hose (sometimes referred to as a Muslim shower). The spray hose is like a European bidet and is used for cleaning personal areas as an alternative to toilet paper. All of the accommodation we stayed in throughout the country was equipped with the western style sit-down flushing toilets with spray hoses. Toilet paper is also usually provided. Don’t flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. The use of bathroom slippers is customary and is provided in accommodation and sometimes also in public bathrooms. Public bathrooms often offer both sit-down and squat style toilets. Public toilets are common in Malaysia. The charge is usually around 30-50 sens.
• Telephone country code: +60

Where is Kuala Besut Malaysia?

Kuala Besut is in the Besut district on the coast of the state of Terengganu Malaysia. It is located on the South China Sea near the mouth of Besut River (Sungai Besut). The city is towards the northern end of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

The closest towns to Kuala Besut are Jerteh and also Kota Bharu. Kuala Besut is less than 30 minutes by bus from Jerteh and 1 hour by bus from Kota Bharu.

How to get to Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut destination guide: Arriving by land

Kuala Besut Malaysia intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Kuala Besut Malaysia are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Kuala Besut from within Malaysia

If you are driving to Kuala Besut from within Malaysia, here are the travel times and distances:

• Jerteh, Terengganu – 24 minutes (17km, 11miles) without tolls
• Kota Bharu – 1 hour 9 minutes (53km, 20miles) without tolls
• Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu – 1 hour 58 minutes (107km, 66miles) without tolls
• Kuantan, Pahang – 4 hours 16 minutes (318km, 123miles) with tolls or 4 hours 40 minutes (302km, 117miles) without tolls
• George Town, Penang – 6 hours 21 minutes (355km, 221miles) with tolls or 6 hours 38 minutes (361km, 224miles) without tolls
• Kuala Lumpur – 6 hours 25 minutes (442km, 171miles) with tolls or 7 hours 11 minutes (444km, 171miles) without tolls
• Mersing, Johor – 7 hours 12 minutes (512km, 318miles) with tolls or 7 hours 20 minutes (493km, 306miles) without tolls
• Malacca, Malacca – 7 hours 25 minutes (566km, 352miles) with tolls or 8 hours 29 minutes (566km, 352miles) without tolls
• Johor Bahru, Johor – 8 hours 23 minutes (661km, 411miles) with tolls or 9 hours 3 minutes (620km, 385miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut does not have a train station. The closest train station is at Tanah Merah, which is 1 hour 10 minutes drive away. Another popular train station nearby is Wakaf Bahru station, which services Kota Bharu. These train stations are on Malaysia’s jungle railway, which services the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This railway line goes from Tumpat near Kota Bharu to Gemas. Here Malaysia’s east coast rail line meets the west coast line, which continues to Johor Bahru in the south and up to Kuala Lumpur and onwards to Padang Besar on the Thai border in the northern direction. The Malaysia jungle train is a scenic ride that takes you past karst mountains and rice paddies, stopping at charming Malaysian towns along the way. It is an extremely affordable way to travel and on our journey we met some lovely people along the way.

Malaysia train travel vlog

We spent about a week travelling along the jungle railway in Malaysia, starting at Wakaf Bharu train station and stopping along the way at Kuala Krai, Dabong, Gua Musang and Kuala Lipis. We were surprised that the train from Wakaf Bharu to Kuala Krai cost only 3 ringgit per person (as at 2023). Travelling by train in Malaysia was a very memorable journey and we never expected to affect us so much. Watch the Malaysia train travel vlog below to find out all about our Malaysia jungle train experience. This Malaysia travel vlog includes everything you need to know about travel by train in Malaysia, including Malaysia train costs, train amenities in Malaysia, how to book trains in Malaysia as well as Malaysia travel tips so you can plan an amazing Malaysia trip for yourself.

Intercity buses to Kuala Besut Malaysia

A common way to get around Malaysia is by using intercity buses. These are budget friendly and the network is also extensive. Intercity bus companies in Malaysia include KKKL Express as well as S&S International. Popular bus destinations from Kuala Besut include:

• Jerteh Malaysia – travel time 17 minutes. Tickets cost start from 10 ringgit one way.
• Kota Bharu Malaysia – travel time 1 hour. Tickets cost 6.20 ringgit one way.
• Kuala Terengganu Malaysia – travel time 2 hours. Tickets cost 10.80 ringgit one way.
• Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – travel time 7 hours 45 minutes. Tickets start from 44 ringgit one way.

Kuala Besut destination guide: Arriving by air

The closest airport to Kuala Besut is Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (Airport code KBR). This airport is 47km (29 miles) away.

Other nearby airports include:

• Sultan Mahmud Airport (Airport code TGG). This airport is 79km (49 miles) away.
• Narathiwat Airport (Airport code NAW). This airport is 118km (73 miles) away.
• Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (Airport code IPH). This airport is 215km (134 miles) away.

The national airline of Malaysia is Malaysia Airlines.

Kuala Besut destination guide: Arriving by boat

Ferries connect Kuala Besut to the nearby Perhentian Islands. A number of resorts on the Perhentian Islands have their own ferry transfer service included in the accommodation package. Ferry companies that offer ferries from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands include Seven Seas Transportation Services, Perhentian Trans Holiday, Perhentian Sunny Travel, Said Bonaza Express as well as Mieha Holiday Travel. An adult one way ferry ticket between Kuala Besut and the Perhentian Islands costs 35 ringgit. The journey time from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands is approximately 45 minutes.

Kuala Besut destination guide: How to get around Kuala Besut Malaysia

Walking in Kuala Besut Malaysia

By far the easiest and cheapest way to get around Kuala Besut is to walk. Kuala Besut is a small town and is very walkable.

Local buses in Kuala Besut Malaysia

Local buses service Kuala Besut.

Trams in Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut does not have a tram system.

Local trains in Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut does not have a local train line.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut does not have an underground train line.

Vehicle hire in Kuala Besut Malaysia

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Malaysia. This includes:

• Electric scooters
• Bicycles
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Boats

In Malaysia they drive on the left side of the road.

Taxis in Malaysia

Share taxi rides are an easy and affordable way to get in and out of Kuala Besut. If you are coming from Kota Bharu, your hotel or guest house should be able to organise a share taxi to Kuala Besut for you. It is also possible to get a share taxi from Kuala Besut to Sungai Kolok, on the Thai border.

Taxis are common in Malaysia. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. However taxi drivers in Malaysia do not have the best reputation, which is why alternative services like Grab are very popular.

In general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle.
• Airport surcharge – this is an additional fixed fee for travelling to an airport.
• Price per kilometre – the rate is double between midnight and 6am.
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.
• Surcharge for more than 2 adult passengers – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Surcharge for using the luggage compartment – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Surcharge for booking by phone – this is an additional fixed fee.
• Road toll charges

Check that the meter gets switched on at the start of your journey at the right rate. We also recommend bringing enough change in cash as drivers generally only accept cash and may not have change.

Alternatively, if booking in advance the fare may be a fixed price that is agreed on before the trip. Some taxis also operate on a pre-paid coupon system where the coupon is purchased from a counter at the airport.

It is not necessary or expected to tip taxi drivers in Malaysia.

Ride-share services in Kuala Besut Malaysia

Grab is the main app based ride-hailing service in Malaysia. Other ride-share services in Malaysia include MyCar, MULA, DACSEE, EzCar, inDriver as well as the women only service Riding Pink. Uber no longers operates in Malaysia after Grab acquired all of its Southeast Asia assets. Lyft services only Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia via its Grab partnership.

Kuala Besut destination guide: Is Kuala Besut Malaysia worth visiting?

Kuala Besut itself is a small town that is not worth going out of your way for. However it is the launchpad to the Perhentian Islands, which are certainly worth visiting.

Kuala Besut destination guide: How long to spend in Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut is a quiet town which is primarily a transfer point to get to the Perhentian Islands. We wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here. A few hours is plenty. However if you need to stay overnight, there are hotels and restaurants available.

Kuala Besut destination guide: What to do in Kuala Besut Malaysia

Kuala Besut is a small town which is known mainly as the gateway to the Perhentian Islands. However the town does have a few activities on offer. It has a small number of free activities as well as paid activities.

Kuala Besut destination guide: Free things to do in Kuala Besut Malaysia

There are enough free activities in Kuala Besut Malaysia to keep you entertained for a weekend:

• Pantai Bukit Keluang (Bukit Keluang Beach)
• Kolam Air Panas La (La Hot Springs) – entry is free, but use of the toilets is 50 sens
• Bukit Keluang hiking trail
• Masjid Teluk Bayu
• Dataran Pantai Pachakan
• Kubu British Pengkalan Attap
• Kuala Besut Square
• Kuala Besut Bridge

Kuala Besut destination guide: Paid activities in Kuala Besut Malaysia

A number of attractions in Kuala Besut Malaysia charge a fee:

• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling
• Paragliding
• Parasailing
• Boat tours

Weather in Kuala Besut Malaysia

The climate for Kuala Besut is classified as tropical, with relatively uniform hot temperatures and also high humidity throughout the year. The hottest month is May with an average temperature range of 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) and coldest month December with an average temperature between 24°C to 29°C (75°F to 84°F). There are two monsoon seasons in Malaysia, November to early March, which is typically the most rainy, and June to September. The period of March through to June between the two monsoons is the hottest and also the most uncomfortable weather of the year.

Best time to visit the Kuala Besut Malaysia

We recommend visiting Kuala Besut between June and September. During these months, the weather is warm and sunny with the lowest amount of rain. This is ideal for outdoor activities around Kuala Besut and on the nearby islands.

Internet and mobile phones in Malaysia

Major internet and phone companies in Malaysia – Celcom, Digi, Hotlink (Maxis), U Mobile, UniFi Mobile, Tune Talk, Yes, XOX Mobile / ONEXOX, redONE, Yoodo, Telekom Malaysia and Time dotCom.

5G has been in Malaysia since December 2021. 2G will not be be switched off in Malaysia. 3G is was switched off in March 2022.

Malaysia is ranked 61^st fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 38^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 90mbps and upload is 51mbps (as at October 2022).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in a numbers of places throughout Malaysia. These include phone stores, in shopping malls, at bus stations as well as at airports. Some form of ID, such as a passport, is required in order to purchase a SIM card in Malaysia.

How much to budget for Kuala Besut Malaysia?

Is Kuala Besut Malaysia expensive?

Kuala Besut itself is an affordable destination. However, Kuala Besut is the gateway to the luxury destination the Perhentian Islands. The Perhentian Islands are much more expensive than mainland Malaysia.

Kuala Besut destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Kuala Besut Malaysia

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 150 ringgit per day for a couple will get you budget accommodation, meals from bakeries and markets, local transport and free or cheap activities such as visiting shopping centres and markets
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 ringgit per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, local transport, restaurant meals and a few paid activities
• Luxury spend – Kuala Besut itself is not a luxury destination. However it is a gateway to the Perhentian Islands, which certainly is a luxury destination.

Kuala Besut destination guide: Accommodation in Kuala Besut Malaysia

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Kuala Besut Malaysia. Airbnb operates in Malaysia, and there are a number of Airbnb properties in Kuala Besut. Wifi is not always provided for Airbnb properties in Malaysia, so we recommend checking if it is included in the listing. One thing to keep in mind with hotels in Malaysia is that smoking in hotel rooms is often permitted.

Where to stay in Kuala Besut Malaysia?

We recommend the following accommodation in Kuala Besut Malaysia:

• Best hotel in Kuala Besut Malaysia – there are a number of hotels near kuala besut jetty. We recommend staying at T’Lodge in Kuala Besut. It’s a simple hotel that is conveniently located near the jetty. There are also restaurants nearby. The rooms are clean, comfortable and spacious. There isn’t much Kuala Besut Jetty accommodation to choose, but T’Lodge is a good choice when in transit to the Perhentian Islands.

How much is accommodation in Kuala Besut Malaysia?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – there is no dorm accommodation in Kuala Besut. The cheapest accommodation is 50 ringgit for a private room.
• Mid-range accommodation – 90-150 ringgit for a private room.
• Luxury accommodation – Kuala Besut does not have luxury accommodation, however the nearby Perhentian Islands does.
• Rental property – 160-470 ringgit a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home.

Tourist tax on accommodation in Malaysia

From 1 January 2023 there is a tourist tax of 10 ringgit per accommodation per night in Malaysia. This tax is collected by the property. Permanent residents and Malaysian nationals are exempt from the tax. Furthermore the tourist tax does not apply to homestays and kampung stays registered with the Ministry of Tourism.

Kuala Besut destination guide: Food in Kuala Besut Malaysia

How much does food cost in Kuala Besut Malaysia?

Our price guide for your food budget in Kuala Besut Malaysia is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 30-60 ringgit for a main dish
• Night market or hawker market food – 5-15 ringgit for a dish
• Ais kachang – 4-6 ringgit
• Coffee – 1.50-2.50 ringgit

Cheap Eats in Kuala Besut Malaysia

• Bakeries are a great place to get cheap and delicious food.
• Hawker centres in Malaysia are ubiquitous and have excellent budget friendly food. The variety of stalls available means that you have a good range of options to choose from.
• Night markets in Malaysia are another of our go to places for affordable and tasty food. There’s also usually stalls selling items like clothes, toys and shoes in addition to the food stalls. The closest night market to Kuala Besut is Pasar Malam Pengkalan Nyireh, which is 5 minutes drive away.
• Street food is also a very common cheap eat option in Malaysia.

Kuala Besut Malaysia culture

Weekends in Terengganu Malaysia

Which days are weekdays and weekend days vary in Malaysia depending on the state you’re in. In the state of Terengganu weekdays are Sunday to Thursday and weekends are Friday and Saturday. Keep this in mind as weekends can affect prices and availability (particularly for accommodation). Additionally weekends may impact opening hours as well as how crowded attractions are.

Terengganu public holidays

Malaysia has one of the highest number of public holidays in the world. In total, there are between 18 and 20 public holidays observed in each state. This includes national holidays as well as state based holidays. Public holidays for the state of Terengganu are as follows:

• Chinese New Year’s Day – 1^st day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Chinese New Year Holiday – 2^nd day of 1^st lunar month, in January or February
• Isra and Miraj – 27 Rejab (Islamic calendar)
• Sultan of Terengganu’s Coronation Day – 4 March
• Nuzul Al-Quran Day – 17^th day of Ramadan
• Sultan of Terengganu’s Birthday – 26 April
• Labour Day – 1 May
• Wesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) – May or June, date varies
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa – the last day of Ramadan, date varies
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday or Hari Raya Puasa Holiday – day after the last day of Ramadan, date varies
• Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday (King’s Birthday) – 1^st Monday in June
• Arafah Day – 9 Zulhijjah (Islamic calendar)
• Hari Raya Qurban (Aidiladha) (Feast of the Sacrifice) – date varies
• Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) – date varies
• Merdeka Day (National Day, Independence Day) – 31 August
• Malaysia Day – 16 September
• Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) – 12^th day of the 3^rd month of the Islamic calendar
• Deepavali – date varies, October or November
• Christmas Day – 25 December

National symbols of Malaysia

• Malaysia flag – 14 alternating red and white stripes with a blue canton with a yellow crescent and 14 pointed star. The Malaysian flag is called the Stripes of Glory.
• Malaysia coat of arms – two tigers supporting a shield with a yellow crescent and a 14 pointed star on top and a yellow banner with words that translate to “Unity is strength” written in both romanised Malay and Jawi at the bottom.
• National flower – hibiscus
• National bird – rhinoceros hornbill
• Malaysia national animal – the Malayan tiger

Malaysia pastimes

• National dish – nasi lemak
• Popular drinks – teh tarik, Ipoh white coffee, milo ais, sirup bandang
• National sport – sepak takraw
• Religion – 64% Islam, 19% Buddhist, 9% Christian, 6% Hindu (as at 2020)

Is Kuala Besut Malaysia Safe?

Malaysia travel guide: Safety in Malaysia

We have spent around 4 months travelling extensively through Malaysia over two separate trips. In our experience the country is extremely safe. Malaysia ranks 18^th safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2022). As with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatching particularly at crowded tourist attractions. In particular, when eating out don’t leave your bag, phone or wallet on the table or next to you where someone can quickly grab it and run away. Instead keep your belongings physically attached to you at all times. Make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Malaysia

Other general safety considerations for travel in Malaysia:

• Drinking water – tap water in Malaysia is not generally safe to drink. Tap water is usually treated, but pipes may be old. Most locals boil their water or use a water filter.
• Mosquitoes – mosquito borne illnesses are a significant risk in Malaysia, particularly dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Malaysia is in the pre-elimination phase of malaria. While malaria is a greater risk in Malaysian Borneo, there have also been cases on the Malaysian peninsula. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
• Altitude sickness – Malaysia has areas of high altitude and therefore altitude sickness risk. If you visit high altitude areas in Malaysia, allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience signs of altitude sickness, including headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk in Malaysia. While road conditions in Malaysia are generally very good, traffic is often very heavy. Furthermore drivers in Malaysia tend to speed up rather than slowing down for amber lights. We also found that roads in Malaysia are not typically built with pedestrians in mind, and footpaths often stop unexpectedly in busy areas.
• Water safety – take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Malaysia experiences both regional and local earthquake activity. In an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall. If inside, get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.
• Dogs – rabies from rabid dog bites is a risk in Malaysia. For more on dog safety while travelling, check out this video.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

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