Kota Bharu Voyage Tips and guide

Kota Bharu (also Kota Bahru or Kota Baru) is the state capital of Kelantan, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Many travellers simply pass through on their way to the Perhentian Islands, but those who spend a few days in KB have the chance to go to some of the museums mentioned below, eat some delicious food, look at a unique style of traditional architecture and get a little bit of the feel of a city that has an interesting cultural identity all its own - albeit one built on relatively strict religious adherence.

Kota Bharu is the vibrant capital of the state of Kelantan, whose unique culture and dialect are proudly promoted and sustained in all aspects that do not conflict with orthodox Islam. Visitors can experience local culture in the form of the Thai- and Indian-influenced cuisine, dress (the state is probably the most famous for batik in Malaysia), handicrafts, some traditional architecture, museums showing the state's cultural heritage, and the sound of the Kelantanese dialect. Speakers of standard Malay may not be able to understand the local dialect, although if you speak standard Malay, locals will understand you and reply in standard Malay. You can hear Bahasa Kelantan not only in the markets and on the streets but also on local radio stations, and most shop signs are written in both standard romanized Malay and the Arabic-based Jawi script (even the shops with English names still spell out the English words in Jawi letters!).

Kota Bharu is a very socially conservative city in a state ruled by the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS). For instance, cinemas have been essentially banned in the state of Kelantan since the 1990s, on moral grounds. Visitors will hear the azan (call for prayer) from many mosques 5 times a day, and the khutbah (sermon) may also be broadcast from some mosques with loudspeakers. Visitors should be prepared for breaks to be taken in many places including the Pasar Malam (Night Market) during Islamic prayer times.

Map of Kota Bharu

• 6.166667102.2927781 Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR  ^IATA). Kota Bharu's small but efficient airport in Pengkalan Chepa receives flights from Kuala Lumpur provided by Malaysia Airlines and budget carrier AirAsia. Advance bookings especially for AirAsia can be very cheap (with best promotional fares you can end up flying cheaper than going by bus, if you have no check-in luggage). (updated Apr 2019)

Firefly offers direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Getting to/away: The airport is 20 minutes from the city centre by taxi (fare was RM40 in January 2012). You can also catch a City-Liner bus No. 9 from the local bus station in the city centre (RM1.80, hourly, from 7AM to 7PM, duration around 20 minutes).

The nearest railway station to Kota Bharu is 6.118408102.2006732 Wakaf Bharu station. (updated Sep 2025), some 6.5 kilometers away from the city center. Take bus D20 to Kota Bharu Bus Terminal in the city centre. (RM1.50 in Sep 2025) or just ask your hotel/guesthouse to arrange a taxi for you (RM35 in Feb 2011). The official taxis at the station have a rate sheet.

The Jungle Railway connects other places in Malaysia with Kota Bahru. All trains are operated by KTMB. There are 5 daily services to Kota Bharu. 4 daytime shuttle trains and 1 overnight train from Johor Bahru.

By day. Shuttles 52 and 58 depart from Gua Musang at 5:05AM and 2:50PM, Shuttle 56 departs from Dabong at 2:55PM, and Shuttle 60 departs from Kuala Lupis at 4:35PM. If you are connecting from ETS services you should change at Gemas for Shuttle 34 departing 09:25AM, arriving Kuala Lupis at 2:25PM, then change to Shuttle 60. Trains are second class only.

By night. The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran runs daily between Johor Bahru and Tumpat, departing JB Sentral 8:25PM arriving Wakaf Bharu 12:39PM. Trains consist of second class sleeper only with limited on-train catering. Take care around train doors as they do not lock.

There are no direct services from Thailand. Instead, take the train to the border town of Sungai Kolok, then take bus D32 to Kota Bahru (RM4.70 in 2025).

The state-run SKMK and Transnasional is the largest bus company, and operate all the city and regional buses, and most of the long-distance buses. It operates from the central bus station (city and regional buses) and the Langgar bus station (long-distance buses). All the other long-distance bus companies operate from Jalan Hamzah external bus station. On arrival in Kota Bharu some of the buses will drop you at the central bus station, but they don't depart from there. Transnasional is the easiest to deal with, as it has ticket offices at all the bus stations. Long-distance departures are from Langgar bus station but, just to make thing confusing, a few evening buses also go from central bus station. Ask which station your bus departs from when you buy your ticket, and book as far ahead as possible, especially for the Butterworth and Penang buses.

There are several buses to Butterworth (RM30, five or six hours) and buses to Penang (RM34.70, six hours and 15 minutes) with one long stop (60-75 minutes) at Gerik. Buses to Penang leave in the morning at 09:00 and in the evening. There are also regular buses to Kuala Terengganu (RM16, three hours) and Kuantan (RM33, six hours). Apart from that, there are also buses to Kuala Lumpur (RM40, nine hours), Johor Bahru (RM65, 12 hours), Singapore (13-14 hours), Melaka (RM55, 10-11 hours), Seremban (RM48, 10 hours) and Ipoh (RM35, seven hours). Other destinations are Alor Setar, Jerantut, Jitra, Gerik, Temerloh, Dungun, Kemaman, Kangar and Kerteh. The other bus companies cover many of the same routes and are worth trying.

From the Thai border town of Sungai Kolok, there is a red city liner bus 29 (departs from the central bus station) for RM5, which operates the 36 km stretch. Just wait along the Malaysian side of the border along the covered walkway and flag it.

• 6.11233102.229143 Kota Bharu Bus Terminal. (updated Apr 2019)

BAS.MY (route info in Malay) runs several local bus routes connecting Kota Bahru and surrounding towns.

Kota Bharu itself offers many museums near Independence Square (Padang Merdeka). Several of the museums and the nearby Istana Balai Besar (the downtown Royal Palace) were built in a unique kind of elegant architecture that is well worth seeing. Arguably the most amazing building is the central market (Pasar Besar). It is an octagonal building in the centre of town and houses a very colourful and active market every day. Nearby is a plain square which turns into the local food market in the evenings (Pasar Malam = Night Market).

Some visitors (particularly those interested in the history and cultural heritage of Kelantan) may also find the Muzium Negeri Kelantan (Kelantan State Museum) on Jalan Hospital 15000 of interest.

The following museums in Kota Bharu are all open from 08:30-16:45 every day except Fridays, when they are closed:

• 6.13203102.237881 Muzium Kraftangan. Handicrafts Museum, with attached gift shop selling handicrafts (updated Apr 2019)
• 6.12492102.238232 Muzium Negeri. State Museum, see above (updated Apr 2019)
• 6.13187102.235473 Memorial Peperangan Dunia Ke II (Bank Kerapu Second World War Memorial), Jalan Hospital, ☏ +60 9-747 6266, [email protected]. This is not just a memorial but a small museum, housed in a former bank building that was used by the Japanese as a secret police station when they occupied Malaya. It's worth a quick visit for history buffs. (updated Apr 2015)
• 6.13217102.237314 Muzium Diraja. Royal Museum, which contains photos of the current and previous Sultans and such-like (updated Apr 2019)
• 6.131639102.2359445 Muzium Islam. Museum of Islam (updated Apr 2019)
• 6.13156102.237066 Muzium Adat Istiadat Diraja Kelantan. Museum of Royal Kelantanese Traditions, which contains interesting artifacts and exhibits for those interested in cultural history (updated Apr 2019)

There are great temples to visit in nearby towns: near Tumpat there is Wat Pothivihan (huge reclining Buddha), Wat Mai Suwan Khiri (dragon boat & standing Buddha), Wat Chonprachumthat at Kg. Dalam, Wat Machimarran Varran (sitting Buddha), and Wat Serova Buddhist Temples (Goddess of Mercy - Kuan Yin). At Bachok, there is a 30 m high standing Buddha at Wat Phothikyan and a Kuan Yin temple facing the South China Sea nearby.

There is also a historic mosque in Kampung Laut, Tumpat district, across the Kelantan River, which is accessible if you have a car. The Kampung Laut Mosque (Masjid Kampung Laut), of wooden construction, is said to date back to the 15th century, although it was greatly enlarged in the second half of the 19th century.

• Cultural Show at Culture Centre 3 times a week on Saturday 15:00-16:45 & 20:00-23:30, Monday 15:00-16:45, Wednesday 15:00-16:45 & 20:00-00:00.
• River cruise along Sungai Galas down to Dabong (2 hours).
• Explore the caves at Gua Ikan, Dabong.
• Stong Waterfall, reputed to be the highest in Southeast Asia at about 990 metres.
• Mount Stong State Park. One of the main attractions at the state park is Gunung Stong, Mt. Stong (1,422 metres), a dome-shaped granite complex more than 500 million years old.
• Nenggiri Rafting Adventure - The selected leg of the journey covers approximately about 50 km, departing from Kuala Betis / Gua Cha and ending up at Kampung Star.

• Go to the day and night markets. Have Nasi Kerabu for lunch at the day market and Ayam Percik at the night market.
• Walk around the downtown area.
• Bicycle around Pengkalan Chepa area (airport), see old WW2 British pillboxes near beach at Pantai Sabak. For history buffs only but no beach anymore due to erosion.
• Go to the beach, either PCB Beach or Irama Beach (Beach of Melody). PCB Beach has batik shops, one of which is Citra Batik about 500 m from the beach. Also eat fried seafood at PCB Beach or Irama Beach with coconut water.
• Beautiful beaches at Bachok - Pantai Perkasa, Pantai Sungai Dua, Pantai Kandis.
• 6.123839102.2435611 Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium. (updated Apr 2019)

• Hand-printed batik clothes. Kota Bharu Trade Centre (KBTC), which offers a variety of choices, is located just beside Pasar Siti Khadijah. Other places to buy hand-printed batik include Citra Batik at PCB Beach or at the KB Mall in town which has higher prices but is more convenient.
• Silverware - at the touristy museum in Kota Bharu town.
• Crystals and gemstones - you can find them at the local wet market or morning market or specialist shops. Emerald (locals call them zamrud), ruby, sapphire, topaz, tiger's eye, etc. can be found. But beware as there are many fakes sold.
• Kites - Miniature wau bulan are a local handicraft, but they are expensive and don't fly, so don't get them except for souvenirs. It is better to buy the plastic types for children because those kites can fly.

• 6.1144102.23171 Tesco Hypermarket, Lot 1828 seksyen 17, ☏ +60 9-743-3366. 08:30-23:00. UK owned supermarket. lower prices.  
• 6.12899102.239312 Giant Hypermarket, Trade Centre Jalan Padang Garong, ☏ +60 9-7413001. 09:30-22:00. (updated Mar 2017)
• Pacific Hypermarket, KB Mall Jalan Hamzan. 08:00-22:00. (updated Mar 2017)
• Mydin Department Store, Lot 69 Jalan Pintu Pong, ☏ +60 9-7482864. 09:30-20:00. lower price. (updated Mar 2017)
• The Store, 127 JL Parit Dalam Bandar. 09:00-21:00. Supermarket & department store. (updated Mar 2017)

Kota Bharu is full of delicious Kelantanese food, a unique cuisine influenced by Thai and Indian styles, among others. Lots of goodies are to be found in the pasars and in coffee shops throughout the city. Chinese food is also available at various restaurants and food courts.

Among the local specialities are:

• Ayam Percik, chicken which is roasted over a wood fire and combined with coconut/peanut sauce and delicious local herbs and greens. Yati Ayam Percik (847, Jalan Long Yunus) has got to be the best around (take a bicycle from your guesthouse to arrive there, it's about 2 km from the centre);
• Nasi Kerabu, rice with fragrant, fresh-picked leaves and shoots, traditionally dipped into budu (fish sauce), sambal belacan (shrimp paste with hot pepper, etc.) or/and tempoyak (fermented durian sauce); You can find it in the morning at the Central Market first floor foodcourt.
• Nasi Dagang Kelantan. The slightly glutinous-textured rice is cooked in coconut, and similar to Nasi Dagang Terengganu, except the Kelantanese rice grains have a tint of maroon. Served with either a fish or chicken gravy, it is a local favourite breakfast food.
• Murtabak, savory or sweet crêpes. Murtabak Raja (Royal Murtabak) is the famous one on Jalan Bayam. They sell takeaway Murtabak and sweets, the staff is really nice and friendly.
• If you visit around Hari Raya time, don't miss the chance to try Tapai, which is sweet fermented cassava or rice, wrapped in tapioca leaves. If you like tea, wash everything down with Teh O (tea with sugar) or Teh Susu (tea with sweetened condensed milk).
• Keropok Lekor Losong (the local version is Keropok Gote), originally from Losong village and considered by Kelantanese to be the benchmark of all fish paste sausages. Comes fried or boiled. Kelantan Keropok Gote is not like Terengganu Kerepok Lekor Losong; it is thicker at about 4 cm.
• Durian puffs (locally called Lepok Durian or Gelembung Buaya, they are in 3 colours: red, yellow and green), at Kubang Pasu wet market in the mornings - for durian lovers with strong stomachs only. These delicious pastries are sold at the wet market surrounded by fish. Buy from the lady at the corner, not in the middle of wet market.
• Morning Satay, same lady, but not so delicious. Just for the experience. It also can be found in various restaurants in town. There are a few famous satay sellers like Satay Baung, Satay Suria, etc.

For Chinese food, go to:

• Jalan Kebun Sultan - restaurants opposite Public Bank, and food court
• Jalan Post Office Lama - restaurants.

For Thai food, try restaurants in Taman Cemerlang and in nearby Wakaf Bharu town.

In supermarkets, advisable to be cautious around the packaged frozen foods as in developing countries, quality problems and spoilage are more common here. Prefer locally sourced meats, consider trying canned foods.

• Coconut water from the fruit, then scrape and eat the flesh
• Beer - Chinese restaurants serve beer to non-Muslims.

There are a few watering holes in KB - one has a disco feel about it (called Restoran), a few have a few "Thai drinks promoters".

• Soon Lee Agency, ☏ +60 9-7446689. Selling wines, spirits and beers. Address: 5565-D Jalan Pengkalan Chepa (in city center, on the way to Thai Consulate). Operating: 10:30-18:30. 

• Hotel Harmoni (Jalan Temenggong, beside Kota Bharu City Clock Tower.), ☏ +60 10-401 1393. Wifi and TV. From RM65. 
• My Place Guest House, 4340-Q2, Jalan Sri Cemerlang, ☏ +60 13-901 1463 nice and clean rooms with air-con. Friendly, English-speaking staff. Wi-Fi available. An Internet Cafe across the street. Free DVDs. Single & Double RM25, dorm RM 15
• Zeck's Traveller's Inn, Jalan Sri Cemerlang, ☏ +60 9-743 1613. quiet, clean, tiled floors, parking, outdoor seating, reasonably close to town,10 minutes walk to Thai Consulate, tour info. dorm beds & Single & double RM12-15-25-45-70.
• Lee Guesthouse, 263 Jalan KK1/9, Bandar Baru Kubang Kerian (off Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, old name Jalan Pasir Puteh), ☏ +60 17-980 6638, [email protected]. Clean, friendly and comfortable guesthouse. 5 minutes walking distance to the Hospital University. Free internet facilities and satellite television in the living room, cooking facilities available. The hotel provides airport to the Wakaf Bharu Train Station and Central Bus Station pickup services to the guesthouse. From RM75 to RM180. Can also arrange trip or boat ticket & transfer to Perhentian Island, Cameron Highlands and Taman Negara. 
• Royal Guest House, lot 440&443 & lot 448-452, Jalan Hilir Kota at Jalan Istana ☏ +60 9-7430008. Formerly Safar Inn. Rates from RM110.
• Min House Camp, Lot 1287 in Pulau Village (~8 km southeast of Kota Bharu), ☏ +60 13-922 5440, [email protected]. Jalan Kubang Kerian. Safe, peaceful and clean village environment for small group, up to family gathering. No limit of occupancy, free extra bed. RM70 for triple-room, RM120 for connected 2- triple room & RM170 for a big house. 
• Cerana Guesthouse, 1120, Jalan Padang Garong, ☏ +60 19-960 6734, [email protected]. Small, quiet guesthouse in the centre of Kota Bharu. Cheap rooms and friendly staff. Some rooms have a small ensuite bathroom and air-con. The staff can arrange transfer to the Perhentian islands by minivan + boat. Some dodgy wiring and maintenance work, but a nice place overall. Has a fan dorm. RM12-30-40. 
• ParkView Hospitality, 3952-L T/1, Jalan Padang Garong (alternatively just Jalan Dato Perdana), ☏ +60 9 746 1133. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Simple but clean guest house with narrow room, small living room and terrace, free Wi-Fi, filtered water, central quiet location, single room for RM30; double RM40, double AC RM50, dormitory with 2 bench RM30 all with outside shared bathroom. RM30-50. (updated Nov 2016)
• Timur Guest House, 375 Tingkat, 2-B, Jalan Tengku Maharani, ☏ +60 12-922 7597. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Fan 4-bed mixed dorm. Single/double rooms. Free Wi-Fi. RM24/30/42. 
• KB Backpackers Lodge, 286, 2879-D Seksyen 12, Jalan Mahmood, ☏ +60 19-944 5222. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Dorm beds and single/double rooms. RM48. 

• 6.12714102.235441 Crystal Lodge, 124 Jalan Che Su, ☏ +60 9-747-0888, [email protected]. A/C, wifi, free breakfast buffet, laundry service, rooftop terrace for relaxing and taking in the city. RM97.  
• Dynasty Inn, 2865-D&E, Jalan Sultanah Zainab, ☏ +60 9-747-3000, [email protected]. Breakfast, wifi. Has an appealing facade with arches from top to bottom. Balconies, massage service. From RM81. 
• 6.12893102.234252 Grand Riverview Hotel, 151 Jalan Post Office Lama, ☏ +60 9-743-9988, [email protected]. Has Chinese touches in styling, and an impressive frontage along the river. Fitness center, outdoor pool, pretty sumptuous free offerings for breakfast with fruits and rolls, wifi. From RM126.  
• Pasir Belanda, Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Kampung Kijang, ☏ +60 9-771 8506, [email protected]. Resort with Malay building style kind of out in the country with pool and laundry service and a/c. From RM149. 
• Suria Homestay Kubang Kerian, PT 901, Taman Makmur, Kg Chicha,, Jalan Pasir Puteh, Kubang Kerian (Near Universiti Sains Malaysia.), ☏ +60 19-358 6853. Huge bungalows for RM250 per night. 

• 6.12125102.241753 Hotel Perdana, Jahlan Mahmood, ☏ +60 9 7458888, [email protected]. This has quite the inviting pool and is a modern structure with some Malay carvings. Nice sitting areas inside and outside, and quite a buffet spread for breakfast. From RM174.  
• 6.12698102.247794 Emaslink Pacific Hotel, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, ☏ +60 9-745 6555. A highrise hotel, but needs some maintenance.  
• The Grand Renai Hotel, Kota Sri Mutiara, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, ☏ +60 9-746 2233. This behemoth hotel that used to be a Marriott property adds to the skyline pretty boldly and has an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, wifi, and restaurant with breakfast (extra charge). From RM166. 
• Pelangi Riverview Kondominium, 731, Jalan Che Kadir, ☏ +60 17-907 1477, [email protected]. 4 rooms condominium. It affords an unrivaled view from above the Kelantan River, though it might not be so great if you're agoraphobic. From RM200. 

Be respectful of the cultural and religious sensibilities of Kota Bharu's primarily Muslim inhabitants. There is no need for non-Muslim women to wear a tudung (hijab), but both men and women wear modest clothing that covers their shoulders and torso completely, pants and skirts should at least cover the knee.

From the airport, train station (in Wakaf Bharu), and city you can take a taxi (45-60 min; RM60-80) to Kuala Besut for regular boat connections to the Perhentian Islands. There is also a direct bus service to Kuala Besut Jetty - take bus 639 from the central station (RM6), the trip takes 1½-2 hours and services by Cityliner Kelantan Bhd. leaves at 06:15, 07:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:39, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:30, 18:30. The bus has no AC and is quite dirty and with doors open to get some fresh air gets very dusty. The same company also offers slightly discounted fast boat tickets at their Kota Bharu bus station ticket counter.

• Sungai Kolok
• Tak Bai (via Ban Taba)