Taman Negara National Park is connected by land and river routes from major destinations in Peninsular Malaysia, most popularly from Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Kuantan. The primary gateway to Taman Negara's entrance lies at Jerantut Town, some 67km away from its southern entrance at Kuala Tahan (or 180km northeast of KL), while smaller gateways at north include Kuala Koh and Merapoh.
The Karak Highway connects Jerantut to KL and the east coast by road, which then provides an additional travel option by boat via Kuala Tembeling, a more scenic route travelling by land. There is an airstrip near the park, but no commercial flights available.
Directions
Kuala Lumpur - Take a bus (Pekeliling Terminal, near Titiwangsa Monorail/Star LRT Station) or night train (KL Sentral) to Jerantut, then hop on a taxi/mini van to Kuala Tembeling for the 2-3 hour boat ride to Kuala Tahan - boats depart twice daily (9am & 2pm). Alternatively, you can take a bus or minivan from Jerantut that stop at Kuala Tembeling (for the boat ride) or directly to Kuala Tahan.
A complete one-way transport (bus & boat/or bus only) package is available from Han Travel at Chinatown (Petaling Street), departing 8.30am daily. If you have your own vehicle, take the East Coast Expressway via Karak Highway from MRR2, exit at Temerloh and follow the signboards to Jerantut (120km), and then more signboards from town to Kuala Tahan (67km).
Cameron Highlands - A popular transit point for backpackers to Taman Negara, minivan transfer to Kuala Tembeling (for boat ride) or direct to Kuala Tahan is available from popular backpacker lodges and tour counters Tanah Rata. These vans usually depart in the morning daily, with tickets costing between MYR60 and 95 per person.
Kuala Tembeling - Kuala Tembeling Jetty is about 16km north of Jerantut along the main road that serves as a transit point by boat to Taman Negara. Speedboat service to Kuala Tahan occurs twice daily; 9am and 1.30/2pm. At the tourism complex here, you can also get entry permits (MYR1) and camera licenses (MYR5) done at the forestry counter. The boat ride takes approximately three hours.
Kuala Tahan - Kuala Tahan is a ramshackle village under the auspices of FELDA, a government rural development scheme. Located at the confluence of Sungai Tahan and Tembeling, the village is perched directly opposite the entrance of Taman Negara National Park across the river. Once at Kuala Tahan, you need to take a water taxi across the river to reach the park at MYR1 per person for a one-way trip.
These water taxis are always available from morning till 11pm daily. If you've arrived at Kuala Tahan by car, and wish to spend the night at the park directly, then a large parking lot is available at cheap rates near Xcape Resort. Off the boat, register for a entry permit and camera license at the park office if you have not done so already at Kuala Tembeling.
