Penang Sentral

Exploring Penang Sentral

22 October 201924 October 2019travelingpersecond

The increasing of direct flights from Jakarta to Penang, making traveler prefer landed at Penang International Airport rather than do travel overland for about 6-8 hours from Malaysia’s capital.

And if you are patient to do overland trip, your memory will be filled with interesting experiences and accompanied by breathtaking views throughout Selangor State and Perak State.

Then ….For you who travel overland using bus then majority of buses will stop at Penang Sentral which is tourist gateway of Penang Island.

Therefore….So you will not confuse and can get detail preview of Penang Central, so I present this article to you.

Yessss … that’s Penang Sentral appearance.

PENANG SENTRAL …. Built in 2018 as main transportation hub owned by Penang State. Penang Sentral strategically replaces Butterworth Bus Terminal role with an exceptional integration system. As you can imagine, this large building integrates bus terminal, train station and ferry port in a location. Third integrated building which I admire in Malaysia after KL Sentral and Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS).

Butterworth Bus Terminal before Penang Sentral is completed.
Source: Travel-Senang-Malaysia.com

Penang Island is seen from Penang Central.

—–****—–

This is my story of exploring Penang Central.…

At 13:54 hours, I arrived at Penang Sentral … yes, of course, I was dropped off at Drop Bay in 1st floor.

And for presenting this article, I delayed towards ferry terminal which can anchor me in George Town, capital of Penang State.

For 1 hour and 20 minutes, I would explore Penang Sentral.

FLOOR 1

Starting from this hall:

You will be dropped off at Drop Bay Area when you arrive at Penang Sentral.

Generally, 1st floor is used to drop and take passengers.

This is intercity/express bus platform area when I left Penang Sentral.

FLOOR 2

Come on, we’re going up to second floor. What are there?

After you go up escalator, you will see 2nd floor view.

So….What are you looking for?

Bus Ticketing Counter.

Bus ticket sales counter is in front of me after I go up with escalator. I immediately buy a bus ticket to leave Penang with schedule about two days after my arrival in Penang. Existence of KiosK Self Ticketing which stuck to building pillar made me stop before reach sales counter. I am better to finding cheapest bus ticket via that machine, because many buses with varying fares provide routes to Ipoh.

Finally, I held Perak Transit bus ticket sheet after putting USD 5,2 in KiosK Self Ticketing machine….Bus ticket was in hand, my heart was calm.

That’s Penang Sentral Departure Board….Self Ticketing Kiosk is on that pillar. Do you see?

2. Information Centre

The first standard when arriving at a foreign place is visiting information centre to get as much information as possible before exploring it more deeply. So did I, asking about Penang tourism, asking for brochures, finding ways to leave the city in the best way and many other things which I asked to information centre officer.

Very easy to find it….It is in front of bus ticketing counter.

3. Ferry Terminal.

Walking on back side of Bus Ticketing Counter, in several meters you will find a linkway to Ferry Terminal. Located to left side of your steps, you will see clearly a direction sign whinch leading you to Ferry Terminal.

Walk straight for about dozens of steps you will find a Customer Service Center which sells ferry tickets to George Town. The name of ferry terminal is Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim.

It’s cheap….ticket price is only USD 0,3 for a round trip ticket

4. Shopping Counter.

Actually more Shopping Counter are on 3rd floor. I didn’t have time to visit it because it was already late and if I didn’t leave Penang Sentral soon, my exploration in Penang Island would be disrupted.

Shopping counter which I showed was only on 2nd floor.

5. Eatery

Food stalls are located near linkway to Ferry Terminal. These are certainly guaranteed halal and relatively cheap in price.

Iqbal’s Restaurant is my place to eat when I enter and leave Penang

6. Butterworth Station.

Another integrated transportation mode in Penang Sentral is train. Train station is called Butterworth Station. The station building is located separately from Penang Sentral main building.

To find this station. Walking straight pass Bus Ticketing Counter on 2nd floor, then you will find an lift at end of floor. Then go down to 1st floor via lift.

Not too far after exiting lift, on 1st floor then you will find a corridor with KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) sign as a guide to Butterworth Station.

After a few tens of meters down the hall you will find a white building which is none other than Butterworth Station.

I rushed to hunt for an ETS (Electric Train Service) ticket but it was sold out.

OK…That is my story. I have explained all results of my exploration in Penang Sentral.

So, finally, you want to go to Penang by land or by air?

Bus from KLIA2 to Penang

15 October 201915 October 2019travelingpersecond

A connecting flight ticket to Dhaka required me to transit in Kuala Lumpur. Oh….Really, I had to set foot in Kuala Lumpur for 12th time.

You are great, Donny….

No, It’s not about how great I am, but about I am who very bored

I had to quickly rack my brain to make this trip became memorable.

Fine….Finally I decided to leave Kuala Lumpur and chose to visit Penang by extending my transit time.

Until 2017, I never visit Penang. Because my travel distance is far from Southeast Asia now. So I forced myself to stop by to Penang before starting South Asia trips.

Then….How to reach Penang from KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2)?

I’ll give you some choices,

Alternative 1. Using ETS (Electric Train Service)

Cost which be spent if you use ETS:

Aerobus from KLIA2 to KL Sentral = USD 3
ETS from KL Sentral station to Butterworth station = USD 21
Ferry from Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal @ Penang Sentral to Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal @ Penang island = USD 0,3

Overall fares = USD 24,3

Alternatif 2. Using Bus

Cost which be spent if you use bus:

Direct bus from KLIA2 to Penang Sentral = USD 14,1
Ferry from Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal @ Penang Sentral to Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal @ Penang island = USD 0,3

Overall fares = USD 14,4

I think you know what kind of transportation which I choose?…..

—-****—-

On 22:05 hours, Air Asia QZ 206 landed me on KLIA2. The meaning is clear, right….Sleeping again in airport….Hahaha.

After stamping my passport in immigration counter, I immediately headed to Transportation Hub on 1st floor of Gateway @ klia2 mall. And then I sat at NZ Curry House corner to eat “Nasi lemak” (Malaysian originally food) and “teh O” (tea without sugar) for USD 1,7 as my dinner menu….dinner in midnight.

I repeated a similar menu in the morning before going to Penang.

And to secure a ticket to Penang. In midnight, I bought a StarMart Express bus ticket with its last destination i.e Penang Sentral for USD 14,1.

In midnight, that counter was very busy…. Beware if tickets sold out!…Just try to buy it on **12Go**

The final destination is still listed Butterworth terminal. Before Penang Sentral was completed built, the bus stopped at that terminal.

Yessss….

Eat….Done….

Ticket….Done….

It made me can sleep very well in airport mosque at 3rd floor Departure Hall of KLIA2.

—-****—-

And my journey to Penang began. That morning on 6am, I boarded into StarMart Express in Door 1-platform A01 according to the ticket.

StarMart Express was arrived in platform.

Because it was a long journey, I bought a bottle of mineral water and a light snack for USD 1,2.

Going along North-South Expressway road, Starmart Express went slowly. And 3 hours 45 minutes later, I arrived at Amanjaya Terminal, Ipoh City. Ipoh itself is the capital of Perak State.

The bus dropped and took a number of passengers at Amanjaya Terminal.

On 11:00, Bus arrived in Taiping road and finally stopped at Kuala Kangsar Terminal. Passengers do toilet break for 10 minutes.

Kuala Kangsar Terminal is located right on Persiaran Bendahara street, Bandar Baru city, Kuala Kangsar District, Perak State.

On 11:55, bus stopped at StarMart Express Taiping office on Jalan Kampung Dew, Simpang area. This is the final destination of StarMart Express Bus from KLIA 2. And to continued a journey to Penang, passengers will be moved to another StarMart Express bus or other bus which in cooperation with StarMart Express.

StarMart Express @ Taiping Headquarter which is located in Laut, Matang dan Selama Districts, Perak State.

And this time, I was transferred to Eagle Bus which in collaboration with StarMart Express.

This “Green” bus is owned by Eagle Coach SDN.BHD company.

No problem for me to be transferred to another bus. The important was arrived in destination. But I didn’t know about other passengers, are they also still comfort or maybe are they annoyed … hahaha.

OK, let’s continue my story….

On 12:30 hours, bus arrived in Kamunting Raya Express Bus Terminal for 10 minutes toilet break again.

This terminal is located in Kamunting City, District of Laut, Matang dan Selama, Perak State.

10 minutes later, bus slowly left Kamunting City and showed beauty view through winding roads which splitting hills.

Soundly sleeping because of lacking sleep on last night at KLIA2. Finally, I didn’t feel that bus started to entering Penang Sentral platform on 13:54 hours.

High curiosity made me didn’t feel tired after got in bus for 7 hours 54 minutes to reach my dream destination….”Penang”

I was dropped off at this platform when I arrived in Penang Sentral.

So guys,….Who doesn’t want to see Old Town of George Town which is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site?….I think everyone want to visit it

Come on, visit it !….Just travel like me, I guarantee that it is cheap.

You can also get KLIA2-Penang bus ticket on 12Go travel e-commerce.

Mengenal Penang Sentral

4 September 20194 September 2019travelingpersecond

Semakin banyaknya direct flight dari Jakarta menuju Penang, membuat para traveler lebih memilih untuk turun di Penang International Airport daripada harus bersusah payah melintasi daratan negeri jiran selama 6-8 jam dari ibukotanya.

Padahal jika Kamu mau saja bersabar untuk melakukan perjalanan darat tersebut maka memorimu akan terisi dengan pengalaman yang menarik dan disertai dengan pemandangan yang mempesona di sepanjang negara bagian Selangor dan Perak.

Lalu….Buat Kamu yang melakukan perjalanan darat menggunakan bus maka mayoritas bus akan berhenti di Penang Sentral yang merupakan gerbang darat wisata Pulau Penang.

Oleh karenanya….supaya Kamu tidak bingung dan bisa mendapatkan gambaran mengenai bentuk dan seluk beluk Penang Sentral, maka Kuhadirkan tulisan ini untuk Kalian.

Yessss….itulah penampakan Penang Sentral.

PENANG SENTRAL….Dibangun pada tahun 2018 sebagai main transportation hub milik Negara Bagian Penang. Penang Sentral secara strategis menggantikan peran Butterworth Bus Terminal dengan sistem integrasi yang luar biasa. Bisa Kamu bayangkan, bangunan besar itu mengintegrasikan terminal bus, stasiun kereta dan pelabuhan ferry dalam satu lokasi. Bangunan terintegrasi ketiga yang kukagumi di Malaysia setelah KL Sentral dan Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS).

*Butterworth Bus Terminal* sebelum Penang Sentral selesai dibangun.
*Sumber: Travel-Penang-Malaysia.com*

Pulau Penang dilihat dari Penang Sentral.

—–****—–

Inilah kisahku membedah Penang Sentral….

Jam 13:54, Aku sampai di Penang Sentral….ya iyalah, tentunya diturunkan di Drop Bay lantai 1.

Dan demi menghadirkan tulisan ini, Aku relakan diri menunda sejenak menuju ferry terminal yang bisa melabuhkanku di George Town si ibukota Negara Bagian Penang.

Selama 1 jam 20 menit, Aku akan mengeksplore Penang Sentral.

LANTAI 1

Bermula dari hall ini:

Kamu akan diturunkan di *Drop Bay Area* ketika tiba di Penang Sentral.

Secara umum lantai 1 ini digunakan untuk menurunkan dan menaikkan penumpang.

Ini adalah platform *intercity/express bus area* saat Aku meninggalkan Penang Sentral.

LANTAI 2

Yuk, Kita naik ke lantai 2. Ada apakah gerangan?

So….Apa yang kamu cari?

Bus Ticketing Counter.

Konter penjualan tiket bus berada tepat dihadapanku setelah selesai menaiki escalator. Yang kulakukan saat itu adalah langsung membeli tiket bus untuk meninggalkan Penang dengan jadwal dua hari setelah kedatanganku di Penang. Keberadaan Self Ticketing KiosK yang menempel di salah satu pilar membuatku mengurungkan diri untuk bergegas ke konter. Lebih baik aku mengeksplore harga tiket bus termurah via mesin itu, karena banyak armada dengan tarif bervariasi menyediakan rute menuju Ipoh.

Akhirnya kugenggam lembaran tiket bus Perak Transit setelah memasukkan uang senilai Rp 70.000….Tiket bus di tangan, hati pun tenang.

Itu *Departure Board* Penang Sentral…. Self Ticketing Kiosk ada di pilar itu. Lihat ga?

2. Information Centre

Standar pertama ketika tiba di tempat asing adalah mengunjungi Information Centre untuk mendapatkan informasi sebanyak-banyaknya sebelum mengeksplorenya lebih dalam. Begitu pun Aku, menanyakan perihal pariwisata Penang, meminta brosur, mencari cara bagaimana meninggalkan kota dengan cara terbaik dan banyak hal lain yang kutanyakan ke petugas information centre.

Mudah kok menemukannya….tepat di depan *Bus Ticketing Counter*.

3. Ferry Terminal.

Berjalanlah membelakangi Bus Ticketing Counter maka setelah beberapa saat Kamu akan menemukan linkway menuju Ferry Terminal. Terletak di sebelah kiri arah jalanmu maka akan terlihat dengan jelas direction sign menuju ke Ferry Terminal.

Berjalanlah lurus maka dalam belasan langkah maka kamu akan menemukan Customer Service Centre yang menjual tiket ferry menuju George Town. Nama ferry terminalnya adalah Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim.

Murah kok….harga tiketnya Cuma Rp. 4.000. Satu tiket untuk pulang pergi

4. Shopping Counter.

Sebetulnya Shopping Counter lebih banyak berada di lantai 3. Aku tak sempat mengunjunginya karena sudah kesorean dan jika tak segera meninggalkan Penang Sentral maka eksplorasiku di Pulau Penang pasti akan terganggu.

*Shopping Counter* yang kutunjukkan ini hanya yang berada di lantai 2.

5. Eatery

Kedai penjual makanan ada di dekat linkway menuju Ferry Terminal. Sudah pasti dijamin kehalalannya dan harganya yang tergolong murah.

Iqbal’s Restaurant menjadi tempat makanku saat masuk dan keluar Penang

6. Stasiun Butterworth.

Satu moda transportasi lagi yang terintegrasi di Penang Sentral adalah kereta. Nah, stasiun keretanya bernama Stasiun Butterworth. Hanya saja bangunannya terletak terpisah dari bangunan utama Penang Sentral.

Untuk menemukan stasiun ini. Berjalanlah lurus melewati Bus Ticketing Counter di lantai 2, maka Kamu akan menemukan lift di ujung lantai. Kemudian turunlah ke lantai 1 melalui lift itu.

Tak terlalu jauh setelah keluar dari lift di lantai 1 maka Kamu akan menemukan sebuah lorong dengan tanda KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) sebagai petunjuk menuju Stasiun Butterworth.

Setelah beberapa puluh meter menyusuri lorong maka Kamu akan menemukan bangunan berwarna putih yang tak lain adalah Stasiun Butterworth.

Maksud hati berburu tiket ETS (*Electric Train Service*) tapi ternyata *sold out*….ealah.

OKE…Cukup sekian ya. Aku sudah menjelaskan semua hasil eksplorasiku di Penang Sentral.

Jadi, akhirnya Kamu mau ke Penang lewat darat atau lewat udara nih?…….

Bus dari KLIA2 ke Penang

25 August 201925 August 2019travelingpersecond

Tiket ketengan menuju ke Dhaka, Bangladesh mengharuskanku transit ke Kuala Lumpur. Plisssss deh….yang bener aja, Aku harus menginjakkan kaki di Kuala Lumpur untuk ke 12 kali.

Hebat euy si Donny….

Hebat apaan, Guwe bosennnnn….

Aku harus cepat memutar otak untuk menjadikan perjalanan kali ini berkesan.

Fine….Akhirnya Kuputuskan meninggalkan Kuala Lumpur dan memilih mengunjungi Penang dengan cara memperpanjang waktu transitku.

Hingga 2017, Aku tak pernah kesampaian mengunjungi Penang. Sementara jadwal klayapanku sudah jauh meninggalkan Asia Tenggara. Jadi kupaksakan diri untuk mampir ke Penang sebelum menghabisi Asia Selatan.

Lalu….Bagaimana mencapai Penang dari KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2)?

Kukasih pilihan deh,

Alternatif 1. Naik ETS (Electric Train Service)

Biaya yang akan dikeluarkan jika naik ETS:

Aerobus KLIA2-KL Sentral = Rp. 40.000
ETS Stasiun KL Sentral-Stasiun Butterworth = Rp. 286.000
Ferry dari Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal di Penang Sentral menuju Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal di Pulau Penang = Rp. 4.000

Tarif keseluruhan = Rp. 330.000

Alternatif 2. Naik Bus

Biaya yang akan dikeluarkan jika naik bus:

Direct bus dari KLIA2-Penang Sentral = Rp. 190.000
Ferry dari Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal di Penang Sentral menuju Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal di Pulau Penang = Rp. 4.000

Tarif keseluruhan = Rp. 194.000

Sudah tahu kan Aku memilih naik apa?….

—-****—-

Malam hari pukul 22:05, Air Asia QZ 206 mendaratkanku di KLIA2. Artinya sudah jelas kan….moloooorrrr lageeeee di bandara….hahaha.

Selepas mengecap passport di konter imigrasi, Aku segera menuju ke Transportation Hub di lantai 1 Gateway@klia2 mall. Dan selanjutnya Aku duduk manis di ujung NZ Curry House untuk menyantap nasi lemak dan teh O seharga Rp. 23.000 sebagai makan malamku….makan malam kok tengah malam….parraaahhhh.

Menu yang sama kuulang dipagi hari kemudian sebelum berangkat ke Penang.

Dan untuk mengamankan satu tiket menuju Penang. Di tengah malam itu pula, Aku membeli tiket bus StarMart Express dengan tujuan akhir Penang Sentral seharga Rp. 190.000.

Tengah malam pun konter sangat ramai….Awas kehabisan tiket!….Coba deh beli di **12Go**

Tujuan akhir masih tertera terminal Butterworth. Sebelum Penang Sentral selesai dibangun, memang bus berhenti di terminal itu.

Yessss….

Makan sudah….

Tiket sudah….

Menjadikan malam itu nyenyak beristirahat di surau (mushola) Departure Hall lantai 3 KLIA2.

—-****—-

Dan perjalanan menuju Penang pun dimulai. Pagi itu tepat pukul 06:00, Aku menaiki StarMart Express di Door1-platform A01 sesuai tiket.

StarMart Express sedang merapat di *platform.*

Karena ini perjalanan panjang maka kubekali diriku dengan membeli sebotol air mineral dan snack ringan seharga Rp. 15.500.

Menyusuri jalanan North-South Expressway, Starmart Express berjalan dengan santai. Dan 3 jam 45 menit kemudian, Aku tiba di Terminal Amanjaya, Kota Ipoh. Ipoh sendiri adalah Ibu Kota Negara Bagian Perak.

Bus menurunkan dan menaikkan sejumlah penumpang di Terminal Amanjaya.

Suasana jalan ketika meninggalkan Kota Ipoh.

Pukul 11:00, Bus merangsek ke jalan Taiping dan akhirnya berhenti di Terminal Kuala Kangsar. Penumpang melakukan toilet break selama 10 menit.

Terminal Kuala Kangsar terletak tepat di jalan Persiaran Bendahara, kota Bandar Baru, Distrik Kuala Kangsar, Negara Bagian Perak.

Pada jam 11:55, bus berhenti di kantor StarMart Express Taiping di Jalan Kampung Dew, daerah Simpang. Ini adalah tujuan akhir Bus StarMart Express dari KLIA 2. Dan untuk melanjutkan perjalanan menuju Penang, penumpang akan dipindah ke bus StarMart Express yang lain atau bus yang bekerjasama dengan StarMart Express.

StarMart Express @Taiping Head Quarter terletak di Distrik Laut, Matang dan Selama, Negara Bagian Perak.

Dan kali ini, Aku dipindahkan ke Bus Eagle yang bekerjasama dengan StarMart Express.

Bus “Hijau” ini dimiliki oleh perusahaan Eagel Coach SDN.BHD.

Tak menjadi masalah buatku untuk dipindahkan ke bus lain yang penting sampai tujuan. Tapi tak tahu dengan penumpang yang lain, apakah mereka biasa juga atau mungkin ada yang sewot…..hahaha.

OK lanjut yaaaa….

Jam 12:30, Bus tiba di Terminal Bas Express Kamunting Raya untuk melakukan toilet break kembali selama 10 menit.

Terminal ini terletak di kota Kamunting, Distrik Laut, Matang dan Selama, Negara Bagian Perak.

10 menit kemudian bus perlahan meninggalkan Kota Kamunting dan mempertontonkan keindahan alam dengan melalui jalan yang meliak-liuk menembus perbukitan .

Cakep banget dah alam Negara Bagian Perak.

Terlelap dengan pulas karena jam tidur yang kurang pada malam sebelumnya di KLIA2 hingga akhirnya tak terasa bus mulai memasuki platform Penang Sentral pada pukul 13:54.

Rasa ingin tahu yang tinggi membuatku tak terasa capek menaiki bus selama 7 jam 54 menit untuk mencapai destinasi impian….”Penang”

Aku diturunkan di *platform* ini ketika tiba di Penang Sentral.

So guys,…..Siapa sih yang ga mau melihat Kota Tua George Town yang menjadi Situs Warisan Budaya UNESCO ?

Ayolah datang kemari….ngeteng aja sepertiku, dijamin murah meriah.

Tiket bus KLIA2-Penang bias Kamu dapatkan juga di e-commerce perjalanan 12Go

Bus from Amanjaya Terminal to Medan Kidd Terminal, Ipoh, Malaysia

18 May 201930 June 2019travelingpersecond

Finding information about tourist attractions in Ipoh through internet is very much and easy.

But via googling, I have never found a sure way towards Ipoh downtown from their main land-gate i.e Amanjaya Bus Terminal … that’s the point. That’s why, I feel the need to write this article and hopefully backpackers like me out there can find this article later on Google.

But I know that the hotel where I stay is located about 1 km east from a small bus terminal called Medan Kidd Bus Terminal, then I can walk from iterminal to Abby by the River Hotel for 15 minutes.

Finding a taxi is certainly very easy, just need to whistle a little then taxi will come to you. Because taxi isn’t in my backpacker dictionary, without adequate information, I had to found the city bus until I got it.

Worries was surely in me….worried about scams or worry if I couldn’t arrive on time at the hotel… but the show must go on … this is the thrilled if You do solo-traveling with minimal information .

“Perak Transit” bus which departed from Penang Sentral dropped me off on first floor of the Amanjaya Bus Terminal.

Bus platform at Amanjaya Terminal

I immediately entered the intercity bus arrival hall. The seat lines which passengers waited for their bus became first view that I saw there.

Arrival as well as Departure Hall at Amanjaya Terminal

I deliberately allocated about 30 minutes to explore the whole of Amanjaya Terminal.

Of course, I had to found information about city bus towards Ipoh downtown. Luckily I found the Amanjaya Bus Terminal information center on 1st floor, precisely in terminal lobby.

Amanjaya Terminal Information Center

According to a female officer at this information center, city bus to Medan Kidd Terminal was located on 2nd floor and numbered T30a.

Didn’t want to long waiting because I was worried about being late, I immediately used escalator to get the closest bus departure time.

2nd Floor Amanjaya Terminal

And finally I found the bus shelter

And this is a bus route from Amanjaya Terminal to several destinations in Ipoh:

List of bus routes in Ipoh

Whereas this is schedule of Bus No T30a from Amanjaya Terminal to Medan Kidd Terminal:

Bus no T30a departure schedule

My trip to downtown began by getting in MyBas T30a

Bus T30a
Bus T30a interior

Paid for USD 0,9 when entering front door, I was greeted with familiar smile by Indian driver.

There is something different about this MyBas service. When I am using buses in Kuala Lumpur and Penang (Rapid KL and Rapid Penang), if you pay more than fare, the change money willn’t be refunded. But when I use MyBas, which is operated by Perak Transit, I pay 5 Malaysian Ringgit (USD 1,3) then driver gives me the change money about 1.5 Malaysian Ringgi (USD 0,4)…. Fair and Good.

Indian songs accompanied my journey that afternoon. The bus briefly stopped to refuel near to Terminal Amanjaya.

During the trip I diligently paid attention to a Chinese female solo-traveler descent who always pay attention to her google maps. Surely he also has lacks information like me.…hehehe.

Gas station near Amanjaya Terminal

Here are some views during my trip to downtown:

New shopping complex in Ipoh shows that this city is developing

Hills are very close around the city.

In 40 minutes, MyBas finally arrived at Medan Kidd Terminal

Bus platform at Medan Kidd Terminal

I didn’t wait long at Medan Kidd terminal because I had to immediately go to Hotel for check in then get around the city.

I noticed again this female solo-traveler who looked confuse at terminal. I took a time to ask where was he going, but She said that She would go to downtown by a taxi. I offered myself to walk together but it seems like She didn’t believe.…haha. A look like me really seems suspicious….wkwkwk. Well the important thing is that I have tried to offer kindness.

I decided to immediately walk along Ipoh’s pedestrian walkway.

Walk down this road to Abby by the River Hotel

I had to stop several times because of light rain pouring down Ipoh at that time. And finally in 30 minutes I arrived at Abby by the River Hotel.

Abby by the River Hotel lobby

Checked-in, paid, put my backpack in the room … then I explored around downtown until evening. Finally I can cross out one destination in my bucket list.

Bus from Penang to Ipoh, Malaysia

5 May 20199 July 2019travelingpersecond

Penang Sentral…Integrated Terminal in Penang

Arriving at Penang Sentral (integrated building of bus terminal, train station and ferry terminal in Penang) after a 7 hours 32 minutes journey from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA 2) by “Star Mart Express” bus, I rushed towards Butterworth Train Station for buy a Electric Train Service (ETS) ticket to Ipoh for departure on 2 days after my arrival in Penang.

Butterworth Train Station, Penang

My desire to try ETS train service disappeared because tickets were already sold out.

Fine.…”trip by bus again”, my heart murmured.

Finally I returned to Penang Sentral Level 2 to find a bus ticket. A little worry, because if the bus tickets sold out, my plan to set foot in Ipoh for first time could fail.

If I failed to get a bus ticket to Ipoh then I would apply plan B i.e extended my visit in Penang and then returned to Kuala Lumpur to catch my Malindo Air flight to Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Yes….I got the ticket.

All you need to know that Penang Sentral provides two ways to buy bus tickets from Penang to Ipoh.

First, you can directly buy it at Bus Ticketing Counter on 2nd floor. Here is situation of counter:

The modern ticket counter in Penang Sentral

Second, if you want more faster, you can buy it at Kiosk Self Ticketing. Located on 2nd floor too, this is it….the Kiosk machine:

Automatic ticket machine in Penang Sentral

I chose “Perak Transit” bus as my transportation towards Ipoh city. Bus fares about USD 5,20 was enough to save my budget in the beginning of my long journey.

In the day after tomorrow, after explored Penang for two days, finally my trip to Ipoh began. One hour before departure time, passengers permitted to entering Penang Sentral bus platform that located in 1st floor. I sat near Gate 3 according to the ticket and waiting for the bus to arrived.

Malaysia is famous for its neat bus terminal layout

After waiting for 16 minutes, finally “Perak Transit” bus arrived and standby on platform B09

The platform always matches with the one that printed on the ticket

This “Perak Transit” bus is really good …

Bus departed on time on 2 pm.

“Perak Transit” bus interior

140 km trip to Ipoh needed time about 1 hour 49 minutes. Passing through pretty impressive views.

Beautiful hill ranks …

Wide road divides the hills

I repeated this views twice, because my trip from KLIA 2 to Penang on two days earlier also passed through same roads.

The bus took one toilet break on this trip at a place where I couldn’t detect where it was.

On 3:49 am finally the bus arrived at Amanjaya Bus Terminal. This is the intercity bus terminal in Ipoh.

Entering Amanjaya Terminal, I was very impatient to immediately head towards Medan Kidd Bus Terminal that located in downtown. Medan Kidd Bus Terminal is one of many accesses to entering Ipoh.

Beyond expectations … This terminal is quite magnificent

Ipoh, which I’ve only heard through backpacker stories and articles in internet, finally I was allowed to set foot in this city after travel for eight years as a backpacker.

What excitement did I get during my journey in Ipoh?

Patient and wait for my next article, guys.…

Oh, yes. Here’s another alternative to buying online ticket from Penang to Ipoh, which is in 12go Asia at following link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Bus dari Terminal Amanjaya ke Terminal Medan Kidd, Ipoh, Malaysia

28 March 20191 July 2019travelingpersecond

Mencari informasi tentang destinasi wisata di kota Ipoh melalui dunia maya sangatlah banyak dan mudah.

Tetapi via googling, Aku tak pernah menemukan cara pasti untuk memasuki kota Ipoh dari gerbang darat utama mereka yaitu Terminal Bus Amanjaya….itu intinya. Itu kenapa Aku merasa perlu menulis artikel ini dan mudah-mudahan para backpacker sepertiku diluar sana bisa menemukan tulisan ini kelak di google.

Tapi yang jelas hotel tempatku menginap terletak 1 km di sebelah timur sebuah terminal bus kecil bernama Terminal Bus Medan Kidd lalu Aku bisa berjalan dari terminal bus ini ke Abby by the River Hotel selama 15 menit.

Mencari taxi tentu sangatlah mudah, hanya perlu sedikit bersiul maka Taxi akan menghampirimu. Karena taxi tak ada dalam kamus backpackerku maka tanpa informasi memadai aku harus mencari bus kota ini sampai dapat.

Kekhawatiran dalam diriku pasti ada saja….mulai dari khawatir terjadi scam atau khawatir tidak sampai hotel tepat waktu….tapi apa boleh buat…inilah serunya solo traveling minim informasi.

Bus Perak Transit yang berangkat dari Penang Sentral menurunkanku di lantai pertama Terminal Bus Amanjaya.

Platform bus di Terminal Amanjaya

Aku langsung memasuki arrival hall bus antarkota. Jajaran bangku tempat penumpang menunggu menjadi pemandangan pertama yang kulihat disini.

Arrival sekaligus Departure Hall Terminal Amanjaya

Aku sengaja mengalokasikan waktu sekitar 30 menit untuk mengeksplore seisi Terminal Amanjaya.

Tentu Aku harus mencari informasi tentang bus ke tengah kota Ipoh. Beruntung Aku menemukan pusat informasi Terminal Bus Amanjaya di lantai 1 tepatnya di lobby terminal.

Pusat informasi Terminal Amanjaya

Menurut petugas wanita di pusat informasi ini, Bus menuju Terminal Medan Kidd terletak di lantai 2 dan bernomor T30a.

Tak mau menunggu lama karena khawatir kesorean, Aku segera naik menggunakan escalator untuk mendapatkan waktu keberangkatan bus terdekat.

Lantai 2 Terminal Amanjaya

Dan akhirnya shelter bus itu ketemu juga:

Dan inilah rute bus dari Terminal Amanjaya menuju berbagai tempat tujuan di Ipoh:

List rute bus di Ipoh

Sedangkan ini adalah jadwal Bus No T30a dari Terminal Amanjaya menuju Terminal Medan Kidd:

Jadwal keberangkatan bus T30a

Perjalananku menuju ke pusat kota Ipoh pun dimulai dengan menaiki MyBas T30a:

Bus T30a
Interior Bus T30a

Membayar Rp. 12.250 (3,5 Ringgit) ketika memasuki pintu depan, Aku disambut dengan senyum akrab sang sopir keturunan India.

Ada yang berbeda dengan pelayanan MyBas ini. Ketika menggunakan bus di Kuala Lumpur dan Penang (Rapid KL dan Rapid Penang), jika Kita membayar lebih besar dari tarif maka uang kelebihannya tak akan dikembalikan. Tetapi ketika naik MyBas yang dioperasikan oleh Perak Transit ini, Aku membayar dengan uang 5 ringgit dan si sopir memberikan kembalian 1,5 Ringgit kepadaku….Fair and Good.

Lantunan lagu-lagu India mengiringi perjalananku siang itu. Bus sempat berhenti sejenak untuk mengisi bahan bakar di sebelah Terminal Amanjaya.

Selama perjalanan Aku tekun memperhatikan seorang solo traveler wanita keturunan China yang terus memperhatikan google maps nya. Pasti dia juga minim informasi sepertiku….hehehe.

SPBU di belakang Terminal Amanjaya

Beginilah beberapa pemandangan selama perjalananku menuju pusat kota

Pertokan baru di Ipoh menunjukkan bahwa kota ini sedang berkembang

Jajaran perbukitan terlihat sangat dekat mengelilingi kota.

Dalam 40 menit akhirnya MyBas merapat ke Terminal Medan Kidd

Platform bus di Terminal Medan Kidd

Aku tak menunggu lama di terminal Medan Kidd karena Aku harus segera menuju ke Hotel untuk check in dan berkeliling kota.

Kuperhatikan lagi si solo traveler wanita itu yang terlihat bingung di terminal. Kusempatkan bertanya mau kemana dirinya, tetapi dia bilang akan ke tengah kota menggunakan taxi. Aku sempat menawarkan diri untuk berjalan kaki bersama tetapi sepertinya dia tak percaya….hahaha. Tampang gembel sepertiku memang sepertinya mencurigakan….wkwkwk. Well yang penting aku sudah berusaha menawarkan kebaikan…..#gombaladamaunyaguweh

Kuputuskan untuk segera berjalan kaki menyusuri trotoar kota Ipoh

Menyusuri jalanan ini menuju ke Abby by the River Hotel

Aku harus berhenti beberapa kali karena hujan ringan mengguyur Ipoh kala itu. Dan akhirnya dalam 30 menit Aku tiba di Abby by the River Hotel.

Lobby Abby by the River Hotel

Check-in, bayar, taruh backpack di kamar….lalu ngelayap keliling kota sampai malam. Akhirnya Aku bisa mencoret satu destinasi dalam bucket list ku.

Bus dari Penang ke Ipoh, Malaysia

20 March 20199 July 2019travelingpersecond

Penang Sentral….Terminal Terpadu di Penang

Begitu tiba di Penang Sentral dari perjalanan darat 7 jam 32 menit dari Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA 2) menggunakan bus Star Mart Express, Aku bergegas menuju Stasiun Butterworth untuk berburu tiket Electric Train Service (ETS) menuju Ipoh untuk keberangkatan lusa hari setelah kedatanganku di Penang.

Stasiun Kereta Butterworth, Penang

Hasrat hati untuk mencicipi jasa kereta listrik jenis ETS ini sirna karena tiket ternyata sudah sold out.

Fine….“Naik bus lagi”, hatiku bergumam.

Akhirnya Aku kembali ke Penang Sentral Lantai 2 untuk mencari tiket bus. Sedikit was-was, karena kalau sampai tiket bus habis maka rencanaku untuk menginjakkan kaki di Ipoh untuk pertama kalinya bisa gagal.

Jika gagal mendapatkan tiket bus ke Ipoh maka Plan B ku adalah memperpanjang waktu kunjunganku di Penang kemudian kembali lagi ke Kuala Lumpur untuk mengejar penerbangan Malindo Air ke Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Yes….Aku mendapatkan tiketnya.

Yang perlu Kamu ketahui bahwa Penang Sentral menyediakan dua cara untuk membeli tiket bus dari Penang ke Ipoh.

Pertama, Kamu bisa langsung membelinya di Bus Ticketing Counter di lantai 2. Berikut ini adalah suasana konternya:

Konter penjualan tiket Penang Sentral yang modern

Kedua, kalau Kamu mengaku sebagai generasi milenial maka seharusnya Kamu akan membeli tiket bus di Self Ticketing KiosK. Terletak di lantai 2 juga, berikut ini guys mesinnya:

Mesin otomatis penjualan tiket Penang Sentral

Aku memilih Bus Perak Transit sebagai armada pengantarku ke kota Ipoh. Tarif bus seharga Rp. 70.000 cukup membantu membuatku berhemat di awal perjalanan panjangku.

Lusa hari berikutnya, setelah merasa cukup menjelajah Penang selama dua hari, akhirnya perjalananku ke Ipoh dimulai. Satu jam sebelum jadwal keberangkatan, penumpang baru boleh masuk ke Terminal Bus Penang Sentral yang terletak di lantai 1. Aku langsung menuju Gate 3 sesuai dengan yang tertera di tiket untuk menunggu bus datang.

Malaysia terkenal dengan kerapihan tata letak bus

Setelah menunggu selama 16 menit, akhirnya Bus Perak Transit tiba dan standby di platform B09

Platform selalu sesuai dengan yang tercetak di tiket

Bus Perak Transit ini bagus banget lho….

Bus berangkat tepat waktu pada 14:00.

Interior Bus Perak Transit

Perjalanan ke Ipoh sejauh 140 km ini ditempuh dalam waktu 1 jam 49 menit. Melewati pemandangan yang cukup mengesankan.

Jajaran perbukitan yang indah…

Jalanan lebar membelah perbukitan

Aku mengulang pemandangan ini dua kali, karena dalam perjalananku dari KLIA 2 ke Penang dua hari sebelumnya juga melewati jalanan yang sama.

Bus menyempatkan sekali toilet break dalam perjalanan ini pada suatu tempat yang aku tak sempat mendeteksi dimana letaknya.

Pada pukul 15:49 akhirnya bus merapat ke Terminal Bus Amanjaya. Inilah terminal bus antar kota di Ipoh.

Memasuki Terminal Amanjaya, Aku sangat tidak sabar untuk segera menuju ke Terminal Bus Medan Kidd yang terletak di tengah kota Ipoh. Terminal Bus Medan Kidd adalah salah satu akses untuk masuk ke kota Ipoh.

Diluar ekspektasi….Terminal ini tergolong megah

Ipoh yang selama ini hanya kudengar lewat cerita para backpacker dan tulisan di dunia maya, akhirnya aku diizinkan menginjakkan kaki di kota itu setelah berkelana selama delapan tahun menjadi seorang backpacker.

Keseruan apa yang kudapatkan selama singgah di Ipoh?

Sabar menunggu tulisanku berikutnya ya guys….

Oh ya. Berikut alternatif lain untuk membeli tiket online dari Penang ke Ipoh, yaitu melalui 12go Asia di link berikut: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832