How To Get Around Ipoh Without Driving
So, you don’t plan to drive in Ipoh. And we don’t blame you at all. Finding parking in Ipoh Old Town is very frustrating.
What options are there for those who want to sight-see Ipoh conveniently then?
If that’s a question you want to know the answer to, keep on reading! We’ll also share some budget-friendly options.
Option 1: Walking
Together with the options below, we highly recommend picking accommodation that is in Ipoh New Town or Ipoh Old Town.
This will allow you to explore much of the local attractions without the need for a vehicle.
Places like Concubine Lane and other landmarks along the Ipoh Heritage Walk are all within walking distance of each other.
Furthermore, there are a lot of famous eateries in both Ipoh Old Town and Ipoh New Town.
Just be sure you have the necessary apparel and accessories (e.g., hat, umbrella, etc) to shield yourself from the rain or sunshine.
It can get very hot in the afternoon. And towards the end of the year, it rains almost every afternoon and evening. Read more about the best time to visit Ipoh here.
Option 2: E-Scooters
Yes, Ipoh has this service available too. You can find the purple Beam scooters close to major attractions like Kong Heng Square and Ipoh Padang.
But you can also find these electric scooters at the Dr. Seenivasagam Recreational Park. As well as Kinta Riverfront.
These electric scooters run on batteries and the fastest that they can go is 25km/h. They have features like lights and even GPS. There is a companion app (Beam) to use with them too.
Fares are reasonable and hence, this is a good way to get around Ipoh cheaply too. As long as you don’t mind the sunshine.
Option 3: E-hailing Service
Download the Grab app and you’ll be able to get around the city easily. If you’re group size is under 4 pax, this is a convenient and affordable way to get from the airport or bus station to your hotel too.
But if you plan on going further than the city (for example, to see Kellie’s Castle), we suggest finding a driver who is willing to come back for you.
Because it is not so easy to get another e-hailing car back to the city from the outskirts. This especially includes Gua Tempurung.
Option 4: Taxi
Taxis are widely available at the airport (Sultan Azlan Shah Airport), train station, and bus station. And your hotel may be able to call you one too.
Another place that you’ll see a lot of taxis at is at Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall which is connected to WEIL Hotel.
Related: Which Shopping Malls To Visit In Ipoh
Pricing can be a little more than what you pay with an e-hailing service. Taxis generally use a meter system to calculate the fares.
Option 5: Taking The Bus
There is a local bus service, myBAS in Ipoh under Perak Transit. The buses are modern, but bus stops are not. They don’t have fans. Or a digital screen that shows you when the next bus will come.
We don’t see many locals take the bus. Most people in Ipoh have their own car since it is more convenient than taking the bus.
But bus fares are very cheap. In fact, this is the cheapest way to get around Ipoh besides walking.
Here are some bus routes you may want to take note of:
| Bus Number | Route (Two-way) | Timing | Note |
| T30a | Medan Kidd – Terminal Meru Raya | Everyday: 6am to 9pm | Between the 2 major bus stations in Ipoh |
| T33b | Medan Kidd – Tambun – T.Rambutan | Everyday: 7am to 9pm | Tambun is where Sunway Lost World is |
| T34 | Medan Kidd – Taiwa – Gopeng | Everyday: 6:15am to 9:15pm | Gopeng is where Gua Tempurung is |
| T36 | Medan Kidd – Batu Gajah – Seri Iskandar | Weekdays: 6am to 7:30pm Weekends: 6am to 8pm | Batu Gajah is where Kellie’s Castle is. |
| T37 | Medan Kidd – Lapangan Terbang S.A.S. – Pekan Razaki – Botani | Everyday: 5:40am to 7pm | Connects bus station in Ipoh Old Town to the Sultan Azlah Shah Airport |
| F100 | Medan Kidd – Bandaraya Ipoh | Weekdays: 6:30am to 8:10pm Weekends: 6:30am to 8pm | Connects bus station in Ipoh Old Town to city |
There are more myBAS routes listed on the official Perak Transit website.
Option 6: HOHO Bus
This is the hop-on hop-off bus service for tourist attractions like Concubine Lane, Gerbang Malam, Kinta Riverwalk or Masjid Panglima Kinta. The service only runs on the weekends between 9:30am and 8:30pm and stops for 5 minutes at each stop.
And it is also run by Perak Transit. With the most up-to-date information on their TikTok account.
There are family packages and different prices for Malaysians and foreigners.
Option 7: Private Tour Service
If you’re traveling with family (e.g., seniors and little ones), especially in a group of more than 4, we recommend going with a private tour service.
WhatsApp us (Explore Ipoh) to book private transport and tours around Ipoh and more. Plus, itineraries are flexible and customizable.
Conclusion
Even if you’re on a budget, we still recommend using a combination of E-hailing service and walking to explore Ipoh. It’s convenient and affordable.
But if you have more money to spend, a private tour service is the way to go, since you get both transport, convenience, and insight from an experienced local guide.
