Getting to Kemaman: Flights, Buses, the ECRL and the Family Road Trip

Kemaman is easier to reach than most people think. The only real question is whether you would rather arrive rested, early or with the whole family singing in the back seat.

Chukai, the main town of Kemaman, sits just inside Terengganu’s southern border with Pahang. That position is its great advantage: you can fly into Kuantan or Kuala Terengganu, catch an express bus from Kuala Lumpur, or drive the whole way on the East Coast Expressway. And from December 2026, the long-awaited East Coast Rail Link may add a train to the list. Here is everything you need to choose well.

A note on accuracy: airline routes, bus timetables and rail opening dates change. Everything below was checked in October 2026, but always confirm with the operator before you book. We do not quote fares, because they move daily.

By Air: Kuantan First, Kuala Terengganu Second

A note on Kerteh Airport (KTE): although it sits inside the Kemaman district, it is a Petronas airfield used mainly for helicopter flights to offshore platforms, and as of October 2026 it has no scheduled commercial passenger flights. Do not plan a trip around it. Fly to Kuantan or Kuala Terengganu instead and continue by road.

Kuantan Airport (KUA): the nearest

Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan, Pahang, is the nearest airport to Kemaman with scheduled flights. In October 2026, Malaysia Airlines flies between KL International Airport (KLIA) and Kuantan several times a day, and Scoot operates a service from Singapore Changi on selected days; check the airlines’ websites for the current schedule. From the airport, Chukai is roughly 65 to 75 kilometres north by road, usually about an hour to an hour and a quarter. Continue by taxi from the airport taxi stand, by e-hailing app, or in a hire car booked in advance.

Sultan Mahmud Airport, Kuala Terengganu (TGG): the alternative

Kuala Terengganu has the widest choice of flights: AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines from KLIA, and Firefly, with several flights a day (check each airline for its current departure airport). The trade-off is distance. Chukai is around 160 kilometres south, typically two to two and a half hours by road, so this option suits travellers heading to northern Kemaman or combining Kemaman with the rest of Terengganu.

By Express Bus: The Easy, Affordable Option

Express buses from Kuala Lumpur arrive at Stesen Bas Bandar Chukai, the town’s main bus station. The main departure point is Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Bandar Tasik Selatan, with many daily departures from morning until late at night. Booking platforms put the road distance at around 300 to 325 kilometres and the average journey at roughly four and a half to five hours, depending on traffic and stops.

Operators listed on the TBS–Kemaman route in 2026 include Kesatuan Express, Sani Express, Transnasional, Ekspres Musafir, E-Mutiara, Utama Express, Ayu Express and RES2 Express. Buses also link Chukai with other towns, including Johor Bahru, Klang and several destinations in Kelantan.

• Book ahead for holidays. School holidays and festive weekends sell out early.
• Choose a daytime departure if you would like to see the coast, or a night bus to arrive with the whole day ahead.
• Pack a layer. Coach air-conditioning is famously enthusiastic.

By Train: The ECRL Is (Almost) Here

For now, there is no passenger railway to Kemaman: the KTM network does not run along the East Coast of Terengganu. That is about to change. The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will serve the district with stations at Chukai and Kemasik, on the Kota Bharu–Gombak section of the line.

In October 2026, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL), the project owner, announced that it is targeting mid-December 2026 for the start of commercial operations on the Kota Bharu–Gombak section, brought forward from January 2027, subject to testing and commissioning being completed safely. Until services actually begin, treat any date as a target rather than a timetable.

By Car: The Family Road Trip

For many visitors, driving is the natural way to reach Kemaman, and for families it is often the easiest. From Kuala Lumpur, take the Karak Highway to Karak, then the East Coast Expressway (LPT1) past Temerloh and Gambang towards Kuantan. At Jabor, the expressway continues as LPT2 into Terengganu, with Kemaman exits at Cheneh, Cukai (Exit 841, for Chukai town), Kijal (Exit 845) and Kerteh (Exit 847).

Allow roughly three and a half to four and a half hours from Kuala Lumpur in normal traffic, for a journey of around 300 kilometres. From Kuantan, Chukai is usually under an hour away. LPT2 is a closed toll system with electronic payment only, so make sure your Touch ‘n Go card or SmartTAG is topped up before you leave.

Where to stop

• Genting Sempah on the Karak Highway, an easy first break before the climb.
• Temerloh and Gambang rest and service areas on LPT1, both with fuel, food, toilets and surau.
• On LPT2, the Perasing rest and service area offers fuel, a praying area, restaurants, local food stalls and a children’s playground, and there is a lay-by at Kijal.

Family tips from the back seat

• Plan prayer stops into the route. Every R&R has a surau; build Zuhur and Asar into your timings rather than racing the clock.
• Leave early. A pre-dawn departure from the Klang Valley beats the worst of the Karak traffic and gets the children to the beach by lunch.
• Avoid the balik kampung peaks. The days just before Hari Raya, other major festivals and the start of school holidays bring heavy traffic. Watch for the highway authority’s festive travel-time advisories and travel a day earlier or later if you can.
• Respect the monsoon. From around November to March, the northeast monsoon brings heavy rain, rough seas and, at times, flooding to the East Coast. Check MetMalaysia warnings before you leave, drive with your headlights on in heavy rain, and keep a flexible plan.
• Pack for the car, not just the destination: water, snacks, wet wipes, a phone charger, a small first-aid kit and something to keep little ones entertained.
• Mind the Friday weekend. In Terengganu, the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, which can affect opening hours when you arrive.

Getting Around Once You Arrive

Kemaman’s beaches, viewpoints and food stops are spread out along the coast, so a car makes life much simpler. Taxis and e-hailing services can be found in and around Chukai, but availability is thinner than in the city, particularly early in the morning and late at night. If you arrive by bus or plane, consider renting a car for a day or two, or arrange a driver through your hotel.

Which Option Is Right for You?

• Short on time: fly to Kuantan and drive about an hour north.
• On a budget: take the express bus from TBS.
• Travelling as a family: drive, leave early and stop often.
• Curious and patient: watch the ECRL announcements, and make it your first ride on the new line.

However you arrive, the reward is the same: wide beaches, warm kitchens and a district that still has time for you. Now read our weekend in Kemaman guide and plan your two days.

Driven the East Coast Expressway with children? Share your best road-trip tip in the comments.

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