Kota Bharu

Air

Regular flights from the newish Sultan Ismail Petra Airport connect Kota Bharu with Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Air Asia flies to Kula Lumpur multiple times each day and the one-way fare averages around 90 RM, though seat sales can make it as low as 30 ringgit and an appealing alternative to a 9 hour bus ride. The airport is about 10 km outside the city centre and can be reached by SKMK Bus #9 or taxi.

Train

The nearest train station is about 5 km from the city centre in Wakaf Bharu. Bus #27 plies this route 7:00-20:00, otherwise a taxi will be needed for exceptionally early morning or late night departures (arrange one in advance). The stretch of track cutting through the forested mountains of Kelantan and Terengganu states is known as the Jungle Railway and you can begin the scenic trip here. The Jungle line runs to Jerantut (for Taman Negara Park) and then continues south all the way to Singapore. You can view schedules and buy e-tickets on the useful Malaysian Railways website: http://www.ktmb.com.my/

Bus

If you're arriving by bus, you'll likely be dropped off at the Central Bus Station in the centre of town. While there is a lot of budget accommodation around here, it tends to be quite grungy. Buses depart from this terminal to nearby towns like Waka Bharu (for the train station), Rantau Panjang (for the border with Thailand), and Kuala Besut (for the Perhentians) as well as to some further places like Kuala Terengganu (3 hours) and Kuantan (7 hours).

Most long distance buses depart from the Langgar Bus Station to all major cities including Penang (7 hours), Kuala Lumpur (9 hours), Melaka (10 hours), Johor Bahru (10 hours), and Singapore (11 hours). The major long-distance bus companies like Transnasional and Konsortium have kiosks at the Central Bus Station where you can buy advance tickets, but be sure to verify which terminal the bus actually leaves from.