Located high above the clouds, Genting Highlands is an ideal destination for solo travelers seeking cool weather and peaceful mountain views. The location near Kuala Lumpur makes it easy to reach, making it a convenient choice for those who want a hassle free solo trip.
From relaxed strolls and trying local food to a wide range of indoor experience, Genting Highlands offers plenty to enjoy on your own. The facilities are well developed and solo traveler friendly, so you can get around easily and explore with confidence. Don’t worry, I’ll also share the easiest way to get there in the next section 😉
Transportation
Based on my experience, I chose to take a bus to Genting Highlands. You can book the tickets through the Easy book app, which offers two types of options. First, a single bus ticket or a bundled package (bus + gondola). I personally opted for the bundled ticket that includes the gondola ride. The price ranges from around Rp 40,000 to Rp 45,000, depending on the season.
The journey takes about an hour. Once you’ve bought your ticket, here’s what you need to do before you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride to Genting Highlands:
- Arrive at KL Sentral about an hour before your departure time.
- Head down to the lower level of KL Sentral (I forgot what it’s called), where many buses stop to pick up passengers.
- Print your ticket at the counter according to the bus operator you chose. Honestly, this part can be a bit confusing because of the queues and the unclear directions from some of the staff.
- Wait for your bus. Be careful here, as many of the bus names are quite similar and the departure times are close together. I’d recommend double checking with the bus staff to confirm your bus and booking.
Once everything is sorted, you can board the bus and enjoy the trip. The bus facilities are really good, air conditioning works perfectly, the seats are comfortable, and fun fact: you’ll likely meet quite a lot of Indonesians on board. It almost feels less like heading to Genting Highlands and more like going to Lembang.
Oh, and one more thing, the ticket mentioned above is for a one-way trip from KL Sentral to Genting Highlands. It doesn’t include the return bus or the gondola ride. So you’ll need to buy separate tickets for those. The bus ticket price is similar, and if you plan to buy the gondola ticket separately, it starts from around 11 Malaysian ringgit.
Entertainment
Once you arrive at Genting Highlands by bus and continue up to the peak via gondola, you’ll be treated to beautiful views along the way. And it’s not just the scenery, the moment you step out at the top, you can already sense the luxurious atmosphere from afar.
Right to the left of the gondola exit, you’ll find a row of food stalls and restaurants that will instantly make you hungry. Just keep in mind that the food options are very diverse, so it’s important to check whether a place serves halal food or not.
If it’s your first time visiting, I’d recommend trying Jom Makan, it has a halal logo displayed next to its name. Even the staff reflect the halal standards, which made me feel more confident about eating there, even though the prices are a bit on the higher side, as expected for a popular destination among both locals and international tourists.
Beyond food, there are also plenty of cafés and hangout spots that can be quite pricey. One example is CHAGEE, which often has long lines from early morning. You’ll also find several well-known brands, including sportswear and fashion stores. I personally didn’t buy anything since I had brought some snacks from KL Sentral, so I managed to save a bit.
For those who enjoy a more luxurious experience, head to the right side of the gondola exit and go down a few levels, you’ll find a high end area that feels like a casino complex (though I didn’t go in, partly because the weather wasn’t very friendly at the time). Because of that, my friend and I decided to head back down by purchasing separate gondola tickets.
Overall, it’s a pretty nice place. That said, it feels a bit like a metropolitan city relocated to the top of a hill, since many of the attractions are similar to what you’d find in a typical city. The highlight, though, is being able to walk around comfortably while enjoying the cool, fresh air.
In my opinion, this is one of the must-visit destinations for international tourists when visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the first time. Hopefully, we’ll get the chance to return, or for you to experience its charm for the first time.
Upon reaching Genting Highlands by bus and taking the gondola to the peak, you’ll enjoy stunning views throughout the ride. As you step off the gondola at the top, the luxurious atmosphere is evident even from a kilometer away.
Immediately to the left of the gondola exit, you’ll find a row of food stalls and restaurants that are sure to whet your appetite. Keep in mind that the selection is diverse, so check whether your chosen stall serves halal food.
For first time visitors, I recommend Jom Makan, which clearly displays a halal logo next to the restaurant name. The staff also reflect the halal standards of the food served, making it a reliable choice even though prices are a bit high, which is understandable given that this is a tourist hotspot for both locals and international visitors.
Besides food, the area offers many cafés and hangout spots. Some, like CHAGEE, have long lines from early morning. There are also popular sports and fashion stores. I didn’t buy anything myself, as I had brought snacks from KL Sentral, which helped save a bit of money.
For those interested in luxury, just to the right of the gondola exit and a few flights of stairs down, there’s a high end area resembling a casino. I didn’t visit due to the weather, so my friend and I decided to take the gondola back separately.
Overall, Genting Highlands is quite impressive, though it feels like a metropolitan city transplanted onto a hill. Many of the attractions are familiar, similar to those you’d find in a city. The highlight is the ability to walk comfortably while enjoying fresh, crisp air.
In my opinion, this is a must visit destination for international tourists visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first time. I hope to return one day or experience it for the first time, taking in its beauty and charm.
