Malaysia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 453

TRAVEL TO THAILAND
The eastern border crossings are still currently advised against, due to political unrest in the
southeastern provinces of Thailand (see box, p.819). However, a number of travellers opt to use
overland transport into Thailand, but ensure that you check the current travel advice before
considering these routes.
From Kota Bharu there are regular buses from the bus station to Rantau Panjang on the
Thai border (every 30min; 1hr). From here you will pass through customs into Sungai Kolok in
Thailand, from where there are trains travelling up north. There is a morning departure at
11.30am calling at Hat Yai (4hr), Sarathani (10hr) and Bangkok (22hr), as well as an express train
leaving at 2.20pm calling at the same stations, and partially cutting travel time (although only
by about 1-2hr). From the border, there are also plenty of minibuses to these destinations.

6

excellent place to pick up colourful
dresses and shirts. Situated near the
central market, the Kampong Kraftangan
(Handicraft Village) has a small museum
(daily except Fri 8.30am-4.45pm; RM1)
with exhibits on traditional crafts, as well
as a batik workshop and some stalls
selling batik and silverware.
he Gelanggang Seni , Kota Bharu's
Cultural Centre on Jalan Mahmood, has
free performances (Feb-Sept Mon,
Wed & Sat except during Ramadan; free)
that feature many of the traditional
pastimes of Kelantan, including the
vigorous sport of gasing uri
(top-spinning), the playing of giant
100kg rebana drums, silat (traditional
Malay martial art) displays and wayang
kilit (shadow puppetry) performances.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane AirAsia, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines operate
from Kota Bharu airport, located 9km northeast of the
centre. A taxi into town from the airport costs RM30 - buy
a coupon from the taxi counter inside.
Destinations KL (hourly; 1hr); Penang (daily; 1hr).
By bus Most long-distance buses leave from the long-
distance station by Tesco's on Jln Hamzah. However, there
are departures from the Central Bus Station on Jln Hilir Pasar
as well, so ask where your bus leaves from when you book.
Long-distance bus station destinations

Destinations KL (daily; 13hr) and Singapore (daily; 16hr),
both from Wakaf Bharu via Jerantut (6hr). Double-check
schedules at W ktmb.com.my.

INFORMATION
Tourist information The Tourist Information Centre
(daily except Fri 8am-5pm; T 09 748 5534) on Jln Sultan
Ibrahim has useful reading material and can book tours to
local craft workshops. There's an information point at the
airport, too (daily 6am-midnight; T 09 773 7400).

ACCOMMODATION
Cerana Guesthouse 39521 Jln Padang Garong T 019
960 6734, W ceranaguesthouse.com. Tucked away off the
main road, this friendly guesthouse has clean enough
rooms and a chill-out area with armchairs. Some rooms
are dark with windows op ening onto the corrid or - ask for
one with windows. Dorm RM12 , double RM35
KB Backpackers Inn 171-81 Jln Padang Garong T 019
945 6557, W kbbackpackersinn.blogspot.com. This family-
run place offers very basic and pretty stuffy rooms with
shared bathrooms. The taxi drive r owner does tr ansfers to
the Perhentian jetty. Dorm RM10 , double RM28
★

Tune Hotel Jln Hamzah T 09 744 3822, W tune
hotels.com. By far the best budget option in town, this
inexpensive chain of hotels offers clean rooms with
modern facilities. All have a safe and private bath; add-ons
include soap, towels, TV and wi-fi in the rooms. There's also
a restaurant on the first fl oor serving tasty food at cheap
prices. Double from RM28 if booked far in advance
Zeck's Travellers Inn 7088 Jln Sri Cemerlang T 09 743
1613, W zecktravellers.blogspot.com. Located about

Butterworth (2
daily; 8hr); Kuala Lumpur (3 daily; 8hr); Malacca (daily;
9hr); Penang (2 daily; 8hr); Singapore (daily; 10-11hr).
Central bus station destinations Kuala Besut (for the
Perhentian Islands; hourly from 6.15am; 2hr); Kuala
Terengganu (3 daily; 3hr); Kuantan (5 daily; 8hr); Rantau
Panjang (Thai border; bus #29; every 30min; 1hr).
By train The nearest train station to Kota Bharu is 7km
to the west at Wakaf Bharu, the penultimate stop on
the Jungle Railway (see p.449). It's a 20min taxi ride into
town (RM30).

BIRD BARMY
If you hear birdsong outside your
window at midnight, you're not
hallucinating: residents of Kota Bharu are
birdsong-crazy, and in some parts of town,
birdsong is piped through loudspeakers to
attract and encourage birds to nest.