HOW TO REACH PULAU BESAR JOHOR VIA MERSING JETTY

Self-Drive

From Alor Setar, follow the E1 (North–South Expressway) southbound past Penang, Ipoh, and Kuala Lumpur. At the Gombak interchange, merge onto the E8 eastward toward Kuantan. From Kuantan, follow Route 3 south to Mersing. The total distance is roughly 700 kilometres, with an estimated driving time of 8 to 9 hours. Expect to pass through at least 8 toll plazas, with toll costs around RM65. Exit at Kuantan (Exit 839).

Self-Drive

Departing from George Town, drive south on the North–South Expressway (E1). Continue past Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur until reaching the interchange to the E8. Proceed east via the East Coast Expressway towards Kuantan, and finally transition onto Route 3 heading south to Mersing. The total journey covers about 580 kilometres and takes approximately 7 to 8 hours. You will pass through at least 7 toll plazas, with total toll costs estimated around RM60. Use Exit 839 for Kuantan to connect to Route 3.

Self-Drive

From Ipoh, head south on the North–South Expressway (E1) toward Kuala Lumpur. After reaching the interchange near Gombak, continue east along the E8 (Karak Expressway) and then the East Coast Expressway (LPT) to Kuantan. From there, take Route 3 southbound to Mersing. The journey is around 450 kilometres and typically takes 5 to 6 hours. You will pass through roughly 5 toll plazas, with total tolls estimated at RM45. Exit the expressway at Kuantan (Exit 839).

Self-Drive

From Johor Bahru, head north via the E22 Senai–Desaru Expressway toward Kota Tinggi. Follow the signboards to Mersing, remaining on Route 3. This drive spans approximately 130 kilometres and takes around 2 hours. No highway tolls are incurred along this route.

Self-Drive

Depart from Kangar via the E1 (North–South Expressway) southbound, passing through Alor Setar, Penang, and continuing on past Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. Take the E8 at Gombak toward Kuantan, and from there, proceed south via Route 3 to Mersing. This journey spans approximately 850 kilometres and can take between 10 to 11 hours. You will go through about 9 toll plazas, with total toll costs estimated at RM70. Use the Kuantan exit (Exit 839) to access Route 3.

Self-Drive

From Kota Bharu, drive south via Federal Route 8 toward Kuala Terengganu. From there, take the E8 expressway south to Kuantan. At Kuantan, exit and continue on Route 3 south to Mersing. The drive covers around 370 kilometres and takes between 5 to 6 hours. There are approximately 4 toll plazas along the E8, with a total toll cost of about RM25. Exit at Kuantan (Exit 839).

Self-Drive

Stage 1 – Kota Kinabalu to Jesselton Point (RoRo terminal)

Drive from the city centre to Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal (approx. 12 km, 30 minutes).

Stage 2 – RoRo ferry to Port Klang

Book a vehicle ferry (3–4 days transit).

Stage 3 – Port Klang to Mersing (road)

From Port Klang, join the Federal Highway into Petaling Jaya, then merge onto the North–South Expressway (E1) southbound towards Kuala Lumpur. At the Gombak Interchange, take the Karak Expressway (E8) eastbound, which becomes the East Coast Expressway (LPT) to Kuantan. Exit at Kuantan (Exit 839), then follow Federal Route 3 northbound all the way to Mersing.

Distance & Duration: ~450 km by road; allow 5–6 hours.
Tolls: 6 plazas on E1/E8/LPT (≈RM50) + 1 plaza on Senai–Desaru Expressway (E22) if you choose the Kota Tinggi diversion later (RM7) → total ≈RM57.

Key Exits: Gombak Interchange (onto E8), Karak interchange (onto LPT), Kuantan Exit 839 (onto Route 3).

If you prefer to avoid the Senai–Desaru (E22) stretch entirely, simply remain on Route 3 after Kuantan. Otherwise, for a slightly faster approach southeast of Johor you may rejoin the E22 at Kota Tinggi (incurring that RM7 toll) and exit at Penawar to reach Mersing town.

Self-Drive

Leave Kuala Terengganu by heading south on the E8 (East Coast Expressway II) toward Kuantan. Once there, exit the expressway and merge onto Route 3, following it south to Mersing. This journey covers about 250 kilometres and requires approximately 3.5 hours of travel time. Expect to pass through 3 toll plazas, with total toll charges estimated at RM18. Exit the E8 at Kuantan (Exit 839).

Self-Drive

Depart from central Kuala Lumpur via the Jalan Duta Link, joining the Karak Expressway (E8) at the Gombak Interchange. Remain on E8 as it seamlessly becomes the East Coast Expressway (LPT), continuing eastbound until you reach the Kuantan Interchange (Exit 839). Exit there and follow Federal Route 3 northwards all the way to Mersing.

The total driving distance is approximately 370 kilometres, with an estimated journey time of 4 to 4½ hours, subject to traffic. You will pass through three toll plazas on the expressway section:

• Gombak Toll Plaza (E8)

• LPT Phase 1 Toll Plaza

• LPT Phase 2 Toll Plaza

Combined toll charges amount to roughly RM26.00. Once on Federal Route 3, there are no further tolls—simply proceed north until you arrive in Mersing town.

Self-Drive

From Kuantan, the route is direct and toll-free. Simply follow Federal Route 3 southward toward Mersing. The distance is approximately 130 kilometres and should take around 2 hours. There are no toll plazas on this route.

Self-Drive

Stage 1 – Kuching city to Kuching Port

Drive to Kuching Port (approx. 6 km, 20 minutes).

Stage 2 – RoRo ferry to Port Klang

Arrange vehicle shipment (3–4 days).

Stage 3 – Port Klang to Mersing

From Port Klang, join the Federal Highway into Petaling Jaya, then merge onto the North–South Expressway (E1) southbound towards Kuala Lumpur. At the Gombak Interchange, take the Karak Expressway (E8) eastbound, which becomes the East Coast Expressway (LPT) to Kuantan. Exit at Kuantan (Exit 839), then follow Federal Route 3 northbound all the way to Mersing.

Distance & Duration: ~450 km by road; allow 5–6 hours.
Tolls: 6 plazas on E1/E8/LPT (≈RM50) + 1 plaza on Senai–Desaru Expressway (E22) if you choose the Kota Tinggi diversion later (RM7) → total ≈RM57.

Key Exits: Gombak Interchange (onto E8), Karak interchange (onto LPT), Kuantan Exit 839 (onto Route 3).

If you prefer to avoid the Senai–Desaru (E22) stretch entirely, simply remain on Route 3 after Kuantan. Otherwise, for a slightly faster approach southeast of Johor you may rejoin the E22 at Kota Tinggi (incurring that RM7 toll) and exit at Penawar to reach Mersing town.

Self-Drive

Stage 1 – Labuan city to Labuan Ferry Terminal

Drive to Kuching Port (approx. 6 km, 20 minutes).

Stage 2 – RoRo ferry to Port Klang

Arrange vehicle shipment (3–4 days).

Stage 3 – Port Klang to Mersing

From Port Klang, join the Federal Highway into Petaling Jaya, then merge onto the North–South Expressway (E1) southbound towards Kuala Lumpur. At the Gombak Interchange, take the Karak Expressway (E8) eastbound, which becomes the East Coast Expressway (LPT) to Kuantan. Exit at Kuantan (Exit 839), then follow Federal Route 3 northbound all the way to Mersing.

Distance & Duration: ~450 km by road; allow 5–6 hours.
Tolls: 6 plazas on E1/E8/LPT (≈RM50) + 1 plaza on Senai–Desaru Expressway (E22) if you choose the Kota Tinggi diversion later (RM7) → total ≈RM57.

Key Exits: Gombak Interchange (onto E8), Karak interchange (onto LPT), Kuantan Exit 839 (onto Route 3).

If you prefer to avoid the Senai–Desaru (E22) stretch entirely, simply remain on Route 3 after Kuantan. Otherwise, for a slightly faster approach southeast of Johor you may rejoin the E22 at Kota Tinggi (incurring that RM7 toll) and exit at Penawar to reach Mersing town.

Self-Drive

From Melaka, drive north on the E2 (North–South Expressway) toward Kuala Lumpur. Merge onto the E8 at the Gombak interchange and continue eastward through the East Coast Expressway. Upon reaching Kuantan, switch to Route 3 heading south to Mersing. The journey totals about 280 kilometres and takes roughly 4 hours. There are about 5 toll plazas on this route, with toll costs estimated at RM35. Exit the highway at Kuantan (Exit 839).

Self-Drive

Begin by taking the E2 (North–South Expressway Central Link) northbound toward Kuala Lumpur. From there, join the E8 and travel east along the East Coast Expressway (LPT) toward Kuantan. Upon arrival, proceed south on Route 3 to Mersing. This route measures approximately 230 kilometres and requires around 3.5 hours of driving. Expect to encounter 4 toll plazas, with total charges around RM25. Exit the LPT at Kuantan (Exit 839).

Self-Drive

Begin your journey from Shah Alam by taking the E8 (Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway) eastward. From Karak, continue along the East Coast Expressway (LPT – Lebuhraya Pantai Timur) towards Kuantan. Exit at Kuantan and merge onto Federal Route 3 heading southbound to Mersing. The total distance is about 260 kilometres, with an estimated duration of 4 hours. This route involves approximately 3 toll plazas, with total toll charges around RM20. Exit the expressway at Kuantan (Exit 839).

Self-Drive

To travel from central Singapore to Mersing by car, begin by heading north toward the Woodlands Checkpoint via the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). After clearing immigration at both Singapore and Malaysia checkpoints, you will enter Johor Bahru. Continue on the Johor Bahru Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway (EDL) and connect to the Senai–Desaru Expressway (E22), heading northeast via Kota Tinggi. From Kota Tinggi, follow signage to Route 3 and continue northbound directly to Mersing.

The total driving distance is approximately 140 kilometres, and the journey typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions at the border and along the route.

There are two toll plazas along the Malaysian expressway portion of the route:

• EDL Toll Plaza: Approx. RM4.00

• E22 Toll Plaza (Penawar): Approx. RM7.00
  Total estimated toll cost: RM11.00

There are no highway exits to take once on Route 3 – just follow the route northward until you arrive in Mersing town.