Private driver from KL to Penang and other cities

A private driver from KL to Penang is a one-way chauffeur trip at Grandpride, priced on distance: a base built on the car's hourly rate, plus a charge per kilometre. The booking page prices the whole trip for every free car before you reserve. Melaka, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands and anywhere else in Malaysia work the same way, though for a day trip you'd usually book by the hour instead.

Times depend on where you start, the day and holiday traffic. Getting out of KL and getting onto Penang Island are where most of the delays are; long weekends and public holidays are the worst.

One way or by the hour

One Way takes you from one address to another, door to door, priced on distance. It's the usual choice for Penang, or for being dropped at a hotel in another city.

By the Hour gives you a car and chauffeur for 3 to 23 hours with as many stops as you like. It suits a day trip, where the car waits and brings you home.

The per-km rate differs by car CHECK: the per-km rate for each chauffeur car, and any minimum charge on long one-way trips. Only two routes have flat fares, KLIA and Genting Highlands, for trips under 80 km. Everything further is by distance or by the hour.

Penang

Penang is about 350 km north on the North–South Expressway. If you're staying a few days, book one way. There are two bridges onto the island: the original Penang Bridge is the quicker way to George Town, and the Second Penang Bridge lands further south, near Bayan Lepas. Give the exact hotel or address when you book, so the trip is priced to the door.

Want the same chauffeur to bring you back? Agree two things before you go:

• how the return leg is priced, and whether the car's run back to KL is part of the fare CHECK: does a one-way long-distance fare include the chauffeur's empty return, and how a return trip on a later date is priced
• where the chauffeur stays if you're away overnight, and who pays CHECK: overnight trips, accommodation and meals for the chauffeur, and how idle days are charged

Our guide to driving from KL to Penang by car covers the road, the rest stops and the island.

Melaka

Close enough for a day out with the car waiting, so book by the hour. Every hour that starts between 7 am and 7 pm is at the car's normal rate, which makes 8 am to 6 pm exactly ten times the hourly rate. In a Toyota Alphard that's ten times RM 200.

Staying for dinner changes it a little. Hours that start from 7 pm cost 30% more, but anything over 12 hours takes 10% off the total. So 7 am to 8 pm is 12 normal hours plus one evening hour: 13.3 times the hourly rate, less 10%, which is 11.97 times. Our KL to Melaka day trip guide suggests how to spend the hours.

Ipoh and Cameron Highlands

Ipoh is about 200 km, so there and back in a day is long but possible by the hour.

Cameron Highlands is about 210 km, and the last stretch climbs a winding mountain road. If anyone gets car sick, ask for the route via Simpang Pulai: it's less winding than the road up from Tapah, though a bit longer. With roughly three and a half hours each way, one way plus a night up there is the more relaxed plan. See KL to Cameron Highlands by car for the highlands themselves.

The car for four hours on the road

Legroom and luggage matter more on a long drive than across town. For families and groups, the Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM300h seat seven and each take three large suitcases. For one or two people, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Bentley Bentayga Mansory each take two. If you need to work on the way, ask about onboard Wi-Fi CHECK: which chauffeur cars have onboard Wi-Fi. Our luxury chauffeur cars compared sets all six side by side.

Before you book

Can we stop on the way?

By the hour, as often as you like. On a one-way trip, mention planned stops when you book CHECK: are stops on a one-way trip included, or charged as waiting time.

Can a chauffeur take us to Singapore?

Self-drive rental cars must stay in Peninsular Malaysia, so they can't go to Singapore or Thailand. Whether a chauffeured trip can cross is a separate question CHECK: can a chauffeur-driven trip go to Singapore, and if so how it is priced. Anywhere within Malaysia, a one-way booking covers it.

What if I'd rather drive myself?

Then rent. Every rental includes 120 km a day, and a return trip to Penang is roughly 700 km, so add unlimited mileage when you book; it's cheaper per km than paying for extra afterwards. Only the named renter may drive, and the car goes back with the fuel level it left with. Self-drive vs chauffeur weighs the two for long trips.

How do I book it?

Open Book a chauffeur and choose One Way, or By the Hour for a day trip. Enter full pickup and drop-off addresses, date and time; online bookings need at least two days' notice. Compare the full price of every free car, add passengers, luggage and any stops, and reserve. A RM 50 booking fee is paid online and comes off the total; the rest is paid in store or in person.

Berapa harga kereta dengan pemandu dari KL ke Pulau Pinang?

Perjalanan sehala ke Pulau Pinang dikira mengikut jarak, dan harga penuh setiap kereta dipaparkan sebelum anda menempah. Yuran tempahan RM 50 dibayar dalam talian dan ditolak daripada jumlah; bakinya dibayar di kedai atau secara bersemuka.

Send your route and dates on WhatsApp, or read more about the chauffeur service.