In this guide
The Short Version: Genting Highlands is Malaysia’s prominent mountain resort, perched at 1,800 metres above sea level just 45 to 60 minutes northeast of Kuala Lumpur. With crisp temperatures averaging 15°C to 22°C, it offers immediate relief from the tropical heat. The journey centres on the Awana SkyWay cable car (RM11 one way / RM19 return for standard cabins; RM32 one way / RM29 online for glass-floor gondolas), which includes a free mid-station stopover at the cliffside Chin Swee Caves Temple. At the mountain summit, visitors find the 26-acre Genting SkyWorlds outdoor theme park, the multi-tier Skytropolis indoor park, and the sprawling SkyAvenue lifestyle mall. Getting there is easy: ride the Go Genting Express bus from KL Sentral or TBS for roughly RM10, or take a direct Grab taxi for RM70 to RM90 one way. For an overview comparing all nearby excursions, read our complete guide to day trips from Kuala Lumpur. Or book a tour: skip public bus schedules with a direct Genting Highlands tour with Awana cable carad (from RM 130, 4.1 stars from 187 reviews).
Chin Swee Caves Temple pagoda. Photo: Gryffindor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Awana SkyWay cable car over rainforest. Photo: angys, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Getting from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands
Situated 55 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur along the Karak Expressway (E8), Genting Highlands is one of the easiest highland destinations to reach from the capital:
| Transport Option | Duration | Cost (One Way) | Route Details and Key Logistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Genting Express Bus | 1h 00m | RM10–RM12 | Hourly coaches depart KL Sentral and TBS directly to Awana Bus Terminal |
| Grab E-Hailing Taxi | 45m – 1h 00m | RM70–RM90 | Direct door-to-door ride from any KL hotel to Awana SkyWay or summit hotels |
| Guided Day Tour | 1h 00m | RM120–RM180 | Hotel pickup, round-trip transport, and bundled Awana SkyWay cable car tickets |
1. Go Genting Express Bus
The Go Genting Express bus service provides the most affordable transit:
- Departure points: Buses leave frequently from the lower ground bus concourse of KL Sentral station and the central platforms at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS).
- Terminus: All express coaches terminate at Awana Bus Terminal, located at the mid-mountain level alongside Genting Highlands Premium Outlets.
- Ticketing: Single bus fares cost roughly RM10. Combined packages including both the express bus ride and an Awana SkyWay return cable car ticket can be purchased at the station counters or online for approximately RM25. Booking tickets a day in advance is advisable on weekends and public holidays.
2. Grab taxi
If travelling as a couple, family, or small group, booking a Grab directly from central Kuala Lumpur is convenient and cost-effective:
- A one-way fare from Bukit Bintang, KLCC, or Chinatown to the Awana SkyWay station costs between RM70 and RM90.
- Journey time is typically 45 to 55 minutes outside morning rush hour.
- You can book your drop-off at Awana SkyWay Lower Station (recommended to experience the scenic cable car ascent) or request the driver continue up the winding mountain road directly to SkyAvenue at the summit (taking an extra 20 minutes).
3. Small-group excursions
Travellers who prefer fully coordinated transfers can book day packages through GetYourGuidead or Klookad. Most day trips bundle hotel pickup, return air-conditioned coach transfers, Awana SkyWay cable car vouchers, and scheduled exploration time at Chin Swee Caves Temple and the summit complexes.
Or book a tour
You can pre-book gondola passes directly through the Awana SkyWay Gondola Cable Car on Klookad{rel=“sponsored nofollow noopener”}, allowing you to skip ticket counter queues and scan directly onto the boarding platform.
The Awana SkyWay cable car journey
The Awana SkyWay is the signature mountain transit experience connecting the Awana transport hub at mid-mountain to SkyAvenue station at the summit.
- Operating hours: Daily from 07:00 to 23:00.
- Flight duration: Approximately 10 minutes to cover 2.8 kilometres, rising 620 metres in altitude above deep rainforest valleys.
- Gondola types: Standard gondolas seat up to 10 passengers with panoramic windows. Glass-floor cabins have a heavy-duty transparent floor over the rainforest canopy and cost more.
- Luggage policy: Passengers may bring one piece of aircraft cabin-sized luggage (maximum dimensions 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm) per person into the gondola. Larger suitcases must be stored at the Awana Station baggage lockers (RM20 to RM35 per locker for 24 hours).
Free mid-station stopover: Chin Swee Caves Temple
One of the great features of the Awana SkyWay is the complimentary mid-station stopover at Chin Swee Station. You do not need to buy an extra ticket to visit the temple; simply alight at the mid-station, explore the complex, and board the cable car again with your original ticket stub.
What to see at Chin Swee Caves Temple
Perched on a sharp, rocky slope 1,400 metres above sea level, the Taoist and Buddhist temple was founded in 1975 by the late Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the developer of Genting Highlands:
- Nine-Storey Pagoda: Adorned with thousands of small Buddha statues, this octagonal pagoda features an interior stone spiral staircase leading to an open-air observation gallery with expansive 360-degree vistas across forested mountain ridges.
- Colossal Buddha Statue: A 15-metre-tall seated Buddha statue gazing peacefully out over the valley.
- The Journey to Enlightenment: A winding outdoor pathway decorated with painted dioramas and sculptural scenes illustrating the traditional Taoist concept of the Ten Chambers of Hell, followed by depictions of heavenly paradise.
- Natural Cave Chamber: The original prayer hall built directly into the mountain rockface, housing the black-faced statue of Reverend Master Chin Swee.
- Vegetarian Dining: The temple cafeteria serves affordable vegetarian noodle soups, claypot dishes, and herbal teas.
After completing your visit, follow the multi-level covered escalators back to Chin Swee cable car station and tap your barcode ticket to ride the final 5-minute leg up to the mountain peak.
Tours and guided options
Public express buses run from KL Sentral to Awana Bus Terminal for RM10 each way, followed by the Awana SkyWay cable car. Organised tours bundle hotel transfers, cable car passes, and optional visits to Chin Swee Caves Temple.
Genting Highlands tour with Awana cable car pass
From RM 130 · 4.1 stars from 187 reviews · 10 hours · mountain cable car and casino resort
Genting Highlands tour with Awana cable car passad: 9-hr Genting escape! Glide on Awana SkyWay, visit Chin Swee Temple, thrill at SkyWorlds & Skytropolis, shop, dine & enjoy cool mountain air before returning to KL.
Awana SkyWay cable car digital ticket voucher
From RM 49 · 5 stars from 1 review · Flexible duration · instant mobile pass for gondola ride
Awana SkyWay cable car digital ticket voucherad: Enjoy a scenic ride through the mountains and rainforest of Genting Highlands with a convenient cable car ticket. Take in panoramic views of the landscape below as you travel to the resort area.
Genting Highlands day trip with return cable car
From RM 270 · 10 hours · mountain theme parks and shopping
Genting Highlands day trip with return cable carad: Escape the city and explore the Genting Highlands on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur. Ride the Awana SkyWay Cable Car, visit the Chin Swee Caves Temple, and explore the mountain attractions.
Official ticket or tour: the prices side by side
Independent transit costs compared with organised Genting Highlands tour packages.
| Journey element | Independent public transit | On GetYourGuide |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobus KL Sentral to Awana Terminal (each way) | RM10 | Coach transport included |
| Full-day Genting tour with return coach and cable car | N/A | From RM 130 including transfers |
| Private day tour with cable car and Chin Swee Temple | N/A | From RM 270 private party |
Summit attractions and entertainment
The mountain summit at 1,800 metres centres on the SkyAvenue lifestyle mall and two distinct theme parks:
1. Genting SkyWorlds Outdoor Theme Park
Covering 26 acres, Genting SkyWorlds is a modern outdoor theme park featuring nine uniquely themed movie-inspired worlds:
- Featured zones: Eagle Mountain, Central Park, Liberty Lane, Robots Rivet Town, Andromeda Base, Ice Age, Rio, Epic, and Studio Plaza.
- Headline attractions: Mad Ramp Peak (the world’s first dual-powered roller coaster bike ride), Terraform Tower Challenge (a high-altitude drop tower offering dramatic mountain panoramas), and Ice Age: Expedition Thin Ice.
- Virtual Queue (VQ) System: Download the free Genting SkyWorlds mobile app before arrival. Linking your entry ticket enables you to reserve Virtual Queue return time slots for major rides, cutting standby queue waits significantly.
2. Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park
When afternoon mountain rain rolls across the peaks, Skytropolis provides four storeys of indoor entertainment spanning 400,000 square feet directly inside the SkyAvenue complex:
- Rides and zones: Offers 20 family, child-friendly, and thrill attractions, including the Power Surge inverted thrill pendulum, Spin Crazy 360-degree rotating arms, and the nostalgic copper-finish Balloon Race carousel.
- Ticketing: Rides are sold singly or as a one-day ride pass.
3. SkyAvenue Mall and SkySymphony
SkyAvenue is a multi-storey shopping, dining, and leisure complex holding over 100 international retail outlets, rooftop dining gardens, and modern gaming arenas.
- SkySymphony: A free automated light, kinetic sound, and projection installation on Level 1. Features 1,001 suspended kinetic winch balls that move in synchronised choreographies alongside massive multi-storey wraparound LED video screens. Shows run every hour on the hour from 10:00 to 22:00.
- Dining: Options span from street food halls serving Malaysian curry noodles and claypot chicken rice to international branches like Burger & Lobster, Din Tai Fung, and Beauty in The Pot.
4. Genting Highlands Premium Outlets (GHPO)
Located at the base of the Awana SkyWay next to the bus terminal, GHPO is an open-air retail village hosting over 150 designer brand stores—including Nike, Adidas, Coach, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Samsonite—offering discounts ranging between 25% and 65%.
Mountain packing and climate advice
- Clothing: Because high-altitude temperatures frequently drop to 15°C and mountain winds are common, pack a light windbreaker or hoodie. If spending time outdoors at Genting SkyWorlds, comfortable closed-toe walking shoes are essential.
- Rain gear: Mountain rain showers occur frequently in the afternoon. Pack a compact umbrella or lightweight poncho. If rain stops outdoor rides at Genting SkyWorlds, the park issues a “Rainy Day Guarantee” ticket voucher valid for a return visit if rainfall exceeds two consecutive hours between 11:00 and 16:00.
- Cash and payments: Credit and debit cards, Touch ‘n Go e-wallets, and cashless app payments are accepted throughout SkyAvenue and the theme parks.
To compare this mountain day trip with a tropical water park day, read our guide to Sunway Lagoon theme park tickets. For additional ideas on outdoor excursions from the capital, explore our guides to the Batu Caves guide or the emerald tea estates in Cameron Highlands.
Common questions
How cold is Genting Highlands compared to Kuala Lumpur?
Because Genting Highlands sits at 1,800 metres in the Titiwangsa mountain range, daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 22°C, compared to 30°C to 34°C in lowland Kuala Lumpur. Bring a lightweight hoodie or jacket.
Can you stop at Chin Swee Caves Temple on the cable car?
Yes. Chin Swee Caves Temple is an official mid-station stop on the Awana SkyWay. You can alight, explore the nine-storey pagoda and temple grounds free of charge, and re-board the cable car to continue to the summit using your existing ticket.
How much does the Awana SkyWay cable car cost?
Standard gondolas cost less than glass-floor cabins, which have a transparent floor for looking straight down into the rainforest canopy. Fares are shown at the Awana station ticket counters.
How do you reach Genting Highlands without a car?
The most popular transit option is the Go Genting Express bus from KL Sentral or TBS to Awana Bus Terminal (roughly RM10 to RM12 one way). From Awana station, board the Awana SkyWay cable car to the summit.
