KL to Genting with Family: Best Way to Go

Genting Highlands is one of the most popular family getaways from Kuala Lumpur. It is close enough for a day trip, cool enough to escape the heat, and packed with enough entertainment to keep everyone from toddlers to grandparents occupied. The question is: what is the best way to get there with your family?

The Route: KL to Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands sits about 60 kilometres northeast of Kuala Lumpur, up in the Titiwangsa mountain range at 1,800 metres elevation. The drive takes approximately 1 hour from central KL — 45 minutes on the highway and 15 to 20 minutes on the winding mountain road up to the resort.

The standard route follows the Karak Expressway (E8) from KL, then turns onto the Genting Sempah road. The road is well-maintained but steep, with sharp hairpin turns in the final stretch. This is where your choice of transport matters most.

Option 1: Private Car with Driver

For families — especially those with young children — a private car with driver is the most practical option. Here is why:

• Child seats: You can request infant seats, toddler seats, or booster seats in advance. Try doing that with a Grab or bus.
• Luggage space: Strollers, diaper bags, snacks, extra clothes for the cold weather — families travel heavy. An MPV like the Toyota Innova or Perodua Alza has the boot space to handle it.
• Flexible timing: Kids do not operate on schedules. If you need to stop for a toilet break, pull over because someone feels carsick on the mountain road, or leave Genting earlier than planned, your driver adjusts.
• Mountain driving: The road to Genting requires confident handling — steep gradients, tight corners, fog, and sometimes aggressive drivers. A local driver who does this route regularly handles it calmly. You focus on the kids.

See our Genting Highlands transfer details including vehicle options and route information.

Option 2: Self-Drive

If you are renting a car in Malaysia, you can drive to Genting yourself. The highway portion is straightforward, but the mountain road demands attention. The gradient reaches 8% in places, and the hairpin turns come in rapid succession.

Things to consider for families self-driving:

• You need to stay focused on a challenging road — no enjoying the scenery or attending to kids in the back seat
• Parking at Genting can be expensive and far from the main entrance
• The mountain road gets foggy, especially in the afternoon — visibility can drop significantly
• You are responsible for the vehicle if anything happens on the steep sections

Option 3: Grab or Taxi

You can take a Grab from KL to Genting, but there are practical issues for families. Standard GrabCar vehicles do not come with child seats. The boot space may not fit your stroller plus luggage. And finding a Grab for the return trip from Genting back to KL can be difficult — driver availability on the mountain is limited.

Option 4: Bus + Cable Car

Buses run from KL to the Awana Station at the base of Genting, where you transfer to the Awana SkyWay cable car for the final ascent. This is the budget option and can be fun for older kids who enjoy the cable car ride.

For families with toddlers, strollers, and heavy luggage, the multiple transfers make this route exhausting. The cable car also has limited capacity during peak times, meaning potential queues with restless children.

Best Vehicle for Families Going to Genting

Your vehicle choice depends on your family size:

• Small family (2 adults + 1-2 kids): Standard MPV like the Perodua Alza. Enough space for a stroller and bags, comfortable for the mountain drive. View our MPV options.
• Larger family (2 adults + 3-4 kids): Toyota Innova. More legroom for the longer limbs and better engine power for the steep climb.
• Extended family or group: Toyota Hiace or similar van. Seats 10 to 15 with luggage space for everyone.
• Premium comfort: Toyota Vellfire or Alphard. Captain seats, smooth ride, entertainment screens to keep kids occupied during the drive. Worth it for families who want to arrive relaxed.

What to Pack for Kids

Genting sits at 1,800 metres and the temperature drops to 15-20°C — that is cold by Malaysian standards. Pack:

• Light jackets or sweaters for everyone (it feels colder than you expect coming from KL's 32°C)
• Snacks and water for the drive (some children get queasy on winding roads — plain crackers help)
• Motion sickness medication if your kids are prone to car sickness
• Entertainment for the drive — tablets, books, or games
• Comfortable walking shoes (the resort complex involves a lot of walking)

Timing Your Trip

Best time to depart KL: Before 8am on weekdays, or before 7am on weekends. The highway gets congested during morning rush hour, and the Genting road backs up if you arrive when everyone else does.

Avoid: School holidays and long weekends. The traffic on the Genting road can turn a 1-hour drive into 2.5 hours. If you must travel during peak periods, go midweek.

Return timing: Leave Genting before 4pm to avoid the evening exodus. Sunday evenings between 5pm and 8pm are the worst for traffic heading back to KL.

Stops Along the Way

Two stops worth considering with kids:

• Genting Premium Outlets: Located at the base of the mountain. If you want a shopping break before heading up, it has food courts and clean restrooms — useful for families.
• Chin Swee Caves Temple: A beautiful temple built into the mountainside, visible from the cable car. If you are driving, there is a turnoff. Older kids find it interesting; toddlers may not cooperate with the stairs.