Transportation options on Pangkor Island
Transportation options on Pangkor Island
Main means of transportation on the island
The most convenient
🛵Motorcycle rental (RM40~60/24h)
If you are confident in your physical strength
🚲Bicycle rental (unknown/24h)
For rainy days and large groups
🚕Taxi (pink van)
🛵Motorcycle rental (RM40~60/24h)
The island has many steep roads, including mountain passes, so it’s best to rent a motorcycle (with helmet).
🚙A car is ideal for large groups.
However, we recommend renting a motorbike due to reasons such as the limited number of places to park and eat on the island, the presence of narrow roads, and the prevalence of poorly maintained privately owned rental cars.
You can rent them at your hotel without needing to make a reservation.
If there are no rental motorcycles available at your hotel during peak season, you can rent them from other hotels, shops, or individuals.
However, you will need to present an international driver’s license.
Things you should know when renting
An international driver’s license (for motorcycles up to 125cc or more) is required.
Please apply for and obtain an international driver’s license before your departure.
Even without an international driver’s license, it may be possible to rent a car from a private owner.
However, please be aware that if you are involved in an accident or stopped at a checkpoint without a valid license, you may be subject to legal penalties.
(Fines during checkpoints: Driving without a license RM300 / Not wearing a helmet RM300)
- Prices may vary slightly depending on whether it is the off-season or peak season.
The price may also vary depending on whether it’s a scooter type🛵 or a geared type (without a clutch)🏍. - Up to two adults can ride.
- You can rent it for a full day (24 hours) or by the hour.
- When renting a motorcycle, always check that the brakes (especially the rear brake) are working properly.
Although the rear brake has less stopping power than the front brake, it is generally used more frequently than the front brake to maintain the motorcycle’s stability, such as when cornering or before entering a curve.
Using only the front brake can easily lead to a fall, so please be extremely careful.
On a scooter, the rear brake is operated by a lever on the left side of the handlebar, while on a motorcycle with gear shifting, it is operated by a pedal on the right foot.
※You don’t need to fill the tank completely when returning the car, so you may need to refuel at a gas station shortly after picking it up.
Refueling with about 3 liters should be sufficient.
(Approx. Rm2.2/1 liter: Reference for 2024)
※When driving at night, please be careful not to drive too fast on roads with few streetlights, as there is a risk of collisions with stray dogs🐕, wild boars🐗, and other animals.
🚲Bicycle rental (unknown / 24h)
This is a road bike type.
I’ve never rented it, so I don’t know the price, but it’s probably much cheaper than renting a motorcycle.
If you have the stamina to cycle up and down the various hills on the island under the scorching sun, this option might be better for you.
If your hotel doesn’t offer rentals, you can rent them from another hotel.
Bicycle = basikal (Malay)
🚕Taxi (pink van)
Although it’s more expensive compared to other options, a taxi is definitely a convenient mode of transportation for families, group travelers, or on rainy days.
Taxis on Pangkor Island do not stop if you wave your hand.
Please either ask your hotel, or use taxi stands located in various areas.
| Taxi fare *Reference for 2025 | |||
| Jeti (Ferry terminal) ➡Pasir Bogak | Rm12 (1~4 per.) | Rm20 (5~10 per.) | |
| Jeti (Ferry terminal) ➡Teluk Nipah | Rm18 (1~4 per.) | Rm25 (5~6 per.) | Rm30 (7~10 per.) |
| Island sightseeing (private charter / 2h) | Rm80 | Rm100 | Rm30 /Extension every hour |
Things to keep in mind when driving on the island
Pangkor Island already has limited flat areas and many steep slopes.
Points to keep in mind when driving yourself
On roads with heavy traffic depending on the time of day…
- Please be aware that the areas around Pangkor Town and Sungai Pinang are particularly busy with motorcycles and cars, especially during the morning and evening hours.
On mountain roads with many slopes and curves
- Many taxi drivers tend to drive fast, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are driving recklessly.
Even if you feel another car approaching from behind, there’s no need to unnecessarily increase your speed.
Instead, maintain your current speed, and on straight roads, slow down slightly and move to the left to allow the following vehicle to overtake you. - During the daytime, you may occasionally encounter wild dogs🐕
or monkeys🐵 on the mountain pass on the western side of the island.
Take extra caution to avoid collisions with wild animals and to prevent being bitten by them. - At night, on mountain roads without street lights, wild animals such as stray dogs🐕 and wild boars🐗 sometimes come out onto the road.
To avoid a collision, please be very careful not to drive too fast.
Steep slopes and curves
- Although no major incidents have occurred in the past few years, very few islanders use the steep road at the northern most tip of the island.
As a result, robberies occasionally occur, with thieves targeting tourists who are tired from cycling up the hill and stealing their money and valuables.
Please be extremely careful when cycling around the island.