Sultan Ismail Petra Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Kota Bharu is the capital of the conservative state of Kelantan, with a city life more tied to Islamic culture and local markets than to mass tourism: the range of international hotels is far more limited than in other Malaysian cities. With no trains to the airport, taxi, Grab or the Bas Udara shuttle (about 5-8 ringgit) remain the main options for the 6-11 km separating the terminal from the centre, with a 15-20 minute journey outside peak hours. The area along the Kelantan river, close to the new royal palace and the markets, remains the most practical base for most travellers.

Kota Bharu city centre and the Kelantan riverfront

City centre · About 6-11 km and 15-20 minutes by car from the airport (up to 30 at peak times 7:30-9:00 and 16:30-18:30); taxi, Grab or the Bas Udara shuttle.

Best for: Those who want Siti Khadijah market, the AEON and KB Mall shopping centres and the new royal palace within a taxi ride or on foot.

Pros

Siti Khadijah market and AEON Mall reachable within minutes on foot or by car
A hotel overlooking the Kelantan river, next to the state's new palace

Cons

A very limited range of international hotels compared with other Malaysian cities: most alternatives are homestays or private apartments
Limited nightlife, in a city where shops and venues close early compared with the national average

Recommended hotels in this area

ibis Styles Kota Bharu: On the Kelantan riverfront, in the Sky Riverfront tower next to the state's new palace; AEON Mall 7 minutes away and KB Mall 3, among the few international-chain hotels in the city.

See more hotels in this area →

Wakaf Che Yeh

Nearby town · About a 22-minute drive from the airport and 18 minutes from the centre of Kota Bharu; taxi or Grab only, with no direct walking link to the centre.

Best for: Those who want a hotel with a pool and an in-house restaurant, a little removed from the traffic of the centre, near the large local market of the same name.

Pros

An indoor pool, gym and in-house restaurant, useful for those who don't want to rely on venues in the centre
Close to the Wakaf Che Yeh market, among the largest in the region on its open days

Cons

Further from both the airport and the centre of Kota Bharu than the riverfront area
Some reviews point to parts of the property in need of renovation

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites Kota Bharu: In Wakaf Che Yeh, with an indoor pool, gym and the Legenda restaurant specialising in Kelantanese and Thai cuisine; among the few international-standard properties outside the city centre.

See more hotels in this area →