Kuala Besut is about 50km south of Kota Bharu and about 110km north of Kuala Terengganu.
'''From Kota Bharu''' there is a direct local bus service. It's also easy to arrange a share taxi ride - virtually any guesthouse or hotel in Kota Bharu will organise this.
'''From Kuala Terengganu''' take any northbound bus and get off at Jerteh. Continue from there (about another 15km) by local bus or share taxi.
'''From Penang''' east-bound Mutiara Ekspress depart Sungai Nibong bus terminal to Jerteh via Kota Bharu twice daily. Budaya Ekspress, Utama, S.P Bumi, Shamisha, Cepat and Etika Ekspress also have several bus every day which leave Penang to Jerteh / Kuala Besut via Kota Bharu, departure at 9am and 9pm. The journey requires 6 hours and would cost less then RM30.00.
'''From Kuala Lumpur''' there are only 2 buses services going direct to Kuala Besut, namely Mutiara and Mahligai. The cost is usually RM40.00, and they drop you off within walking distance of the jetty. The buses leave twice daily, 9am and 9pm and arrive in Kuala Besut around 5am. The first boat is usually at 7am. Mutiara and Mahligai buses usually stop near the jetty. The trip is about 9 hours with only one stop at around 1am/pm.
Taxi drivers may try to take you to a travel agent of their choosing, who will pay them commission (which gets charged to you). If you are going to the Perhentian Islands and already have accommodation booked, just go directly to the jetty, or pick an agent of your own choice.
Tour operators in town can arrange transfers to Taman Negara National Park (RM85), Cameron Highlands (RM60) & Kuala Lumpur (RM70). If you are returning from the Perhentian Islands you'll need to catch an early boat to make it in time, so advance reservations are recommended.
The nearest railway station is Tanah Merah, although most travellers opt for Kota Bharu's better-serviced Wakaf Bahru station instead.
See Kota Bharu#By plane and Kuala Terengganu#By plane