Hi Pippen,

From memory and a quick check on google, you're better off biting the bullet for an extra hour, and taking the 3 - 3 1/2 trip to Kuala Tembeling - which is where the boat to Taman Negara goes from (2 boats a day 9am & 2pm or similar - do check!). I stayed somewhere pretty ropey there - probably found in Lonely Planet as I was backpacking, but there should be somewhere better.

Otherwise, you're better off going into KL for the night, and doing the whole trip the next day.

And interesting trip out of the park is on the Jungle Train to Kota Bharu from Tembeling. Very beautiful trip.

When we did Taman Negara there were two boat types ...the slow boat taking over an hour and the jet boat which took about half an hour. We did trip from from KL 4 hours on a bus that broke down a mile from jetty. We took taxi back to KL two hours.

I think Sams advice to hit KL is best although you could stay near airport and do trip next day.

Thanks for the advice you two, I'll check out Kuala Tembeling. Sounds like a good idea, certainly better than anything we've come up with.

Would you guys recommend visiting one of the islands off the east coast for a few days after Taman Negara, or is there not enough there to make a few days stop there worthwhile? The islands certainly look brilliant, although whether they are truly brilliant is always difficult to tell.

The islands off the east coast are great (been to Perhentian, Redang, Tioman) - but also the east coast itself is great.

If you are budget travelling, get the jungle train out from Taman Negara to Kota Bharu, then organised a trip to the Perhentians. Fab! If you're on a higher budget, look at Japamala on Tioman, or Tanjong Jara on the east coast.

But also, if you're going October - March, the monsoon can hit the east coast hard, and make boat crossing interesting to say the least!