Port Klang (Malay: Pelabuhan Kelang or Pelabuhan Klang) is the principal port in Selangor, a state of Malaysia. It also serves as the port for the Klang Valley, Malaysia's most developed region where the capital Kuala Lumpur is located.

There is nothing much to bring a traveller to Port Klang except for the ferry links to Dumai and Tanjung Balai Asahan, both in Sumatra, Indonesia. Like most port cities, Port Klang has a seedy feel to it and most of its buildings and structures are maritime-related, such as warehouses, storage tanks and offices.

In maritime terms, Port Klang actually consists of three distinct ports. The port nearest to Port Klang town is known as the South Port. There is also a North Port and the newly developed Westport located on an island just off the coast of Port Klang.

Get in

By road

Port Klang lies at the western end of the Federal Highway, the main expressway linking the major centres of the Klang Valley like Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur.

An elevated expressway linking the South Port (and hence Port Klang town) and North Port connects to the Shah Alam Expressway which then leads to the North South Expressway.

Port Klang is about 40km from Kuala Lumpur and 8km from Klang.

By bus and taxi

The Port Klang bus and taxi terminal is inconveniently located at a distance away from the port area. One can walk the distance but the heat, noise and pollution may make it an unpleasant experience.

• Transnasional is the main bus operator. Its No. 710 links Port Klang with Klang and Kuala Lumpur (Pasarama Kota or Klang Bus Stand) while No. 126 shuttles between Port Klang and Klang.
• Other operators, such as Permata Kiara and Metrobus, also operate buses to and from Kuala Lumpur and Klang.

By train

The railway station is located just outside the port area across the road from the ferry terminal. KTM Komuter, Klang Valley's commuter train network, links the station with Klang (20 minutes) and Kuala Lumpur (one hour 10 minutes) with trains once every 15 minutes during peak hours, and once every 20 minutes during off-peak hours.

By boat

The ferry terminal - with the grand official name Passenger Cruise Terminal - is located in the port area where the Federal Highway (which is a two-lane city road at this point) meets the sea.

There are no domestic ferry services (except for boats to nearby Pulau Ketam). Ferries leave for Dumai in Riau province and Tanjung Balai Asahan in North Sumatra province, both on Sumatra, Indonesia.

• To/from Dumai: There are several operators and agents selling tickets at the terminal
  • Indomal Express/Malaysia Express by Doyan Shipping (Tel: +60-3-3167 1058). Departure times written on signboard at ticket counter, usually about 9am. RM100 one-way. Journey takes just under 3 hours.
  • MV Pelita Jaya Express/Sabang Marindo II by NKH Ferry Services (Tel: +60-3-3166 0122). Daily departures at 10.30am. RM80/150 one-way/return.

• To/from Tanjung Balai Asahan:
  • Aero Speed (Tel: +60-3-3165 2545/3073). Daily departures except Sundays at 11am.
  • MV Aman Satu by Sweeting Trading Sdn Bhd (Tel: +60-3-3165 7501). Daily departures at 11am. RM100/190 one-way/return.
  • MV Boeing Sky King/Boeing Sky King II by Lautan Mewah Entreprise (Tel: +60-3-3166 0390). Daily departures at 11am. RM100/190 one-wat/return.

While Dumai is a visa-free entry point, please note that Tanjung Balai Asahan is NOT a visa-free entry point and travellers need a visa to enter Indonesia via this port.

Malaysian citizens however do not need a visa for up to 30-day visits even if entering via Tanjung Balai.

• Star Cruise ships call at the Star Cruise Terminal at Westport.

Get around

Walk to get from the ferry terminal to the railway station and bus and taxi terminal. Port Klang town just beyond the bus and taxi terminal and can also be reached on foot.

See

Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) is a mangrove covered island off the coast of Port Klang. The entire village on the island is built on stilts, making it an interesting day trip. How to get there: Take a ferry from the Pulau Ketam jetty beside (and not inside) the Passenger Cruise Terminal. There are about 15 trips a day and the journey takes about 30 minutes. For more information, check the Pulau Ketam website.

Do

Unless you are here on shipping business, there is not a lot to do in Port Klang except to catch the ferry or to move on to Kuala Lumpur or other destinations.

Buy

Eat

Most locals head out to the Bagan Hailam area for good and relatively cheap (for the Klang Valley) seafood. Restaurants line the road and most are built on stilts over water. Other areas famous for seafood include Pandamaran and Teluk Gong, both south of Port Klang.

Drink

Sleep

Although Port Klang has a few hotels, head to Kuala Lumpur for better options.

Get out