Kuala Lumpur to Penang – what is the most convenient way to do it? Especially since everyone’s travel plan and budget is different!
So taking that into consideration, we will breakdown the possibilities on how to go to Penang from Kuala Lumpur!
Some of these methods involve transiting or taking multiple types of transport to cover the distance between these 2 contrasting Malaysian cities!
Table Of Contents:
Kuala Lumpur To Penang Distance
The approximate driving distance from KL to George Town, Penang is ~358km.
Subsequently, driving would take roughly 4 hours, 10 minutes. With no major traffic incidents along the way!
Locals often break the journey by going to Ipoh to have Ipoh food for lunch!
1. Kuala Lumpur To Penang By Bus
With the appeal of George Town (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) and delicious Penang food:
It’s not surprising that it is easy to get a bus from Kl to Penang!
1.1. KL To Penang Bus Travel Time
Buses take much longer than driving to KL! It’s typically a 5-hour journey.
Longer if it’s on the eve of a long weekend (i.e. public holiday)!
Make sure to bring drinking water, snacks and a light jacket! It’s not uncommon for the air-conditioning to be turned up high!
Average Travelling Time: 5 hours
Distance: ~351km
1.2. Bus Operators From Kl To Penang
Hop on a bus ticket platform like easybook or busonlineticket to search for the cheapest tickets at the date and times that you want!
Transnasional Bus Service – One Of The Many Bus Operator Companies In Malaysia – photo credits to mohamadzulhanafi (Instagram)
You’ll see that there are an abundance of local bus companies that offer this particular route!
In fact, there are around 25 bus operators!
Reputable Bus Operators:
| Bus Operator | Departure Point | Arrival Point | First Bus | Last Bus | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supernice Grassland | TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) |
| 12:15 AM | 11:15 PM | RM 30.00 |
| Sri Maju Group | TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) |
| 10:00 AM | 11:30 PM | RM 33.00 |
| Konsortium Malaysia |
|
| 8:15 AM | 11:55 PM | RM 34.30 |
| Plusliner |
|
| 8:00 AM | 11:59 PM | RM 34.40 |
| Transnasional |
|
| 12:10 AM | 11:59 PM | RM 34.40 |
Tip: Choose a direct journey to Penang Island to save on travel time!
Bus Frequency: Every 15 minutes (6am to 2am)
Price Range: RM 28 – RM 50 one-way per person
2. Kuala Lumpur To Penang By Train (ETS)
The ETS (electric train service) by KTMB (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) goes all the way up north to the border of Thailand (Station Padang Besar).
Before Padang Besar though, you can get off at the Butterworth Railway Station.
Which is at the mainland and not Penang island where George Town is!
Commuters At The Butterworth Railway Station, Penang – photo credits to mazahikokung (Instagram)
2 Classes For The ETS Train Tickets:
- ETS Platinum – (EP)
- ETS Gold – (EG)
Platinum is more expensive as there are less stops!
| Type of Ticket | Departure Point | Arrival Point | Schedule | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETS Platinum -(EP) |
| Butterworth Railway Station | 8:05 AM | ~4h 15m | RM 79 |
| ETS Gold – (EG) |
| Butterworth Railway Station | 11:15 AM 1:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:20 PM 10:30 PM | ~4h 25m | RM 59 |
You can get tickets online or at the respective counter at KL Sentral.
2.1. How To Get From Butterworth Railway Station To George Town
Butterworth Railway Station, Penang – photo credits to mazahikokung (Instagram)
When you get to Butterworth Railway Station, you can go sightseeing if you have time:
- Penang Bird Park
- Container street art (Penang Container Art Festival or PICAF 2020 from January to end of May 2020)
- Nine Emperor Gods temple
- Froghill, Tasik Gelugor
- Auto city – entertainment/ food center
- Design Village Penang (premium outlet), Batu Kawan
Connection By Caryn Koh At Aspen Central Island Park, Batu Kawan, Penang – photo credits to cindytye1819 (Instagram)
Or go straight to Penang Island via any of these 3 ways:
- Ferry (every 20 – 30 minutes) – From Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal (15 minutes’ walk from Georgetown)
Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal (Butterworth) – photo credits to arifuddinrahmad (Instagram)
- Taxi/ Grab
- Tour Service: Engage the private tour services from Raythetour
Pros & Cons Of Each Transport Method
| Category | Ferry | Taxi/Grab | Tour Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Old but it’s a short ride | Depends on the individual car | MPV/ Van |
| Duration | 20 minutes | 40 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Price (oneway) | <RM 2 | ~RM 50 | Free with a tour* on the same day! |
| Direct transfer | No – ferry terminal is 10 min drive from train station Tip: Look for the free shuttle at the entrance of the train station | Yes | Yes, with option of sight-seeing along the way! |
| Earliest departure from Butterworth to George Town | 5:20am | Subject to availability | 9am* |
| Latest departure from Butterworth to George Town | 12:10am | Subject to availability | 11am* |
| Ease of Communication | Predominantly Malay | Depends on the individual driver | English-speaking or Chinese-speaking guides on request! |
| Travelling with kids/ more luggage | Inconvenient | Convenient | Convenient |
3. Kuala Lumpur To Penang By Car
If you have your own car and are familiar with driving on Malaysian highways:
You can turn this into a weekend road trip! As many locals like to do!
It takes a total of roughly 4 hours to drive the 358km between KL and George Town, Penang.
Enroute to Ipoh – photo credits to faez_guest (Instagram)
And that is on during off-peak days with no traffic.
The quickest route is via Lebuhraya Utara – Selatan/E1 which passes through Ipoh!
3.1. Kuala Lumpur To Penang By Car Cost
Of course if you’re driving, you will have to bear the additional transport costs!
There is a toll fee for crossing either of the Penang bridges.
Total Highway Toll Fees: ~RM48 (including Penang bridge fees)
Fuel cost: ~RM50 (Assuming a small car) one-way
4. Kuala Lumpur To Penang By Taxi
Fares depend on the day and company that you choose. But it’ll likely be more than RM200 one-way.
With a possibility of them charging you for the return journey too!
The next option in this post is shorter and much less (including the return journey)!
Duration: ~4 hours
5. Kuala Lumpur To Penang Flight
Check the flight prices before you book a bus or train to KL!
Sometimes, you can get an insanely cheap deal!
Airlines: AirAsia, Malindo, Firefly & Malaysia Airlines
Duration: 1 hour
Price Range: RM 35 – 200 (return trip)
| Airlines | Departure Point | Arrival Point |
|---|---|---|
| AirAsia | KLIA2 | Penang International Airport |
| Malindo |
| Penang International Airport |
| Firefly | Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) | Penang International Airport |
| Malaysia Airlines | KLIA | Penang International Airport |
5.1. Penang Airport To Georgetown
Transport Options From Penang Airport To Georgetown:
- Rental car
- Bus (lines 102, 306 and 401E)
- Taxi/ Grab
- Private tour service
Travelers At Penang International Airport – photo credits to kaina__photo (Instagram)
Penang International Airport is quite some distance from the more scenic areas of the city.
Driving distance from Penang International Airport:
- George Town – 40 minutes
- Balik Pulau – 24 minutes
- Batu Ferringhi – 1 hour
- Teluk Bahang (Penang National Park) – 1 hour
So it’s worth sitting down and planning your Penang itinerary!
Cause if you have enough days, you can make a full circle of the island as each area has something unique about it!
Do your research on how to get around Penang too!
6. Kuala Lumpur To Penang Tour
Make the most of your time in Malaysia with a private tour service like RayTheTour!
- We can take you between Kuala Lumpur and Penang! Stopping at any places of interest!
- There’s no fixed itinerary and no commercial stops!
- Pick-up from anywhere in Kuala Lumpur at the start of the tour
- Drop-off anywhere in Penang after the tour
- Typical tour hours are from 9am to 6pm
- You can even include Cameron Highlands or Ipoh as part of your itinerary!
Book a tour with us through WhatsApp or Facebook!
Read more: Best Way To Travel From Langkawi To Penang (All Methods + Cheap Option)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How Much Is The Train Ticket From KL To Penang?
A1: Between RM60 – 80.
Q2: How Long Is The Journey From Kuala Lumpur To Penang?
A2: 4 hours (by car), 5 hours (by train/ bus) or 1 hour (by flight).
Q3: What Is Penang Famous For?
A3: UNESCO World Heritage site, George Town, Penang Hill, Penang food, Kek Lok Si Temple, etc.
Q4: How Long Should You Stay In Penang?
A4: At least 2 days.
Q5: When Is The Best Time To Visit Penang?
A5: Peak season (December to February), shoulder season (March to August), rainy season (September to November).
Conclusion
Traveling from Kuala Lumpur To Penang can be done in 5 ways – flight, car, train, private tour services or bus! Of these, bus is the cheapest while driving offers flexibility!
The train is a good alternative during public holidays when there is heavy road traffic!
However, flight deals (and even private tours) may offer the best bang for your buck!
Other posts you might like:
- 15 Best Hotels In Penang For An Unforgettable Stay (From Budget To Luxury)
- What To Do In Penang With Kids
- 11 Best Shopping Malls In Penang To Visit – Newest & Biggest!
- 11 Best Night Market In Penang – Monday To Sunday (Especially #5)
- 13 Best Things To Do In Georgetown Penang
