If you’re not sure how to get from Penang Georgetown to Butterworth, refer to this travel guide. Getting to Butterworth from Georgetown Penang is pretty straightforward.
Let’s take a look at how much time and money it’ll cost. And which are the most popular public transportation methods.
Keep this post for future reference. You never know when you want to explore the rest of the mainland from Penang Island!
1. Ferry From Penang Georgetown To Butterworth
Of the two bridges that link Penang to the mainland:
One of the bridges does somewhat connect Georgetown to Butterworth. Albeit you won’t end up in central Butterworth.
Instead, you will be much further south in Perai. Perai is a 15-minute drive from Butterworth. Or 20 minutes by bus.
So many locals who don’t have their own car choose to take the ferry from Georgetown to Butterworth instead. It’s almost a direct route*, as well as a short and affordable journey too.
*you may still need to get a ride (via an e-hailing service or taxi) from Penang Sentral Station to Butterworth
1.1. Penang Georgetown Ferry Terminals
There are 2 Penang island ferry ports. One is within walking distance (~20 minutes) from the center of Georgetown. And it goes by the name, Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal.
Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal is where you can take the vehicle ferries. If you have a motorcycle or bicycle.
The second ferry terminal in Georgetown Penang is Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT).
It is approximately 30 minutes walk from Georgetown. And this is where you can take the passenger ferries.
Both ferry terminals are under 15 minutes’ walk apart from each other.
1.2. Passenger Ferry (Fast Ferry) From Georgetown (Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal) To Ferry Terminal Butterworth (Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim)
The passenger ferries from Penang to Butterworth have 2 different schedules. The schedule varies on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays.
And because of the pandemic, they take 4 hours per day to sanitize the passenger ferries.
But you should still be able to get the time slot you want assuming the tickets are not sold out. Because they have more than one ferry.
Board passenger ferries from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT). The ferries leave from as early as 7 am and as late as 9 pm on weekdays. On weekends, the earliest ferry is at 7:30 am.
- Duration: ~10 minutes
- Intervals: Hourly (and 30 minute intervals during peak hours on weekdays only from 7am to 9:30am)
- First Departure: 7am (07:00) on weekdays, 7:30am (07:30) on weekends and public holidays
- Last Departure: 9pm (21:00) every day
- Price: RM1.2 (Adult), RM0.6 (Child), RM0.6 (OKU)
Note: For the latest schedule, please check the official ferry schedule.
1.3. Vehicle Ferry From Georgetown (Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda) To Ferry Terminal Butterworth (Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim)
If you have your own vehicle (motorcycles and bicycles only):
But still want to take the ferry from Penang to Butterworth, go to the Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal.
On weekdays, the ferries from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal leave every hour.
Weekends and public holidays are the same. Except for 2 blocked-out time slots in the day – one between 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, and another between 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
- Duration: ~10 minutes
- Intervals: Every hour during peak hours except on weekends and public holidays
- First Departure: 7:30am (07:30)
- Last Departure: 7:30pm (19:30)
- Price: RM2 (Motorcycle), RM1.4 (Bicycle)
Note: You can see the latest schedule on the official Penang Port website.
1.4. Butterworth Ferry Terminal
Both ferries will bring passengers to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal, Butterworth.
Regardless of whether you take the ferry from Georgetown. via Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT).
Or whether you choose to take a ferry from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal.
1.5. Penang Sentral, Butterworth
Another reason why taking the ferry from Georgetown to Butterworth is preferable:
Butterworth ferry terminal (Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal) is next to Penang Sentral. Which is the main transport hub in Butterworth.
From here, you can board a bus or train to Kuala Lumpur. Or other major cities in West Malaysia that are further up north or south of Penang.
While waiting for your bus or train:
You can take advantage of the many facilities and services at Penang Sentral.
These include luggage storage via lockers and a 3-story car park with 24-hour security. There is also helpful staff at the Information Counter at Level 3.
Other amenities include the food court and a convenience store (7-Eleven). There are fast food joints like KFC and Marrybrown, a pharmacy, and a handful of bakeries.
Moreover, there is an on-site medical clinic, money-changing services, and a baby room. Prayer rooms and ATMs (RHB and Maybank) are also available.
You can even pick up some chocolate at Beryl’s Chocolate. Or check out some electronics at the Huawei, Samsung, OPPO concept stores to kill some time.
2. Taxi From Penang Island To Butterworth
If taking a ferry does not appeal to you but you don’t have your own mode of transportation (or you like to keep things flexible):
The next best thing to get from Georgetown to Butterworth is to use an e-hailing service or take a taxi.
This is a 30 to 40-minute drive depending on traffic conditions.
- Duration: ~30 minutes
- Price: It costs around RM40 for a taxi or ~RM20 for an e-hailing service like Grab or Air Asia Ride
Conclusion
And that’s about all you need to know to get from Georgetown Penang to Butterworth without having to drive!
We recommend taking the ferry (it’s cheap, with regular intervals and it is a short journey). It’s convenient if you are traveling light and without kids or elders.
Else, taking a taxi or e-hailing service may be more convenient. And the latter is less stressful for everyone if you are traveling in a group.
Further reading:
- How To Get From Penang To Langkawi
- How To Get From Penang To Ipoh
- How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown
- How To Get From Kuala Lumpur To Penang Island
- How To Get From Penang To Cameron Highlands
