The island of Penang and the city of Kuala Lumpur are very both popular tourist destinations with plenty to discover. Penang for its world-class street art and street food and Kuala Lumpur for its many attractions as a buzzing Asian capital. But what’s the best way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and vice versa? This guide should tell you everything you need to know.
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Option 1: The bus
The cheapest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is by bus with plenty departing throughout each day between the two destinations. Most leave from the Bersepadu Selatan Terminal situated in the southern part of Kuala Lumpur and terminate in either Butterworth or Sungai Nibong bus terminals around Penang. If you are actually staying on Penang itself, it’s easier to get a bus heading to Sungai Nibong as this terminal is on the island. Whereas the Butterworth terminal is on the mainland and you’ll have to get the ferry across afterwards. A one-way ticket will only set you back between 35 – 40 MYR and the journey will take around 4 1/2 – 5 hours depending on traffic.
Option 2: The train
Another cheap and slightly more luxurious way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is on the new ETS train. There are around 6 trains leaving daily from KL Central station to Butterworth station on the mainland and vice versa. On arriving at Butterworth station you’ll then need to get either a taxi or the ferry across to Penang. The new train is also now the fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang overland, with the journey taking only 4 hours. Ticket prices start at around 65 MYR one way, though tend to get sold out in advance, so make sure to buy yours ahead of your departure date.
Option 3: Catch a flight
Flying is by far the fastest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. There are over 25 direct flights each day with the average flight time being just 50 minutes. A ticket generally costs around 100 – 140 MYR, but you can pick one up for as little as 65 MYR, so it’s not that much more expensive than getting the train or the bus either. You can fly out of either of Kuala Lumpur’s International Airport or Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah airport, both of which are easily reached on public transport. Penang International Airport is also situated on the island itself, so you don’t need to catch a ferry across afterwards.
Hopefully, my guide has told you everything you need to know about how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, so you can easily choose the way that’s best for you. If you want to find out more about schedules and prices I would recommend visiting 12goasia.com for trains and buses and Skyscanner for flights.
