By Rail to Penang

Penang Transport - Getting to Penang

Travelling to Penang by Train

The main train station of the state is close to the Ferry Terminal at Butterworth (Seberang Perai, Penang). There are Daily train services from Hat Yai and bangkok (Thailand) and from Kuala Lumpur. Then catch the passenger ferry to Penang Island.  From Bangkok you can travel by the International Express to Butterworth. Its a daily service run by Thai Railways.  For  luxurious travel, travel to Butterworth (state of Penang) by the Oriental Express from Bangkok. 

 In Peninsular Malaysia, the KTMB operates 12 intercity express services daily during weekdays, 18 intercity express services during weekend and 8 daily local train, serving a total of 97 intercity stations.    For those coming into the country, there are also services operating from Bangkok, making stops at major towns such as Haadyai(Thailand), Alor Setar, Padang Besar, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Seramban, Johore Bahru, and Singapore.  Passengers traveling by express train from Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur can stop at Butterworth, a major station in Province Wellesley.    

The International Express (or Ekspress Antarabangsa), operated by the State Railway of Thailand, is a daily express train that runs between Butterworth and Bangkok.   The train, which offers only first- and second-class tickets, has a restaurant car, 1st class sleeping-car and additional 2nd class sleepers. You can buy ongoing tickets at the border crossing in either Malaysia or Thailand.   However, if you come from Thailand, be sure you have ongoing seats if you decide to travel back North. 

KTMB provides comfortable and economical rail services from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar and Arau.  Rail passengers going to Penang Island can take the ferry at the ferry terminal, which is within walking distance from the railway station in Butterworth.

By Road to Penang

Penang Transport - Getting to Penang

Penang is served with a network of very good roads and it is easy to travel the entire state by road. Most Malaysians travel by car to and around the state. The North-South Expressway cut the length of Seberang Perai ('province') of Penang. The island of Penang is linked by ferry and a bridge to the mainland.

Roads leading to Penang    

You can travel easily by private vehicle, taxis or bus to the state. By coach/ bus or car, the north-south expressway takes you to Butterworth, Seberang Perai (the mainland part of the State of Pulau Pinang). You can cross to Penang island by ferry or drive through the Penang bridge. The Penang Bridge,  leads you to the south eastern part of  Penang island. It is linked to the North South expressway in Peninsular Malaysia. On Penang island, travel by the coastal road north to George Town.

 There are many express buses from KL, Ipoh, Alor Setar, Melaka, Seremban, Johor Bahru and other major towns in Peninsular Malaysia that goes to Penang Island or Butterworth. Buses are also available daily from Thailand and Singapore (tours or express bus) to Penang island or Butterworth (on the peninsular). The main express bus terminals are at Butterworth and Relau (Penang Island)

By Air to Penang

Penang Transport - Getting to Penang

Flying to Penang
From outside Malaysia, fly to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or straight to the Penang International Airport, on Penang Island. The airport is just 20 minutes from Georgetown.
There are several (almost hourly) daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and a number of flight from Johor, Langkawi, East Malaysia (Kuching, Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) and from Singapore to Penang. You can also transfer from any domestic destinations at KL to Penang.
Other connecting air flights available from Penang are to domestic airports are: Langkawi (Kedah), Kota Baru (Kelantan), Kuala Terengganu (Terrenggnu) and Kuantan (Pahang).

Penang International Airport - Penang International Airport is located at Bayan Lepas on the island of Penang. The best way to get to and out of the airport is by taxi or car as the airport is only about 20km from the city centr of George Town. Taxis, buses and limousines are available between the airport and various destinations on Penang Island.   Buses passes right at the doorstep of the airport, that take you to the city and also the ferry jetty terminal. Counters for taxis and car rentals are located at the arrival hall, to your right, after you pass the glass exit (after the custom check point). Taxis and limousines operate on a coupon system where fares are fixed according to the zone your destination is located.

Airlines flying to Penang
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has a number of daily flights to and from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur), Langkawi Island, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu. Direct International destinations by MAS to Penang are: Bangkok, Medan, Singapore, Hong Kong.
Air Asia flies to Penang from KLIA, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu. Direct international destinations are: Jarkarta, Medan, Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok (also see: Thailand to Malaysia), Singapore
FireFly (MAS budget airlines) flies from Penang to Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Kuala Trengganu, Kota Bahru, Kuantan and KL (Subang), and international destinations such as Phuket, Bandar Acheh, Koh Samui and Singapore
Jet Star flies from Singapore and Perth to Penang
Tiger Airways flies from Singapore
Singapore Airlines (Singapore) also fly daily from Changi Airport to Penang Island.
Silk Air flies daily from Singapore to Penang Island.
Airline/ Flights to Penang by  Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia (Low Cost flyer), Firefly (Low Cost flyer), Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Xiamen Air, China Airlines, Thai International are some of the airlines flying into Penang.

Singapore to Penang by low cost / budget carriers
Air Asia, Jetstar, Silkair and Tiger Airways are the budget carriers that have at least two flights a day from Singapore or KLIA to Penang International Airport. Prices are competitive and fares are very low during off-peak seasons (non-holiday periods or weekdays).
The best option is to fly direct to Penang daily from Singapore (Terminal 1 or budget terminal). Alternatively fly by Air Asia or FireFly (sub. of MAS) to Penang from Senai Airport, Johor Bahru (JB) - this route is frequented by those in JB and coming from Singapore. It is easy to get a taxi or bus from the JB to Singapore or vice versa. The second alternative is fly via KLIA. There are more flights available on the KLIA to Penang and Singapore-KLIA routes. To fly, fly Singapore to KLIA (LCC Terninal), check out and then check in (at the same terminal) to fly on a low cost carriers such as  Air Asia to Penang.
(Important note: Budget airlines are point to point air services, so be sure to have 3 hours interval between your flight schedule, if you have to board another flight.)
Note: Malaysia Airlines's budget airline based in Penang, called Firefly, flies to the island from  Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand. 

Getting to Penang

Penang Transport - Getting to Penang

From other part of Malaysia or outside Malaysia, you can get directly to the state of Pulau Pinang (Penang) by air, road, rail or sea.