Guide To Travel From KL To Penang Via Bus, Train, Car & Flight

How to travel from KL to Penang

Whether you’re hungry for some real slammin’ food or looking to escape the never-ending flurry of city life for a while, a getaway to the quaint island of Penang is always a great move. The beauty of inter-city travel in Malaysia is that planning the journey is never a painstaking affair, thanks to the variety of travel options out there.

Here’s a complete guide on how to travel from KL to Penang.

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How to travel from KL to Penang

How do I get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang?

From budget buses to scenic train rides and quick flights, trips to Penang from KL is pretty convenient. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different ways to get to the island:

Mode of transportation	Journey duration	Price
Train	~4 hours	From RM60
Bus	~5 hours	From RM35
Flight	~1 hour	From RM50
Vehicle	~4.5 hours	From RM35 (Tolls)

What’s the best way to travel to Penang from KL?

By train

Image credit: @bryden_production via Instagram

Flying is a great option if you want to get to Penang fast. But you’ll get more than a vast blue with wispy streaks when you’re whizzing along the Malaysian countryside on a local train, or Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), that bestows you with changing landscapes of lush green plantations, misty hills, and village houses.

The journey starts at Kuala Lumpur’s central transportation hub KL Sentral, where travellers can board KTM’s Electric Train Service (ETS) bound for Butterworth station, the closest station to Penang island that’s located on the state’s mainland.

Passengers can choose between three classes of ETS trains. There’s the Gold, Platinum, and Express, all of which vary in ticket prices, number of stops, duration of the ride, as well as travel timings. Here’s a breakdown of the different ETS services:

ETS service	Features	Price range
ETS Gold	Air-conditioned, assigned seating, power outlets, and restrooms A longer journey as the train stops at more stations along the way	RM60-70
ETA Express	Air-conditioned, assigned seating, power outlets, and restrooms A shorter journey compared to ETS Gold, but more stops than ETS Platinum Business-class coach service available	RM70-107
ETS Platinum	Air-conditioned, assigned seating, power outlets, and restrooms Quickest to reach Penang as it has limited stops along the route Business-class coach service available Complimentary snacks	RM80-100

Tickets can be purchased beforehand online on KTM’s official website or at ticket counters at train stations on the day of your departure. The entire journey takes about 4 hours, but with the scenic view you’re getting, time will fly by like a breeze.

Image credit: MMC Port via website

Upon arriving at Butterworth station, passengers can make their way to the ferry terminal that’s connected to the station by a shaded walkway. Operating from as early as 6.30am to 11am, with one arriving to the port every 20 minutes, these ferries bring passengers straight to the heart of George Town with just a 10-minute ride across the Penang Strait.

The price of the ferry tickets is RM2 per adult for those aged 12 years old and above, and RM1 per child under the ages of 12 years old.

Alternatively, travellers can opt to cross over to the island by road via the iconic Penang Bridge using Grab cars and local buses.

By bus

The bus remains one of the most popular options among locals and budget-conscious travelers with its advantages of relatively low fares, as well as convenient pick-up and drop-off points. A one-way journey typically takes a little over 4 hours, so we’ll advise you to stock up on some snacks.

Image credit: KLIA2 Info via website

Most major bus companies that operate long-distance routes, including to Penang, depart from KL’s main express bus terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS). The terminal is easily accessible via LRT, KTM Komuter, or KLIA Transit trains with comfortable waiting lounges and retail outlets.

Image credit: KLIA2 Info via website

Over 10 bus operators depart from TBS and arrive at Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal in Penang, including the Plusliner, KKKL Express, Alya Express, and Billion Stars Express.

Tickets for these trips cost anywhere in the range of RM35-50 per pax, depending on the time and season, and can be purchased on the spot at the bus terminal, or various online platforms, such as Easybook or BusOnlineTicket.

By flight

Image credit: Rusdhi Mohamad via Flickr

Despite the airport hassle, most travellers would recommend air taking a flight from KL to Penang. It’s fast, it’s efficient, and it’s convenient – especially when you want to be spending those precious hours feasting your way through Penang, not stuck in unpredicatable traffic on the roads.

Image credit: David B via Flickr

There are multiple direct flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and arriving at Penang International Airport (PIA) daily, with various airlines that operate numerous flights such as AirAsia, Batik Air, and Malaysia Airlines. A direct flight to Penang takes only about an hour, with one-way tickets that can be secured for as low as RM50 and up to RM120.

If KLIA is too far a drive for you, there’s also the Subang Airport where airlines such as Firefly, Batik Air, and Malaysia Airlines operate daily flights that are bound directly for Penang.

By vehicle

Image credit: Wikiwand

Those who enjoy road trips – and are all prepped to face Malaysian road traffic during peak travel season in the country, around the school and year-end holidays – can opt to travel to Penang by car.

Similarly to buses, driving to Penang would take 4 to 5 hours, depending on the traffic. But the upside is that you’ll have the freedom to travel at your own pace and have your own vehicle to get around Penang once you’re on the island.

The most common route is via the North-South Expressway (NSE), or the PLUS Highway (E1). There are various entry points that drivers can use to enter the highway from KL’s city center, mainly the Jalan Duta or Sungai Besi toll plazas. From there, the drive along the expressway will be as seamless as it is scenic.

The total toll fare from Sungai Besi to Penang Bridge for cars is around RM50, or approximately RM35 if you’re coming from Sungai Besi and exiting from the same toll plaza in Penang. You can utilise the Toll Care Calculator on PLUS Highway’s website.

A guide on how to travel from KL to Penang

No matter the mode of transportation, know that there’s a guarantee of phenomenal eats, historical charm, and fun activities at the end of your journey from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Plan well and ahead, and have a safe trip!

While you’re in Penang, explore these places:

Cover image adapted from: @bryden_production via Instagram, KL Property