How to Get from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur
Travel from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur by bus from Penang Sentral or by ETS train. Compare fares, travel times and arrival terminals.
Last updated: October 30, 2026
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Contents
Butterworth is the mainland gateway to Penang, and the road and rail south to Kuala Lumpur run through some of the best scenery on the peninsula: palm oil plantations, the limestone hills around Ipoh and finally the towers of the Klang Valley. It is one of the easiest long trips in Malaysia to organize at short notice.
Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur by Bus
Buses are the most flexible option. Several operators sell tickets at Penang Sentral, the bus terminal in Butterworth.[1] Buses run to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) in Kuala Lumpur, where fares between Butterworth and TBS run from RM28 to RM40 on the terminal's listed operators.[2] The journey takes from about 4.5 hours, and longer when traffic builds up around the capital.[3]
TBS has a pedestrian bridge to Bandar Tasik Selatan station, where you change to the LRT, KTM Komuter and KLIA Transit.[4]
Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur by Train
ETS electric trains run from Butterworth to KL Sentral through Ipoh. Seven southbound ETS trains leave Butterworth each day, at 05:15, 06:30, 07:00, 07:50, 13:05, 16:05 and 18:45. The fastest, the 13:05 ETS Express, reaches KL Sentral at 16:40 after 3 hours 35 minutes. The others take 4 hours 5 minutes to 4 hours 25 minutes.[5] KL Sentral is the city's main rail hub.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to TBS | RM28 - RM40[2] | From about 4.5 hours[3] |
| ETS train to KL Sentral | Depends on class and date | 3h 35min - 4h 25min[5] |
Tips for Traveling from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur
- Book ahead for holidays: Buses and trains fill up around Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali. Buy your ticket at least a week early in those periods.
- Bring a layer: Malaysian buses and trains are often cold inside. A light jacket or sarong helps.
- Pick your destination in KL: The train drops you at KL Sentral, the bus at TBS. Choose the one that sits closer to your hotel.
- Snacks and water: Long-distance buses make one rest stop at a highway service area, so keep a bottle of water and a snack in your bag.
Timetable
| Bus Butterworth - Selangor $ 10.47–11.97 5h 12m – 8h 25m | |
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| Bus Butterworth - Kuala Lumpur $ 7.48–12.47 4h 30m – 8h 56m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is usually the cheapest. Fares between Butterworth and TBS run from RM28 to RM40 on the operators listed by the terminal.
The 13:05 ETS Express to KL Sentral is fastest at 3 hours 35 minutes. Other ETS trains take 4 hours 5 minutes to 4 hours 25 minutes.
By ETS train the trip takes 3 hours 35 minutes to 4 hours 25 minutes. Buses take from about 4.5 hours, longer in heavy traffic.
Most long-distance buses from Butterworth arrive at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), which connects by a pedestrian bridge to Bandar Tasik Selatan station for the LRT, KTM Komuter and KLIA Transit.
Yes. Seven ETS trains a day run from Butterworth to KL Sentral via Ipoh, the first at 05:15 and the last at 18:45.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Penang Sentral: Bus Operators. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
- [2] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan: Northern destinations and price ranges. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [3] 12Go: 12Go Timetable: Butterworth - Kuala Lumpur. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [4] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan: Other Transports. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- [5] KTMB: Jadual Tren ETS 1 Jun 2026. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.