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Butterworth in the north and Malacca in the south are linked by the North-South Expressway. Options are a long-distance bus, a daytime combination of the ETS train and a bus from Kuala Lumpur, or a private transfer.
Butterworth to Malacca by Bus
Booking platforms list direct buses from Butterworth to Malacca taking about 7 hours to 7 hours 15 minutes, at about $19 to $21. The listed departures are at night: an Express at 00:30, a VIP at 22:25 and an Express 44 at 22:45 (October 2026).[1] Buses from Penang Island are much slower, with a listed travel time of about 12 hours 18 minutes.[1] Most buses end at Melaka Sentral, the largest public bus terminal in Melaka City.[2]
Butterworth to Malacca by Train and Bus
If you prefer to travel by day, you can take an ETS train south and change to a bus at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), which stands at Bandar Tasik Selatan.[3] In KTMB's ETS timetable from 1 June 2026, a train leaves Butterworth at 07:00, reaches KL Sentral at 11:10 and stops at Bandar Tasik Selatan at 11:24.[4] Bus fares from TBS to Melaka Sentral are RM10.00 to RM15.00.[5] ETS does not stop in Malacca city.[4]
Butterworth to Malacca by Private Transfer
Booking platforms list private transfers in about 5 hours 39 minutes, in a Standard 3-passenger car or a 4- or 7-passenger minivan. Prices are per vehicle and range from about $302 to about $522 (October 2026).[1]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Direct bus (overnight) | About $19 to $21[1] | About 7h to 7h 15m[1] |
| Bus from Penang Island | About $13[1] | About 12h 18m[1] |
| ETS to TBS, then bus to Melaka Sentral | Bus RM10.00 to RM15.00[5] | Train 4h 24m to TBS[4], then the bus |
| Private transfer | About $302 to $522 per vehicle[1] | About 5h 39m[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Butterworth to Malacca
- Book in advance: Malacca is a popular weekend getaway, so buses fill up at weekends and on public holidays.
- Bring a light jacket: Malaysian buses are often strongly air-conditioned.
- Allow time at the terminal: Melaka Sentral is outside the old town, so add a taxi or ride-hailing trip to the Jonker Street area.
Timetable
| Bus Butterworth - Malacca $ 18.74–21.28 7h – 7h 15m | |
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| Taxi Butterworth - Malacca $ 299.04–517.34 5h 39m | |
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| Bus Penang - Malacca $ 12.90 12h 18m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Butterworth to Malacca, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is the cheapest option. Booking platforms list direct buses at about $19 to $21.
A private transfer is the fastest option at about 5 hours 39 minutes. Direct buses take about 7 hours to 7 hours 15 minutes.
A private transfer takes about 5 hours 39 minutes and the direct bus about 7 hours to 7 hours 15 minutes.
Buses from Butterworth are much faster. Booking platforms list about 7 hours from Butterworth and about 12 hours 18 minutes from Penang Island.
Yes. You can take an ETS train from Butterworth to Bandar Tasik Selatan, where Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) is located, and change to a bus to Melaka Sentral.
Yes. Booking platforms list minivans for 4 and 7 passengers.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: Butterworth - Malacca timetable. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
- [2] Melaka Sentral: Melaka Sentral. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS-BTS): Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS-BTS). Retrieved October 17, 2026.
- [4] KTMB: ETS Service Timetable, effective 1 June 2026. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
- [5] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS-BTS): Southern Destinations. Retrieved October 17, 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.