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Leaving the skyscrapers and street food markets of Kuala Lumpur for the northern coast is a classic Malaysian journey. The destination is Butterworth, the mainland gateway to Penang, which KTMB describes as the access point to the island by bridge or ferry.[1] The two main ways to get there are the long-distance bus and the ETS train.
Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth by Bus
Buses to the north leave from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), the central bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur. The terminal lists fares for Butterworth from RM 28 to RM 40 (about $7 to $10) from the operators on its central ticketing system; these are nett fares and can change without notice.[2] For a sense of travel time, Transnasional lists its Plusliner service from Kuala Lumpur to Sungai Petani via Butterworth at 4 hours 30 minutes,[3] so Butterworth is reached in a little under that on this service, and traffic on the North-South Expressway can add to it.
The bus stops at Butterworth, where the Penang Sentral terminal is located.[4] From there you can continue to George Town by ferry or by road. Bus classes and seat layouts differ between operators, so check the class on your ticket if legroom matters to you.
Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth by ETS Train
KTMB runs the electric ETS service on the West Coast Line, and KL Sentral to Butterworth is one of its major routes.[1] ETS is sold in three classes: Platinum, which makes the fewest stops, Gold, which stops at selected stations, and Silver, which stops at every station.[1] In KTMB's timetable valid from June 2026, northbound trains arrive in Butterworth at 12:10, 15:15, 17:45, 18:15, 20:00, 22:42 and 00:20.[5] Fares depend on the train class and are shown in KTMB's booking system.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (from TBS)[2] | RM 28 to RM 40 (about $7 to $10) | A little under 4h 30m on the Plusliner service[3] | Depends on the operator and class |
| ETS train (KL Sentral)[1] | Depends on class (Platinum, Gold or Silver) | Several trains a day, northbound arrivals between 12:10 and 00:20[5] | Seats with a choice of three classes |
Tips for Traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth
- Book in advance: Weekends and public holidays are busy, so the best departure times fill up first.
- Bring a light jacket: Malaysian long-distance buses are often strongly air-conditioned, so a light jacket or sarong helps.
- Check the departure terminal: Your ticket names the departure point, so confirm it before you leave the hotel.
- Continue to Penang Island: The passenger ferry from Butterworth to George Town costs RM 2 for an adult and runs from 06:30 to 23:00.[6]
Timetable
| Bus Kuala Lumpur - Butterworth $ 7.72–13.73 4h 46m – 8h 56m | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is normally the cheaper option. TBS lists fares for Butterworth from RM 28 to RM 40 (about $7 to $10), depending on the operator.
Both the bus and the ETS train run several times a day, and neither is clearly faster on every day. Transnasional lists its Plusliner bus to Sungai Petani via Butterworth at 4 hours 30 minutes, and ETS times are in the KTMB timetable.
By bus it takes a little under 4 hours 30 minutes on the Plusliner service, and more when traffic on the North-South Expressway is heavy. The ETS timetable shows the train times.
The bus terminal in Butterworth is Penang Sentral. From there you can continue to Penang Island by ferry or by road.
Yes. The passenger ferry runs between Butterworth and George Town from 06:30 to 23:00, every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes otherwise. The adult fare is RM 2.
KTMB sells ETS in three classes: Platinum with fewer stops, Gold with selected stops and Silver, which stops at every station.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] KTMB: Electric Train Service (ETS). Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS-BTS): Northern Destinations. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Transnasional: All Routes for Transnasional and Plusliner Bus. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Unititi Express: Cameron Highlands to Penang Bus Ticket. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] KTMB: ETS Service Timetable, effective 1 June 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [6] Penang Port Commission: Penang Ferry Services. Retrieved October 15, 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.