How to Get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang
Contents
A direct flight is the fastest option, at about 55 minutes with fares from MYR 122.[1] The ETS train from KL Sentral to Butterworth takes about 3 hours 35 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes.[2] Butterworth is on the mainland, so add the ferry to Penang Island.
Express buses take about 4.5 to 5.5 hours to Sungai Nibong on Penang Island and about 4 to 5 hours to Penang Sentral in Butterworth.[3] Only the Sungai Nibong bus reaches the island without a ferry.
Transport and connections in detail
1. ETS train plus island connection
Departure: KL Sentral
Arrival: Butterworth on the mainland; continue to George Town if needed
Travel time: About 3 hours 35 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes, depending on the train.[2]
Complete journey: Station access, ferry waiting and crossing, then travel from George Town's ferry terminal to your address.
Price: KTMB fare in MYR for your date, train and seat. The passenger ferry from Butterworth to George Town costs RM 2.00 per adult.[4]
Best for: Travelers who prefer rail and can manage one mainland-to-island connection.
Trade-off: Butterworth is not on Penang Island. A late arrival may miss the last ferry.
Booking channel: Official information and booking: ETS train plus island connection
2. Express bus to Sungai Nibong
Departure: TBS, Hentian Duta or the confirmed KL Sentral departure hall
Arrival: Sungai Nibong, Penang Island
Travel time: About 4.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on the starting terminal; traffic can extend this.[3]
Complete journey: Terminal access, boarding-pass collection and the local journey to George Town or your hotel.
Price: TBS lists fares of RM32 to RM60 to Penang for the operators that sell there; the fare depends on the operator, class and date.[5] Add the local transfer to your address.
Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who want to reach the island without a ferry transfer.
Trade-off: Sungai Nibong is not George Town. KL Sentral passengers may be taken by shuttle to Hentian Duta.
Booking channel: Official information and booking: Express bus to Sungai Nibong
3. Express bus to Penang Sentral
Departure: TBS or Hentian Duta, as booked
Arrival: Penang Sentral, Butterworth, mainland
Travel time: About 4 to 5 hours; allow for traffic.[3]
Complete journey: Terminal access, a walk to the Butterworth ferry terminal, ferry waiting and onward travel on the island.
Price: TBS lists fares of RM28 to RM40 to Butterworth for the operators that sell there.[5] Add the ferry (RM 2.00 per adult)[4] or another mainland-to-island connection.
Best for: Mainland stays or a connection through the Butterworth transport hub.
Trade-off: A ticket marked Penang Sentral does not take you onto Penang Island.
Booking channel: Official information and booking: Express bus to Penang Sentral
4. Direct flight KUL to PEN
Departure: Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Arrival: Penang International Airport, island
Travel time: Direct flights take about 55 minutes to one hour, excluding connecting itineraries.[1]
Complete journey: Travel to KUL, check-in, security, boarding, baggage and the transfer from PEN to your accommodation.
Price: Fares start from MYR 122 per passenger on AirAsia's route page.[1] Check the fare for your date and add baggage and ground transport.
Best for: Travelers already near KUL or connecting from another flight.
Trade-off: The shortest flight is not necessarily the shortest door-to-door journey.
Booking channel: Official information and booking: Direct flight KUL to PEN
5. Private door-to-door vehicle
Departure: Confirmed Kuala Lumpur address
Arrival: Confirmed mainland or island address in Penang
Travel time: Ask for an estimate for your exact addresses, traffic and planned stops.
Complete journey: Confirm pickup access, luggage capacity, comfort stops and arrival buffer with the operator.
Price: The operator quotes MYR900 per vehicle for a standard sedan (1 to 2 passengers) or a standard MPV (3 to 4 passengers), with fuel and tolls included; larger vehicles cost more.[6] Reconfirm the vehicle, passenger and luggage capacity and any detours before paying.
Best for: Groups sharing the vehicle cost, families or travelers avoiding station transfers.
Trade-off: A vehicle price cannot be compared with one bus or train passenger fare without dividing it by your group size.
Booking channel: Official information and booking: Private door-to-door vehicle
Practical checks
- Locate your accommodation first: mainland, George Town, another island area or the airport.
- For ETS, book Butterworth, then follow the connection to the PSAH Butterworth ferry terminal. The ferry arrives at PRTU George Town, not at your hotel.
- Penang Port Commission lists ferry departures from Butterworth from 06:30 to 23:00 and from George Town from 07:00 to 23:30, every 20 to 30 minutes.[4] Leave a buffer; the ferry is not timed to every train.
- For a Plusliner bus from KL Sentral, check the departure-hall instructions: the operator may use a shuttle to Hentian Duta. Do not independently move to a different terminal without confirmation.
- Add every local leg and baggage charge before comparing the total cost, and check the cancellation terms with your booking provider.
Timetable
| Flight Kuala Lumpur - Penang $ 16.31–232.33 55m – 1days 9h 58m | |
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| Bus Selangor - Butterworth $ 8.00–11.07 4h 44m | |
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| Taxi Selangor - Butterworth $ 228.89–392.74 3h 49m | |
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| Bus Selangor - Penang $ 9.47–11.07 4h 47m | |
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| Taxi Selangor - Penang $ 228.89–392.74 3h 49m | |
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| Bus Kuala Lumpur - Butterworth $ 7.38–9.84 4h 48m – 8h 56m | |
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| Taxi Kuala Lumpur - Butterworth $ 228.89–392.74 3h 49m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, including current prices and schedules.
Sungai Nibong is on Penang Island. Penang Sentral is in Butterworth on the mainland, so add a ferry or another island connection.
No. The ETS option arrives at Butterworth on the mainland. Continue to George Town or another island address by the connection that fits your dated arrival.
About 4.5 to 5.5 hours to Sungai Nibong and about 4 to 5 hours to Penang Sentral. The starting terminal and traffic affect the actual trip.
The flight is about 55 minutes to one hour, excluding transfers. The private option is priced per vehicle, with a standard sedan quoted from MYR900, so request an address-specific estimate.
Choose the dated ETS service to Butterworth and plan the ferry or local connection separately. Butterworth is not on Penang Island and a late arrival may miss the last ferry.
A private vehicle can suit groups sharing the vehicle cost. A bus or train price is per person, while a vehicle quote must be compared after dividing it by the group size.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] AirAsia: Cheap Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang (flight time and lowest fare). Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [2] Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB): ETS train timetable effective 1 June 2026 (northbound, KL Sentral to Butterworth). Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [3] Transnasional and Plusliner: Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang (Sungai Nibong and Penang Sentral). Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [4] Penang Port Commission: Penang Ferry Services. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS-BTS): Northern Destinations. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
- [6] Kuala Lumpur Tours (Exotic Asia Holidays): Kuala Lumpur City to Penang (Private Transfer). Retrieved October 18, 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.