5 ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang

We decided to look at five different ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang most cost effectively taking a reasonable easy and comfortable route.

The Kuala Lumpur to Penang Challenge

As the different types of transport would  leave from different places, in the interest of fairness, the Departure point was decided to be Kuala Lumpur Sentral (Railway) station and the Arrival point the Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld) main bus terminus in George Town, Penang. Apart from the most direct route of driving your own car all the way, this would also necessitate some changes of transport. ** Please note The links for KTMB services (the train) may be slow or not work at all, as their website is often updated/changed. You use the KTMB Homepage to connect to schedules and ticket bookings.

The Departure Point

KL Sentral Station is the major transit point in Kuala Lumpur. It is easily accessible by private car or taxi, commuter train (KTM Komuter), bus (RapidKL) and Light Rail (LRT with a station within KL Sentral) / Monorail (station through connected Mall) / MRT (walkway to Muzium station). GRAB is also a cost-effective method of reaching KL Sentral.

All the methods suggested here either depart Kuala Lumpur from KL Sentral or have connections to the departure point (airport etc).

The Arrival Point

Pengkalan Weld Bus Terminus is the main Bus terminus in George Town, the Capital City of Penang, on Penang Island. There are easy connections to the Penang Airport at Bayan Lepas, the Intercity Bus terminus at Sungei Nibong, Penang and the Intercity train station at Butterworth on the mainland across from George Town.

Option 1: Road/rail, Air, Road (bus)

[table style=”table-condensed”]

Stage of Journey	Transport Option 1	Cost	Transport Option 2	Cost
KL Sentral to Subang Skypark Airport (SZB)	Bus RapidKL bus  OR RapidKL LRT and KLAirport bus  **	Approx. RM3 – RM5.10	Taxi/Uber/Grab	RM20 – RM25
Subang Skypark Airport to Penang Airport (PEN)	Firefly Both ATR72 turboprop aircraft	RM115 – RM293 (depending on when purchased and time of day)	Malindo	RM68 – RM328 (depending on when purchased and time of day)
Penang Airport to Pengkalan Weld	RapidPenang bus 401 to Pengkalan Weld (Ferry)	RM2.70	Taxi (coupon system)	RM46

[/table] Please note: The rail link to Subang Skypark is also a good option if you can time it well. The service runs a schedule of between one and two hours between trains, to fit with aircraft movements. There is only one stop between KL Sentral and Subang Skypark, at the Subang Jaya Station.

Result:

Taking into account the variable times dependent of road traffic, we’ll use a best case scenario. It might be wise to allow some extra.  ** RapidKL (token from vending machine or ticket counter) then catch bus U 81 from Pasar Seni, RM3.00
   LRT from Pasar Seni or KLSentral to Kelana Jaya RM2.10, Then KLAirport shuttle bus RM3.00. Total RM5.10

1. Travel to Subang Skypark: allow at least one hour, best case, whether by public transport or taxi although taxi may be slightly faster. ** Watch for the opening of the KTM Kommuter station connecting from Subang station. No firm availability date yet, hopefully some time in 2018.
2. Check-in / Departure time requirement: minimum 45 mins departure time cut-off for flights at this airport
3. Flight time: 1 hour (plus getting out from the departure area, around 10 to 15 mins)
4. Bus to city: 1 hour (you may have to wait for the next bus and the time taken for the trip. Taxi may be a little less.)

Total time taken: 3 hours 45 minutes.  Cost: between RM65 and RM364 depending on combination.

Option 2: Road/rail, Air, Road (bus)

[table style=”table-condensed”]

Stage of Journey	Transport Option 1	Cost	Transport Option 2	Cost
KL Sentral to KL International Airport 2 (KUL)	KLIA Expres (Fast train)	RM35	Bus to KLIA2	RM9.50
KLIA2 Airport to Penang Airport (PEN)	AirAsia	Best Promo fare found RM49 (depending on when purchased and time of day)	Malindo	Best Promo fare found RM69.95 (depending on when purchased and time of day)
Penang Airport to Pengkalan Weld	RapidPenang bus 401 to Pengkalan Weld (Ferry)	RM2.70	Taxi	RM46

[/table]

Result:

Taking into account the variable times dependent of road traffic, we’ll use a best case scenario. It might be wise to allow some extra time to allow for missed connections if you need to change from LRT to a bus for example.

1. Travel to Subang Skypark: allow at least one hour, best case
2. Check-in / Departure time requirement: minimum 45 mins departure time cut-off for flights at this airport
3. Flight time: 1 hour (plus getting out from the departure area, around 10 to 15 mins)
4. Bus to city: 1 hour (you may have to wait for the next bus and the time taken for the trip)

Total time taken: 3 hours 45 minutes. Cost: RM61.20 upwards, depending on combination and air fares available.

Option 3: Road

[table style=”table-condensed”]

Stage of Journey	Transport	Cost	Tolls payable	Cost
KL Sentral to Pengkalan Weld	private car 355km @ 50sen/km	RM178	Tolls Jln Duta / Juru Penang Bridge	RM43.30 RM7 Total 50.30

[/table]

Result:

Taking into account the variable times dependent of road traffic, we’ll use a best case scenario. It might be wise to allow some extra. Exit Kuala Lumpur from Jln Duta Toll on the Plus Highway, exit at Prai for the Penang Bridge.

1. Travel to Pengkalan Weld: allow at least three and a half to four hours, assuming light traffic, no stops and maintaining the permitted speed limit. In reality, the traffic leaving the city may slow you down and add to the time.
2. Penang Bridge to to Pengkalan Weld: minimum 15 mins depending on time of day. There is usually heavy traffic on the bridge during morning and afternoon peak periods, before and after working hours.

Total time taken: 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hrs 15 mins. Cost: petrol + toll charges =  RM228.30. Obviously the cost will be reduced per person, the more people you have in the car. **NB The Bridge toll of RM7 is only payable on the way to the island.

Option 4: Road (bus)

[table style=”table-condensed”]

Stage of Journey	Transport Option 1	Cost	Transport Option 2	Cost
KL Sentral to Sungei Nibong Penang	Bus from KL Sentral	RM74 (concession RM56)	–	–
Sungei Nibong to Pengkalan Weld	RapidPenang bus 308 to Pengkalan Weld (Ferry)	RM2.70	–	–

[/table]

Result:

Taking into account the variable times dependent of road traffic, we’ll use a best case scenario. It might be wise to allow some extra especially if you’re travelling on or around public holidays or school breaks.

1. KL Sentral to Sungei Nibong: approximately 3½ hours
2. Bus to city: 45 mins to 1 hour (you may have to wait for the next bus and the time taken for the trip)

Total time taken : 3½ and 4½ hours. Cost: Around RM77. For passengers eligible for concession (Seniors, passengers with Disabilities) RM58.

Option 5: Rail, Ferry

[table style=”table-condensed”]

Stage of Journey	Transport Option 1	Cost	Transport Option 2	Cost
Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth	Intercity Electric Train (ETS) Book online.	ETS RM78 (concession RM34)	Express Rakyat Fares and to book all types	RM34 – 67 depending on class. (Concession fares available)
Butterworth to George Town	Penang Ferry	RM1.20 (paid only Butterworth-George Town, return is free)

[/table]

Result:

The time taken on the train is pretty much as per the timetable. The ETS stops at only the major stations and reaches quite decent speeds up to nearly 250kph on some sections. The Express Rakyat, is an older style diesel pulled train and offers more classes of travel. There is also an overnight train which takes around 8 hours.

1. KL Sentral to Butterworth: The Electric Train will reach Butterworth in 3 hours 40 mins. The afternoon Express Rakyat will take nearly 6½ hours.
2. Ferry from Butterworth to Pengkalan Weld: between 20 mins and 1 hour depending on connection at the ferry terminal. The Penang Sentral Transport hub opened on 22nd November 2018. This now provides a quick link on foot, to the ferry terminal. Follow the signs.

Total time taken: Between 4 hours and 4 hours 45 minutes depending on variables with Ferry connections.

Cost: RM34 – RM79.20 or about half if you are eligible for a concession train ticket. For Seniors, this requires you to be a Malaysian,  aged 60 or above. Concession fares are 50% of the full fare, but must be purchased in person with ID.

If you would like more information on train travel for this route, see our recent review “Catch the train – Kuala Lumpur – Penang“. This article is currently being updated with our recent findings. (March 2018)

Conclusions

Assuming smooth connections throughout, all methods are not too different time-wise.

Cost-wise, If you are eligible for a concession ticket, or are happy with a standard seat, train travel is good value for money.  Time-wise, you have the advantage of knowing when you will arrive at the end of that segment as you aren’t subject to traffic variations. Other advantages are that you can move around and there are easily accessible toilet facilities and a small bistro is available.

Flying can save you a significant amount cost-wise if you are able to get one of the low cost fares and make it to the airport inexpensively. Time saved is not that significant, although you may have more choice in the flight times available to you. You do need to check if your ticket includes baggage, and if they do, the amount.

Travelling by bus can be cost effective, the main disadvantage being the possibility of traffic delays. There are also a number of less expensive bus choices available and a number of departures each day. The more expensive buses provide you with a snack and a bottle of water.

Private car travel is a good option if you want to travel with more people as the cost per person will be reduced. You can also choose to travel at times that are likely to be less congested.  The highway has a number of well serviced Rest areas with clean bathrooms and restaurants Some also have fruit stalls where you can purchase locally produced fruits at reasonable prices. You will also have the car to get about once you arrive in George Town.

**TIP A friendly warning if you’re driving in Penang

Don’t park indiscriminately anywhere around George Town as city officials are quick to ticket and/or clamp your car and fines are designed to remind you not to do it again. Parking is not easy to find in the heritage area.