Malaysia’s vibrant and modern capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a stark contrast to the city of Penang, with its colonial heritage and seaside vibe, although both should be on your list of places to visit in Malaysia. At around 355 kilometers (222 miles), travel between the two cities can be quite quick, depending on the mode of transport chosen.
From Kuala Lumpur to Penang by plane, train or bus
If you don’t want to drive, which is also an option, there are three ways to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang: by plane, by bus and by train. Surprisingly, there is not a huge difference in price between the three options, and on this route trains are slightly faster than buses, which may come as a surprise to travelers who already know how slow trains can be in this part of the world. world. Read on for all the details on the three travel options.
Flights to Penang from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur Airport has a new terminal for low-cost airlines (KLIA 2) © gracethang2 / Shutterstock.com
Usually, flights are much more expensive than overland, making this an unthinkable option for travelers on a budget. However, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Penang can be very affordable. This is partly due to the high competition between airlines and the many flights scheduled daily. You can fly from Kuala Lumpur to Penang with AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air. They all operate from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, but you can also fly from Subang with Malindo Air and Firefly.
Do some research and compare prices. Usually AirAsia is usually the cheapest company and has very good ratings. In addition, they have around twelve flights a day, making it easy to find an option that suits your plans. All flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport take less than an hour and land at Penang International Airport, which is a short drive south of George Town, Penang’s capital. From there you can take a fast and cheap bus or taxi.
With its affordable price, flying to Penang from Kuala Lumpur is a great idea if you want to get there quickly. If you’ve just arrived at Kuala Lumpur Airport from elsewhere, it may be worth taking another flight to Penang instead of leaving the airport and taking another mode of transportation.
By train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang
ETS train operated by KTM at Butterworth railway station © Uskarp / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by train in Malaysia is slightly faster than in other Southeast Asian countries. Therefore, although the train is very slow in countries like Thailand, the train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is quite fast.
KTM is Malaysia’s national railway company and offers four daily trains departing from Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station. Journey times are typically 4 hours or 4 hours and 15 minutes, depending on the service selected. You can also choose different types of tickets, Gold or Platinum. Platinum tickets are slightly more expensive and offer more comfortable seats.
In Penang, the train arrives at Butterworth railway station, which is located on the mainland. If you want to visit the main area of Penang where George Town is located, you can take a ferry to Penang Island. The ferry port is a short walk from the train station and same day tickets are easy to buy. The only thing you’ll need to check is the ferry departure times in case you catch a last-minute train in Kuala Lumpur.
The train to Penang from Kuala Lumpur is a popular choice for those not in a hurry and is a great way to experience Malaysia in a way you might not find on a plane. It costs a little more than the bus, but those who have used the service say that traveling by train is usually more pleasant and comfortable than by bus.
By bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang
Bersepad Seletan Terminal, opened in 2011. © Shahrin Md Ayob / Shutterstock.com
Now we come to the fastest way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang: the bus. For anyone traveling on a budget, buses are always a good way to get from one place to another due to their low cost and reliability. The route between Kuala Lumpur and Penang is so popular that there are dozens of different options when it comes to catching a bus, including different companies, timetables and multiple departure points.
Most buses depart from Kuala Lumpur Bus Station, Bersepadu Seletan Terminal. But if you are at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and want to take a bus to Penang, there are also several options to do so. Of course, a bus ticket from the airport costs about twice as much as from the station.
The next thing you will have to choose is whether you want the tour to end in Butterworth or whether you prefer to go to Penang Island and get off the bus at Sungai Nibong. Sungai Nibong is the island’s new bus terminal, located 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) south of George Town. So whichever option you choose, you’ll eventually have to find a way to get to George Town. From the bus station, it is very easy with Rapid Penang bus services.
Once you’ve decided on your route, choose a bus company. Most of the services they offer are similar in that they have air conditioning, snacks, toilets and a stewardess. Some buses also have TVs. Some of the companies you can choose from are Billion Stars Express, KPB Express, Konsortium Bas Ekspres, Seasons Express, Transnasional, Sri Maju Group and Mayang Sari Express. Finding the most suitable ticket will not be difficult for you.
With daytime departures, finding travel options from Kuala Lumpur to Penang won’t be difficult. The most complicated part will be choosing between flights, trains and buses.