Penang, the second smallest state in Malaysia, has beaches, gardens and a national park. However, the area is best known for the state capital, George Town, with its historic and cultural attractions from its time under the British crown. George Town and almost all of Penang’s attractions can be visited on Penang Island, which is connected to the mainland by two car bridges, while the rest of the state lies on the same mainland. Don’t miss the historic Fort Cornwallis, the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi (Chinese Temple and Museum), and the 19th-century Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple. Finally, climb up Penang Hill for fantastic views.
After exploring every corner of Penang, head south to the small town of Ipoh. As a gateway to the spectacular Cameron Highlands and stunning nature, Ipoh is a quieter version of George Town with British colonial architecture and a quaintly charming mix of buildings. Visit caves, temples, a ruined castle, museums and parks. It is a city that surprises every traveler with the variety of attractions on offer. If you want to know how to get from Penang to Ipoh, don’t miss the information we provide below.
You can travel between Penang Island and Butterworth on the mainland by ferry or bus © Igor Grochev / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Penang to Ipoh
By road, the distance from Penang to Ipoh is only 160 kilometers if you start from George Town. Therefore, if the trip starts in mainland territory, it will be slightly shorter. For short distances, the bus is always a good option, and there are plenty of options to travel from Penang to Ipoh very cheaply. Another option is to travel by train from Penang to Ipoh. It is more expensive than the bus, but trains are faster and more comfortable. Although Ipoh has its own airport, there are no flights serving the Penang to Ipoh route as the distance between the two cities is too short.
When looking for tickets for the tour, please note that you can depart from Penang Island or from the mainland. On Penang Island, the main departure point is George Town, where there are several businesses with stops in various parts of the city. On the mainland, buses leave from the town of Butterworth. If you want to take the train you have to get to Butterworth first. If you prefer to go by bus, you will have to decide whether you want to leave George Town or Butterworth.
From Penang to Ipoh by train
ETS high-speed train operated by KTM at Butterworth railway station © Uskarp / Shutterstock.com
Thanks to the modern ETS (Electric Train System or Electric Train System) system that extends to some areas of Malaysia, getting around by train between cities is easier and faster than ever. Ipoh is part of the ETS rail system, so there are daily trains from Penang to Ipoh.
As we mentioned earlier, in Penang the train departs from Butterworth railway station, which is located on the mainland. Tickets can be purchased up to two months in advance, both online and in person. If you prefer to buy them online, you can use a travel site 12Go.asia, where you can compare the prices of train and bus tickets on the same page. This is a practical way to view timetables, prices and reviews from other travelers who have used these services on some occasion, making it easier to make a decision.
If you decide to buy tickets one or two days before departure, you risk that the trains will be full, so it is always worth booking them in advance. It is true that sometimes you don’t know exactly what you are going to do and you may have to wait until the last minute. In this case, you don’t need to go to Butterworth Station to buy your tickets, you can also do it at the George Town office.
Ticket prices vary depending on the type of train you take from Penang to Ipoh. There are Silver, Gold and Platinum services. Silver trains stop at all stations along the way, making it the slowest and cheapest way to get from Penang to Ipoh by train. Gold trains only stop at major stations, while Platinum trains can go directly to your destination and are therefore more expensive. Usually there are Gold and Platinum services from Penang to Ipoh that run from 4:45am to 6:33pm. The duration of the journey varies depending on the train you choose and the day of travel, but it will be approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
If you live in George Town, the train from Penang to Ipoh may seem impractical because you have to go to the mainland first, but that’s not a problem as Butterworth is easily reached by ferry or local bus. In Ipoh, the train station is in Old Town, so it will be easy to get around the city and find your booked accommodation.
From Penang to Ipoh by bus
Penang Sentral at Butterworth © haikal yahaya / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by bus from Penang to Ipoh saves money but not time. In addition, buses terminate at the Amanjaya Bus Station, which is 10 kilometers from downtown Ipoh. Therefore, if you are taking the bus, you will have to find a way to get from the station to the city, either by local bus or taxi. While there is always some transport option available, the inconvenience of this may make you opt for the train to avoid extra costs and extra time.
But despite this inconvenience, taking the bus from Penang to Ipoh is very cheap, so many buses run on this route every day. You can book online through 12Go with various reliable bus companies such as StarMart Express, Sri Maju Group, Perak Transit Ekspres, Transnasional, New Asian Travel or Unititi Express. Ticket prices vary slightly from company to company, depending on the service you choose. You will find Economy, Express and VIP buses. You will also need to check the different departure locations. Many buses depart from George Town, but some also depart from Butterworth. The tour lasts from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
If you want to travel in the most economical way, taking the bus from Penang to Ipoh will save you some money, but keep in mind that you will have to take into account the additional cost of the transfer from the bus station to the center of Ipoh. Trains are more expensive, but also faster and go straight to the city center.