How To Travel From Kuala Lumpur To Penang

Wondering what’s the best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang? Let’s calculate and compare!

Penang is one of those rare, frozen-in-time places, that connects centuries-old history with today’s modern lifestyle. It caters to history buffs, travel photographers and nature lovers.

Every month, thousands of tourists travel from Kula Lumpur to Penang. After all, it’s one of those offbeat, yet equally popular places that has still maintained its laid-back vibe and old-town charm. In short… Penang is Amazing.

But with that, comes the hard reality too — soaring popularity and increasing tourist inflow, especially from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.

More and more tourists are travelling to Penang every day. The good thing is, however, getting to Penang is easier than you can imagine. And if you are travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang the options are even more.

Based on the time it takes and how much it costs, here’s my explanation on how to best travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, or vice-versa.

Best Way To Travel From Kuala Lumpur To Penang

Kuala Lumpur To Penang Flight

• Costs around 700 Indian Rupees (nearly 10 USD) — somewhere between what a bus and train costs.
• Quicker than both bus and train — total three-hour travel time, with a one-hour flight journey and two hours for check-in and check-out.
• Unlike the bus and train (that gives the best views) you’re going to miss the entire journey, locked in a tiny airbus.
• Tip: For the cheapest tickets fly with AirAsia.

In short: taking the flight is the best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, given you will miss the entire journey.

Kuala Lumpur To Penang By Train

• Costs around 1200 Indian Rupees (nearly 18 USD) — more expensive than both bus and a flight.
• Quicker than a bus, but slower than a flight — takes nearly 4 hours plus one hour on the ferry. (Please note that the train station is located in Butterworth in mainland Malaysia, and not Penang Island. Whereas the airport and bus station(s) are both located on Penang Island)
• The train journey gives the best views of the countryside of Malaysia.

In short: I will take the train from Kula Lumpur to Penang if I want to enjoy the journey the most.

Kuala Lumpur To Penang By Bus

• Costs around 350 Indian Rupees (nearly 6 USD) — cheaper than both train and flight.
• Takes more than 8 hours. Most buses often run late and end up taking more travel time than they promise.
• Driving on highways isn’t an enjoyable experience, even if you’re in Malaysia for the first time. A few cities you explore on the way, is, however, a bit interesting.
• Tip: Take the bus service called Billion Stars. They are the cheapest and have massive seats — no smaller than a business-class seat on a flight.

In short: I will take the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang if I want to travel on a budget and I want to travel to Penang island from KL without any changes.

Conclusion: Travel by bus if saving money is your priority, fly if you want to travel quicker and take the train if nothing matters and you only want to enjoy the Kuala Lumpur to Penang journey.

Kuala Lumpur To Penang Road Trip

During my recent one-week motorcycle trip across Malaysia, I rented a motorcycle from Kuala Lumpur and rode to Penang. Though it is possible to do it in a day, I stopped near Ipoh and did it in 2-days. See the video below…

It is suggested to rent a 500cc motorcycle if you are going to follow the highway. If you’re taking the mountain road and driving slow, you can rent a 250cc like I did. Also, since petrol prices in Malaysia is cheap (around 3 Rm per liter), road trips are a great way to explore the country.

For first-time travellers, here is a useful resource: Penang Travel Guide