Getting to Penang Island is one of the easiest tourist destinations to reach within Malaysia.
The cheapest solution to travel from Kuala Lumpur is the bus, followed by a train.
If you enjoy road trips, renting a car is probably the most fun way to travel to Penang Island.
There are quite a few nice attractions where you can stop and explore the area before reaching Penang.
Ipoh and Taiping are good dap trip stops.
You can take a taxi; however, it may not be economical due to the high price.
From Kuala Lumpur, it generally takes around 5/6 hours to get to Penang, no matter which form of transport you use.
Estimated Travel Time from Kuala Lumpur to Penang Island
- Express Bus (5 hours)
- Train (6 hours)
- Driving by car (5 hours), and
- Flight (55 minutes)
Even though it is only a 55-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur, traveling and waiting at the airport will still take several hours to reach Penang Island by flight.
Getting to Penang Island By Air Flight
The Penang International Airport, located in Bayan Lepas, receives direct flights from major regional capitals.
Malaysian Airlines (MAS) operates more than 20 flights daily to and from Penang.
Budget airlines such as Air Asia and Firefly also offer flights to and from this island at competitive rates.
You can take taxis, GrabCar or buses to reach any point on the island from the airport.
AirAsia started as a low-cost carrier with operations in Malaysia and now flies international routes, too.
Getting to Penang Island By Rental Car
There are numerous car rental companies in Kuala Lumpur and at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The costs of renting a car are usually around RM150 per day (including insurance and administrative costs).
If you are planning a one-way road trip to Penang, finding a rental company with an office at Penang is best.
The North-South Highway connects Penang to major cities on the West side of Peninsular Malaysia.
Travel by highway can take anywhere from 4-5 hours, with toll charges in between.
The Penang Bridge is a 13.5-kilometer dual-carriageway toll bridge and controlled-access highway in Penang, Malaysia.
The bridge connects Perai on the mainland side of the state with Gelugor on the island.
The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (Penang Second Bridge) is 24 km in length.
The second link connects Batu Kawan on the mainland to Batu Maung on the island in just 20 minutes.
Getting to Penang Island By Train
KTMB, the national train company, serves a daily route to Butterworth from Kuala Lumpur, taking approximately 6 hours.
Alternatively, you can also take a train from Alor Setar in Kedah. For train schedules and further information, KTM website.
You can take taxis, GrabCar or buses from the train station to reach any point on the island.
Getting to Penang Island By Bus
if you are looking for money-saving tips for your holiday, the most economical way to travel to Penang Island is by express bus.
You can travel from KL to Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal on Penang Island, then catch a Rapid Penang island bus to George Town, taxi, or GrabCar to any part of the city.
Express Bus tickets start at USD 8 for a regular ticket.
You can book with Easybook.com.
Aeroline Bus is extremely comfortable with the BEST seats, a careful and safe driver, and a steward on board. Photo: Aeroline Bus Facebook
Aeroline Bus Kuala Lumpur to Penang
A family of 4 can easily travel comfortably on the Aeroline Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang for USD58 (RM60 per adult and RM30 for a child under 12)
Aeroline Bus is comfortable with the BEST seats, a careful and safe driver, and a steward on board.
The steward will bring you around a bottle of water, a blanket, and headphones not long after departure.
You can watch movies onboard or listen to classical music on channel 4.
Best of all, there are individual seats with power sockets if you want to do some work on your laptop.
You get a repacked meal (you can request a vegetarian option when you purchase your ticket)
There is a hot drink after the meal.
The Aeroline Bus is comfortable and cheap and highly recommended.
Ensure your luggage is put onto the bus and get off quickly to ensure no one takes your luggage by mistake when you reach Penang.
The bus may not take a large piece of luggage because storage space is limited.
You can also take the Aeroline Bus from Kuala Lumpur at
- Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur
- 1 Utama
- Sunway Pyramid
You will reach Penang at
- Queensbay Mall
- Terminal Bus Sungai Nibong, Jalan Sungai Dua
Enjoy your family trip to Penang Island, Malaysia.
