How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang: planes, trains, buses and more

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With a choice of flights, buses, multi-lane expressways and iconic railway journeys, it’s simple to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.

Kuala Lumpur and Penang are the two most popular destinations in Malaysia, each welcoming millions of tourists each year. From the mega-city vibes in KL to the heritage streets of George Town, these two places likely sit at the top of your Malaysian wish-list so at some point, you’ll need to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang (or vice-versa).

Both Kuala Lumpur and Penang are well served by regional connections and linked by a wide range of transport options, including frequent flights, efficient buses and a relaxing train journey. With all these connections on offer, travelling between them is easy, leaving you plenty of time to explore both and decide which one you prefer.

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Flying: fast and affordable, but factor in airport locations

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Flying is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, although both airports are a significant distance from their respective city centres (you’ll spend longer getting to and from the airports than you will in the air).

Quick guide to Kuala Lumpur to Penang flights:

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Kuala Lumpur has two airports but the one everyone is usually referring to is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (IATA code: KUL), also known as KLIA. It’s located 60km south of the city centre, so make sure you set aside enough time to get there from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Read our guide on how to get from Kuala Lumpur city centre to KLIA.

KLIA has two terminals: Terminal 1 is home to the larger airlines, Terminal 2 is the base for the the low-cost carriers. Flying to Penang, you could be departing from either terminal, depending on your airline:

Free bus transfers are available between both KLIA terminals, or you can pay RM2 and take the KLIA Ekspres train (the recommended option).

The other KL airport

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (IATA code: SZB), also known as Subang Airport, was the original KL airport until 1998 and is much closer to the city centre than KLIA (only 20km by road). It’s not well served by public transport though, so most people take a Grab from the city centre.

There are fewer flights from Subang to Penang than from KLIA: only six per day with Firefly and Batik Air. Originally this route was solely served by Firefly’s turbo-prop planes, but Batik Air now have one daily jet flight as well.

If you’re arriving into Kuala Lumpur on an international flight, it’s highly likely you’ll be landing at KLIA. Don’t underestimate how long it can take to get from KLIA to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. If possible, try to book your onward Penang flight from KLIA.

Penang International Airport

READ OUR GUIDE: Penang International Airport

Penang’s international airport (IATA code: PEN) is showing its age and beginning to reach capacity (improvements are in the pipeline for 2028), although this largely impacts international departures and arrivals. The domestic experience (including the flights from Kuala Lumpur) is much more efficient and stress-free.

As the airport is in the bottom right corner of the island, it’s a long way from the main tourist sights and things to do in Penang (particularly Batu Ferringhi, which is at least an hour’s drive). George Town can be reached in thirty minutes outside of rush hour(s), much longer otherwise.

Train: stress free and departs from close to KL city centre

Click here to book your Kuala Lumpur to Penang train tickets
READ OUR GUIDE: Kuala Lumpur to Penang train

If the thought of yet another flight puts you in a bad mood, or you fancy a more relaxed journey where you view the Malaysian countryside from 6ft rather than 30,000ft, the train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is an excellent option.

Unlike the aerial route, the train starts from KL Sentral, right in the centre of the city and easily accessible via MRT, LRT, bus and Grab. At the other end, the train arrives at Butterworth on the mainland, only a short, picturesque ferry ride away from the heart of George Town (RM2, 20 minutes).

Quick guide to Kuala Lumpur to Penang trains:

The train is relatively expensive, similar in price to the cheapest airfares but taking substantially longer. It’s a much more interesting experience though, and don’t forget to factor in the cost of getting from the city centre to the airport at both ends.

It’s comfortable onboard with air-conditioning, reclining seats, power sockets and access to food and drink at the buffet car. You might be tempted to upgrade to business class but in our opinion, it’s not worth the extra expense. Standard Class is excellent and there are a few aspects where Business Class struggles. You can find our full review of the Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth Business Class train here.

These trains do get fully booked up in advance, especially over weekends and public holidays. With only six trains per day, you shouldn’t expect to turn up at KL Sentral and buy tickets for the next departure. It’s best to book in advance using Baolau where you can also check timetables and availability.

Bus: plenty of options but affected by traffic

Click here to book your Kuala Lumpur to Penang bus tickets

An almost endless stream of buses depart from Kuala Lumpur heading north towards Penang, mostly departing from Bandar Tasik Selatan station in the south, but many also depart from KL Sentral and Hentian Duta bus station northwest of the city.

Quick guide to Kuala Lumpur to Penang buses:

Unless you’re already close by, there’s no need to travel further south to start from Bandar Tasik Selatan, it’s much easier to use one of the services departing from KL Sentral. Over thirty separate companies are vying for your custom, so you’re spoilt for choice.

Fares range from RM30 to RM50 and it’s worth paying a few extra ringgits to secure a comfier ride with fewer stops. Do keep in mind that the bus companies apply poetic licence to their vehicle names, so labels like ‘Deluxe’, ‘VIP’ and ‘Express’ might not mean what you expect them to.

It’s usually easy enough to turn up at the station and buy a ticket for the next departure. Even if the bus you want is full, they’ll be another one leaving in a few minutes. If you’d prefer knowing you’re on a specific bus, 12Go has an excellent online booking system.

Onboard, you can expect a decent level of comfort, including reclining seats, AC and rest stops. Although the buses use the modern North-South Expressway, they are subject to traffic, especially when leaving KL and approaching Penang. The journey time is around five hours.

At the other end, buses to Penang either arrive on the mainland at Butterworth or on the island at Sungai Nibong, close to the airport. If your final destination is George Town, it’s usually quicker to take one of the Butterworth-bound buses and then the ferry, rather than battling the traffic over Penang bridge (and then onwards to George Town via other transport).

Grab or taxi: convenient but expensive

It’s surprisingly popular to take a Grab all the way from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, particularly from KLIA to George Town direct. This of course comes at a price but it’s certainly a comfortable option for families, people with less mobility, or those who just want an easy life.

It’s a good idea to pre-book your Grab to guarantee a ride; otherwise, you may face a series of cancellations when you book on the spot.

Quick guide to Kuala Lumpur to Penang Grab rides:

Regular taxis do also make the trip, but you will struggle to simply flag one down and ask to the driven to Penang. Even if you do, you’re more at risk of rogue drivers who will look to inflate the fare. Grab is the way to go, giving you a fixed fare, safety and trackability.

Self drive: best as part of longer trip or your own vehicle

The North-South Expressway is a fantastic stretch of road to drive on, running all the way from Singapore to Thailand. If you have your own car, or plan to hire one, it’s usually a smooth journey, at least for the sections outside the two city centres. Driving in KL and Penang is not for the uninitiated or faint-hearted, so proceed with caution.

Quick guide to Kuala Lumpur to Penang self-drive:

With a distance of 360km to cover, you should arrive in Penang after about 4 or 5 hours, but you will be subject to traffic jams, so try to avoid busy periods around the weekend and weekday rush-hours. Car hire prices start from RM70 per day, but factor in excess insurance costs and fuel. Make sure your licence is valid for driving in Malaysia too.

This isn’t really a recommended option just for this one journey. Costs will be similar to Grab taxi and much more hassle; it’d be easier to let someone else take the strain or use public transport. But, if you’re heading through Malaysia on a longer road trip, it’s a good option, just make sure include stops in Ipoh and Bukit Merah Orangutan Island on the way.

Final thoughts

With so many people travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, it’s not surprising there are plenty of transport options between the two locations. If speed is your priority, you can’t beat a flight, although both airports are some distance away from the main tourist areas. At the other end of the scale, the bus is the cheapest option with a bewildering number of journeys per day.

Our personal favourite is the train. Offering a good compromise between speed, price and comfort, it’s a fun way to travel and let’s you see something of the countryside along the way, plus you’ll get to finish the journey onboard the iconic Penang ferry and be dropped off in prime location to check out all the best things to do in Penang.

However you make the journey, both Kuala Lumpur and Penang are sure to be highlights of any Malaysian visit, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

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