How to get from Penang to Langkawi: the easy way and the not-so-easy way

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With the direct ferry no longer an option, most travellers take the easy route and fly from Penang to Langkawi.

In the not too distant past, the direct ferry from Penang to Langkawi was a highlight of many trips to Malaysia, linking the two islands with a reliable sea crossing. But since 2020, the direct ferry has ceased operation, leaving travellers looking for the next best option.

Although you can still arrive to Langkawi on a ferry from the mainland, it’s not a convenient journey from Penang and the vast majority of people fly from one island to the other, saving time for the important business of relaxing in the sun. In our guide, we show you all the options to get from Penang to Langkawi, and suggest which route we think you should take.

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Flight: easiest option and the one most people take

By far the most convenient option to get from Penang to Langkawi is to fly. Most people choose the aerial route and it’s easy to see why; you’ll spend longer boarding the plane than you will in the air. Flight times are twenty minutes, the aircraft only climbs to 10,000ft, and there’s barely enough time to adjust your headrest before the plane makes its descent.

Fares start from around RM60 and are fairly consistently priced throughout the year, with a slight spike around December and January.

Click here to book your tickets using with Skyscanner, where you can also check times and prices.

Five or six flights per day make the trip from Penang to Langkawi, typically a few with AirAsia and one each with Firefly and Malaysia Airlines. The latter two get bonus points for heroically trying to squeeze a refreshments service into the ten minute window while the plane is at cruising altitude.

AirAsia are usually a few ringgits cheaper so either them or Malaysia Airlines would be our recommendation. Firefly have a reputation for delays and altering flight times at the last minute, so it’s best to avoid them where possible.

You’ll spend most of your overall journey time getting to Penang International Airport, which is at least 30 minutes from George Town (although you should allow for 45 minutes to 1 hour at peak times). At the other end, Langkawi is more chilled out and doesn’t have Penang’s traffic jams; you should be at your hotel within 15 or 20 minutes of leaving the airport.

Ferry: is there a direct ferry between Penang and Langkawi?

No, there isn’t a direct ferry from Penang to Langkawi. There was a ferry until 2020 but it became a victim of the pandemic and there are no signs of it restarting.

Are there any ferries to Langkawi from the mainland?

The direct ferry is a distant memory but if your heart is set on arriving to Langkawi by sea, there are ferries from the mainland to Langkawi Island, but it involves a bit of effort and organising to get there from Penang. You’d need a good reason to take this option rather than flying, perhaps if you have your own vehicle and want to take it onto Langkawi island (possible via Kuala Perlis).

Ferries to Langkawi depart from two ports in Kedah and Perlis (the two states to the north of Penang): Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis.

Kuala Kedah

Kuala Kedah is the closest of the two to Penang, only 120km from George Town. There aren’t any transport options directly from Penang to Kuala Kedah itself, instead you’ll need to first travel to the city of Alor Setar and then hop over to Kuala Kedah.

KTM Komuter trains run from Butterworth to Alor Setar (RM7, 1 hour 10 minutes) eighteen times a day, so it’s quite easy to find a service that matches up with the ferry journeys. Train tickets can’t be booked in advance or bought online; you’ll have to buy them at Butterworth station from the ticket machines.

Ten or twelve buses also run from Penang (either Sungai Nibong on the island or Butterworth on the mainland) to Alor Setar (RM10, 1 hour and 30 minutes).

From Alor Setar railway station, you then take a Grab taxi to the ferry terminal (RM18, 20 minutes)

Once you arrive at Kuala Kedah, there are up to six ferries per day taking around 1 hour and 45 minutes to make the crossing. Tickets cost RM45 for adults, RM32 for children. Online booking can be temperamental but is recommended at busy times, otherwise try booking at the ticket office.

Kuala Perlis

The other option is Kuala Perlis (160km from George Town). This is a similar proposition to Kuala Kedah in that you can’t easily get there from Penang. It’s best to take the KTM Komuter train to the nearest town of Arau (RM10, 1 hour 30 minutes).

Ten buses run from Penang (either Sungai Nibong on the island or Butterworth on the mainland) to Arau (RM25, two to three hours).

From Arau, you then take a Grab taxi to the ferry terminal (RM18, 25 minutes)

Kuala Perlis operates a car ferry to Langkawi (1 hour 15 minutes), ideal if you have your own vehicle and want to take it onto the island. It costs from RM160 for a vehicle, foot passengers are RM25, bookings can be made online.

Otherwise, book online for the passenger ferry service (1 hour 15 minutes), tickets cost RM35 for adults and RM25 for children.

Is it worth taking the ferry from the mainland?

Not really, as it’s much easier to fly. It’s quite a mission to reach Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah from Penang via public transport and once you board the ferries, they’re functional rather than enjoyable. From George Town to Langkawi, it’ll take at least five hours door-to-door, and that’s without any delays or problems.

However, if you have your own vehicle and can drive directly to Kuala Perlis and then onto Langkawi, it’s actually quite a neat option, just make sure you book ahead for the roll-on roll-off ferry.

Grab taxi from Penang to mainland ferry terminals and then onto Langkawi

A reasonable alternative to public transport is to take a Grab taxi all the way from Penang to either Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis ferry terminals. It’s quick and direct, dropping you off directly next to the ferry, but it comes at a higher price.

A Grab from George Town to Kuala Perlis jetty is approximately RM300. To Kuala Kedah jetty it’s about RM200. If you’re travelling in a group, it might make more financial sense but again, you’d either need to love ferries or be actively trying to avoid flying to choose this option.

Final thoughts on getting from Penang to Langkawi

Although we’ve added in the other options for completeness, by far the best option to get from Penang to Langkawi is to fly. It’s a comfortable, fast and reliable service, and also excellent value, coming in around RM60 per person. As long as you don’t mind the journey to Penang airport, it’s the only way to travel.

If you especially dislike flying and/or really enjoy travelling by sea, a ferry is still an option. Had the direct Penang to Langkawi service still being running, it’d be our top pick, but the indirect journey via the mainland isn’t anywhere near as convenient or memorable. It is a good option if you have your own vehicle though, especially if you plan to take it onto Langkawi and explore at your own pace.

However you get there, prepare for an amazing time on Langkawi. If you’re not sure what to expect, check out our guide on the differences between Penang and Langkawi.

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