How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang
In Kuala Lumpur and Penang, you will find the best of what Malaysia has to offer. From the buzz of high-rise city life in “KL” to the more grounded culture of Penang, you can treat yourself to the best of all worlds (and some of the world’s best street food to boot!). If you decide to take a car transfer from Kuala Lumpur and Penang, you can also enjoy some exceptional sights, including the spectacular Batu Caves, the views of the Genting Skyway, Tempurung Cave, the shining Ubudiah Royal Mosque, beautiful Taiping Lake Gardens, and the Kek Lok Si Temple.
If you’re traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, you have several transit options. For travelers on a budget, the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. The fastest way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is by train or car, though a car is the best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang since it’s so convenient. It’s also possible to take a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, though with airport waiting times, it is the slowest and most expensive option.
Kuala Lumpur to Penang by train
To travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang by train, you need to get to the Kuala Lumpur or KL Sentral Stations and purchase a ticket to Penang Butterworth, or you can buy your tickets in advance online. The earliest train is at 8:05 AM, and the last train is at 10:30 PM, with 5-6 trains departing every day. The train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is operated by ETS. Train tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Penang cost €13-17 on average for the 4 hr 15 min trip. The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is about 350 kilometers. Trains have bathrooms on board and usually offer a dining car.
Train intervals 5 per day
First/Last departure 8:05 AM/10:30 PM
Avg. price $14-$19 (€13-€17)
Distance ~350 km
Duration ~4 hr 15 min
Operating companies ETS
Kuala Lumpur to Penang by bus
To travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang by bus, you will need to go to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan station or Hentian Duta bus stop in Kuala Lumpur and purchase a ticket to either Penang Sentral (Butterworth) or Sungai Bibong bus terminal. While you can buy your ticket at the station, it’s best to purchase them in advance. The earliest bus is at 12:10 AM, and the last bus is at 11:59 PM, with many leaving every hour. The bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is run by a number of companies, including Transnasional, Billion Stars Express, Plusliner, and Etika Delta SDN BHD. Bus tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Penang cost between €8-€12 for the 5-hour trip. The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is about 350 kilometers. All options offer direct service from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.
Time intervals many per hour
First/Last departure 12:10 AM/11:59 PM
Avg. price $9-$13 (€8-€12)
Distance ~350 km
Duration ~5 hr
Operating companies Transnasional, Billion Stars Express, Plusliner, Etika Delta SDN BHD, et al.
Kuala Lumpur to Penang Flight
To travel by plane, you need to get to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. As usual with flights, you’ll want to buy your tickets in advance. For traveling such a short distance, only direct flights make sense. The plane tickets cost around €20 for the 1-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. It’s recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the flight, making this the slowest and most expensive option.
Flights per day more than 10
Departure times every 2-3 hours
Avg. price $18-$29 (€17-€27)
Distance 350 km
Duration ~1 hr
Operating companies Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines
Kuala Lumpur to Penang Private Car Transfer
For speed and convenience, a private car transfer with Daytrip is the best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. You will be picked up at your accommodation in Kuala Lumpur, and the driver will take care of your luggage. You’ll then be able to enjoy door-to-door service to your accommodation in Penang and can even add sightseeing stops on the way!
The chance to personalize your trip with sightseeing stops along the road adds even more appeal to this option. Consider pausing at the most famous site in Malaysia, the breathtaking Batu Caves. Alternatively, stop at the great Ubudiah Royal Mosque with its brilliant golden domes or the serene Taiping Lake Gardens, which are well-known for their quiet beauty. These extra stops enable you to turn your journey from Kuala Lumpur to Penang into an unforgettable adventure and explore some of Malaysia's hidden treasures along the way.
Price from $55 (€51) per seat
Distance 354 km
Duration 3 hr 50 min
