Automobiles You can drive to Penang island from Butterworth on the mainland via the 13.5-kilometre Penang Bridge (there's a RM7.70 toll payable at the toll plaza on the mainland, but no charge to return).

Trains Butterworth train station on the mainland is next to the ferry terminal for Penang, with connections from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to the south and from Hat Yai in Thailand to the north (for details see the North-South Train timetable at There are no trains on Penang island.

Langkawi Ferry Services (and Ekspres Bahagia (+60 (0)) both run ferries to Penang from nearby Langkawi island, as well as offering connections between Penang and Belawan on north-east Sumatra, Indonesia (with onward bus journeys to nearby capital Medan included in the ticket price).

Fares are charged only for the journey from Butterworth to Penang. Boats Ferries shuttle between Butterworth on the Malay mainland and Georgetown on Penang around the clock and take 15 minutes.The main carriers plying these routes include Malaysia Airlines (AirAsia (and Singapore Airlines (

Planes Penang's Bayan Lepas International Airport, 18 kilometres south of Georgetown (RM40 in a taxi), receives plenty of flights from capital Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru in the south of Peninsular Malaysia and Langkawi island to the north, as well as international connections from Singapore, Bangkok and Sydney.

The ferry departs from Swettenham Pier in George Town. To ensure a seat and avoid disappointment buy online through Tripcarte's secure website with instant ticketing and hassle free e-tickets Location of Ferry Terminal in Penang Return tickets are exactly double the one-way ticket. Note: These prices include Port Handling Charges (Adult: RM13.60, Child/Infant: RM9.90)

The price for a one-way ticket is as follows: When you add the time needed for check-in and security and travelling to the airport there may not be much difference between flight and ferry. As a comparison, if you fly on AirAsia from Penang to Langkawi the flying time is 40 minutes. This is a 'super-fast' ferry so it is quite a quick trip. The journey takes between 2 1/2 hours and 3 hours depending on sea conditions.

Penang to medan ferry