Flight, Train, Bus And Car: Best Way To Travel To Penang From Singapore

The Malaysian state Penang, situated on the northwest side of the country, comprises of two parts – an island and a mainland connected by two bridges. Measuring only 1,049 square kilometres, Penang may not be the biggest state in the country but plays a part in contributing to the country’s economy.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, it has attained a  Gross Domestic Product growth of 13.1% in 2022, which is the highest in the country. Penang has also garnered many titles under its belt as a travel destination at a global level at that. It was on Lonely Planet’s top food haven in 2014 and CNN’s top 22 places to visit in 2022.

Read Also: 5 Island Getaways For Less Than S$1,000 With The Ringgit Trading At 3.40

Penang: A Place Of Heritage And Adventure

Penang’s capital city, Georgetown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its traditional buildings, trades and arts – an amalgamation of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. Aside from that, Penang is a foodie’s haven, offering everything from street food such as assam laksa, char kuey teow and curry mee to dishes out of Michelin-star kitchens.

For those who are after adventures, Escape Penang was listed as one of the top three water theme parks in Asia by Tripadvisor in 2023. The eco-adventure theme park is chockfull of activities including flying fox, jungle swinger, aerobat and more. If you’re looking for something a little more mellow, Penang boasts several quality hotels with sea views including the famous Eastern and Oriental Hotel that has been around for more than a century, rich in heritage.

Due to similarities in culture, Penang has become a favourite holiday spot for Singaporeans. We explore the best ways to travel from Singapore to Penang.

Singapore To Penang By Flight – 1 Hour, 19 Minutes

A quick check on booking platform Expedia revealed that there are plenty of direct and indirect flights (one stop in Kuala Lumpur) from Singapore to Penang by airlines such as Jetstar, Scoot, Firefly, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.

A direct flight from Singapore to Penang takes an average of one hour and 19 minutes. If you choose a flight that has a stopover in Kuala Lumpur, it will take you much longer depending on how long the stop will be. For example, Malaysia Airlines has a stopover flight that takes five hours and 40 minutes with a three hours and 30 minutes stop in Kuala Lumpur.

Prices of a flight ticket vary depending on the airline, the stopover and period of travelling. When checking return flights between Singapore and Penang on Expedia, it was found that ticket prices for budget airlines are from S$89 to S$96.

Meanwhile, if you fly with a national carrier such as Singapore Airlines, a return ticket will cost you S$278.

Flying is the fastest way to reach Penang from Singapore so it is the top choice if you want to save yourself some time. However, it is also the costliest way to travel to Penang.

Singapore To Penang By Car – 7 Hours, 30 Minutes

You can always drive your way up and it takes approximately seven hours to drive from Singapore to Penang. There’s no mode of transport that will give you more flexibility than driving your own vehicle at your own schedule. Driving is also a faster way to reach Penang compared to a bus.

As for costs, although you don’t need to purchase any tickets beforehand, you may need to bring your car round to the nearest car servicing centre for a check prior to your long journey and after for maintenance.

According to Rome2Rio, driving from Singapore to Penang may incur fuel costs of around S$181.05 to S$261.22.

During the long journey, you can make a stop midway at Kuala Lumpur to recharge. Penang is around a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, so you can stay the night in the capital city of Malaysia where food and accommodations abound.

Singapore To Penang By Bus – 10 Hours

There are many bus services travelling from Singapore to Penang including from operators such as Billion Stars Express and KKKL Travel and Tours Singapore .

The distance between Singapore and Penang is 711 kilometres and taking a bus will take you around 10 hours, depending on the exact departure location. Fortunately, some of the buses are decked with massage and reclining chairs and television sets which can make the journey more comfortable.

Return ticket prices for a bus trip from Singapore to Penang range from S$55 to S$80, according to Easybook. The pick-up points in Singapore include Golden Mile Complex, Golden Mile Express Bus Terminal, Golden Mile Tower and Lavender Aperia Mall. Meanwhile in Penang, you can choose to drop off in Bukit Mertajam, Chai Leng Park’s Caltex, Juru Toll, Penang Komtar, Penang Sentral (Butterworth) and Sungai Nibong.

If you choose to travel by bus, there will perhaps be more flexibility as compared to going by train. There will be stops for refreshments and rest so you get to explore more throughout your journey to Penang.

Singapore To Penang By Train – 12 Hours

Trains are often romanticised as a mode of travel as it allows one to admire passing scenery on while on a relaxing journey to your destination. As it boasts a bigger space than the other modes of transport, it is also the more comfortable way to travel.

The train route from Singapore to Penang spans 593 km which adds up to a 12-hour journey. There is no direct rail route from Singapore to Penang. You will have to first take a KTM at Woodlands Train Checkpoint to Johor Bahru Sentral. The ticket will cost you around S$5 to S$11.

You will then transfer from there to Gemas in Negeri Sembilan through KTM intercity rail that will take around five hours, costing you between M$7 to M$40 (S$2.04 to S$11.66). Upon reaching Gemas, you will have to take the Electric Train Service to Kuala Lumpur Sentral for the price of M$13 to M$16 (S$3.79 to S$4.66) that will take around two hours and more.

Lastly, you will have to get on the ETS to travel for another four hours to Butterworth in Penang that cost M$63 to MYR84 (S$18.37 to S$24.49).

In total, travelling by train from Singapore to Penang can cost you about S$30.

Woodlands KTM + KTM Intercity Rail To Gemas + ETS To KL Sentral + ETS To Butterworth

= S$5 + S$2.04 + S$3.79 + S$18.37

= S$29.20

Travelling by train can be a good option if you have extra time and want to go about your trip in a lax way. As the journey is broken down into separate train rides, you can even opt to take a detour and explore places nearby. For example, you can stay a night in Kuala Lumpur before continuing your journey to Butterworth or travel to Kluang from Johor Bahru.

Verdict: Which Is The Best Option To Travel?

When choosing a mode of transport to travel to Penang from Singapore, you may consider several factors. The journey from Singapore to Penang can be quite long. If you have the budget and want to save time on the road, a flight might be your best choice. On the other hand, those who own a vehicle could drive to Penang and enjoy the flexibility of traveling on your own schedule.

Alternatively, you can opt to travel by bus or train where you can just sit back and enjoy sceneries along the way for a more affordable price.

Featured Image Credit: KKKL Travel & Tours   

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost For Singapore Cars To Enter Malaysia? And Is It Worth Your Time (And Money)?

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