Arriving by Train to Penang

The only way to arrive in Penang by train is to use the Butterworth Railway Station, a ramshackle piece of work next to the Butterworth Ferry Terminal. From there, you can take the ferry across to George Town. The fare is RM1.20 for adults one way (service from George Town to Butterworth is not charged). This takes you to Weld Quay in George Town, from where you can get connections to other parts of the island. There is a Rapid Penang Bus Terminal right at Weld Quay. Check the Rapid Penang Bus Routes for details about the buses to take.

You board the ferry at the Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal in Butterworth and disembark at the Raja Tun Uda Terminal in George Town. The benefit of using the ferry is that it takes you right into the heart of the city whereas with the Penang Bridge, you are several miles away.

Advice from Fellow Traveler

Alex König: There is another problem for travelers to Penang with taxi drivers: If you arrive by train in Butterworth, especially by International train from BKK, then you will be approached by Butterworth taxi drivers at the platform, even before you could see the very tiny sign board that is showing a ferry symbol hanging from the ceiling. They will offer you a ride to "Penang Island". of course via the bridge for ... let me think, it was RM 50 ten years ago, so must be now in the 100s.This scam is going on since many years and nobody is doing anything against it.

If you are arriving by other means, please select arrival by car, by bus, or by plane. Otherwise, return to the Table of Contents to select another topic.

Where to find food?

If you are arriving by ferry at the jetty or Port Swettenham pier, you can easily find food of all varieties nearby. From the jetty, you can find some small Chinese coffee shops along Pengkalan Weld, the main road, especially in front of Chew Jetty. There are some more stalls on the opposite site of Pengkalan Weld.

A short walk takes you down to Lebuh Pantai, where there's the Sri Weld Food Court, in front of the junction with Lebuh Bishop. There, you can get a great variety of hawker food. There are also several Chinese coffee shops in Lebuh Gereja and Lebuh China where you can easily get something to eat.

Where to refuel?

If you came by car aboard the ferry, the nearest petrol station is a Shell Station along Pengkalan Weld.

Where to stay?

Both hotels and budget accommodations are a distance from the jetty. Check the Penang Travel Tips pages on Hotel and Budget Accommodation to find out more.

Where's the bus & taxi?

Easy. The bus terminal and taxi stand are right in front of the jetty at Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda where the ferry stops. That is the main public bus terminal for Penang. You can take the buses from here to practically anywhere in Penang. Penang Travel Tips recommends taking Rapid Penang buses. They are the newest and cleanest and have the most extensive coverage. You can check the Rapid Penang Bus Routes here.

Butterworth Railway Station

Penang Harbour

Butterworth Railway Station Ticket Counter

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Local Tours in Penang

It is often more practical to book your tours online. You have the luxury of time to go through what are the tours you intend to take, rather than having to make a decision on your feet. Check out the local tours in Penang that you can book online. The tours are provided by Viator, a reputable international tour company.

Arrange Airport Transfer

If you are coming to Penang, you can arrange airport transfer from airport to city in advance. A van will be waiting for you to pick you at the airport. This service is very useful and cost effective if you are arriving as a group.

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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.