Kuala Lumpur (KL) is Malaysia's capital, a vibrant mix of skyscrapers, Asian-European architecture, large shopping districts, and flavourful cuisine. It can be quite busy, but it's all about finding your rhythm in its beautiful chaos.
If you have some extra time, we highly recommend a trip to Batu Caves just 30 minutes away from the city centre.
There is no direct train from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. You'll need to take a ferry from Penang Island and then take a train from Butterworth. The transfer is pretty easy though, so you will still have an effortless journey. Combined fares start from 79 MYR.
If you prefer a direct journey, you can take a bus with tickets starting from 41 MYR. Alternatively, there are also buses leaving from Butterworth, which also involve a transfer with the ferry just like the train.
The 1-hour flight is a good option if you have little time. However, it's always good to avoid flying where possible, especially on short-haul flights like this the carbon emissions are harmful for such a short flight. If you still want to take the flight, airfares start from 103 MYR.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to help reduce your impact on the environment.
Travelling in a small group? The taxi is a convenient option but can be quite expensive with rates from 813 MYR.
Stay Connected
We're a small team of passionate travellers sharing what we've learned on the road. Get our best tips, route updates, and travel stories delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Click a column header to sort. Click a row to jump to the full guide.
1h
$103
--
4h 15m
$231
--
4h 20m
$66
--
5h
$9
--
All flights depart from Penang Airport, 18 km south of George Town. You can reach it by a 30-minute taxi with fares from 30 MYR or by a 1-hour bus, which costs 3 MYR.
You can choose to arrive at two different airports: Subang Airport or Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Subang Airport is nearer KL city centre, but flights to KL Airport are normally cheaper.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Kuala Lumpur (KL) is Malaysia’s capital, a vibrant mix of skyscrapers, Asian-European architecture, large shopping districts, and flavourful cuisine. The busy city can be quite overwhelming, but it’s all about finding your rhythm in Kuala Lumpur's beautiful chaos.
The Petronas Towers — the tallest twin towers in the world — are the city's most iconic attraction. But there's so much more to see in Kuala Lumpur. The old KL Railway Station, KL Tower, Bukit Bintang, and Jalan Alor are all must-visits. And if you have more time, the colourful Batu Caves is just 30 minutes away from the city.
Every route on GeckoRoutes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally traveled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travelers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep GeckoRoutes free and up to date.
Carbon Footprint
This 290 km journey produces approximately 26 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Popular budget resort with pool, located on Sairee Beach. Walking distance to dive shops and restaurants.
800 THB/night ($24)
Beachfront bungalows with balconies overlooking Sairee Beach. On-site restaurant and dive center.
2,200 THB/night ($66)
Luxury resort with private beach, infinity pool, and spa. Perfect for couples wanting extra comfort.
6,500 THB/night ($195)
Leave a Comment