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Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's capital, a sprawl of towers, markets and food courts. The Petronas Twin Towers get the photos, but the street food is the real draw. Flying is the quickest way to get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, taking 1h. On the ground, the bus is the cheapest at $8.80 (36 MYR) - $11 (46 MYR), if you don't mind a long ride. The train does the run in 4h 20m - 4h 50m for a bit more money.
Distance from Penang to Kuala Lumpur
Penang and Kuala Lumpur are about 291 km (181 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 344 km by road. The quickest way to get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h.
4 ways to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur
There are four ways to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. You can choose between the bus, train, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 1h–5h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $8.80 (36 MYR).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur by Indirect Bus6h
- Penang→Butterworth20m
2 legs — see itinerary
- Penang→Butterworth20m
- Butterworth→Kuala Lumpur4h 30m
2 legs — see itinerary
- Flight via Subang Airport (SBZ)1h
- Flight via Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport (KUL)1h
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Penang to Kuala Lumpur by Bus
Option 1: Penang to Kuala Lumpur by Direct Bus
We recommend taking a KKKL Express Bus that will take you directly from to . They have two departure points in Penang: Komtar Bus Terminal in George Town city centre and Sungai Nibong located 10 km south of the city centre. In KL, you can choose to arrive at either Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal (TBS) or Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
A ticket for the whole journey (that is 4h 40m - 8h 55m long) costs $11 (43 MYR) when you book online. There are departures almost every hour from 07:00 to 23:30.
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Option 2: Penang to Kuala Lumpur by Indirect Bus
Step 1: Penang to Butterworth by Ferry
Same as with the train option, you’ll first have to take a taxi or bus from Penang city centre to Weld Quay. Taxi rates start from $3.20 (13 MYR) and a bus ride (Line 101) costs $1.20 (5 MYR).
From Weld Quay, you’ll take a 10 to 20-minute ferry ride to reach Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. A ferry ticket costs $0.70 (3 MYR). Penang Sentral is connected to the port by a walkway.
Step 2: Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur by Bus
Buses bound for Kuala Lumpur are parked at Penang Sentral. You can choose from two trusted operators: KPB Ekspres and Transnational. Both offer VIP buses for $8.10 (33 MYR) so you’ll have a comfortable journey that lasts for 4h 40m - 8h 55m.
The buses stop at Kuala Lumpur Bus Terminal (TBS).
You can book a ticket online through BookAway. Below are their schedules:
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Penang to Kuala Lumpur by Train
Step 1: Penang to Butterworth by Ferry
If you’re staying in George Town, you’ll first have to take a taxi or Grab or a bus (Line 101) to Weld Quay. Fares start from $3.20 (13 MYR) and $1.20 (5 MYR), respectively. Keep in mind that the bus takes longer as it makes a lot of stops and it may not stop near your hotel.
Ferries depart from Weld Quay from 05:20 to 22:00, with a 20 to 30-minute interval. Beyond 22:00, the ferry runs every 40 minutes until its last trip at 00:40. A ticket to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth costs $0.70 (3 MYR).
Butterworth Train Station is conveniently connected to the port by a walkway. It’s just a 10-minute walk but there are some stairs involved, so bear this in mind if you’re carrying large luggage.
Step 2: Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur by Train
Train tickets are available on Eticket.
Booking Tip
There are 2 types of trains: ETS Platinum and ETS Gold. Platinum trains are faster as they make fewer stops, but they are also more expensive.
The trains depart from Butterworth Station and arrive at KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Penang to Kuala Lumpur by Flight
All flights depart from Penang Airport, 18 km south of George Town. You can reach it by a 30-minute taxi with fares from $7.40 (30 MYR) or by a 1-hour bus, which costs $0.70 (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.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Option 1: Flight via Subang Airport (SBZ)
Malindo Air often offers the cheapest airfares from Penang to Subang Airport (SBZ), with tickets starting from $35 (140 MYR). Other options include Thai Lion Air, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines. The flight takes about 1 hour.
Kuala Lumpur city centre is located some 20 km east of Subang Airport. You can reach it in three ways: by train going to KL Sentral, by bus #U81, or by taxi. Travel time is about 30 minutes and fares cost from $0.50 (2 MYR).
Option 2: Flight via Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport (KUL)
Airfares from Penang to Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport (KUL) start from $25 (105 MYR). You can usually get the lowest price with Air Asia, but Thai Lion Air, Malaysia Airlines, and Malindo Air also offer flights for this route.
From KL Airport, you can reach the city centre in 30 minutes to an hour, depending on which mode of transport you take. For more info, visit our page on Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Penang to Kuala Lumpur by Taxi
Taxi tickets are available on Bookaway.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, roughly 291 kilometres (181 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $8.80 (36 MYR) - $11 (46 MYR). The quickest trip takes 1h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Penang to Kuala Lumpur?
The distance from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is 291 kilometres (181 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur?
The fastest way to get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is by flight and takes 1h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur?
The cheapest way to get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is by bus with ticket costs starting from 36 MYR.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer & Digital Nomad
Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.
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