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Penang is a Malaysian island about 587 kilometres (365 miles) north of Singapore. George Town, its main city, is famous for street food and old colonial shophouses. Flying is the quickest way to get from Singapore to Penang, taking 2h 20m. The bus costs $39 (160 MYR) if you'd rather stay on the ground, but it takes a long time, around 18h 30m.
Distance from Singapore to Penang
Singapore and Penang are about 587 km (365 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 695 km by road. The quickest way to get from Singapore to Penang is by taking the flight, which takes around 2h 20m.
2 ways to travel from Singapore to Penang
There are two ways to travel from Singapore to Penang. The journey takes 2h 20m–18h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $39 (160 MYR).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Downtown Singapore→Changi Airport30m
- Singapore→Penang1h 20m
- Penang Airport→George Town30m
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Singapore to Penang by Bus
When taking the bus from Singapore to Penang, you can only go as far as Butterworth, a mainland town just 3 km across from Penang Island.
From Butterworth, you’ll need to continue with the ferry to Penang. See here the steps explained in more detail.
Step 1: Singapore to Butterworth by Bus
There are a few bus lines that operate the route from Singapore to Penang via Butterworth. Sri Maju Group is one of the companies on this route.
It has one trip that departs from Golden Mile Complex (5 km from downtown Singapore) at 21:00 daily. It arrives at Penang Sentral in Butterworth around 07:00 the next day, after a long journey of 18h.
A bus ticket from Singapore to Penang Sentral costs $39 (160 MYR).
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 2: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry
Upon arrival at Penang Sentral, find the walkway that connects to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. There are some stairs here so take note if you’re carrying a lot of luggage.
At the port, ferries bound for Weld Quay on Penang Island depart twice an hour from 05:20 to 00:10. This will also easily match the arrival time of 07:00 of the bus.
You can buy a ferry ticket for $0.70 (3 MYR). Travel time is only 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the water condition.
Weld Quay is 2 km away from Penang city centre. If you’re staying in George Town, you can take a 5-minute taxi from $3.20 (13 MYR) or a 20-minute bus (Line 101) for $1.20 (5 MYR).
Singapore to Penang by Flight
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Downtown Singapore to Changi Airport by City Shuttle
First, you’ll need to get to Singapore Changi Airport, located 20 km east of downtown Singapore.
You can take a city shuttle for $7.00 (9 SGD), a taxi for $19 (25 SGD), the train for $2.10 (2.7 SGD), or the public bus for $1.60 (2 SGD).
For a combination of speed, comfort and budget, we highly recommend the city shuttle that costs $6.50 (26.5 MYR). This is a shared minivan that offers free pick-up from a long list of hotels in the city centre. You can book your ride via Klook, a popular booking platform in Southeast Asia.
Note that although the train and the public bus are cheap, they might not be the best option if you’re short on time. For more details on the train and bus schedules, visit our page on Singapore Airport.
Step 2: Singapore to Penang by Flight
Air Asia often offers the cheapest flights from Singapore to Penang. Airfares start from $54 (70 SGD) when you book early and travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
Other carriers operating on this route are Jetstar, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, and Silk Air. You can easily check fares and flight schedules through the link below.
The flights depart from Singapore Changi Airport and arrive at Penang International Airport.
Step 3: Penang Airport to George Town by Taxi or Bus
Penang Airport is located some 18 km south of George Town.
You have 2 choices to reach your hotel in the city centre: a 30-minute taxi starting from $7.40 (30 MYR) or a 1-hour bus that costs only $0.70 (3 MYR). There are several bus lines operating on this route, so take one that makes a stop near your hotel.
Flight tickets are available on Klook.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Penang?
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, it has so much to offer — vibrant culture, colourful heritage, amazing food, urban wonders, and untouched rainforest.
At its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city rich in history. Famous for its street art, you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys. Sure, the island can be touristy. Yet somehow, it is able to maintain a laidback vibe and a charm that you can only find in Penang.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Singapore to Penang, roughly 587 kilometres (365 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $39 (160 MYR). The quickest trip takes 2h 20m.
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 Singapore to Penang?
The distance from Singapore to Penang is 587 kilometres (365 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Singapore to Penang?
The fastest way to get from Singapore to Penang is by flight and takes 2h 20m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Singapore to Penang?
The cheapest way to get from Singapore to Penang is by bus with ticket costs starting from 160 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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