How to Get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur (2023 Guide)
Modern Kuala Lumpur
In Kuala Lumpur and Penang, you will find the best of what Malaysia has to offer. From the buzz of high-rise city life in “KL” to the cultural groundedness of Penang, you can treat yourself to the best of all worlds (and some of the world’s best street food to boot!). If you decide to take a car transfer from Kuala Lumpur and Penang, you can also enjoy some exceptional sights, including the Kek Lok Si Temple, beautiful Taiping Lake Gardens, the shining Ubudiah Royal Mosque, Tempurung Cave, the views of the Genting Skyway, and the spectacular Batu Caves.
How to get from Penang to Kuala Lumpur
If you’re traveling from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, you have several transit options. For travelers on a budget, the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. The fastest way to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is by train or car, though a car is of course the best way to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur since it’s so convenient. It’s also possible to take a flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, though with airport waiting times it is the slowest and most expensive option.
Penang to Kuala Lumpur by train
To travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur by train, you need to get to the Penang Butterworth station and purchase a ticket to KL Sentral/Kuala Lumpur station, or you can buy your tickets in advance online. The earliest train is at 5:15 AM, and the last train is at 6:33 PM, with 5-6 trains departing every day. The train from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is operated by ETS, with train tickets from Penang to Kuala Lumpur costing €13-17 on average for the 4 hr 15 min trip. The distance from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is about 350 kilometers. Trains have bathrooms on board and usually offer a dining car.
Train intervals 5 per day
First/Last Departure 5:15 AM/6:33 PM
Avg. Price €13-17
Distance ~350 km
Duration ~4 hr 15 min
Operating Companies ETS
Penang to Kuala Lumpur by bus
To travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur by bus, you will need to go to Penang Sentral (Butterworth) or Penang Komtar stations and purchase a ticket to Hentian Duta or Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Kuala Lumpur. While you can buy your ticket at the station, it’s best to purchase them in advance. The earliest bus is at 12:00 AM, and the last bus is at 11:59 PM, with many leaving every hour. The bus from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is run by a number of companies, among them Transnasional, Billion Stars Express, Plusliner, and Seasons Express. Bus tickets from Penang to Kuala Lumpur cost between €8-€12 for the 5-hour trip. The distance from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is about 350 kilometers. All options offer direct service from Penang to Kuala Lumpur.
Time intervals Many per hour
First/Last Departure 12:10 AM/11:59 PM
Avg. Price €8-€12
Distance ~350 km
Duration ~5 hr
Operating Companies Transnasional, Billion Stars Express, Plusliner, Seasons Express, et al.
Penang to Kuala Lumpur Flight
To travel by plane, you need to get to Penang International Airport. As usual with flights, you’ll want to buy your tickets in advance. For traveling such a short distance, only direct flights make sense. The plane tickets cost around €20 for the 1-hour flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. It’s recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the flight, making this the slowest and most expensive option.
Flights per day More than 10
Departure times Every 2-3 hours
Avg. Price €17-27
Distance 350 km
Duration ~1 hr
Operating Companies Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines
Penang to Kuala Lumpur Private Car Transfer
For speed and convenience, a private car transfer with Daytrip is the best way to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. You will be picked up at your accommodation in Penang, and the driver will take care of your luggage. You’ll then be able to enjoy door-to-door service to your accommodation in Kuala Lumpur, and can even add sightseeing stops on the way!
