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How to get from Cameron Highlands to Penang
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, Penang 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.
4 ways to get from Cameron Highlands to Penang
You can choose from 4 options when travelling the 250 km distance from Cameron Highlands to Penang. You can take a direct bus for 4.5 hours, an indirect bus for 5 hours, a taxi for 3.5 hours, or the train for 5 hours. Fares range between 40 MYR ($8.50) and 600 MYR ($125.00).
The bus is a cheap and convenient option. You can take a direct bus from Cameron Highlands city centre to Sungai Nibong in Penang Island, or an indirect bus via Butterworth. Ticket prices start from 40 MYR ($8.50). Read on to help you choose which one is the best option for you.
The taxi is the fastest yet most expensive option for the Cameron Highlands to Penang route. Fares start from 600 MYR ($125.00), but you can reach Penang in just 3.5 hours.
Neither Cameron Highlands nor Penang has its own train station. If you want to travel by train, you’ll have to take an additional bus and ferry ride. Combined travel time is around 5 hours. Total fares start from 114 MYR ($24.00).
Cameron Highlands to Penang by Bus
When travelling by bus from Cameron Highlands to Penang, you can take either a direct or indirect route.
The direct bus goes straight to Penang Island, but parks at Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal. Note that this is 10 km away from the city centre in George Town, so you’ll have to take an additional bus or taxi ride.
The indirect bus only takes you as far as Butterworth, a town directly opposite Penang Island but on the mainland. From here, you’ll take a ferry to Weld Quay on Penang Island. The advantage though is this port is only 3 km from the city centre.
Cameron Highlands to Penang by a direct Bus
C.S. Travel & Tours, Unititi Express, and GJG Express are the companies operating direct buses from Cameron Highlands to Penang Island.
Bus fares start from 40 MYR ($8.50) and travel time is around 4.5 hours. You can book your tickets beforehand via BusOnlineTicket.
Bus schedules from Cameron Highlands to Penang
All buses depart from Tanah Rata Bus Station in Cameron Highlands city centre.
They arrive at Sungai Nibong Terminal. From here, you can take either a bus or a taxi to get to George Town. The bus ride (Line 102) takes 50 minutes and costs 5 MYR ($1.00). The taxi ride takes 20 minutes, with fares starting from 38 MYR ($8.00).
Cameron Highlands to Penang by an Indirect Bus
Taking an indirect bus to Penang from Cameron Highlands is a bit more expensive, but drops you off closer to the tourist centre at George Town.
Step 1: Cameron Highlands to Butterworth by Bus
First, you will take a bus from Cameron Highlands to Butterworth, the main gateway to Penang from the mainland.
You can choose from three companies: GJG Express, C.S. Travel & Tours, and Unititi Express. Fares start from 40 MYR ($8.50).
Bus schedules from Cameron Highlands to Butterworth
The buses park at Penang Sentral in Butterworth. This is connected to the port by a walkway. Note that there are some stairs involved so it might be quite tiring if you’re carrying a lot of luggage.
Step 2: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry
At the Butterworth side, you will find the ferries at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. These depart every 20 to 30 minutes from 05:20 to 22:00 and every 40 minutes until 00:10. A ferry ticket costs 3 MYR ($0.60).
The ferries dock at Weld Quay, some 3 km from the city centre. From here, you can take a 5-minute taxi to George Town for around 13 MYR ($2.70). If you’re not in a hurry, the bus (Line 101) only costs 5 MYR ($1.00). Note that buses take a different route so they need 20 minutes to reach George Town.
Cameron Highlands to Penang by Taxi
A private taxi ride from Cameron Highlands to Penang can be quite expensive. Rates range from 600 MYR ($125.00) to 684 MYR ($145.00). If you’re looking for speed though, a taxi journey only takes around 3.5 hours.
Since this is a long-distance trip, we suggest that you ask your hotel for taxi recommendations. They might be able to help you haggle for lower rates too!
Cameron Highlands to Penang by Train
If you really want to travel by train from Cameron Highlands to Penang, prepare for a little adventure. This option involves 3 transfers — a bus, a train, and a ferry ride!
Step 1: Cameron Highlands to Ipoh by Bus
From Cameron Highlands, you will take a bus to Ipoh, a city some 90 km away. Buses depart from Tanah Rata Terminal and arrive at Amanjaya Terminal in Ipoh after around 2.5 hours.
Tickets are easily available at Tanah Rata Terminal in Cameron Highlands, but you might want to book online beforehand because tickets sell out fast during weekends and the peak season. Prices start from 28 MYR ($5.50).
Bus schedules from Cameron Highlands to Ipoh
For the next leg of the trip, you’ll need to head to Ipoh Train Station, which is another 10 km away from Amanjaya Terminal. You can take either a 30-minute taxi or a 50-minute bus. Fares start from 30 MYR ($6.00) and 4 MYR ($0.90), respectively.
Step 2: Ipoh to Butterworth by Train
From Ipoh to Butterworth, there are six trains available every day.
Fares differ daily, but they’re normally around 40 MYR ($8.50). Train tickets are available online on Baolau.
Train schedules from Ipoh to Butterworth
Trains arrive at Butterworth Station, which is connected to the ferry terminal by a walkway. From here, it’s a 10-minute walk to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal — maybe even longer if you’re struggling with your luggage.
PRO TIP: We advise against taking the last train because it arrives in Butterworth just a few minutes before the last ferry departure. If the train is delayed in any way, you will have to wait a few hours to board the ferry to Penang.
Step 3: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry
Ferries depart from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal every 20 to 30 minutes from 05:20 to 22:00. They continue to operate until 00:40, but every 40 minutes. You can buy a ferry ticket at the port for 3 MYR ($0.60).
The ferries dock at Weld Quay. To reach George Town (3 km away), you can hop on a 5-minute taxi for around 13 MYR ($2.70) or a 20-minute bus (Line 101) for 5 MYR ($0.90).
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.
Kate is a writer, (ex)Management Consultant and avid traveller. She recently returned from a 2-year career break exploring the world and decided corporate life wasn’t for her. She’ll soon be testing life as a digital nomad. She’s visited over 40 countries and fell in love with Latin America in particular. Her travelling has inspired a passion for yoga, salsa, hiking and Spanish.
