How to get from Penang to Langkawi
Why visit Langkawi?
Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands off the northwest coast of Malaysia. Its biggest island — also called Langkawi — is dotted with white-sand beaches and jungle-clad hills. Far from a quiet retreat (it is bustling with duty-free outlets), Langkawi does still offer some natural wonders and vibrant diving spots.
The so-called “Jewel of Kedah” is an ideal place to go island-hopping, submerge yourself in waterfalls and get lost in rice fields. All of which can be seen from the Langkawi Sky Bridge. A little tip, though: go early in the morning or you’ll be sharing this view with lots of other tourists exploring Langkawi!
What are the 3 ways to travel from Penang to Langkawi?
There are 3 ways to travel the 110 kilometre (68 miles) distance from Penang to Langkawi. You can choose between the bus via Kuala Perlis, train via Kuala Kedah and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes to 5 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus via Kuala Perlis with tickets starting at 52 MYR ($13.20).
Penang to Langkawi by Bus via Kuala Perlis
Travelling by bus still involves ferry rides. The direct ferry from Penang to Langkawi has not resumed since the pandemic. This is an alternate option if you do not want to take a flight.
To take the bus, you first need to travel by ferry to Butterworth, a mainland town just 3 km opposite Penang Island.
Step 1: Penang to Butterworth by Ferry
Ferries bound for Butterworth depart from Weld Quay. This is 2 km away from George Town and can be reached by either taxi for 13 MYR ($3.30) or bus (Line 101) for 1.40 MYR ($0.40).
Once you arrive there, you’ll then have to transfer to a ferry bound for Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal in Butterworth. A ticket costs 2 MYR ($0.50) and this ferry ride takes 10-20 minutes. Ferries depart twice every hour from 07:00 to 23:30.
Step 2: Butterworth to Kuala Perlis by Bus
The buses in Butterworth are parked at Penang Sentral, which is connected to the port by a walkway. You can reach it on foot in around 10 minutes.
The bus from Butterworth can only take you up to Kuala Perlis, the closest mainland town to Langkawi.
Bus fares start from 19.20 MYR ($4.90). You can buy your ticket at the terminal or online via BookAway. Below are their schedules:
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The ferry terminal is located only 450 metres from Kuala Perlis Bus Terminal. There should be signs for you to follow, but if you do get lost, there’s always a friendly local happy to help!
Step 3: Kuala Perlis to Langkawi (Kuah Jetty) by Ferry
From Kuala Perlis, a ferry will take you 35 km west to Langkawi Island.
Ferry schedules vary daily. Normally though, there are several departures from 06:30 to 19:30. You can check the latest schedules at the Langkawi Ferry Line website. Online booking is available on Cuti Cuti Langkawi.
A ferry ticket costs 35 MYR ($8.90) and the journey takes around 1h 15m.
The ferry docks at Kuah Jetty, 20 km east of the main tourist area of Pantai Cenang. From here, your only choice is to take a taxi. Fares start from 24 MYR ($6.10) for the 40-minute taxi ride.
Penang to Langkawi by Train via Kuala Kedah
You can get from Penang to Langkawi via Kuala Kedah, a mainland town about 60 km northeast of Langkawi. This route involves taking a ferry from Penang, then a train or bus to Kuala Kedah, followed by another ferry to Langkawi.
Step 1: Penang to Butterworth by Ferry
Ferries from Penang Island depart from Weld Quay and arrive at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal in Butterworth. The ride takes between 20 - 30 minutes, with tickets costing 2 MYR ($0.50). Ferries run twice an hour from 007:00 to 23:30.
From the ferry terminal, a walkway connects you to both Penang Sentral, where buses arrive, and Butterworth Railway Station, where trains stop.
If you’re heading to Alor Setar or beyond, you can continue your journey by train or bus from here.
Step 2: Butterworth to Alor Setar by Train
From Butterworth, you can take a northbound train to Alor Setar. There are trains available daily from 05:20 to 21:35. You can buy your ticket at the train station for 11 MYR ($2.80).
If you are a solo female traveller, you may want to take the Ladies Coach. This is identified through special stickers on doors and windows.
Alternative option: Butterworth to Alor Setar by Bus
Another option is to take a bus from Butterworth to Alor Setar. Bus fares are more expensive than train tickets, and the journey takes longer at around 1h 30m - 2h 30m. Trains offer a much more comfortable ride.
The advantage of taking the bus is that you can reserve your seat in advance, whereas train seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step 3: Alor Setar to Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal by Bus
From Alor Setar Station, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the nearest bus stop. From there, you can catch a local bus to Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal.
The bus ride takes about 20 - 30 minutes and costs 2 MYR ($0.50), but keep in mind that buses run only every two hours.
If you prefer a faster option, a taxi ride to the ferry terminal takes around 20 minutes, with fares starting at 20 MYR ($5.10).
Step 4: Kuala Kedah to Langkawi by Ferry
Several ferries run daily between Kuala Kedah Jetty and Langkawi.
Departure times vary, with the earliest ferry leaving at 07:00 on some days. There are usually around five departures until the afternoon or early evening.
Tickets cost 45 MYR ($11.50) for non-Malaysian travellers, and the journey takes about 1h 45m.
You can check the full schedule on the Langkawi Ferry Line website. Since tickets sell out quickly, it’s best to book online through Cuti Cuti Langkawi.
Ferry Arrival in Langkawi
Ferries arrive at Kuah Jetty, the island’s main terminal, about 20 km east of Pantai Cenang. From there, a taxi to your hotel takes around 40 minutes, with fares starting at 24 MYR ($6.10).
Penang to Langkawi by Flight
Flying from Penang to Langkawi is the fastest way to travel, even with airport transfers. Plus, it’s affordable, so we highly recommend it.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: George Town to Penang Airport
Penang Airport is located 18 km south of George Town. The fastest way to reach it is by a 30-minute taxi with rates from 40 MYR ($10.20) - 60 MYR ($15.30).
You can also take the bus, but it takes around an hour to reach the airport since it makes multiple stops. Rapid Penang buses 401, 401E, and 102 run from George Town to Penang Airport. These air-conditioned buses are a a lot cheaper, costing just 2 MYR ($0.50) to 4 MYR ($1).
Step 2: Penang to Langkawi by Flight
Air Asia normally offers the cheapest flights from Penang to Langkawi, with airfares starting from 78 MYR ($19.90) and the flight taking around 40 minutes.
Other carriers operating this route are Firefly and Malaysia Airlines, but they’re more expensive than Air Asia.
Langkawi Airport to Langkawi City Centre
From Langkawi Airport, you can take a taxi to reach the main tourist hub of Pantai Cenang. This is located 8 km south, and you can expect to pay around 30 MYR ($7.70) for the 15-minute journey.
If you prefer to have your ride ready and waiting when you arrive at the airport, you can also pre-book one through Klook. They offer 4-seater sedans up t0 18-seater vans with rates starting from 50 MYR ($12.80). The link below takes you straight to what you need; all you have to do is book!
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Penang to Langkawi. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Penang to Langkawi
What is the distance from Penang to Langkawi?
The distance from Penang to Langkawi is 110 kilometre (68 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Penang to Langkawi?
The fastest way to get from Penang to Langkawi is by flight and takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Penang to Langkawi?
The cheapest way to get from Penang to Langkawi is by bus via Kuala Perlis with ticket costs starting from 52 MYR ($13.20).
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 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.
