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!

There are 3 ways to travel the 110 kilometers (68 miles) 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 57 MYR ($13.20).

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.

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) or bus (Line 101) for 1.40 MYR ($0.30).

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.

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 21 MYR ($4.90). You can buy your ticket at the terminal or online via BookAway. Below are their schedules:

Penang Sentral

Executive

Kuala Perlis

00:10

3h 26m

03:36

12:00

3h 26m

15:26

19:45

3h 26m

23:11

22:35

3h 26m

02:01

Kesatuan Express

From 21 MYR ($4.90)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

21 MYR ($4.90)

19:45

3h 26m

23:11

22:35

3h 26m

02:01

Check on BookAway

• 24/7 customer support

23 MYR ($5.40)

00:10

3h 26m

03:36

12:00

3h 26m

15:26

Check on BookAway

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 ($8.10) 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 ($5.60) for the 40-minute taxi ride.

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.

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.

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 ($2.60).

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.

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.

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 ($4.70).

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 ($10.50) 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 ($5.60).

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.

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 ($9.30) - 60 MYR ($14).

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 ($0.90).

Air Asia normally offers the cheapest flights from Penang to Langkawi, with airfares starting from 78 MYR ($18.10) 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.

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) 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 ($11.60). The link below takes you straight to what you need; all you have to do is book!