Singapore to Penang in 2.5-18.5 hours (2026)

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 (159 MYR).

TransportDurationPrice

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

18h$39 (159 MYR)

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 (159 MYR).

17h57mStarMart SGExpress 27Golden Mile TowerButterworth18:0022:15From $39159 MYRTickets

Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.

Step 2: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry

10 – 20m$3.90 (16 MYR)

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).

Other departure stations

9h 50m - 18h$39 (159 MYR)

17h43mStarMart SGExpress 27Golden Mile TowerBukit Tengah22:15$39159 MYRTickets

17h57mStarMart SGExpress 27Golden Mile TowerSungai Nibong22:15$39159 MYRTickets

17h31mStarMart SGExpress 27Boon LayButterworth18:45$43175 MYRTickets

9h48mSuper Nice ExpressExpressBoon LayBukit Mertajam21:15$54221 MYRTickets

9h50mSuper Nice ExpressExpressBoon LayButterworth21:00$54221 MYRTickets

Show all 10 companies

9h55mSuper Nice ExpressExpressBoon LayJuru21:00$54221 MYRTickets

17h51mKKKL Express SGVIP 24 SeatsKovan Hub Bus TerminalButterworth21:30$55223 MYRTickets

18h2mKKKL Express SGVIP 24 SeatsKatong V MallButterworth22:00$55223 MYRTickets

17h52mKKKL Express SGVIP 24 SeatsKovan Hub Bus TerminalSungai Nibong21:30$59241 MYRTickets

18h2mKKKL Express SGVIP 24 SeatsKatong V MallSungai Nibong22:00$59241 MYRTickets

Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.

Butterworth

The flight from Singapore to Penang takes only a little over an hour, but note that both airports are not located in the city centre. Transfers between the airports and city centres take 30 minutes for each city.

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

30m$7 (9 SGD)

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 (9 SGD), a taxi for $20 (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.

Check City Shuttle Tickets with Klook

Step 2: Singapore to Penang by Flight

1h 20m$55 (70 SGD)

Air Asia often offers the cheapest flights from Singapore to Penang. Airfares start from $55 (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.

Check Flights with Skyscanner

Step 3: Penang Airport to George Town by Taxi or Bus

30m$7.30 (30 MYR)

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 $7.30 (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.

George Town

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 (159 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 159 MYR.

About the Authors

Ela

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.

KateReviewer

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.

How to Get From Singapore to Penang

Distance from Singapore to Penang