There are two ways to travel overland from Melaka (also known as Malacca) to Penang. You can take a direct bus from Melaka to Penang, or you can take a bus to Kuala Lumpur and then a train to Penang. It’s cheaper and quicker simply to take a direct bus from Melaka to Penang.
Travel Times from Melaka to Penang
There are two bus companies operating services on the Melaka to Penang route which you can book online.
| Melaka | Penang | Cost | Company |
| 09:00 | 14:45 | 48.00 MYR | Transnasional MY |
| 10:00 | 17:05 | 56.00 MYR | Sri Maju Group |
| 20:30 | 02:15 | 48.00 MYR | Transnasional MY |
| 21:00 | 02:45 | 48.00 MYR | Transnasional MY |
- Transnasional MY: Passengers travel on a ‘Business’ bus which is fast bus with only 30 seats.
- Sri Maju Group: Passengers travel on a ‘VIP24’ bus service which has reclining seats, TV and a snack included in the ticket price.
Buy Tickets from Melaka to Penang
Use the Search Box below to buy your bus tickets from the Melaka to Penang.
Melaka Bus Station
Bus services from Melaka to Penang depart from Melaka Sentral Bus Station.
Penang Bus Station
Bus services from Melaka to Penang terminate at Penang Sentral Bus Station which is on the mainland near Penang Island.
Travel to Penang Island
There are two ways to travel from Butterworth to Penang Island: by taxi over either of two bridges, or by the car ferry. Travel by taxi is a lot more expensive than travel by ferry, but it is quicker and the best option if you have difficulties carrying you bags or young children long distances. Taxis at Butterworth’s bus or train station do not use meters so you need to agree a price before you depart. The journey by taxi from Butterworth to Georgetown should cost around 30 MYR and 44 MYR to Batu Feringghi.
Car ferry to Penang IslandFerry services to Penang depart from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth. Penang Sentral Bus Station is connected by a walkway to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. Ferry services to Penang depart every 20 to 30 minutes from 05:40 until 00:45 every day of the year. The journey takes 20 minutes and costs 1.2 MYR per adult, and 0.6 MYR for a child fare, which you pay at a ticket counter as you walk towards the ferry. The ferry from Butterworth arrives in Penang Island in Georgetown at Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal. This ferry terminal is walking distance from the historic old town of Georgetown. For destinations further away in Penang you can probably get a bus that will take you there, or a lot closer, at the bus station located in front of the exit from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal.