Flight
Direct, fastest, best overall choice for long distance
Bus
Cheapest option, overnight possible, long but simple journey
Train + ferry
Scenic route, but multiple transfers and longer travel time
Direct routes
No direct land route, always requires transfers or ferry
Quick answer: The main ways to travel from Singapore to Penang are by direct flight, tourist bus, train + shuttle, or private car. Flights are the fastest and most convenient for most travelers, while buses and trains offer a scenic journey across Malaysia. A private car provides the most flexibility and comfort, ideal for families or small groups. All options can be booked easily online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Travel distance: ≈ 750 km by road | ~650 km by air
- ⏱️ Travel time: Bus 8–10 h | Train + shuttle 12–13 h | Flight 1–1.5 h | Taxi ~8 h
- 💰 Price range: Bus US$30–55 | Train + shuttle US$40+ | Flight US$50–150 | Taxi US$480–800
- 🚍 Bus: Budget-friendly and direct overland option
- 🚆 Train + shuttle: Scenic and comfortable, but slower
- ✈️ Flight: Fastest and most convenient choice
- 🚕 Private car: Flexible and comfortable, perfect for private travel
Last updated in April 2026
From Singapore to Penang you can travel by bus, train or plane.
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- Travel distance from Singapore to Penang is about 750 km by land or about 650 km by plane. There are 4 options how you can get to Penang from Singapore: travel by plane (direct flights), travel by tourist bus, travel by shuttle + KTM train via Johor Bahru and Gemas or transfer by private car. The best and fastest option how to reach Penang is to take a direct flight from Singapore – Changi Airport. Travel by plane from Singapore to Penang takes about 1-1.5 hour and it costs about $50-150/pp. Penang Airport is about km from Georgetown and it is accessible by local public bus or private taxi. Another popular and cheap way of transfer from Singapore to Penang is to travel by tourist bus. Transfer by tourist bus from Singapore to Penang takes about 8-10 hours and it costs about $30-55/pp.
- You can also travel by train, but the is no direct railway to Penang / Georgetown from Singapore. Travel by train from Singapore to Penang has 3 steps – shuttle train from Woodlands to Johor Bahru, KTM Berthad train from Johor Bahru to Gemas and KTM Berhad train from Gemas to Butterworth in Penang. Butterworth is the closest railway station to Penang / Geogetown. From Butterworth to Penang you can travel by ferry or tourist bus / taxi. Transport by shuttle train + KTM train from Singapore to Penang takes about 12-13 hours and it costs about $40+/pp. From Penang you can travel by ferry or plane to Langkawi – the most visited island in Malaysia.
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- Penang is a popular tourist area in the north of Malaysia. It attracts many tourist every year, there are various historical places, nice beaches and a large number of accommodation facilities. Penang has an airport, so it is easily accessible island, but there is no railway station. The closest railway station is in Butterworth. It is characterized above all by its cultural heritage, which mixes elements of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and former European colonial culture. Read the instructions how you can reach Penang from Singapore below in this article. You can search and book tickets and flights to Penang online. From Penang you can also travel to Kuala Lumpur and before you arrive to Kuala Lumpur, you can also visit Ipoh – Perak.
| Transfer Mode – Singapore to Penang | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Bus | 8–10 hours | $30–55 per person |
| Train | 12–13 hours | $40+ per person |
| Direct Flight | 1–1.5 hours | $50–150 per person |
| Private Taxi/Car with a driver | 8 hours | $480–800 per car |
How to get from Singapore to Penang?
1. BUS from Singapore to Penang
👉 Bus is the most economical way to travel from Singapore to Penang.
- ✔️ Ideal for: budget travelers and long-distance overland journeys
- ✔️ Travel time: approx. 10–18 hours
- ✔️ Cost: about $30–55 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate to good (air-conditioned coaches, some with reclining seats)
- ✅ Best option: Companies like KKKL Express, Super Nice Express or StarMart Express
- 💡 Tip: Expect border crossing at Johor Bahru and multiple stops along the way; book tickets online in advance to secure your seat.
A cheaper transfer option used from Singapore to Penang is a bus transfer. All buses operating on this route go through Woodlands – Johor Bahru, which is the border crossing into Malaysia, and then continue to the far north to Penang or Butterworth. The bus transfer from Singapore to Penang takes between 10-18 hours, each company may have a different travel time and also a slightly different travel route.
The buses also make other stops along the way before arriving in Penang. On this route from Singapore to Penang, you can use buses from companies such as Super Nice Express, KKKL Express, New Asian Travel, Sri Maju Group, StarMart Express, Seasons Express. Buses can depart from various locations in Singapore such as Golden Mile Tower, Boon Lay, Kovan Hub Bus Terminal and others and also arrive at various stops or stations in Penang.
It comes to places such as Butterworth, Sungai Nibong, Bukit Mertajam, Penang Komtar, Bukit Tengah and others. A bus transfer from Singapore to Penang costs between $30-55/pp, prices vary by company, so this is the cheapest option for transportation between these places. You can easily search and buy your bus tickets from Singapore to Penang / Butterworth in Malaysia easily online in advance.
Also read all transfer information and instructions when booking and follow the instructions of the transport company. A bus transfer to Penang or Butterworth from Singapore is mainly sought after by solo low-cost travelers who have a more limited budget for their travel in Malaysia.
2. TRAIN from Singapore to Penang
👉 Train + ferry via Johor Bahru is a complex but scenic alternative from Singapore to Penang.
- ✔️ Ideal for: rail enthusiasts and travelers seeking a multi-step journey
- ✔️ Travel time: approx. 15–17 hours
- ✔️ Cost: from $40+ per person
- ✔️ Comfort: good (modern trains, plus short ferry ride)
- ✅ Best option: KTM Berhad trains Johor Bahru → Gemas → Butterworth + ferry to Penang
- 💡 Tip: Plan all connections carefully, book tickets online in advance, and allow time for transfers and border crossing.
If you would like to travel by train to Penang from Singapore, this option is also possible, but the train can only depart from the city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Johor Bahru is a border city, a short distance from the Woodlands border crossing, and you can get here by e.g. subway, bus or private transfer.
This option has up to 5 steps in total, first it is a transfer to Woodlands, then a transfer from Woodlands to Johor Bahru, then a train journey from Johor Bahru to Gemas and then another train journey from Gemas to Butterworth. From Butterworth you then have to take the ferry to Penang.
This transport option therefore takes longer than a bus transfer, because you will travel with several transfers and this can mean a longer delay. Trains in Malaysia also tend to have more limited timetables, so it is advisable to do some research in advance about the connections and then consider this option.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS on Baolau ➜
The total travel time by train from Singapore via Johor Bahru to Penang can take up to 15-17 hours, depending on transfers and waiting for other connections. A combined train and boat transfer from Singapore to Penang via Johor Bahru, Gemas and Butterworth costs in the range of $40+/pp.
Trains depart from Johor Bahru Sentral and then go to Gemas Railway Station and from there you need to take another train from Gemas to Butterworth Railway Station, see Malaysia Railway Map. Tickets for individual train transfers can be easily searched for and purchased online and in advance as e-tickets. Train transfer is more of an alternative option, it takes more time than traveling by bus, but the trains in Malaysia are comfortable and the tickets are also cheap.
3. FLIGHT from Singapore to Penang
👉 Direct flight is the fastest and most comfortable way from Singapore to Penang.
- ✔️ Ideal for: travelers who want to save time and travel comfortably
- ✔️ Travel time: approx. 1–1.5 hours (up to 5 hours total including airport procedures)
- ✔️ Cost: about $50–150 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (short flight with multiple airline options)
- ✅ Best option: Airlines like AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar Asia or Malaysia Airlines
- 💡 Tip: Book flights online in advance and include transfers to/from airports when planning your journey.
Undoubtedly, the fastest, most comfortable, but at the same time more expensive transport option from Singapore to Penang is a direct air connection. If you use an air transfer to Penang, you can save several hours of time compared to land transport options. Flights are operated from Changi Airport in Singapore to Penang International Airport.
Changi Airport is about 10 km from the city center of Singapore and you can get here by sky rail, bus or private transfer. Penang International Airport is located approximately 20 km south of Georgetown, which is the capital and base for most tourists. You can then take a public bus or a private transfer from Penang Airport to Georgetown.
The direct flight from Singapore to Penang takes about 1-1.5 hours, but it is also advisable to include the time for the transfer to the airport and the waiting time before departure. In total, the air transfer can take up to 5 hours. Airlines such as JetStar Asia, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly and Silk Air offer direct flights from Singapore to Penang.
The cheapest direct flights to Penang are usually offered by AirAsia. Air transfer from Singapore to Penang costs between $50-150/pp and you can easily search and book tickets online in advance. Air transfer is the best transport option to Penang from Singapore in terms of speed and comfort.
| Airline | Departs in Singapore | Arrival in Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Jetstar Asia | 07:25 | 08:55 |
| Scoot | 09:00 | 10:20 |
| Scoot | 14:25 | 15:55 |
| Scoot | 19:45 | 21:20 |
| Air Asia | 13:50 | 15:10 |
| Air Asia | 17:35 | 19:00 |
| Air Asia | 21:40 | 23:05 |
| Singapore Airlines | 08:00 | 09:25 |
| Singapore Airlines | 09:45 | 11:10 |
| Singapore Airlines | 13:00 | 14:25 |
| Singapore Airlines | 19:00 | 20:25 |
| Malaysia Airlines | 12:40 | 14:15 |
| Malaysia Airlines | 21:15 | 22:50 |
| Firefly | 12:40 | 14:15 |
4. TAXI / CAR from Singapore to Penang
👉 Private car with driver is the most flexible and comfortable ground transfer from Singapore to Penang.
- ✔️ Ideal for: groups, families, and travelers with higher budgets
- ✔️ Travel time: approx. 8 hours
- ✔️ Cost: about $480–800 per vehicle
- ✔️ Comfort: very high (private cars or spacious minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfers with companies like Daytrip
- 💡 Tip: Split the total cost among passengers and choose flexible pickup and drop-off locations for maximum convenience.
A private car/taxi with a driver is also an option for ground transfer from Singapore to Penang. This transport option is one of the most expensive, but for some travelers it can be an interesting diversion when traveling in Malaysia. Due to the higher price of this transport, this option is not suitable for ordinary solo low-cost travelers.
Private transfer with modern cars and drivers will be offered on this route by Daytrip. This company will offer you classic smaller cars or even minivans for several people traveling in one group at the same time. A private car/taxi transfer from Singapore to Penang may take approximately 8 hours, but it depends on your travel route, so this time may vary slightly.
You can choose your departure point in Singapore and your arrival point in Penang. A private car/taxi transfer from Singapore to Penang costs around $480-800/car, usually smaller cars are a cheaper option than larger multi-passenger minivans. You can calculate the transfer fare per person, minivans are for example for 4 or 7 passengers.
You can search and book a private car / taxi to Penang from Singapore online in advance. When booking your car, always read all conditions and transfer instructions and follow the instructions of the transport companies. Transport by private car is a suitable option mainly for travelers who have a bigger budget for their travel in Malaysia.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel from Singapore to Penang:
1. How to book tickets + flights from Singapore to Penang?
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- Book your tickets + flights from Singapore to Penang online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also book another tickets, e.g. Singapore to Malacca, Malacca to Penang…
2. What is the travel time from Singapore to Penang?
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- Transfer by tourist bus from Singapore to Penang takes about 8-10 hours.
- Transfer by shuttle train + KTM train from Singapore to Penang takes about 12-13 hours.
- Transfer by plane (direct flight) from Singapore to Penang takes about 1-1.5 hour.
- Transfer by private taxi/car from Singapore to Penang takes about 8 hours.
3. What is the price of transfer from Singapore to Penang?
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- Travel by tourist bus from Singapore to Penang costs about $30-55/pp.
- Travel by shuttle train + KTM train from Singapore to Penang costs about $40+/pp
- Travel by plane (direct flight) from Singapore to Penang costs about $40-150/pp.
- Travel by private taxi/car with a driver from Singapore to Penang costs about $480-800/car.
4. What is the travel distance from Singapore to Penang?
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- Travel distance from Singapore to Penang in Malaysia is about 750 km by train/bus or about 650 km by plane.
5. What is the best way of transfer from Singapore to Penang?
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- The best way how to get from Singapore to Penang is to take a direct flight. If you take a direct flight, you will save a lot of travel time. There are flights to Penang International Airport of various cheap, low-cost airlines.
6. What is the most cheapest way of transfer from Singapore to Penang?
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- The most cheapest way of transfer to Penang from Singapore is to travel by tourist bus. The most cheapest bus tickets to Penang from Singapore cost about $30/pp. It is a cheap, but not so comfotable option of transport.
7. Is it possible to travel by train from Singapore to Penang?
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- Yes, it is possible to travel by shuttle + KTM train from Woodlands to Butterworth via Johor Bahru and Gemas in Malaysia. There is no direct railway to Penang from Singapore, so you have to take a shuttle train from Woodlands to Johor Bahru, from Johor Bahru to Gemas by KTM train and from Gemas to Butterworth by another KTM train to Butterwortth. From Butterworth you can take a ferry to Georgetown in Penang.
8. Where you can also go from Penang?
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- If you are already in Penang and Georgetown you should definitely to go to Langkawi. It is one of the most popular islands in Malaysia, ideal for beach relax, it is accessible by ferry or plane. From Penang you can also go to Kota Bharu or Kuala Terengganu, in the east of Malaysia.
9. Where you can stay in Penang?
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- Penang has a wide range of modern accommodation facilities mainly in Georgetown or nearby. There are cheap hotels , low-cost hostels for backpackers and some luxury hotels and resorts in Penang.
10. How to travel in Malaysia?
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- In Malaysia you can use tourist buses, KTM trains, domestic flights, private taxi and there are also various ferries and boats to the nearby islands like Langkawi, Tioman, Perhentian… The most popular and also low-cost option is to travel by tourist bus. Read this article: Transportation in Malaysia.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Singapore to Penang
The route from Singapore up to Penang spans a long distance across the Malay Peninsula and often combines border procedures, highways or air travel. Small planning details can significantly affect how smooth and efficient the journey feels.
1. Factor in Border Crossing Delays
If traveling overland, border crossings between Singapore and Malaysia can be unpredictable. Early morning departures usually face shorter queues, while weekends, holidays and evenings can add substantial waiting time. Keep water and snacks accessible in case of delays.
2. Keep Documents Easily Reachable
Immigration checks may require you to show your passport multiple times. Having it easily accessible speeds up the process and avoids stress during border inspections, especially on buses where everyone disembarks together.
3. Expect Long Travel Hours Overland
Overland journeys can exceed 10 hours depending on traffic and stops. Wearing comfortable clothing, bringing a neck pillow and downloading offline entertainment helps make the long ride more manageable.
4. Plan Rest Stops Strategically
Long-distance routes typically include highway rest areas where you can stretch, eat and use clean facilities. Use these breaks wisely to stay refreshed and avoid stiffness by the time you reach Penang.
5. Be Mindful of Arrival Timing in Penang
Arriving late at night may limit public transport options into George Town or other parts of the island. Knowing taxi or ride-hailing availability at your arrival point ensures a smooth final transfer.
6. Prepare for Climate Differences
Penang is generally warmer and more humid than air-conditioned vehicles or terminals. Light clothing and quick access to drinking water help you adapt comfortably upon arrival.
Tip: Tickets and flights from Singapore to Penang can be searched and booked online in advance, helping you secure preferred departure times and avoid last-minute availability issues during busy travel periods.