Penang Bangkok Train
(Kereta Api Bangkok Pulau Pinang)
The daily overnight Penang Bangkok Train is now no longer travelling all the way to Butterworth as only the new electric trains are allowed to travel on the new Malaysia electrified railway tracks.
So now the old diesel International Express Train (Ekspres Antarabangsa) stops at the border station of Padang Besar, just inside Malaysia and has also got some new train numbers and new carriages.
Train number 35 is now train number 45.
To see the timetable and fares for train 45 from Bangkok to Padang Besar click here >
Train number 36 is now train number 46.
To see the timetable and fares for train 46 from Pdg. Besar to Bangkok click here >
These services are operated by SRT (State Railway of Thailand) and not KTMB (Malaysian Railways).
The sector between Padang Besar and Butterworth, Penang is now travelled by regular and cheap KTM Komuter trains (commuter).
To see the Komuter schedule in either direction click here >
This SRT train is an all 2nd class air-conditioned train, where you will have to purchase a sleeper bed, either lower bed or upper bed.
The lower beds are the best by far and are much wider than the upper beds.
This
means they are the first to sell out, so it's best to book at least a
few days in advance, better still at least a week before, especially if
you are travelling from Thailand, as the Thai's book all the good
beds to travel down to Hat Yai.
Try to get a bed in the middle of the train as you don't want to be right next to the automatic doors (at either end of the carriage) which will mean you won't get much sleep.
Seats / beds numbers 37 - 40 are right by the door to the exit and 1 - 4 are at the toilet end.
Sleeping Berth on the Penang to Bangkok train
Sleeping carriage on the Penang Bangkok TrainBuy Tickets
Beli Tiket
Tickets for the train from PB to Bangkok are now only available from Padang Besar station and not sold from the KTM Office in George Town or Butterworth Railway Station.
If you do want to make an advance booking you can now book online.
To make a booking for this Padang Besar - Bangkok train click here >
Trains arrive at Bangkok Train Station - Hua LamphongOther Trains between Penang and Bangkok
Keretapi lain antara Pulau Pinang dan Bangkok
Another option for travel from Penang to Bangkok is to take a Komuter to Padang Besar, then a Shuttle train from PB to Hat Yai.
To see the Shuttle timetable click here >
From Hat Yai, you can catch a number of trains heading north to Bangkok.
Click here for the Hat Yai to Bangkok train timetable >
In the other direction travelling from Bangkok to Penang, you could take a number of trains to Hat Yai, then take a Shuttle train to the border, then the commuter to Penang.
Tickets Prices / Fares on the Penang to Bangkok Train
Tambang / Harga Tiket di Kereta Api Pulau Pinang ke Bangkok
The sector between Bangkok and Padang Besar costs:
960 Baht for a Lower berth.
870 Baht for the smaller Upper berth.
The sector between Padang Besar and Butterworth costs:
11.40 Malaysian Ringgit - (bring some Ringgit with you if coming from Thailand as KTM will not accept Thai Baht).
Padang Besar Train Station
Stesen Keretapi Padang Besar
At the border station in Padang Besar, you will have to go through passport control.
There is a money changer on the platform (now closed).
There is a cafe upstairs which is a good place for breakfast if you are coming from Thailand.
If you are offered to change money on the train (usually in Hat Yai coming from Thailand) don't do it.
You will often lose over 10 % on the exchange.
Usually, a man goes around with the daily paper to show you the official exchange rate, which he gives you - great!
Trouble is, the exchange rate for Malaysian Ringgit by Thai banks is dreadful.
Bring a few Ringgit with you, you will need it to buy the KTM Komuter ticket.
Butterworth Train Station (Penang Central)
Stesen Keretapi Butterworth (Penang Sentral)
The old Butterworth train station has been demolished and replaced with a new one.
Visit our Butterworth Railway Station page for more information.
Bangkok Train Station
Stesen Keretapi Bangkok
If you are going to Bangkok, click here information about Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway station and how to travel from there to popular areas of the city.
Food:
Food is available on the train for dinner and breakfast as well as soft drinks and beer (sorry beer is no longer on the menu!). One of the stewards will come around with a menu. The food has improved over the years and there is now a larger choice on the menu, including a vegetarian dish.
At Hat Yai, you will find lots of Thai ladies getting on the train selling fried chicken and sticky rice as well as fruit, or you can head down to the dining car which is added in Hat (Haad) Yai.
Don't forget to change your watches - Thailand is one hour behind Malaysian time.
Bangkok to Langkawi by Train
Bangkok ke Langkawi dengan Keretapi
If you are heading to the island of Langkawi you can disembark the Komuter train in Arau for the ferry from Kuala Perlis or Alor Setar for the ferry from Kuala Kedah.
Recommended Budget Accommodation in George Town, Penang:
Arriving at Butterworth Train Station
If you are travelling over to Penang island you will have to catch the ferry over to the island into Georgetown.
The ferry terminal is just a few minutes walk away.
Keep to your left when
you exit the train station and follow the "Feri" signs to the new Penang Sentral terminal building where the entrance to the jetty is now located.
Boats leave every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and take around 15 minutes to arrive in Georgetown.
Once you are on the island, it is about 10 minutes walk to the budget hotel area around Chulia Street.
Alternatively, you can catch the free, "Freecat Bus" from the main road in front of the ferry terminal.
Get off at the Museum stop to be close to Love Lane and the budget hotel area.
If you are travelling out to the beaches and staying in Batu Ferringhi, catch bus 101 that leaves from the bus station on the left as you come out of the terminal.
If you are not staying in Penang, the Butterworth Penang Sentral Bus Terminal is also just a few minutes away.
From here you can catch a long-distance bus to just about anywhere in Peninsular Malaysia and all the way down to Singapore.
There are also many RapidPenang buses to get you to more local destinations.
Other Pages on our site that may be of interest to you if your travelling from Thailand to Penang.
Hostels and Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you are heading into Thailand on the Penang Bangkok train, you may need some accommodation.
Visit the following link where you will be able to find some great deals on a whole range of lodging, from budget hostels to luxury resorts.
Related Pages
Train from Butterworth to Hatyai
Related Pages:
How to travel from Penang to Bangkok >
How to travel from Bangkok to Penang >
How to travel from Bangkok to Hat Yai >
