Penang Ferry
Penang Butterworth Ferry

If your travelling overland to Penang, then you will probably use the Penang ferry which runs between Butterworth on mainland Malaysia, to Georgetown on Penang Island.

If you have arrived at this page looking for a ferry to Langkawi or Medan, please visit the following pages :
Penang to Langkawi Ferry
Penang to Medan Ferry

Location Butterworth side:

The ferry entrance is right next to Butterworth train and bus stations.

If you are arriving by train, keep to your left after leaving the platform and follow the covered walkway up a slope. It will only take you a minute or two!

The bus terminal is even closer to the ferry. Just look for the stairway up.

If you have just arrived on the train from Thailand you will need your first Malaysian money here. There is a money-changer at Butterworth train station (not the best rates!) or you can change some money while at the border station of Padang Besar.

Location Penang side:

Weld Quay otherwise known just as jetty.

From here you can catch a bus to anywhere on the island as the RapidPenang bus terminal is on your right as you exit the ferry area. If you need any help about which bus to catch, just ask at the bus terminal information office. You can also catch the "Free Cat" Penang bus here which takes you around the old part of Georgetown past many of the George Town Hotels and onto KOMTAR. There is usually one sitting waiting to go just in front of the bus terminal on the main road.

There are many Taxi drivers here also if you require one. For more information and sample taxi fares, please visit our Penang Taxi Page

Or you can walk the short distance into town and the many hotels and guesthouses in the Chulia Street area.

Chulia street starts a minutes walk away from the exit of the ferry terminal on your left. Just walk along here for five minutes, past the Kapitan Keling Mosque. After the mosque is where you will find most of the accommodation.

Recommended Budget Accommodation in George Town

How much is the Penang Butterworth ferry?

You only have to pay for the ferry to Penang.
There is no charge for the return journey back to Butterworth.

Pedestrian

Adult : RM1.20
Children (between 5-12 years old) : RM0.60

Vehicles

Bicycle: : RM1.40
Motorcycle : RM2.00
Car : RM7.70

Penang Ferry Operating Hours

The first ferry departure from Butterworth is at 6 am.
The last is at 00.30 am.

The first ferry departure from Penang Island is at 5.30 am.
The last is at 1 am.

The Penang ferry runs roughly ever 15 - 20 minutes (You never have to wait too long) and takes about the same amount of time to cover the 3km distance.