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Getting from Penang Airport to Butterworth

Butterworth is a bustling town situated on the mainland of Penang, Malaysia, just across from the island’s capital, Georgetown. Butterworth is an important transportation hub, well-connected by road, rail, and ferry services, making it a gateway to other destinations in northern Malaysia. The city invites you to explore vibrant markets, a diverse culinary scene, and a mix of modern developments and traditional houses.

There are two main ways to get from Penang Airport to Butterworth: taxi and ferry. The taxi costs around €11-14 (MYR 60-80) and takes around 30 minutes. Taking the ferry is less convenient, but cheaper; you have to take the bus to Georgetown for around €0.50 (MYR 2.50) and once there, take the ferry to the mainland for around €0.20 (MYR 1). This scenic route takes between 2 and 3 hours, so make sure you have the time!

For ultimate convenience and the quickest transport possible, you can book a private shuttle and have someone waiting for you directly at the Arrival gate. Let your holiday in Penang be a stress-free experience!

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Penang at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €35 40min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €12 40min 24/7
Ferry €1.2 120min 06:00–23:00

How to get from Penang Airport to Butterworth by taxi

The most convenient way to reach Butterworth from Penang Airport is by taxi. The ride is affordable and will take approximately 25 minutes in light traffic. Be sure to take advantage of the airport’s voucher system that lets you buy taxi vouchers to exchange for your ride. This option is great if you want to avoid haggling and negotiating a price.

How much is a taxi from Penang Airport to Butterworth?

When taking your taxi, the price will vary depending on the time (nights are more expensive), zones, and distance. The average cost of rides purchased at the vending booths is €11-14 (MYR 60-80).

Another option is to have your private transfer pre-booked with Welcome Pickups. Arrive stress-free at your destination and avoid surcharges!

Cost

€12

Trip Duration

25 Min.

*Prices will vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Taxis run from Penang Airport (PEN) 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

The taxis are located just outside the Arrivals Terminal. If you pre-book a taxi or wait in line to purchase a voucher at the booth inside the Arrivals Hall, you can head outside to find your driver. Some drivers will approach travellers directly and offer a ride, however, this is likely to be more expensive and accepting a ride from an individual rather than a company is not advised.

Convenience

Taxis run 24/7 so they might be just what you need after a long flight. Plus, they are the quickest option to reach Butterworth from Penang Airport.

Editor’s Note

This route traverses the Penang Bridge, an architectonic must-see, so be sure to pay attention to the road on your travel.

Useful Tips

You can go directly to the taxi ranks without purchasing a voucher at the counter, but you’ll have to negotiate the price directly with the driver and risk being overcharged.
Bear in mind that if you don’t use the coupon system or pre-book securely online, most taxis don’t accept card payments.
While most locals can communicate in English, it can be helpful to have the address or location of your destination on hand just in case.

How to get from Penang Airport to Butterworth by ferry

This route is the most affordable, but it does include a transfer. Take either bus 401 or 401E to reach the bus stop Jetty A in Georgetown and from there, take the ferry to Penang Sentral. The whole trip should take between 2 hours and 3 hours, depending on waiting times, so keep it in mind if you have a tight schedule. 

How much is the Penang Airport to Butterworth ferry?

The fare for the bus from Penang Airport to Georgetown is typically €0.40 (MYR 2.7) and takes approximately 40-50 minutes to reach its destination. From there, you can catch the ferry to Penang Sentral (Butterworth) for about €0.20 (MYR 2) which takes around 20-30 minutes.

Cost

€0.60

Trip Duration

2 Hr.

Buses run every 30-60 minutes from the Airport. Ferries run every 60 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Buses run between 06:00 and 19:00 and ferries from 06:00 to 23:00.

Where do I get the ferry from?

The buses are located in the bus lanes just outside the Arrivals Terminal, and once you are in Georgetown at the Jetty A bus stop, you can follow signs to reach the ferry.

Convenience

While the ride is quite cheap and a ferry ride may sound idyllic, it is also quite inconvenient. With multiple modes of transport comes multiple ticket purchases, multiple wait times, and multiple instances of lugging your baggage around. Also, keep in mind the need to arrange another mode of transportation to reach your desired destination once you arrive in Butterworth.

Editor’s Note

If you have the time and not that many bags, taking the ferry could be a nice start of your trip, letting you enjoy the passage and the views from the top deck.

Useful Tips

Take into account that the ferries are subject to weather conditions, and they could be cancelled if the weather doesn’t allow safe travel.
Online schedules are not the most reliable source of information, so make sure to double-check the timetables when you arrive at the airport.
Another option is to take a taxi from Penang Airport to the ferry dock Jetty A, which would be around €5 (MYR 30).
Children under 12 can take the ferry for just €1.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Penang. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€35.0
NIGHTTIME
€42.0
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Penang Airport to Butterworth?

From Penang Airport, you can get to Butterworth by taxi or by a combined bus and ferry ride. The taxi ride takes around 30 minutes and costs about €11-14 (MYR 60-80). Although less convenient, taking the boat is less expensive. To get to the ferry dock in Georgetown, you must take the bus 401 or 401E, which costs around €0.40 (MYR 2.70). From the bus stop of Jetty A, you may take the ferry to the mainland for about €0.20 (MYR 1). Another option is to book your private transfer in advance. That way, you can just pick up your bags and enjoy the most comfortable, direct route!

What's the cost of a taxi from Penang Airport to Butterworth?

The cost of a taxi from Penang Airport to Butterworth is about €11-14 (MYR 60-80). You can purchase a voucher for the taxi ride at the booths in the airport, saving you the hassle of negotiating and haggling with the taxi drivers.

How far is Butterworth from Penang Airport?

Penang Airport is about 26 km from Butterworth, which is located on the mainland, and about a 30-minute car ride. 

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