Rapid Penang Bus 101
The main tourist bus — George Town to Batu Ferringhi beach
How does Bus 101 work?
Bus 101 runs from Weld Quay (Ferry Terminal) to Teluk Bahang via Komtar, Gurney Drive, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi. Fare: RM 2.00–RM 4.00, every Every 15–20 minutes. First bus 5:30 AM, last bus 11:00 PM. Pay cash or tap Touch 'n Go card on boarding.
Bus 101 is the most important bus for tourists in Penang. It runs along the entire northern coastal road, connecting George Town's Weld Quay ferry terminal all the way to Teluk Bahang. This is the bus that takes you to all the famous beaches: Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi (party beach), and Teluk Bahang (quiet end). The route hugs the coastline, passing through upmarket Gurney Drive and the beachside suburbs before reaching the resort hotels.
Route Details
Route
Weld Quay (Ferry Terminal) → Teluk Bahang
Via
Komtar, Gurney Drive, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi
Journey Time
~75 minutes (end to end)
Fare
RM 2.00 – RM 4.00
Frequency
Every 15–20 minutes
Hours
5:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Fare is distance-based. George Town to Batu Ferringhi is typically RM 3.40. Pay cash to driver or tap Touch 'n Go / Beep Card.
Tourist Highlights — Where to Get Off
These are the stops most useful for tourists. Click any stop in the full list below for more details.
Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld)
Start your heritage trail here — the Clan Jetties are a 2-minute walk away. Walk south along the waterfront to see the oldest Chinese settlements in Penang.
Lebuh Light
Fort Cornwallis — the largest standing fort in Malaysia — is right here. The Esplanade park, Penang Museum, and State Assembly Building are all within a 5-minute walk.
Gurney Drive
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is one of Penang's most famous outdoor food courts. Go at dinner (after 6pm) for the best atmosphere. Char koay teow, prawn mee, and cendol are must-tries.
Batu Ferringhi (Night Market)
This is where all the beach action is. The night market operates from about 6pm and sells batik, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Multiple hotels, beach bars, and water sports operators are here.
Teluk Bahang (Terminus)
For nature lovers, this is the gateway to Penang National Park. You can hike to Monkey Beach (1.5 hours) or take a water taxi. The Tropical Spice Garden is 10 minutes walk here too.
All 17 Stops — Bus 101
Search by stop name or nearby attraction. Tap any stop for details. Gold stars mark tourist highlight stops.
Showing all 17 stops
Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld)
Start of route — near Clan Jetties and ferry terminal
Lebuh Light (Light Street)
Fort Cornwallis and Esplanade — prime colonial heritage stop
Komtar
Main bus interchange — transfer point for all routes
Jalan Macalister
Pulau Tikus Market
Gurney Drive
Famous hawker centre and upscale malls — excellent for food
Gurney Plaza
Jalan Kelawei
Tanjung Tokong
Tanjung Bungah (Town Centre)
Tanjung Bungah Beach
First public beach stop — quieter than Batu Ferringhi, less crowded
Batu Ferringhi (Rasa Sayang)
Batu Ferringhi (Night Market)
Main Batu Ferringhi tourist strip — beach, night market, water sports
Batu Ferringhi (Hard Rock Hotel)
Batu Ferringhi (Bayview)
Teluk Bahang Roundabout
Gateway to Penang National Park and Monkey Beach — end of beach strip
Teluk Bahang (Terminus)
End of route — Penang National Park, Tropical Spice Garden, authentic fishing village
Bus 101 · 17 stops total · Tap a stop for details
Insider Tips for Bus 101
- Sit on the LEFT side of the bus for sea views as you head towards Batu Ferringhi
- The bus can be crowded on weekends — take an early morning bus (before 9 AM) for a comfortable seat
- This route runs 24 hours effectively — last bus is 11 PM, first is 5:30 AM
- Ask the driver to announce your stop if you're unsure — most drivers are helpful
- Use the Moovit app (free) for real-time bus tracking on this route
- Touch 'n Go card makes boarding faster — avoid fumbling for exact change
- Return buses from Teluk Bahang can be full — get on at the terminus for a guaranteed seat
- The bus stops at Batu Ferringhi Night Market area at multiple stops — any of them works
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taking Bus 101 to the airport — it does NOT go to Penang International Airport (take Bus 401E for that)
- Expecting AC throughout — older buses may not have functioning air conditioning
- Missing your stop at Batu Ferringhi — it's spread over several stops, get off at "Night Market" area
- Taking the bus during rush hour (5–7 PM) — extremely crowded heading back from beaches
- Not having small change for cash payment — have RM 2–5 ready before boarding
- Confusing Bus 101 with Bus 102 — they serve different inland routes to reach Batu Ferringhi
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Bus 101 cost from George Town to Batu Ferringhi?
Bus 101 costs approximately RM 3.40 from Komtar/George Town area to Batu Ferringhi. The fare is distance-based and ranges from RM 2.00 to RM 4.00 depending on how far you travel. Pay cash directly to the driver or use a Touch 'n Go card or Beep Card.
How long does Bus 101 take from George Town to Batu Ferringhi?
Bus 101 takes approximately 45–55 minutes from Komtar (central George Town) to the main Batu Ferringhi stop. Traffic on weekends can add 10–15 minutes. The full end-to-end journey from Weld Quay to Teluk Bahang takes about 75 minutes.
Does Bus 101 go to Penang airport?
No. Bus 101 runs along the northern coastal route and does not serve Penang International Airport. For the airport, take Bus 401E from Komtar, which costs around RM 2.70 and takes 50–60 minutes.
What time is the last Bus 101 from Batu Ferringhi?
The last Bus 101 from Teluk Bahang/Batu Ferringhi towards George Town departs around 10:30–11:00 PM. Check the posted schedule at the bus stop, as timing can vary slightly. Don't miss the last bus — a Grab from Batu Ferringhi to George Town costs RM 20–28.
Is Bus 101 air-conditioned?
Rapid Penang's newer buses on Route 101 have air conditioning. However, older buses in the fleet may have weaker AC or none. Service quality varies by which bus arrives — the route is operated with a mix of bus generations. Budget travelers should plan for occasional non-AC buses.