Penang Free CAT Bus
Free hop-on hop-off bus covering all George Town heritage sites
How does the Penang free CAT bus work?
The free CAT bus loops around George Town's UNESCO heritage zone every 20 minutes from 6 AM to midnight. No payment needed — just board. Covers 19 stops including Fort Cornwallis, Armenian Street, Clan Jetties, and Kapitan Keling Mosque.
The CAT (Central Area Transit) bus is a completely free service that loops around George Town's UNESCO World Heritage Zone. It's designed specifically for tourists and residents to navigate the heritage area without driving or paying for rides. The bus runs two routes — a Green loop and a Purple loop — both covering all major heritage attractions. Running every 20 minutes from 6 AM to midnight, 365 days a year, it's the smartest way to connect between George Town sights without walking in the tropical heat. There are 19 stops covering all the major landmarks.
Route Details
Route
Komtar (Loop Route) → Komtar (Loop Route)
Via
Chulia Street, Clan Jetties, Fort Cornwallis, Khoo Kongsi, Penang Museum
Journey Time
~40 minutes (full loop)
Fare
FREE
Frequency
Every 20 minutes
Hours
6:00 AM – 11:59 PM (Midnight)
Completely free — no card, no payment, just hop on. Funded by the Penang State Government.
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.
Komtar
Visit the Rainbow Skywalk on the 65th floor for panoramic views of Penang and the Strait. Komtar is also the main departure point for other Rapid Penang bus routes.
Jalan Penang (Penang Road)
Famous Penang Road Teochew Cendol — one of Penang's most iconic street food experiences. The bright red ice dessert with palm sugar is essential.
Pengkalan Weld (Weld Quay)
Walk down to the Clan Jetties — ancient Chinese waterfront villages built on stilts. Chew Jetty is the largest and most photogenic. Go at dawn or dusk for best light.
Fort Cornwallis
Explore Malaysia's largest standing British fort, built in 1786. Inside is a small museum, the original lighthouse, and cannons pointing at the strait. Admission is RM 20 adults.
Armenian Street
The most photographed street in Penang — the "Boy on a Bicycle" and "Girl on a Swing" Ernest Zacharevic murals are here. Walk south to Khoo Kongsi clan house (5 minutes).
Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
The historic religious harmony street: Kapitan Keling Mosque (Muslim), Sri Mahamariamman Temple (Hindu), and the Goddess of Mercy Temple (Buddhist) are all within 200 metres of each other.
All 19 Stops — Bus CAT
Search by stop name or nearby attraction. Tap any stop for details. Gold stars mark tourist highlight stops.
Showing all 19 stops
Komtar
Main hub — start or end your George Town heritage loop here
Jalan Penang (Penang Road)
Famous Penang Road cendol stall — must-try dessert in George Town
Lebuh Campbell (Campbell Street)
Lebuh Chulia (Chulia Street)
Backpacker hub and Little India area — Temple Street, Kapitan Keling Mosque
Lebuh Pantai (Beach Street / Bank Street)
Pengkalan Weld (Weld Quay)
Clan Jetties — oldest Chinese waterfront settlements, great photography spot
Gat Lebuh Cina (China Street Ghaut)
Lebuh King (King Street)
Lebuh Queen (Queen Street)
Kuan Yin Teng temple — one of oldest and most visited temples in Penang
Lebuh Farquhar (Farquhar Street)
Colonial heritage street — Cathedral, Museum, and Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade)
Fort Cornwallis and the Esplanade — best waterfront views of Penang Strait
Fort Cornwallis
Fort Cornwallis — Malaysia's largest standing fort, built 1786
Lebuh Pantai / Jalan Tun Syed (OCBC)
Lebuh Aceh (Aceh Street)
Oldest mosque in Penang on Aceh Street — historic Muslim Quarter
Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
Kapitan Keling Mosque — most prominent mosque in Penang, spectacular architecture
Armenian Street (Jalan Armenia)
Street art capital of George Town — Armenian Street murals and Khoo Kongsi nearby
Lebuh Dickens / Jalan Masjid
Lebuh Light (near Penang Museum)
Penang Museum and St George's Church — oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia
Komtar (Return)
Bus CAT · 19 stops total · Tap a stop for details
Insider Tips for Bus CAT
- The CAT bus is 100% free — just board and sit, no payment needed
- The full loop takes approximately 40 minutes — you can ride the entire route for free as a mini city tour
- Running until midnight, CAT buses are useful for evening sightseeing in the heritage zone
- Use the CAT bus to rest tired feet between walking — especially useful midday when heat is intense
- Both Green and Purple CAT routes cover the core heritage zone — either will get you to main sites
- The CAT bus is air-conditioned — a welcome break from Penang's heat
- Buses can be full during peak tourist hours (10 AM – 12 PM) — just wait 20 minutes for the next one
- Use the CAT bus as a "reset" — hop on, ride to next area, hop off and explore on foot from there
- Download the Rapid Penang CAT route map PDF before your trip (search: "Penang CAT bus route map")
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to pay — some tourists don't realise the CAT bus is entirely free and offer money to the driver
- Waiting at Rapid Penang stops — CAT bus stops are the same stops but look for the "CAT" signage
- Missing the return direction — the CAT is a one-way loop, so going back means riding the full loop
- Expecting the CAT to go beyond George Town — it only covers the UNESCO heritage zone, not beaches or hills
- Going during Thaipusam or Penang George Town Festival — buses are packed and may be rerouted
- Not knowing the Green vs Purple route distinction — check your target stop is on your chosen route
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Penang CAT bus really free?
Yes, completely free. The Central Area Transit (CAT) bus is funded by the Penang State Government specifically to provide free transport within George Town's UNESCO Heritage Zone. No ticket, no card, no payment of any kind. Simply board the bus at any CAT stop.
How often does the Penang CAT bus run?
The CAT bus runs every 20 minutes from 6:00 AM to midnight (11:59 PM), seven days a week, 365 days a year. On public holidays, service continues as normal. During major festivals (Thaipusam, CNY), buses may be rerouted due to road closures.
What areas does the Penang CAT bus cover?
The CAT bus covers only George Town's UNESCO World Heritage Zone — essentially the historic core of George Town including Komtar, Chulia Street, Weld Quay/Clan Jetties, Fort Cornwallis, Armenian Street, and Kapitan Keling Mosque. It does NOT go to Batu Ferringhi, Penang Hill, or the airport.
How long does the full CAT bus loop take?
One complete loop of the CAT bus takes approximately 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. You can stay on the bus for the entire loop as a free sightseeing tour of George Town's heritage zone.
What is the difference between the Green and Purple CAT bus routes?
The Green and Purple CAT routes cover slightly different sections of the heritage zone loop. Both serve the major tourist stops. The Green route runs clockwise and the Purple route counter-clockwise. In practice, for most tourists, either bus will get you to the main sights — just check the stop list at each bus shelter to confirm your destination is served.
Can I use the CAT bus to get to Penang Hill or Batu Ferringhi?
No. The CAT bus only covers George Town's heritage core. For Penang Hill, take Rapid Penang Bus 204 from Weld Quay. For Batu Ferringhi, take Bus 101 or 102 from Komtar.