Getting to Penang by Train
KTM ETS to Butterworth, the walk through Penang Sentral, and across to George Town
Can you take the train to Penang?
Yes, to the mainland. KTM's ETS trains from KL Sentral end at Butterworth station, beside the Penang Sentral hub. In KTMB's timetable effective 1 June 2026, seven ETS services a day reach Butterworth, taking 3 hours 35 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes from KL Sentral. From Penang Sentral you cross to George Town on the Penang ferry, by Grab over the Penang Bridge, or by bus.
ETS trains to Butterworth
The Electric Train Service (ETS) is run by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) on the electrified West Coast Line. KTMB sells three classes: ETS Platinum (fewest stops; train numbers start EP), ETS Gold (more stops; EG) and the ETS Express (EX) shown in the current timetable. KTMB lists Butterworth as one of its main ETS routes from KL Sentral.
KL Sentral (and JB Sentral) to Butterworth
Swipe sideways for all columns
| Train | From | KL Sentral dep. | Ipoh | Butterworth arr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP9124ETS Platinum | KL Sentral | 08:05 | 10:29 | 12:10 |
| EX9108ETS Express | KL Sentral | 11:40 | 13:41 | 15:15 |
| EP9130ETS Platinum | KL Sentral | 13:40 | 16:04 | 17:45 |
| EP9326ETS Platinum | JB Sentraldep. 09:55 | 14:10 | 16:34 | 18:15 |
| EP9136ETS Platinum | KL Sentral | 15:55 | 18:19 | 20:00 |
| EG9352ETS Gold | KL Sentral | 18:22 | 20:56 | 22:42 |
| EP9138ETS Platinum | KL Sentral | 20:15 | 22:39 | 00:20next day |
EP9326 starts at JB Sentral at 09:55 and runs through KL Sentral, so you can ride from Johor Bahru to Butterworth without changing.
Butterworth to KL Sentral
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| Train | Butterworth dep. | Ipoh | KL Sentral arr. | Runs to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP9121ETS Platinum | 05:15 | 06:56 | 09:20 | KL Sentral |
| EP9123ETS Platinum | 06:30 | 08:11 | 10:35 | KL Sentral |
| EP9323ETS Platinum | 07:00 | 08:41 | 11:10 | JB Sentral (arr. 15:20) |
| EG9343ETS Gold | 07:50 | 09:36 | 12:15 | KL Sentral |
| EX9109ETS Express | 13:05 | 14:40 | 16:40 | KL Sentral |
| EP9133ETS Platinum | 16:05 | 17:46 | 20:10 | KL Sentral |
| EP9135ETS Platinum | 18:45 | 20:26 | 22:50 | KL Sentral |
Times are from KTMB's ETS timetable effective 1 June 2026 (updated 3 April 2026). KTMB adds extra trains for festive periods and changes timetables a few times a year, so check KTMB's KITS booking site for your date. We don't list fares, because KITS prices each seat at booking.
From Padang Besar, Alor Setar or Ipoh: KTM Komuter Utara
The ETS trains to and from Padang Besar on the Thai border don't stop at Butterworth: in the June 2026 timetable they run past both Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth. If you're coming from Perlis, Kedah, or from Hat Yai via Padang Besar, use KTM's northern commuter service, Komuter Utara, which ends at Butterworth. It is also a second option from Ipoh and Taiping.
Padang Besar – Butterworth (via Arau, Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, Bukit Mertajam)
- Trains each way:
- 19 a day
- End to end:
- about 1 hour 51 minutes
- First to Butterworth:
- 05:20 from Padang Besar (arr. 07:11)
- Last to Butterworth:
- 21:35 from Padang Besar (arr. 23:26)
- First from Butterworth:
- 05:20 (arr. Padang Besar 07:11)
- Last from Butterworth:
- 21:40 (arr. Padang Besar 23:31)
Ipoh – Butterworth (via Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Parit Buntar, Bukit Mertajam)
- Trains each way:
- 12 a day
- End to end:
- about 1 hour 56 minutes
- First to Butterworth:
- 04:40 from Ipoh (arr. 06:36)
- Last to Butterworth:
- 19:45 from Ipoh (arr. 21:48)
- First from Butterworth:
- 05:30 (arr. Ipoh 07:26)
- Last from Butterworth:
- 20:10 (arr. Ipoh 22:06)
From KTMB's Komuter Utara timetable effective 24 July 2026.
Arriving at Butterworth: through Penang Sentral
Butterworth station sits next to Penang Sentral, the mainland transport hub for the ferry, buses, express coaches and taxis. You walk between them.
- The walkway. The state government describes a 200-metre air-conditioned pathway between the KTM station and Penang Sentral, built to universal-design standards. It was closed for about six weeks after a empty Komuter train overshot the end of the track at Butterworth in November 2025, and has since reopened.
- Which level. Penang Sentral's own passenger guide puts the link ways to KTM and to the ferry, the taxi counter and baggage lockers on Level 2, and Rapid Penang and express-bus pick-up on Level 1. Grab pick-up was moved to Level 2A, with taxis on Level 2, in early 2026.
- Lifts and luggage. In January 2026 the state government acknowledged complaints about lifts that weren't working, leaving stairs as the only option. A federally funded station upgrade, which adds escalators to both platforms and separates pick-up from drop-off, was then at tender evaluation. If you have heavy bags or use a wheelchair, allow extra time. Penang Sentral lends wheelchairs free from its Level 2 and Level 3 information counters.
From Penang Sentral to George Town
Penang ferry
The passenger ferry crosses from the Sultan Abdul Halim terminal beside Penang Sentral to the Raja Tun Uda terminal on Weld Quay, at the edge of George Town's heritage zone. Penang Port lists the first sailing to the island at 6:30 am and the last at 11:00 pm, every 20 minutes at peak times, every 30 minutes off-peak. The crossing takes about 10 minutes and costs RM 2.00 per adult (RM 1.00 for children 5–11), paid by Touch 'n Go card or ticket. Check Penang Port's ferry page for changes.
Grab or taxi over the bridge
Penang Sentral to KOMTAR is about 24 km by road over the Penang Bridge. Penang Sentral calls the ferry crossing a 3 km voyage. Book Grab from Level 2A. It's the practical choice with big luggage or for hotels away from the waterfront. See our Grab fare guide.
Bus
Rapid Penang buses leave from Level 1. Penang Sentral says Rapid Penang runs 11 Seberang Perai local routes and 2 intercity routes from the hub. In Rapid Penang's timetable feed none of the Penang Sentral routes crosses to the island, so take the ferry and pick up island buses at Weld Quay (101, 204, 401E and the free CAT start there). See our Penang bus routes page.
Deciding where to sleep? A late arrival or an early train can make the mainland worth a night. See where to stay in Penang, which covers Seberang Perai next to Penang Sentral.
Coming from Kuala Lumpur?
Comparing the train with flying, the bus and driving? Our KL to Penang guide covers all four. The rail line through Penang Sentral is also where the planned Mutiara Line LRT will cross to the island. See what's changing in Penang transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a train station on Penang Island?
No. Trains stop at Butterworth station on the mainland, next to the Penang Sentral transport hub. To reach George Town you cross the strait by the Penang ferry, by road over the Penang Bridge, or by bus.
How long is the ETS from KL Sentral to Butterworth?
In the KTMB timetable effective 1 June 2026, the ETS Express (EX9108) takes 3 hours 35 minutes, the ETS Platinum services take 4 hours 5 minutes and the ETS Gold (EG9352) takes 4 hours 20 minutes.
How many trains run from KL to Butterworth each day?
Seven ETS services reach Butterworth in the 1 June 2026 timetable: six from KL Sentral and one through train from JB Sentral that calls at KL Sentral at 14:10. Seven run the other way. Check KTMB's KITS booking site for the day you travel, because KTMB adds and removes trains around holidays.
Can I take the ETS or KTM Komuter from Padang Besar or Alor Setar to Butterworth?
Not directly. The ETS trains to Padang Besar run past without stopping at Butterworth. Use KTM Komuter Utara instead: 19 trains a day each way between Padang Besar and Butterworth in the timetable from 24 July 2026, about 1 hour 51 minutes end to end.
How do I get from Butterworth station to the Penang ferry?
Walk through Penang Sentral. The state government describes a 200-metre air-conditioned walkway between the KTM station and Penang Sentral, and Penang Sentral signs a link way to the ferry from its Level 2.
How much is the ETS from KL to Penang?
KTMB sells ETS seats through its KITS website and app, and the price depends on the service and the seat. We don't print a fare we can't confirm from KTMB. Check the live price on KITS when you book.
Sources
- KTMB ETS timetable, effective 1 June 2026
- KTMB Komuter Utara timetable, effective 24 July 2026
- KTMB: Electric Train Service
- Penang Sentral passenger guide
- Buletin Mutiara (Penang state government), 20 January 2026
- Penang Port Commission: ferry services
- Road distance: OSRM routing over OpenStreetMap data, Penang Sentral to KOMTAR.
Checked 6 October 2026.