Getting around Penang: ferry, buses, bridges, airport and taxis

The short version

• The Penang ferry runs every day between Butterworth and George Town. The adult fare is RM2.00.
• Ferry trips leave every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at other times.
• Prasarana runs the stage buses in Penang. Its Rapid Penang page holds routes and fares; open it for the current fares.
• Two bridges link the island and the mainland. Their toll rates are published by the highway operators, not copied here.
• At the George Town ferry terminal, the port commission lists taxi and Grab pick-up.

The ferry

The Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang (SPPP, Penang Port Commission) runs the ferry service. It joins two terminals:

• Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal, Jalan Pangkalan Butterworth, on the mainland. Car parking is available and public buses connect there.
• Raja Tun Uda Terminal, Pengkalan Weld, George Town. SPPP lists taxi and Grab services here.

Times, as listed by SPPP:

• Butterworth to George Town: first trip 06:30, last trip 23:00.
• George Town to Butterworth: first trip 07:00, last trip 23:30.
• Interval: 20 minutes at peak times, 30 minutes at other times.
• SPPP gives operating hours of 06:30 to 23:30, every day.

Fares, as listed by SPPP:

• Adult: RM 2.00
• Child aged 5 to 11: RM 1.00
• Child aged 4 and under: free
• Disabled person (OKU): free
• Motorcycle: RM 2.50
• Bicycle: RM 2.00

You can pay with a Touch 'n Go card, or buy a ticket at the counter or online. SPPP lists the ferry enquiry number as 604-3752432 for both terminals.

SPPP's own statistics table lists pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles for the years 2021 to the third quarter of 2025, with zero cars and lorries in those years. Check with SPPP before you plan to bring a car.

Source: SPPP, Perkhidmatan Feri, read 2026-10-11.

Buses

Prasarana Malaysia Berhad says it owns and operates the stage bus services in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang. Prasarana's bus brand is Rapid Bus, and it has a Rapid Penang page on its MyRapid site. Prasarana also offers a mobile app, MyRapid PULSE, for journey planning in the Klang Valley and Penang.

Rapid Penang's page at myrapid.com.my is where routes, fares and service notices are kept. Open the page for the current fares.

Sources: Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Rapid Penang, read 2026-10-11.

The two bridges

Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM, the highway board) lists both bridges among the highways on its website: the Penang Bridge (Jambatan Pulau Pinang, E36) and the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (E28). LLM's home page shows a toll rate calculator, but it carries a notice that the online toll rate service is being improved. Check LLM or the bridge operator for the toll before you travel.

LLM lists a traffic information hotline: 1800-88-7752.

Source: LLM, read 2026-10-11.

The airport

Malaysia Airports' website has a Penang page for Penang International Airport. The page has a Transport section and flight information. Use the official page for current transport options. It says airport taxis use fixed-price coupons sold at the arrivals counter.

Sources: Malaysia Airports, Penang, read 2026-10-11, and Malaysia Airports, Penang public transport, read 2026-10-21.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Agensi Pengangkutan Awam Darat (APAD, the land public transport agency) lists "Teksi dan e-hailing" among its services. For fares and licence rules, use APAD's page. At the George Town ferry terminal, SPPP says taxi and Grab services are available.

Sources: APAD and SPPP, read 2026-10-11.

Driving

The Ministry of Transport Malaysia says that a foreigner who has not been given permission to drive in Malaysia should get a Malaysian driving licence. The first step is to register with a driving institute and follow the normal procedure.

Source: Ministry of Transport Malaysia, Driving Licenses, read 2026-10-11.

Related

• Services: plumbers, cleaning, aircon, movers and electricians.
• What changed: official notices.
• What's on: events you can travel to.
• Eat in George Town: where to eat near the ferry terminal.