Singapore to Penang: Complete Transport Guide

Plan your journey from the Lion City to Malaysia's food capital. Flying is fastest, but buses offer a budget-friendly alternative.

Transport Options#

✈️

Flight

1h 20min

SGD 60-150

Fastest option

🚌

Bus

8-9 hours

SGD 30-50

Budget-friendly

🚂

Train + Bus

10+ hours

SGD 50-80

Scenic journey

Detailed Transport Guide#

✈️

By Flight

Multiple daily flights from Singapore Changi to Penang International Airport. The quickest and often most convenient option.

  • •Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • •Airlines: Scoot, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines
  • •Price: SGD 60-150 (book early for best rates)
  • •Airport to George Town: 30-40 min by Grab
Tip: Scoot often has the cheapest fares. Book 3-4 weeks ahead. Consider flying into KL if fares are much cheaper, then take a short domestic flight.
🚌

By Bus

Direct buses from Singapore to Penang. Long journey but budget-friendly with various departure times.

  • •Duration: 8-9 hours (including border crossing)
  • •Operators: StarMart, Grassland, 707
  • •Price: SGD 30-50
  • •Departure: Golden Mile Complex, Beach Road
Tip: Overnight buses let you sleep through the journey. Bring passport for Malaysian border. VIP buses are more comfortable for the long trip.
🚂

By Train + Bus

Take the train from Singapore to JB Sentral or KL, then connect to Penang. More complex but scenic.

  • •Duration: 10+ hours total
  • •Route: Singapore → JB → KL → Penang
  • •Price: SGD 50-80 total
  • •Note: Requires multiple connections
Tip: Only recommended if you enjoy train travel. The Malaysian ETS train from KL to Butterworth is comfortable and scenic.

Our Recommendation#

Flying is the clear winner for Singapore to Penang. The time savings are significant (1.5 hours vs 8+ hours), and fares can be comparable to bus tickets when booked in advance. Only consider the bus if you're on a very tight budget or enjoy long road trips.