Butterworth to Penang by ferry: A relaxing, scenic journey

The Butterworth to Penang Ferry is the traditional way to travel to Penang Island from the mainland.

The ferry opened back in 1894 and was then the only way for railway passengers from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to reach George Town. It is still the most convenient way for rail travellers to reach Penang Island.

Nice view approaching George Town ferry pier. The building with the clock tower was the old FMS Railway Terminal where passengers would wait for the arrival of their ferry.

Most vehicle traffic these days use the two road bridges to Penang but the ferry, which carries cars and motorbikes, is a pleasant alternative for those not in a hurry. It is a relaxing way to travel and very convenient.

The ferry company is branded as Rapid Ferry. This ferry is 56 metres long and 11.6 m wide with a gross tonnage of 1647 tons and built in 2002 with a capacity of 300 passengers and about 60 cars.

Operating hours and timings

From Butterworth to Penang

First ferry departs 05.20am
Last ferry departs 00.10am

From Penang to Butterworth

First ferry departs 05.40am
Last ferry departs 00.40am

Ferries depart every 20 to 30 minutes during the hours 5.20am to 10pm with four ferries running.

You won’t have to wait long for your ferry. After 10.00pm there is only one ferry running and it departs every 40-60 minutes.

The ferry has two decks for vehicles. This is the upper deck.

Duration of ferry journey

Depending on the currents and sea conditions the journey takes between 10 to 20 minutes. If you drive your car onto the ferry, you can get out and walk about and enjoy the scenery.

Butterworth is an industrial town but a little bit of beach and fishing village survives next to the ferry pier.

Fares (updated December 2018)

Fares are cheap. You only have to pay for the ferry from Butterworth to Penang. The return journey is not charged. (Penang Bridge has the same system of charging for only one direction).

Pedestrians

Adults RM1.20
Children (Ages 5 to 12) RM0.60
Students in Uniform RM0.60
Individuals with disabilities (with valid OKU ID) RM0.60

Vehicles

Cars RM7.70
Bicycles RM1.40
Motorbikes RM2 (including pillion rider)

The ‘Pulau Kapas’, one of six ferries plying this route. They are all named after Malaysian islands.

Location of Butterworth to Penang Ferry Terminal (Butterworth Side)

On the Butterworth (mainland) side, the ferry pier is known as Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal and it is adjacent to a multi-story transport hub and commercial/shopping complex called Penang Sentral.

A bus terminal and Butterworth KTM Railway station are connected to this complex although ongoing construction work means that the connection between train and ferry is currently not as seamless as it could be.

Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal
Butterworth
12000 Penang
Malaysia
GPS: 5.394722, 100.363649

Location of Butterworth to Penang Ferry Terminal (Penang Side)

On the island, the ferry pier is conveniently located on Weld Quay in the heart of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage zone and you can walk to most of the city’s top attractions nearby.

The ferry pier is known as Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal and it is next door to Weld Quay Bus Terminal for smooth connection to the island’s RapidPenang bus services if required.

Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal
Georgetown
10300 George Town
Penang, Malaysia
GPS: 5.413212, 100.344018

This article first appeared in malaysia-traveller.com

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Butterworth to Penang by ferry: A relaxing, scenic journey