By The Escape desk · Last verified 11 October 2026
From Kuala Lumpur, Penang is about 3.5 to 4 hours by KTM ETS train to Butterworth, then a 12-minute ferry to George Town, or about 55 minutes by air. Malacca has no railway station in town; the nearest, Pulau Sebang/Tampin, is about 38 km away, so the bus from TBS (about 2.5 hours) is usually simpler. Langkawi is an island with no road link: fly from KL in about 1 hour 10 minutes, or take a ferry from Kuala Perlis (about 1 hour 15 minutes) or Kuala Kedah (about 1 hour 45 minutes). From Singapore, there are direct flights to both Penang and Langkawi, and since February 2026 an ETS train has linked JB Sentral with Butterworth.
Malaysia’s three favourite weekend escapes each need a slightly different plan. Here is the quickest, the cheapest and the most scenic way to each, side by side.
Quick facts
- KL to Penang by ETS: about 3.5 to 4 hours to Butterworth; reported fares RM35 to RM80.
- Butterworth ferry: about 12 minutes; reported fare RM1.20, charged only from mainland to island.
- KL to Malacca by bus: about 2.5 hours from TBS to Melaka Sentral; fares reported from RM15.
- Malacca by rail: nearest station Pulau Sebang/Tampin, about 38 km from town.
- Langkawi ferries: Kuala Perlis about 1h15; Kuala Kedah about 1h45.
- No Penang-Langkawi ferry: reported suspended since 2020; fly or go via the mainland jetties.
Penang: train and ferry, or fly
| From KL to Penang | Time | Reported one-way cost |
|---|---|---|
| Flight to Penang airport | About 55 minutes in the air | RM50 to RM200, depending on timing |
| ETS train, KL Sentral to Butterworth, plus ferry | 3.5 to 4 hours, plus 12-minute crossing | RM35 to RM80, plus RM1.20 ferry |
| Express bus | 4 to 5 hours | RM25 to RM50 |
| Driving | Similar to the bus, traffic permitting | Petrol plus North-South Expressway and Penang Bridge tolls |
The train is the pleasant middle road: city centre to city centre, with no airport security. At Butterworth, walk through Penang Sentral to the ferry terminal for the short crossing into George Town. Drivers cross by the Penang Bridge or the longer Second Penang Bridge, both tolled. Fares and times above are from a travel guide updated in October 2026; check KTMB and airline sites for the day you travel.
Malacca: the bus wins
Malacca’s lack of a town-centre station surprises many visitors. Rail is possible, by ETS or KTM Komuter to Pulau Sebang/Tampin and then a bus or taxi for the last 38 km, but it rarely beats a direct coach. Transnasional, for example, lists about 2 hours 30 minutes from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) to Melaka Sentral, with fares from RM15 and weekend traffic as the main delay. From Singapore, direct coaches run to Malacca as well, which often makes it a single-seat trip.
Langkawi: fly or sail
| Route to Langkawi | Time | Reported fare |
|---|---|---|
| Flight from KL | About 1h10 | Roughly RM100 to RM400 one-way, by airline |
| Ferry from Kuala Perlis | About 1h15 | RM35 for international adults |
| Ferry from Kuala Kedah | About 1h45 | RM45 for international adults |
| Flight from Penang | About 30 minutes | Roughly RM79 to RM300 one-way |
| Direct flight from Singapore | See airline schedule | Varies by airline and date |
Ferry fares are as reported by a Langkawi travel guide in 2026, which notes foreign visitors pay more than Malaysians; confirm with the operator. By road, it is roughly six to seven hours from KL to the jetties, so most visitors from the capital fly. Langkawi is a duty-free island, which is part of its appeal.
A worked example: one loop from Singapore
- Day 1: cross to JB and take the ETS from JB Sentral north; it runs through KL Sentral to Butterworth on the limited-stop service introduced in February 2026. Ferry into George Town.
- Days 2 to 3: Penang. Then fly about 30 minutes to Langkawi, since there is no direct ferry.
- Days 4 to 5: Langkawi, then fly home to Singapore direct or via KL.
- Malacca: save it for a separate weekend by direct coach from Singapore; it does not sit neatly on the northern line.
Remember the paperwork when entering Malaysia, including the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card where it applies to you.
The WahLiao Verdict
Take the train to Penang, the bus to Malacca and a plane to Langkawi; each is the easiest tool for that job. Book ETS seats early for weekends and holidays, avoid driving into Malacca on a Friday evening, and if you are bringing a car to Langkawi, book the Ro-Ro ferry rather than turning up. Simple choices, calmer holidays.
Questions people ask
Is there a train to Penang island?
No. Trains stop at Butterworth on the mainland. The ferry from beside Penang Sentral takes you to George Town in about 12 minutes.
Can I take the train all the way to Malacca?
Only to Pulau Sebang/Tampin, about 38 km away. You then need a bus or taxi into town.
Is there a ferry from Penang to Langkawi?
Not at present; it was reported suspended since 2020. Fly, or go overland to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis for the ferry.
How do I book ETS tickets?
Through KTMB’s own online ticketing system and app, at station counters, or via resellers that may add a fee.
Sources: Rail Travel Station, KTMB ETS timetable from 4 February 2026; Travel Guides Tip, getting to Penang, updated October 2026; Train36, KL to Malacca by rail; Transnasional, TBS to Melaka Sentral coach; Langkawi Book, getting to Langkawi, 2026. The Escape explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Singapore to Kuala Lumpur: Coach, Train or Plane, With the Time and the Cost · SG Arrival Card and Malaysia’s MDAC: Which Border Forms You Need, and When · Back to The Escape
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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