Johor Bahru: General Information about the Destination
Penang is an island state located off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its mix of British colonial and Asian architecture. Often called the “food capital of Malaysia,” Penang is renowned for its street food stalls and open-air markets serving delicious local dishes like char kway teow, laksa, and nasi kandar. The island also features tropical beaches like Batu Ferringhi and lush hills in Penang National Park. Other top attractions include Kek Lok Si, an ornate Buddhist temple complex, and the Penang Hill funicular railway, taking visitors to the highest point on the island for panoramic views.
Information about the Route (Penang – Butterworth – Gemas – Johor Bahru)
The travel route from Penang to Johor Bahru includes three stages:
Penang to Butterworth by ferry.
Butterworth to Gemas by ETS (Southbound Line).
Gemas to Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) by Intercity Ekspres Selatan (Southbound Line) or Ekspres Rakyat Timuran (Southtbound Line).
You can also travel by plane. Be sure to check out the alternative options for trains at the end of this article.
Ferry from Penang (George Town) to Butterworth
The Rapid Ferry connects George Town, Penang, with Butterworth via the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal. Ferries depart every 20 to 30 minutes, and the journey takes 15 to 20 minutes. Operating hours are from 7:00 to 21:00 every day, and there is no charge for the ferry ride to Butterworth.
Upon reaching the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim terminal in Butterworth, passengers can either walk for approximately 15 minutes to the Butterworth Railway Station or use the free shuttle bus service provided.
Departure: Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT)
Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang
Hotline number: 04-3102-363
Arrival: Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal
12000 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Hotline number: 04-3102-363
How to Get to the Terminal from George Town?
To reach the terminal from George Town, you can choose between a taxi or a bus. Taxis in Penang usually operate without a meter, so you should negotiate the fare with the driver beforehand. If you prefer public transport, take one of the buses – 202, 203, 204, or 502 – which will take you directly to the Pengkalan Weld ferry terminal. You can easily plan your journey by using the website https://myrapid.com.my/journey-planner/.
See also: Intercity Train from Johor Bahru (JB) to Kluang
Butterworth to Butterworth by ETS Train
The train service from Butterworth to Gemas operates on the Southbound Train line, offering gold-class travel. The journey typically takes around 7 hours to complete, covering a distance of 520 kilometers. For those choosing the Gold class, the starting price for a ticket is RM75.00.
Passengers can purchase tickets either through the train service’s website or directly at the station’s ticket counter. The train route includes stops at various stations along the way, including Bukit Mertajam, Nibong Tebal, Parit Buntar, Bagan Serai, Taiping, Padang Rengas, Kuala Kangsar, Sungai Siput, Ipoh, Batu Gajah, Kampar, Tapah Road, Tanjung Malim, Batang Kali, Sungai Buloh, Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral, Bandar Tasek Selatan, Kajang, Seremban, Pulau Sebang, Batang Melaka, and finally Gemas.
See also: How to Get from Singapore to Langkawi
Departure: Butterworth Station
Stesen Keretapi Butterworth,
Jalan Bagan Dalam,12000 Butterworth,
Pulau Pinang
Contact number: 04-3312796
Schedule of ETS Trains Butteworth – Gemas
(Jadual ETS Butterworth ke Gemas)
The train service from Butterworth to Gemas operates once a day. The train departs from Butterworth at 07:50 in the morning.
Download the current schedule.
DownloadGemas to Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) by KTM Intercity
The train route from Gemas to Johor Bahru spans 205 kilometers, with services provided by the ERT Ekspres Rakyat Timuran and ES Ekspres Selatan on the Southbound Train line. The duration of the journey begins at 4 hours and 25 minutes.
Fares for this trip begin at RM21.00, with tickets available for purchase through the train service’s website or at the ticket counters located at the stations. This flexibility caters to both advance planners and last-minute travelers. Along the route, the train stops at stations such as Segamat, Kluang, Kulai, and Kempas Baru, culminating in Johor Bahru.
Arrival: JB Sentral Station
Stesen Keretapi Jb Sentral,
Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Bukit Chagar,
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Contact number: 07-2234727
Schedule of Train Gemas – Johor Bahru
(Jadual Intercity Gemas ke Johor Bahru)
The available departure times are in the morning at around 7:45 and 9:30, in the afternoon at approximately 15:30, and late at night at around 2:00. For those arriving from Butterworth, the afternoon train option provides convenient transfer times.
Download the current schedule.
DownloadSchedule and Ticket Cost
The total cost of tickets from Penang to Johor Bahru should not exceed 110 MYR. The duration of the journey will vary depending on the chosen option, with the afternoon train taking approximately 12 hours.
Available option:
Butterworth – Gemas Departure: 07:50, Arrival: 14:52.
Gemas – Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) Departure: 15:20, Arrival: 19:45.
Alternative – Flights from Penang to Johor Bahru
For those looking to travel from Penang to Johor Bahru, flying is a convenient option with direct flights provided by airlines such as Air Asia, Firefly, and Malaysia Airlines. These direct services ensure a swift journey, typically taking between 1 hour and 1 hour 20 minutes.
Check the current flight schedule.
Check on 12go.comFrequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Penang to Johor Bahru?
The distance from Penang to Johor Bahru by road is approximately 670 kilometers. Travel by car can take between 6 hours and 20 minutes to 9 hours, depending on traffic conditions, while a train journey can take around 12 hours.
Is there a direct train from Penang to Johor Bahru?
There is no direct train from Penang to Johor Bahru. Passengers must first take a ferry from Penang to Butterworth, then catch an ETS (Electric Train Service) southbound train from Butterworth to Gemas, and finally transfer to an Intercity train (either the Ekspres Selatan or the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran) from Gemas to Johor Bahru (JB Sentral).