Singapore: General Information about the Destination
Singapore is an island city-state located off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Known as a global financial center, Singapore has a bustling downtown core with striking ultra-modern architecture, including Marina Bay Sands resort and the iconic Supertree Grove. The city-state is also a popular travel destination, offering a unique blend of cultures from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and British influences. Key attractions include Gardens by the Bay’s futuristic domes, the historic Raffles Hotel, and the mouthwatering hawker food stalls. Singapore provides easy access for day trips to surrounding islands like Sentosa. With its tropical climate, modern amenities, diverse neighborhoods, and verdant natural spaces like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore is considered a leading metropolitan destination in Asia.
Information about the Route (Penang – Butterworth – Gemas – Johor Bahru – Woodlands – Singapore)
The travel route from Penang to Singapore includes five 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).
Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) to Woodlands by Shuttle Tebrau.
Woodlands to Singapore by bus, MRT, or taxi.
You can also travel by plane or bus. 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 operates between George Town, Penang, and Butterworth, starting from the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal. Ferries depart every 20 to 30 minutes, with the journey taking 15 to 20 minutes. The service runs 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 approximately 15 minutes to the Butterworth Railway Station or use the free shuttle bus service provided.
See also: How to Get from Singapore to Langkawi
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, Malezja
Hotline number: 04-3102-363
How to get to the Terminal from George Town?
To get to the Pengkalan Weld ferry terminal from George Town, you have the option of taking a taxi or a bus. For taxis, it’s important to agree on the fare with the driver before the journey, as taxis in Penang typically do not use meters. Alternatively, you can use public transportation by catching one of the following buses: 202, 203, 204, or 502. These buses provide a direct route to the ferry terminal. You can easily plan your journey by using the website https://myrapid.com.my/journey-planner/.
Butterworth to Gemas by ETS Train
The trains running from Butterworth to Gemas are on the Southbound Train line, specifically the Gold class service. The quickest travel time for this Gold class train is 7 hours. Tickets for the Gold class start at RM75.00.
You can purchase tickets online or at the station’s ticket counter. The journey covers a distance of approximately 520 kilometers and includes stops at various stations along the route, 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.
Departure: Butterworth Station
Stesen Keretapi Butterworth,
Jalan Bagan Dalam, 12000 Butterworth,
Pulau Pinang
Contact number: 04-3312796
Schedule of ETS Trains Butterworth – Gemas
(Jadual ETS Butterworth ke Gemas)
The train from Butterworth to Gemas runs once a day. The train departs at 07:50 in the morning.
Download the current schedule.
DownloadGemas to Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) by KTM Intercity
Trains operating on the Gemas to Johor Bahru route traverse a 205-kilometer path. The services provided are the ERT Ekspres Rakyat Timuran and the ES Ekspres Selatan, which both use the Southbound Train line. The duration of the trip commences at 4 hours and 25 minutes.
The fare for a ticket begins at RM21.00. Passengers have the option to buy tickets through the website or at ticket counters located at the stations, allowing for flexibility in planning. The train halts at various stations en route, such as Segamat, Kluang, Kulai, and Kempas Baru, before arriving at Johor Bahru.
Schedule of Train Gemas – Johor Bahru
(Jadual Intercity Gemas ke Johor Bahru)
Departures are scheduled for the early morning at about 7:45 and 9:30, in the mid-afternoon near 15:30, and late in the evening close to 2:00. For travelers coming from Butterworth the afternoon and evening trains offer suitable times for transfers.
Download the current schedule.
DownloadJohor Bahru (JB Sentral) to Woodlands by Shuttle Tebrau
The fourth stage of the trip from Penang to Singapore includes taking the Shuttle Tebrau train from Johor Bahru Sentral to Woodlands. This part of the journey takes just five minutes, making it a quick way to cross the border, and the fare is an affordable 5 MYR. Passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid inconvenience, especially for departures in the morning.
Arrival: Woodlands CIQ Station
Woodlands Train Checkpoint,
11 Woodlands Crossing, 738103, Singapore
Schedule of Train Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) – Woodlands
(Jadual Shuttle Tebrau Johor Bahru ke Woodlands)
There are 18 daily train departures, offering passengers a wide range of options. The earliest train sets off at 5:00, and the last one leaves at 22:45.
Download the current schedule.
DownloadCustoms Clearance and Boarding
Boarding the Shuttle Tebrau train from Johor Bahru to Woodlands requires passengers to arrive on time and follow a series of straightforward steps. They should make their way to Gate A, which is the specific gate for shuttle train boarding. This gate is accessible 30 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure time and will close 10 minutes before the train leaves.
Short-term visitors need to complete the SG Arrival Card before arriving at the gate and be ready to scan their passports at the scanners provided there.
Following this, passengers will go through immigration and customs clearance. There is also a baggage scanning station to pass through before one can proceed to the train’s waiting area.
For an efficient immigration process, passengers are advised to download and use the MyICA Mobile App. In the waiting area, passengers can find shops, ticket counters, and boarding gates.
Singapore Immigration
Upon reaching the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (CIQ), passengers must proceed to Singapore immigration for entry clearance. The immigration counters are located behind the train’s disembarkation point, and passengers should make their way there immediately after getting off the train.
For immigration processing, a completed SG Arrival Card is necessary. Passengers who haven’t filled out this card beforehand can do so while in the immigration queue; wifi service is available at the checkpoint to facilitate this.
Following immigration, the next step is to pass through customs. Travelers should be aware that there is no Duty-Free Allowance for goods being brought from Malaysia into Singapore, specifically concerning liquor, cigarettes, or other tobacco products. Any such items in possession must be declared, and they will incur a significant tax. To ensure a smooth customs experience, it’s recommended not to bring these restricted products into Singapore.
See also: ETS train from KL to Alor Setar
Woodlands Train Checkpoint (CIQ) to Singapore
Upon arrival at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (CIQ), visitors are presented with various transportation options to reach their final destinations within Singapore, each catering to different budgets and preferences.
For cost-conscious travelers, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system or a combination of bus and MRT services offers an economical way to move around. The closest MRT station to the checkpoint is Marsiling MRT Station (NS8), situated approximately 1.7 kilometers away on the North-South Line. To reach Marsiling MRT Station, passengers can board bus number 950 from the bus stop located just outside the Woodlands checkpoint.
Those preferring a more direct route to their destination can opt for a taxi service. While this is a more costly alternative compared to public transit, it provides the convenience of a door-to-door service from the Woodlands Checkpoint to any location on the island.
Schedule 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 13 hours.
Available option:
– Butterworth – Gemas Departure: 07:50, Arrival: 14:52.
– Gemas – Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) Departure: 15:20, Arrival: 19:45.
– JB Sentral – Woodlands Departure: 20:15, Arrival 20:20.
Alternative – Flights from Penang to Singapore
As an alternative to train travel, those looking to journey from Penang to Singapore have the option of flying, with airlines such as Air Asia, Scoot, and Jetstar Airlines offering routes between these destinations. These flights can be either direct or may require a change at an intermediate stop. The duration of a direct flight from Penang to Singapore is typically around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Check the current flight schedule.
Check on 12go.comFrequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Penang to Singapore?
The distance from Penang to Singapore, ending at Woodlands which is at the border, is around 680 kilometers if you are traveling by road. Depending on traffic conditions, it can take anywhere from approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes to 9 hours to drive this distance by car.
Is there a direct train from Penang to Singapore?
No, there isn’t a direct train service from Penang to Singapore. The journey by train involves multiple legs and transfers:
1. Take a ferry from Penang Island to Butterworth.
2. From Butterworth, board the ETS (Electric Train Service) on the Southbound Line to Gemas.
3. At Gemas, transfer to the Intercity Ekspres Selatan or Ekspres Rakyat Timuran on the Southbound Line to travel to Johor Bahru (JB Sentral).
4. From JB Sentral, take the Shuttle Tebrau to cross the border to Woodlands in Singapore.
5. Once at Woodlands, you can continue to your specific destination within Singapore by bus, MRT, or taxi.