The route from Langkawi to Penang is a popular one. There are several ways to go from Langkawi to Penang in Malaysia. Flying is an option and is often cheaper than the fast ferry. The most convenient way to travel between Langkawi and George Town Malaysia is likely to be the fast ferry. The fast ferry travels between George Town, Penang, and Kuah, Langkawi, and takes 3 hours. . So whether you’re going from Langkawi to Penang or Penang to Langkawi, you’ll need to know the best way to travel between these two destinations. There are several options for transport between Langkawi and Penang, from the straightforward to the most comfortable. But what’s the best way to get from Langkawi to Penang? And what are the options for traveling to Penang from Langkawi? Here’s our guide on how to get to Penang from Langkawi.
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Where to Stay in Georgetown, Penang
There are a host of places to stay in Georgetown, Penang – here’s our pick of the luxury places to stay in Georgetown, Penang, mid-range places to stay in Georgetown, Penang, and budget accommodation in Georgetown, Penang.
Campbell House, Penang–Georgetown: Campbell House is situated right at the heart of Georgetown Penang. This Georgetown hotel’s rooms are beautifully decorated and include black-out curtains, a flat-screen TV, a ceiling fan, a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a hairdryer, slippers, a coffee maker, and free WiFi access. The top Georgetown hotel also offers Italian cuisine at Il Bacaro; where their must-try signature dish is Venetian Cicchetti, small plates of food eaten with glasses of wine. Campbell House in Georgetown provides is a glorious and luxurious place to stay in Penang’s main city. See room rates and availability for this top Georgetown hotel here.
Palm Mansion Boutique Suites, Penang–Georgetown: The Palm Mansion Boutique Suites is ideally located right in the center of Georgetown. Each room at this mid-range Georgetown hotel is equipped with a flat-screen tv with satellite channels, an attached private bathroom, and free WiFi. Room service is available here and there’s also a quaint coffee shop. This central Georgetown hotel provides laundry services and also has a small garden. The Palm Mansion Boutique Suites is a lovely place to stay in central Georgetown. Check room rates and available dates here.
Veno Hotel, Penang–Georgetown: The Veno Hotel has an exceptional location right in the center of Penang’s Georgetown. The budget Veno Hotel’s rooms have a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, iron/ironing board, an in-room safe, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer, toiletries, and towels. There’s free WiFi throughout. Veno Hotel offers an excellent, comfortable budget-friendly hotel. The Veno Hotel is really popular so check room rates and availability here!
How to Go from Langkawi to Penang – Transport Options
There is an airport in Penang, and flying from Langkawi to Penang is the fastest way to get there, you can even get a flight for as little as US$20, as there are deals sometimes. For ground transport options between Penang and Langkawi, there are several options, which include a variety of ferries. In this guide on how to go from Langkawi to Penang, we’ll cover the fastest way to travel from Langkawi to Penang, the easiest way to go to Penang from Langkawi, and the cheapest way to get to Penang from Langkawi. If you’re looking for what you can do in Penang, then our guide is here.
How to get to Penang from Langkawi
For transport from Penang to Langkawi, then you have several options. Flying to Penang from Langkawi is the fastest way to get here, but you’ll need to spend time getting to the airport at Langkawi and also waiting around after you’ve checked in. This is a domestic flight, so the check-in times are shorter than on international flights. If you don’t want to fly, then you can take a ferry, but you should note that the ferry books out extremely quickly as it’s a popular route, so book your Langkawi to Penang ferry ASAP! And our guide of what to do in Langkawi is here.
Langkawi to Penang Distance
The distance between Penang and Langkawi is 110 kilometers. This distance is as the crow flies. You will also need to take into account travel to and from your accommodation on each island, and, if you take the slower bus and ferry option the travel to the alternative ferry ports.
Time to go from Langkawi to Penang
How long it takes to go from Langkawi to Penang depends on several factors. First, the method of transport that you take. A flight between Langkawi to Penang Island will take 40 minutes. However, you will have to check in at least 45 minutes before departure and arrange your transport to and from the airports. Book a flight from Langkawi to Penang here.
A fast ferry between Langkawi and Penang takes around 3 hours and 5 minutes. Book the Fast ferry from Langkawi to Penang here. Check-in for ferries is around 30 minutes before departure. Depending on where you are staying on either Penang or Langkawi Island you may even be able to walk to the ferry departure points.
If you take the slower bus and ferry combination, then this route will take you a minimum of 5 hours (but more likely 7 hours) to go from Langkawi to Penang.
How to go from Langkawi to Penang – Travel options
The modes of transport between Langkawi and Penang include flights, fast ferries, and slower bus and ferry combination options. We recommend you look at your schedule, budget, and your start and end points before deciding which transport option between Penang and Langkawi is right for you
Flights to Penang from Langkawi
The direct flight from Langkawi to Penang takes about 40 minutes and this is the most popular way to travel from Langkawi to Penang. Several airlines fly to Penang from Langkawi the one with the best schedule is Air Asia
- Air Asia – check Air Asia flights to Penang from Langkawi here
- Firefly – check Firefly flights from Langkawi to Penang here
Flights from Langkawi to Penang leave from Langkawi Airport (LGK) and land at Penang Airport (PEN). Flying to Penang from Langkawi is the fastest way to go from Langkawi to Penang. Flying to Penang from Langkawi tends to be cheap and is the best way to get to Penang.
The first flight each day from Langkawi to Penang is at about 1:40 pm and the last flight to Penang from Langkawi is at around 435pm. There are (depending on the season) about 4 flights a day from Langkawi to Penang. Flying to Penang tends to be cheap and is the best way to get to Penang.
- Check fares for morning flights from LGK to PEN
- Check fares for afternoon flights from Langkawi to Penang
- Check fares for evening flights to Penang from Langkawi
The airport in Langkawi, LGK, is about 4 miles (7 kilometers) from the main tourist area of Pantai Cenang, it will cost about 20 RM to get to the airport from there. Consider booking a private transfer to the airport in Langkawi – check prices here
When you arrive in Penang, it is about 17 kilometers from Penang’s airport to Georgetown. You can take a bus, which costs between 1 RM and 4 RM, and which takes about 50 minutes.
Ferries from Langkawi to Penang
Dec 2022 CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING The most popular way to travel from Langkawi to Penang is the fast ferry. This is also the most convenient way to travel from Langkawi to Penang. The fast ferry to Penang from Langkawi takes around 3 hours and 5 minutes. There are 2 ferries a day in each direction, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Check ferry times between Penang and Langkawi now.
There are no night ferries between Langkawi and Penang. There are no slow ferries from Langkawi to Penang, but there are slower and cheaper routes, keep reading to find out more about the ferry to Penang Island.
There are two companies that run this route, the Hoye Holidays ferry and the Super Fast Verry Ventures. Ferries to Penang from Langkawi take about 3 hours.
The ferry to Penang from Langkawi takes3 hours. You can use an electronic ticket from your online ferry booking from Langkawi to Penang.
This is the cheapest way to go to Penang from Langkawi
There are four ferries each day that you can book to go to Penang from Langkawi. They leave Langkawi starting at 8:30 am and the last one is a 2 pm. Check which times suit your schedule here.
Langkawi to Penang Ferry Dec 2022 CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING
There are two daily departures from Langkawi to Penang. The crossing takes around 3 hours.
Where does the Langkawi to Penang Ferry go from?
Ferries from Langkawi to Penang leave from the Langkawi jetty at Kuah. Kuah is about 20 kilometres from Pantai Cenang, the main tourist area of Langkawi.
What time does the ferry from Langkawi to Penang leave?
There are two departures for the Langkawi to Penang ferry. Ferries leave Langkawi at 1030 and 1500. Check tickets for these departures from Langkawi.
How to get to the ferry port on Langkawi
The ferry port on Langkawi is at Kuah. You can also take a ferry from here to Koh Lipe Thailand and Satun Thailand – read how we got to Langkawi from Krabi in the off-season.
There are no public buses in Langkawi, so you will have to either rent a car (check here), rent a motorbike, or take a taxi. Taxis on Langkawi work at a fixed rate. Check for the posted rates by the taxi stands.
Where to buy tickets for the Langkawi to Penang ferry
You can buy tickets for the ferry from Langkawi to Penang at your hotel or hostel, at a travel agency, or the ferry ticket office. However, you can also buy tickets online for the Langkawi to Penang – the prices are the same, and the hassle is significantly less. Check availability and buy tickets online for the Langkawi to Penang ferry.
How far in advance do I need to book tickets for the Langkawi to Penang ferry?
We recommend you book at least the day before you travel to Penang from Langkawi. You can, however, buy tickets 30 minutes before departure at the ferry ports.
What is the cost of the ferry from Langkawi to Penang?
The ferry to Penang from Langkawi costs around US$20. Check the latest prices here.
What is the best time to travel from Langkawi to Penang?
If you are traveling in the offseason, when this route can experience rough seas, we recommend traveling in the morning. You can check the latest weather forecasts here. Heavier seas tend to occur later in the day. If you are a poor sea traveler, you should take a flight.
Where does the Langkawi to Penang ferry arrive?
Ferries from Langkawi arrive at the Cruise Ship Terminal or Swettenham ferry terminal in the northeast corner of Penang Island. This is an easy walk into George Town and it’s very close to Fort Cornwallis.
Penang Ferry to Langkawi
If you’ve come from Penang to Langkawi, we recommend you book accommodation ahead of time, to ensure you get your pick of the best. Here are the best places to stay in Langkawi.
The Four Season Resort in Langkawi is a perfect choice for people looking for comfort, luxury, and privacy. It is located in a secluded area in Jalan Tanjung Rhu surrounded by tall trees and highlighted by mangroves. The Four Seasons Resort has an outdoor pool, BBQ facilities, and a sun terrace. You can check room and suite availability here.
Stay at SR Villa if you don’t want to spend too much money on a hotel but still want to get quality sleep and be near some of the top things to do in Langkawi such as the Wildlife Park and Galeria Perdana. The room has basic furniture and an AC, and there are also kitchen facilities available if you prefer to self-cater. There’s more on Langkawi’s SR Villa here.
One of the most affordable places to stay in Langkawi is the Tokman Inn which has an impeccable location. It’s right in the middle of Pantai Cenang. Just outside its doors are an incredible amount of places to eat plus it’s only an 8-minute walk to the beach. We stayed at the Tokman Inn, on our first visit to Langkawi and it’s still receiving excellent reviews, you can see some of them here.
Where does the Penang to Langkawi ferry go from?
The ferry from Penang to Langkawi leaves from the Swettenham Pier on Penang Island. This is also known as the Penang Cruise Ship Terminal. It is found on the northeast end of Penang Island. It is easy to talk to the Cruise Ship Terminal from George Town.
What time does the ferry from Penang to Langkawi leave?
There are two departures for the Penang Langkawi ferry. Ferries leave Penang at 0830 and 1400.
How to get to the Penang ferry port on Penang Island
It is easy to walk to the Cruise Ship Terminal on Penang Island if you are staying in George Town. You can also easily take a bus or taxi.
Where to buy tickets for the Penang to Langkawi ferry
You can buy tickets for the ferry to Langkawi from Penang at your hotel or hostel, at a travel agency, or the ferry ticket office. However, you can also buy tickets online for the Penang-Langkawi ferry – the prices are the same, and the hassle is significantly less. Check availability and buy tickets online for the Langkawi from Penang ferry.
How far in advance do I need to book tickets for the Penang to Langkawi ferry?
We recommend you book at least the day before you travel to Langkawi from Penang. You can check availability and book tickets online here. You can, however, buy tickets 30 minutes before departure at the ferry ports.
What is the cost of the ferry from Penang to Langkawi?
The ferry to Langkawi from Penang costs from around US$20. Check the latest prices here.
What is the best time to travel from Penang to Langkawi?
If you are traveling in the offseason, when this route can experience rough seas, we recommend traveling in the morning. Heavier seas tend to occur later in the day. If you are a poor sea traveler, you should take a flight.
Where does the Penang to Langkawi ferry arrive?
The ferry from Penang to Langkawi arrives in the port of Kuah.
The Cheapest Way to Travel from Langkawi to Penang
While there are only 2 fast ferries a day each way between Langkawi and George Town Penang there are many more ferries that run between Langkawi and Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah. If you want to take a car from Langkawi to Penang you will need to take this route.
Our guide to the best things to do in George Town, Penang is here.
This route is the longest route between Langkawi and Penang. This is also the cheapest way to travel from Penang to Langkawi and is a combination bus and ferry journey. For this route you must follow one of these two routes – the first route is the more optimal as there are more transport options.
Langkawi to Penang Bus and Ferry via Kuala Perlis
- Take a ferry from Langkawi to Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal (buy tickets in person). This is the shortest ferry trip and also the cheapest. Ferries operate from 0700 until 1900.
- Walk from Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal to the Kuala Perlis Bus Terminal (about 200 meters)
- Take a bus from Kuala Perlis to Butterworth. This bus takes around 3 hours. (book here)
- In Butterworth, you can cross the Straits sea with the free ferry.
Langkawi to Penang Ferry and Bus via Kuala Kedah
- Take a ferry from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal (buy tickets in person)
- Take a bus from the Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal to Alor Setar ( distance is about 15 kilometers)
- From Alor Setar take the bus to Butterworth. (book here)
- At Butterworth take the free ferry across the Strait.
The Cheapest Way to Travel from Penang to Langkawi
Taking the route in the opposite direction, i.e. from Penang to Langkawi is again still the cheapest option, but this journey can take up to 7 hours if you are using public transport throughout
Penang to Langkawi Bus and Ferry via Kuala Perlis
- Take the free ferry from George Town to Butterworth across the Strait.
- Take a bus to Kuala Perlis from Butterworth. This bus takes around 3 hours. (book here)
- Walk to the Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal from the Kuala Perlis Bus Terminal (about 200 meters)
- Take a ferry from Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal to Kuah Langkawi (buy tickets in person). This is the shortest ferry trip and also the cheapest. Ferries operate from 0700 until 1900.
Penang to Langkawi Ferry and Bus via Kuala Kedah
- Take the free ferry from George Town to Butterworth across the Strait.
- Take a bus from Butterworth to Alor Setar (book here)
- Take a bus to the Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal from Alor Setar ( distance is about 15 kilometers)
- Take a ferry to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal (buy tickets in person)
Langkawi to Penang Ferry Review – the Fast Ferry
We left on the Langkawi to Penang at 1030 on the morning ferry. This ferry route is nicknamed the “vomit comet” as it is renowned for rough seas in the offseason. That’s why we’ve opted for the earliest departure, as the weather seems to come in later in the day.
We bought our tickets at the ticket office at the Kuah ferry station behind the KFC, as online ticketing wasn’t available when we traveled. You can now save yourself the hassle and pick up tickets online – check and buy tickets online from Langkawi to Penang.
The schedule said it would take 3 hours and it did. The ferry is enclosed, the air conditioning is fierce and the seats were comfortable.
From our room at the Tokman Inn (recommended and still getting good reviews – check availability here), we walked to the taxi stand. Taxi’s on Langkawi are fixed rates, so it cost us the standard 30 RM to go from the corner of Jalan Pantai Chenang to Kuah Port. Your hotel can also call a taxi and they will be the same rate posted on taxi ranks.
Weather on the Langkawi to Penang Ferry Route
The weather was fine, sunny, with little wind and the sea state was calm, with a slight chop as we moved out of the harbor. Still, the ferry did pitch and roll a lot considering the conditions were so calm.
It wasn’t hard to imagine why it got its name. I’m glad we weren’t traveling in bad weather for the 2-hour 45-minute trip in the freezer with the chilly air conditioning on board.
Our destination on Penang Island was George Town and we arrive at the Cruise Ship terminal. It’s at the edge of this gorgeous little town on Penang Island that attained UNESCO world Heritage Status jointly with Melaka in July 2007.
We arrived on a Sunday, and there wasn’t so much open, including the tourist information office and museums. We walked from the Cruise Ship terminal to our hotel, the Malabar Inn perched midway between Little India and the Chinese area.
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Final Words on Travelling between Langkawi and Penang
We opted to take the fast ferry from Langkawi to Penang, to save on travel time and get us into George Town earlier in the day. What about you? How will you travel between Langkawi and Penang?
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7 thoughts on “How to go from Langkawi to Penang – Penang to Langkawi”
Your blogs really helpful, we’re doing the same trip! 🙂
Thanks! We hope you enjoy it as much as we are!
Thank You Very Much for such detailed information . Indeed Very Helpful. Keep it up .
Hey Sarah,
thank you for the blog!
Does the ferry from Penang to Langkawi currently operate? I’m getting mixed replies…Where could I check?
All the best,
Nicolai
Hi Nicolai, we’re just waiting for it to come back online, it stopped for the pandemic.
I have just attempted to do this route, the ferry from Langkawi to Penang, and after a few stressful days of trying to book it, I was informed that this route no longer exists. The ferry from Langkawi to Penang (and vice-versa) was terminated in 2020. To avoid flights, you must now get a ferry from Kuah (Langkawi) to Kuda Kedah, then a train for bus to Penang. I hope this helps others who are looking to do this route 🙂
Thanks, Lucy, we’re hoping that as travel opens up more that the route will open again. I’ll update the post.