Penang - Kuala Lumpur Melaka and Penang - page 365

8 GETTING TO & FROM BUTTERWORTH

Butterworth, the city on the mainland bit of Penang state (known as Sebarang Perai), is home to Penang's main
train station and is the departure point for ferries to Penang island. Unless you're taking the train or your bus has
pulled into Butterworth's busy bus station from elsewhere, you'll probably not need to spend any time here.
The cheapest way to get between Butterworth and George Town is via the ferry (per adult/car RM1.20/7.70;
5.30am-1am). The terminal is linked by walkway to Butterworth's bus and train stations. Ferries take passen-
gers and cars every 10 minutes from 5.30am to 9.30pm, every 20 minutes until 11.15pm, and hourly after that un-
til 1am. The journey takes 10 minutes and fares are charged only for the journey from Butterworth to Penang; re-
turning to the mainland is free.
If you choose to take a taxi to/from Butterworth (approximately RM50), you'll cross the 13.5km Penang
Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world. There's a RM7 toll payable at the toll plaza on the mainland, but
no charge to return.

Getting Around
» To/From the Airport The fixed taxi fare to most places in central George Town is
RM44.70. Taxis take about 30 minutes from the centre of town to the airport, while the
bus takes at least an hour. Bus 401 runs to and from the airport (RM3) every half-hour
between 6am and 11pm daily and stops at Komtar Bus Station and Weld Quay Bus Terminal
(19-24 Pengkalan Weld, George Town) .

» Bus Buses around Penang are run by the government-owned Rapid Penang
( www.rapidpg.com.my ) . Fares are between RM1.40 and RM4. Most routes originate at Weld
Quay Bus Terminal on Pengkalan Weld and most do also stop at Komtar Bus Station and
along Lebuh Chulia.

» Car You can rent cars at La Belle ( 262 7717; www.labelle.net.my ; 48 Lebuh Leith) in George
Town. At Bayan Lepas International Airport you'll find New Bob Rent-A-Car (

644 1111;

8am-10pm Mon-Fri, to 8pm Sat & Sun) , Avis (

www.bobcar.com.my ; 643 9633; www.avis.com ;

8am-9pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat & Sun) , Kasina ( 644 7893; www.kasina.com.my ; 7.30am-10pm Mon-Sat,

8.30am-5pm Sun) and Pacific Rent-A-Car (PRAC;

643 8891; www.iprac.com ; 7.30am-10pm Mon-Sat,

8am-6pm Sun) .