Trains from Bangkok to Penang

If you want to travel by train from Bangkok to Penang you now need to take Train #45 to the Thai-Malaysia Border and then change trains to a Malaysian KTM Kommuter service for the final section of the journey to Penang. This is an improvement over the old service (the now defunct Train #35) as the KTM Kommuter trains run a lot a faster than the old direct train service ever did.

Train times from Bangkok to Penang


  • Stage 1: Train times from Bangkok to Padang Besar.
TrainBangkokPadang BesarService
4515:3509:50Special Express
  • Stage 2: Train times from Padang Besar to Penang.
TrainPadang BesarPenangService
294105:2507:16KTM Kommuter
294506:2508:16KTM Kommuter
294907:2509:16KTM Kommuter
295308:2510:16KTM Kommuter
295710:2512:16KTM Kommuter
296112:2514:16KTM Kommuter
296313:2515:16KTM Kommuter
296514:2516:16KTM Kommuter
296715:2517:16KTM Kommuter
296916:2518:16KTM Kommuter
297317:2519:16KTM Kommuter
297718:2520:16KTM Kommuter
298119:2521:16KTM Kommuter
298521:2523:16KTM Kommuter

Buy Tickets from Bangkok to Penang


Use the Search Box below to book your tickets on Train #45 from Bangkok to Padang Besar for the first stage of the journey from Bangkok to Penang:

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Tickets for the second stage of the journey from Padang Besar to Butterworth Railway Station can be purchased at Padang Besar Railway Station on arrival. This is a commuter service and there is no need to book in advance. There are 14 trains a day and even in the unlikely event that the train you want to take is full then you will only have to wait a short time for another departure.

Little India in Penang
Little India in Penang

Location of Bangkok Train Station


From the 19th January 2023 the main railway station in Bangkok is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station).

Google Map of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station

Arrival in Penang


You need to cross over a short stretch of sea to get from Butterworth Railway Station to reach the island of Penang. There are two ways to do this.

1. From the train station you can easily walk to the ferry pier. The ferry takes you to the edge of Penang City from where it is an easy 15 minutes walk to the popular tourist areas of the City around Chulia Street, where many of the best hotels are located.

2. Your second option is to take a taxi from the railway station over a nearby bridge onto Penang by road.

Onward Travel from Penang


Train Tickets from Bangkok to Penang
Bus to Kuala Lumpur

Onward travel is very easy from Butterworth railway station because it is very close to Penang Sentral Bus Terminal. From Butterworth bus station it is a 4 hour bus journey to Kuala Lumpur. The bus route is quick as the road is mostly 3 lane motorway.

Google Map of Butterworth Railway Station

Route to Penang Sentral Bus Station


  • Walking distance from Butterworth Railway Station to Penang Sentral Bus Terminal: 550 metres
  • Walking time from Butterworth Railway Station to Penang Sentral Bus Terminal: 8 minutes

Next read about Train services in Malaysia

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