Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda ("Jetty")

Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda, George Town (17 August 2015)


Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda (GPS: 5.4137, 100.34313) is the ferry terminal in George Town. It is commonly known simply as "Jetty", a signage you will find on Rapid Penang buses heading towards the Weld Quay Bus Terminal. Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda is the place for people arriving by ferry in Penang from Butterworth. It is located on reclaimed land off Weld Quay in George Town.

Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda, with the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal in the foreground (28 May 2008)


Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda terminal was built to replace Victoria Pier which was built towards the end of the 19th century, in honour of Queen Victoria. It was renamed after the first Governor of Penang of the newly independent Malaya, Raja Tun Uda Al-Haj bin Raja Muhammad, who was in office from 31 August 1957 (the day Malaya achieved independence), until 30 August 1967.

Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda is one of the two ferry terminals for the cross channel Penang ferry services. On the Butterworth side, the ferries berth at Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim.

All buses in Penang heading towards the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal at Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda bears the sign for "Jetty", which is synonymous with the ferry terminal.

Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda on Google Street View

Arriving on Penang Island by Ferry

Read Arriving By Ferry for details of crossing the channel to Penang Island by ferry.

Leaving Penang Island by Ferry

The ferry ride from George to Butterworth is free of charge. To take the ferry as a foot passenger, you enter Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda using the long enclosed corridor.

Entrance to corridor for taking the ferry (3 February 2013)


Corridor at Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda (3 August 2013)


This takes you to a waiting area. You will see two parking bays for ferries and these are used in rotation. With the arrival of a ferry, the passengers are allowed to disembark before the gate of the waiting area is opened to allow awaiting passengers to board.

Ferry waiting area (3 August 2013)


Many of the all-vehicle ferries have now been converted to take both passengers and vehicles on the upper deck. As such, there is often just a separation between the foot passengers and the vehicles.

Ramp at Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda (3 August 2013)


Cars and passengers sharing deck space (3 August 2013)

Getting to Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda

Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda is located next to the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal. This is the terminal for the Rapid Penang buses. Visitors who want to sightsee George Town can also take the free Central Area Transit Shuttle Bus from the bus stop in front of Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda.

Rapid Penang Jetty Terminal (3 August 2013)


The taxi stand is located just next to the bus terminal. You can take a taxi here to just about anywhere in Penang.

Weld Quay Taxi Stand (22 October 2006)

A Blast from the Past

Here's a photo of Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda taken by Mr Ivan Murray in 1975. If you have shot Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda in the past, do share your photo with us here. Photos have to be taken by yourself or someone you know whose permission is given to show it here.

Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda in 1975
© Ivan Murray

Nearby Sights

Penang ferry (29 January 2009)


Cars inside Penang ferry (29 January 2009)

Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda is on the map of Penang Ferry Terminals