Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Butterworth Ferry Terminal)

Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (3 August 2013)


Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (GPS: 5.39465, 100.36435) is the ferry terminal in Butterworth. Commonly known as the Butterworth Ferry Terminal, it is the jetty for people to take the Penang ferry service that plies between George Town and Butterworth. It is located in Butterworth town and is part of the port area of the Penang Harbour. From the terminal, ferries cross the channel to Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town. The Butterworth Ferry Terminal is also within a short walking distance from the Butterworth Railway Station and the Butterworth Bus Terminal.

When it was built at the turn of the 20th century, the pier in Butterworth was named Mitchell Pier, after the then Governor of the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements, Sir Charles Mitchell, who served from 1894 to 1899. Following independence and the reconstruction of the pier, it was renamed Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim after the Sultan of Kedah, Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, who was the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 21 September 1970 to 20 September 1975 and since 13 December 2011 is once again reigning as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the first ever to hold that position twice.

Ferry at Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (29 January 2009)

Going to Penang Island by Ferry

If you are going to Penang Island by car, from Jalan New Ferry, continue on to Jalan Metcher until you reach the intersection with the BORR. Take the ramp signaged "Terminal Feri".

Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim on Google Street View

The ramp goes on a full circle to bring you towards Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim.


Cars approaching Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (29 January 2009)


If you take the bus to Butterworth, it deposits you at the temporary terminal of Penang Sentral. From that main bus terminal, go across the road towards Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim. There is an escalator going up to the passenger deck.

Penang Sentral Ferry Entrance (3 August 2013)


Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim escalator (3 August 2013)


It's the same thing if you are coming by train or taxi. Look for the entrance to Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim. The various corridors converge to guide you to the right form of transport.

Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim signage (3 August 2013)


Passengers boarding the ferry passes through a turnstile where you drop the right amount of fare to board.

Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim turnstile (3 August 2013)

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 Sultan Abdul Halim in 1975
© Ivan Murray

Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim is on the map of Penang Ferry Terminals

List of Jetties in Penang and Jetties in Malaysia