Tips for taking the Rapid Penang bus

There's no better way to see Penang on a budget than to take a Rapid Penang bus. I created this page specially for the benefit of budget travellers.

Travelling George Town for Free

You can travel around George Town for free by taking the CAT shuttle bus that loops around the city. It is operated by Rapid Penang, the same government bus company that provides bus transport throughout the state. Read the page on CAT Central Area Transit bus for the details.

Bus Routes on Penang

For the most detailed bus route in Penang, read Rapid Penang Bus Routes.

Taking Long-Distance Express Buses to Penang

If you are coming to Penang by bus, you can now book your outstation bus tickets online, and pay for it using credit card, Paypal or online bank transfer. For more details, follow this link.

On this page you can find all the Rapid Penang bus routes covering Penang Island and Seberang Perai. To use this bus route, first determine where you wish to go, and then search for it by doing a quick Find (key in Ctrl+F). I have colour coded the bus numbers for easy identification.

Location of Rapid Penang bus terminals and hubs are shown on this page. Selected Rapid Penang buses have free onboard WiFi service for its passengers. The WiFi service is now available on two long-distance routes, namely 101 (Weld Quay to Teluk Bahang via Batu Ferringhi) and 401E (Weld Quay to the Penang International Airport).

Rapid Penang Tourist Passport

You can now explore Penang on Rapid Penang buses using the Rapid Penang Tourist Passport. Available at selected outlets, the passport allows you unlimited travel on the buses for a whole week, and costs only RM20.00 per copy. For details, click on Rapid Penang Tourist Passport.

Bus Frequency

Unfortunately the published frequencies for bus routes are not consistent or reliable. For example, Route 101 is published with a frequency of 5 minutes on the bus stop along Penang Road, but on the Rapid Penang website, it shows a frequency of 10-20 minutes (as of Sept 2012), so I have to take this information with a grain of salt.

Due to insufficient buses, the frequency is still far below expectation. Although you will probably see quite a number of buses on the streets, waiting for the one going your way may consume at least half an hour or more. For that reason, if you have the means, then get your own private transport, take the taxi or rent a car.

Taking the bus from Airport

If you arrive at the Penang International Airport, you can take 401 and 401E to George Town. You can also take 102 to Batu Ferringhi.

Bus Fares

As of August, 2009, the fare for trips on Rapid Penang buses is RM1.40 for the first 7 km, and goes up to a maximum of RM4.00.

Rapid Penang Bus Stops

Rapid Penang Bus Stops range from a simple pole in the found to sheltered stops. A number of bus stops in Penang have been improved lately, with the installation of boards providing route information.

Rapid Penang Bus Routes (14 November 2012)

Rapid Penang Fare

First 7 km: RM1.40
Next 7 km (up to 14 km): RM2.00
Next 7 km (up to 21 km): RM2.70
Next 7 km (up to 28 km): RM3.40
Over 28 km: RM4.00

Disclaimer

The information provided here is accurate at time of writing, and may have been updated by the bus service provider without the author's knowledge. Please use the information as guidance and check with Rapid Penang at their information kiosks for the latest route details. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.

Full list of Rapid Penang Bus Routes