Penang ferry service
The famous heritage ride across the Penang Channel
Probably the most cherished and well-known icon of Penang, this ferry service which carries motor vehicles and foot passengers became operational in 1925, linking Butterworth on the mainland to George Town on the island. Prior to that, the ferries in the form of large boats were meant for goods and people only.
Many locals and visitors find the scenic breezy journey of about fifteen minutes a most endearing experience.
Built in the form of a huge barge which opens at both ends, the ferry generally accommodates vehicles on the lower deck and foot passengers on the upper deck. The eight ferries in the current fleet and nine retired ones are named after islands in Malaysia.
The terminal at Butterworth called Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal is located next to the railway station. A bus terminal for coaches to local and outstation destinations is sited next to the railway station.
The first ferry departs from the ferry terminal in Butterworth at 5:20 am and the last at 12:40 midnight. On the island side, the first ferry departs at 5:40 am and the last at 1:00 am.
For more information, call +604-2102 363
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Written by Hinamshu Bhatt © All rights reserved
Photographed by Adrian Cheah © All rights reserved
First published by Think City Sdn Bnd © All rights reserved
16 August 2017
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PS: On 1 January 2021, new faster passenger ferries between the Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda and the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth will be in operation replacing Penang’s iconic vehicular ferries. The trip will take just about seven minutes to cross the channel, as compared with a 20-minute trip on the old vessels. The new ferries will run at 20-minute intervals during peak hours and 30-minute intervals during off-peak hours. The new vessels will be in service until June 2022 before making way for three “water buses” and two motorcycle transporters.
In the meantime, motorcyclists and cyclists will still be able to enjoy crossing the Penang Channel on one of the iconic ferries for the next two years, before the historic vessels are "retired".
Updated: 30 December 2020